TONEX has been my favourite amp plugin since the day it was released and it only keeps getting better. And the TONEX pedals – the flagship TONEX Pedal and the smaller TONEX One and limited edition chrome Joe Satriani version – are great options for those who need really authentic, more natural-feeling amp profiles in a stage format. TONEX is perfect for players like me who need an amp pedal to reproduce their playing dynamics. And now they gone and made a great thing even greater. Meet the Brown Sound 78/79 Signature Collection.
IK Multimedia Releases the Brown Sound 78/79 Signature Collection for TONEX
Delivering the explosive tones that launched a guitar revolution, meticulously researched, sourced, and captured in multiple variations.
May 15, 2025 – IK Multimedia releases the Brown Sound 78/79 Signature Collection for TONEX, the first in an exclusive 3-part series diving deep into the legendary recorded guitar tones that defined modern rock. Using period-correct gear and an obsessive attention to detail, this collection features 50 Tone Models that capture the unmistakable sound of the rock icon’s first two groundbreaking albums.
Every decision behind Brown Sound 78/79 was made to capture not just the gear, but 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, these Tone Models deliver stunning accuracy and creative flexibility.
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 to 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.
Voltage Controlled
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 maximized and modeled using several different Variac™ settings, and the results were captured across all cab configurations, allowing users to hear and feel the various combinations of voltages and speakers.
Other details included removing output tubes 4 and 5 for the ’78 captures to produce that signature bite, bloom, and angry edge. For the ’79 captures, all 4 output tubes were used along with specific Variac settings, reproducing the meaner, but slightly clearer sound heard throughout that album.
Cabs: Built to Shape the Sound
Speaker choice was everything. Several classic and hybrid cab setups were utilized, each selected for its distinct role in shaping the tones of the era. Some combinations replicate known rigs, while others explore options players and experts speculate were also part of those recording sessions.
Each cabinet was captured using a variety of voltages to provide a spectrum of feel, ranging from tight and punchy to spongy and loose, thereby tailoring the sag and compression just as on the records.
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. A few Tone Models were created using a U67 placed further back to capture more resonance and a smoother top end, perfect for double tracking with brighter, more articulate tones.
For players who want a bit more edge, alternate “Hot” Tone Models are included, created by driving the analog mic preamp harder to add extra gain and saturation, as heard on many early recordings.
Signal Chain: Secret Sauce Included
Beyond the amp and cab, the front-end signal was run through the exact vintage pedals used in the original recordings, even when bypassed, to retain their subtle, but crucial tonal imprint. Several captures using the Vega wireless system are included. Many players famously used it, even in the studio, for its slight compression and subtle tone thickening.
In short, no expense was spared or compromise made to achieve the incredible Tone Models of this exciting collection, with the promise of more to come.
Pricing and Availability
The Brown Sound 78/79 Signature Collection is now available via ToneNET and within any version of TONEX for Mac/PC at a limited-time introductory price of $/€ 79.99 (reg. $/€ 99.99).*
*Pricing excluding taxes.
For complete details and information about the Brown Sound 78/79 Signature Collection and to hear the tones, please visit:
www.ikmultimedia.com/tonex-brown-sound-7879
www.ikmultimedia.com/tonex-brown-sound-7879/video