ToneDexter II Support
FAQs

ToneDexter II FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Software and Web Management Related
How do I update the software?
  • Save the latest software release from the Audio Sprockets website to your download folder, or any other convenient location.
  • With your ToneDexter II connected to your computer, either Mac or PC, go to your favorite browser and type in the URL 192.168.7.1
  • The Web Management tool should appear. It is a live link to your ToneDexter II, and not to an external site.
  • Save that as a bookmark for future reference.
  • Click the Software Update button and browse to the software you just saved in your download folder. Click open or okay at the prompt, then the red upload button and ToneDexter II will be updated.
When I connect the USB cable and try to connect to URL 192.168.7.1 with my browser, it just times out or gives a URL server can’t be found message.

Sometimes unplugging the USB cable, closing the browser tab, then plugging in again and trying the URL again will fix this.

V1.0 had problems with newer versions of Safari. This has been fixed in V1.1.

The software update failed – the screen went black. Help!

If this happens, there is a back door method to restore and update the unit using the .uf2 file, instead of the .bin file

  • Connect a USB cable
  • Press and hold the red boot button on the rear for about 2 second and let go. A removable drive named RPI-RP2 will appear on your computer.
  • Drag the .uf2 file to this drive. Say OK to any warnings. The removable drive will disappear once transfer is complete. Ignore the eject warning.
How do I backup my WaveMaps?
  • With your ToneDexter II connected to your computer, either Mac or PC, go to your favorite browser and type in the URL 192.168.7.1
  • The Web Management tool should appear. It is a live link to your ToneDexter II, and not to an external site.
  • Save that as a bookmark for future reference.
  • Click the Manage WaveMaps button. You can now reorder, rename, delete existing WaveMaps. To save a specific WaveMap, click the floppy disk icon and choose a location. You can rename the file if you want to.
  • Or click the Backup WaveMaps button to store all of them in one file, or the Restore WaveMaps button to reload all from a stored file.
What does 'WaveMap has unsaved changes!' mean?

It means there are parameter changes such as gain, EQ, spaciousness, etc. that ToneDexter II knows about in the working memory, but that are not stored in the baseline memory for that particular WaveMap. If this is the case, the name of the WaveMap will show in italics on both the unit and on the WaveMap Management web page. 

Sometimes, you won’t want to store those with the WaveMap,  for example when they are tweaks for a particular venue. Other times you will. If you want to save the changes, simply press the circled checkmark on the web page to commit the changes to baseline memory. On ToneDexter II, press the WaveMap button then save.

Can I use my original ToneDexter WaveMaps with ToneDexter II?

No. The format and underlying data has changed significantly. In addition, there is much meta data stored in the new format for things like gains, EQ, routing, etc. that the original ToneDexter did not support.

Training Related
Does ToneDexter II make better sounding WaveMaps than the original ToneDexter?

Yes, though the difference is not dramatic. Nonetheless, careful listening will reveal the extra high frequency detail, and the lack of ‘fizz’, an artefact that produced an unnatural fizzy tail effect from an impulsive hit to the bridge as the sound died away. Through a PA, this would normally not be noticeable, but for a recording, maybe.

Is it easier to train WaveMaps on ToneDexter II than on the original ToneDexter?

Yes. The automatic level setting and training itself have both been improved to streamline and speed up the process.

Does it matter where I train ToneDexter, my playing room has a very live sound?

If you are using a uni-directional mic such as a typical cardioid, you can train in your living room, in your kitchen, and yes even in your car. (Never train and drive and the same time!)

The point is that you don’t need a refined acoustic space because the WaveMap picks up very little of the room sound. An omni-directional mic, will pick up more of the room sound, so best to avoid overly live rooms. A typical bedroom or living room will work just fine.

What difference does the mic make in creating WaveMaps?

ToneDexter II WaveMaps are built by comparing the mic sound with your pickup, so the resulting WaveMap will depend on both the mic’s response and most importantly on the mic position as you train ToneDexter.

A small diaphragm condenser mic is recommended. Large diaphragm mics can also work well, but may be more finicky about placement. Dynamic mics, such as common vocal mics, can yield usable results, though generally will not have as much high frequency information and will have the 5KHz region exaggerated. Tube (valve) mics, due to their higher non-linearity, are not recommended but may yield good results nonetheless.

Both cardioid and omnidirectional pickup patterns will give excellent results. Inexpensive omnidirectional measurement mics, even those with high self-noise, can give excellent results because the microphone noise doesn’t matter to the training. With an omni, you’ll have a more balanced perspective on what the instrument sounds like to a listener, and sometimes this can be advantageous.

Active ribbon mics may also be used. Passive ribbon mics may be used so long as they can tolerate 48V phantom power. If using a passive ribbon mics, consider turning off the 48V phantom power on the Training page.

Play Related
I'm not getting an audio on the outputs!
  • Check the input, FX, and output routing selections to make sure they match your use case.
  • Make sure your cables are working properly.
  • Assuming the above are not the issue, the most common cause is using a under powered power supply. Most pedal boards supplies will require daisy chaining of two isolated outputs to provide enough power. See the FAQ about what power supplies will work.
The WaveMap sounds lower in volume compared to bypass?

Unlike the original ToneDexter, all WaveMaps are normalized to the same sound power level. This means that the exact levels of the pickup and mic during training are not critical.

The reason bypass can sound louder is because the direct pickup frequency content is different than with the WaveMap, and our ears are more sensitive to some frequencies than to others. The input gain can of course be adjusted, but the difference in perceived level will still remain.

In software version 1.2 and above there will be a provision to trim the WaveMap gain which will eliminate this concern.

The WaveMap sounds thin or hollow?

This can be caused by several factors. The most common cause is mic position. Experiment with different mic positions early and often to hone in on what works for your instrument. Audition with good quality, flat response headphones such as the ATH-M50. Then, after a few WaveMaps are created, test them out through your intended PA or acoustic amplifier.  The best mic position for live sound is usually not the same as what you would want to hear on a studio recording.

Another cause can be the mic choice. If you have access to multiple mics, try them all. Flat, small diaphragm condensers (pencil mics) consistently give better results than large diaphragm or vocal mics. The flatter the response, the better. Move the mic farther away from the instrument. This often makes it sound more balanced and authentic. Try an omnidirectional mic – this can often make finicky instruments sound much better.

If you have an active system, make sure your battery is not depleted. Also, make sure your volume control is set about midway. Some systems run out of headroom when set to maximum volume, and that can interfere with training.

Make sure your pickup is not on the ‘pickups that don’t work’ list.

Why does my ToneDexter hum?

If you are using a passive piezo pickup, and sometimes with and active system, you may hear some AC power line hum if your system is not grounded. In normal use ToneDexter will be connected to an amplifier or PA system which is grounded, and you will not experience any hum. But if you do hear hum when training using just headphones, plugging one of the outputs into a grounded system, such as an audio interface or mixer, will eliminate the hum.

What power supplies can I use?

The power supply provided with ToneDexter has a universal input which means it will run off north American mains power, as well as international mains power which varies from country to country. The Power supply specs are…
Input: 100-240V 50-60Hz Input. Output 12V DC 1.0A 12W or 12V DC 0.7A 8.4W.

For international sales, 4 power socket adaptors are included for US, UK and other international standards.

For North American sales, the power supply can be used internationally with a suitable external pin adapter.

ToneDexter works from a range of voltages: 9-15V. It tolerates either the effects pedal standard of negative center, or the more general standard of positive center. It requires about 7 watts, which is more than many adapters can provide. The reason the figure is not precise is because it depends on how stiff the supply is during the period when ToneDexter II is starting up.

To figure the wattage, multiply voltage time amperage. For example, 9V at 900mA would be 9V x 0.9A or 18.1 watts. That’s not enough since ToneDexter requires 7 watts, continuous, 8W peak to start up. 

Many pedal board power supplies with multiple outputs will work, but some of them do not provide enough power in any single output port. If they have isolated outputs, it is possible to daisy chain two outputs together to double the available power using a daisy chain pedal power cable. A daisy chain cable will keep the voltage the same as each individual output, but double the available current, and thus double the available power.

Recommended pedal board power supplies

  • Voodoo Lab Pedal Power Digital or Mondo – requires daisy chaining two outputs together
  • Strymon Ojai or Zuma – requires paralleling two outputs together
  • CIOKS DC7 – requires paralleling two outputs together
  • Truetone 1 Spot Pro CS6, CS7, or CS12 – requires daisy chaining both 9V 500mA outputs together
What are new optical footswitches all about?

The original ToneDexter uses spring actuators to press down on a tactile contact switches mounted to the circuit board. We used the best quality switches we could find, but the contacts still wear out eventually. If you have this issue, contact support for repair options.

On ToneDexter II, the spring actuators are the same, but now they interrupt an infrared light beam which tells the software that the footswitch was depressed. Because there is no physical contact, the sensors will never wear out and hence your footswitches will last longer than you.