Testifying on Behalf of ToneLab
Update: 05/2006 - Adam now runs his own studio called Proview Studios, click here to learn ore.
The pros know tone when they hear it. There’s nothing more inspiring to a guitar player than killer tone. The VOX ToneLab has become an indispensable recording and performance tool for many of today’s top guitar players. It delivers the tone and features they need to write, record and perform the way they were meant to. Recently, Adam Ruppel took the time to tell us about his experiences with ToneLab. Check it out...
Systematic has been known for their brooding, aggressive style of metal since the band’s inception in 1996. The band’s big break came in the form of assistance from one on the most legendary drummers in metal history. Systematic guitarist Adam Ruppel told us, “I recorded some demos with the band and decided to go for an internship at a recording studio in northern California. Metallica was mixing some songs at that studio and somebody played them our demo. A couple of days later, Lars Ulrich called our lead singer Tim Narducci. Before we knew it, we were signed on Lars’ label, Music Company.” Not many bands have the ability to make an impression like that!
Systematic’s first album, Somewhere in Between (with Lars Ulrich in the executive producer’s chair), earned the band a dedicated fan base and saw them hit the road in support of their studio effort. While on tour, they had an opportunity to play on 2001’s Ozzfest. This exposed them to almost every die hard metal fan in the U.S. and really afforded the band the luxury of honing their live performance chops. After the tour was finished, the guys went right back into the studio to write and record their next album.
When it comes to writing songs, Adam said, “It goes a lot of different ways. We just write and not in any particular way. We just write stuff, record it and come back to it later. We throw down a lot of ideas and check them out later. The song ‘Breakable’ had the guitar part done first while the vocals and everything else came later. But ‘Leaving Only Scars’ happened to be the opposite. The vocals came first and the music came second.” Sometimes not having a plan is the best plan of all.
Adam has relied on VOX amplification for some time now, and is a fan of the Valvetronix AD120VT. When the ToneLab became available, it was only natural that he’d check one out. “I have an AD120VT and love the thing! When I heard that a desktop version was coming out, I had to have it. The heavy sounds are really good. I always used to stay away from modeling amps, but the ToneLab kicks ass!” Adam is currently using the ToneLab while writing songs for Systematic’s next album. “The ToneLab is amazing. You don’t have to sit and change pedals to find the right effect or change amps to find the right tone. The ToneLab has the right tone for the job.” Check out Systematic’s website at www.systematic1.com to keep up on all things Systematic.
By Hugh Gilmartin
Click here to hear Adam Ruppel talk about his ToneLab (430kb)