IK Multimedia TONEX Brown Sound 78/79 Collection - Electronic Delivery

The IK Multimedia TONEX Brown Sound 78/79 Collection is the first in a limited series of three exceptional TONEX Signature Collections, diving deep into the legendary guitar tones that helped define modern rock. Using period-correct gear and an obsessive attention to detail, this collection features 58 Tone Models that capture the unmistakable sound of the rock icon’s first two groundbreaking albums. Every decision behind the Brown Sound 78/79 was made to capture not just the gear, but also the attitude, the feel, and the raw sonic blueprint of a genre-defining moment in rock history. With a mix of confirmed and speculated setups, including alternate speakers such as the 4x12 combo cab loaded with two vintage JBL D120s and two 25W Greenbacks, these Tone Models deliver stunning accuracy and creative flexibility. Complete the experience with Sunset Sound Studio Reverb and recreate the tone that changed guitar forever.

COLLECTION OVERVIEW:

• 58 exceptional Tone Models for use across the entire TONEX ecosystem
• Based on a ′68 Marshall Super Lead modified to serial number #12301 specs
• Models feature multiple 1960 Marshall cabs with different speakers
• Details include running the signal through specific pedals and a Vega wireless
• Captured using period spec studio gear, just like the original recordings
• Created using AI Machine Modeling technology with advanced training
• Compatible with all TONEX software versions, including the free TONEX CS
• Tone Models can easily be loaded to TONEX pedals for live performance

THE AMP: “THE ONE”

At the heart of the Brown Sound 78/79 collection is “The ONE” — a meticulously crafted Marshall-style amp built from the ground up with the exact same spec as the infamous 1968 Super Lead serial number #12301, including crucial mods that capture the DNA of the early brown sound like no other amp model. A big part of that sound comes from the Fat Cap mod, a custom tweak to the preamp’s second gain stage that increases low-frequency gain and creates that signature chewy midrange and hair on every note. Combined with a 50K mid pot (which shifts the EQ balance toward a more vocal, aggressive midrange), as found on the legendary #12301 Plexi, the amp punches with the exact presence and attitude heard on the earliest Brown Sound recordings.

VOLTAGE CONTROLLED

TONEX’s advanced AI technology captures the true character of any amp as well as its organic feel and response to changes in voltage and bias. TONEX perfectly captures the saggier response and thicker gain produced when the voltage drops and tubes are starved for voltage. The internal amp bias was maxed out and captured using several different Variac™ settings: 68, 89, and 78 volts. For the ′78 Tone Models, they used 78V and 89V and ran through all cab configurations, allowing you to hear and feel the various combinations of voltages and speakers.

CABS: BUILT TO SHAPE THE SOUND

Speaker choice was everything. They captured several classic and hybrid cab setups, each chosen for its unique role in crafting the tones of the era. Some combinations replicate known rigs, while others explore options players and experts speculate were used in-studio. Each cabinet was captured using a variety of voltages to provide a spectrum of feel (from tight and punchy to spongy and loose), tailoring the sag and compression like on the records.

CAPTURED CABINETS:

• Marshall 1960A loaded with Celestion G12M 25W Blackbacks (75 Hz)
• Marshall 1960A with Celestion G12M 25W Greenbacks (75 Hz)
• Marshall 1960A with Celestion G12EVH / Heritage 20W Greenbacks (75 Hz)
• Marshall 1960B “Peeled” combo cab loaded with two 25W Greenbacks (75 Hz) and two JBL D120 speakers

STUDIO MAGIC: CAPTURED LIKE AN ALBUM

Every cab was miked with classic SM57s and run through a vintage-style analog console to capture the recorded vibe as authentically as possible. Each tone was sculpted like a real studio mix, and the results come frighteningly close to the album sound. Plug in a guitar with PAF-style pickups and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into Sunset Sound Studios circa ′78/′79. A few captures were created using a U67 placed further back to increase resonance and soften the top end, making them perfect for double tracking with brighter, more articulate tones. For players who want a bit more edge, they've included alternate “Hot” Tone Models, created by driving the analog mic preamp harder to add extra gain and saturation, just like what you hear on many early recordings.

IK MULTIMEDIA TONEX BROWN SOUND 78/79 COLLECTION FEATURES:

• First installment in the TONEX Brown Sound series
• Includes 58 detailed Tone Models
• Based on a modified 1968 Marshall Super Lead (#12301 specs)
• Captures the raw, iconic late-’70s Brown Sound tone
• Multiple Marshall 1960 cab configurations and hybrid speaker setups
• Includes rare combinations with JBL D120 and Greenback speakers
• Captured with period-correct studio gear and signal chains
• Features multiple Variac voltage settings for tonal variation
• Modeled using TONEX AI Machine Modeling™ technology
• Includes “Hot” models for added gain and saturation
• Captured with classic studio mic techniques (SM57, U67)
• Designed to replicate authentic album-ready tones
• Compatible with all TONEX versions, including TONEX CS
• Easily transferable to TONEX Pedal for live performance
• Ideal for classic rock tones with vintage character and feel

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

Mac

• Minimum requirements: Apple M1 or Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, macOS 10.15 or newer
• Requires a graphics adapter compatible with OpenGL 2
• Supported Plug-in formats (64-bit): Audio Units, VST 3, AAX

Windows

• Minimum requirements: Core i5 -RAM processor or equivalent, 8 GB of RAM, Windows 10 (64 bit) or newer
• ASIO-compatible sound card necessary
• OpenGL 2 compatible graphics adapter required
• Supported Plug-in formats (64-bit): VST 3, AAX