Tonex MESA/Boogie Reference amp simulator plugin by IK Multimedia interface

Tonex MESA/Boogie Reference: Amp Simulator Tone Models by IK Multimedia

Tonex MESA/Boogie Reference is an amp simulator plugin by IK Multimedia that loads Tone Models of MESA/Boogie reference amplifiers into the TONEX ecosystem. It is available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats for Windows and macOS.

VST3VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

Download Now

Opens the store in a new tab

01Overview

Tonex MESA/Boogie Reference is a collection of Tone Models built from MESA/Boogie reference amplifiers held in MESA's Tone Lab. The set includes 70 Tone Models of four reference amps and one limited-edition King Snake amp, with 46 captured with a cabinet and 24 without. Each model was fine-tuned by MESA's Doug West and Sean Beresford and captured with IK's AI Machine Modeling technology. The collection runs inside TONEX and can also be loaded to TONEX Pedal for live use.

Best for

High-gain rock tones
Metal rhythm guitar
Lead tones
Live guitar rigs
Amp-only impulse response work

Developer: IK Multimedia
Category: Amp Simulators
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

70 Tone Models across four MESA reference amps and one King Snake
46 Tone Models captured with a cabinet, 24 without
Two MESA/Boogie reference cabinets used in captures
Captures fine-tuned by MESA's Doug West and Sean Beresford
Mark IIC+ and Mark IV captures with V-curve EQ settings
Amp-only captures for adding your own impulse responses
Tone Models loadable to TONEX Pedal for live performance
Available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats

03In depth

MESA/Boogie reference amps and their tones

The collection covers four MESA/Boogie reference amps: a 1984 Mark IIC+, a 1989 Mark IV, an early 1990s Dual Rectifier and a 1994 Triple Rectifier, all dual-channel models where applicable. A limited-edition King Snake, described as a recreation of Carlos Santana's original Budokan Mark I, is also included.

The Mark IIC+ captures include settings with the V-curve graphic EQ as well as amp-only captures for adding your own impulse responses. The Mark IV lead channel is described as slightly thicker than the Mark IIC+, with more girth and a rounder attack.

Reference cabinets and capture setup

Most of the MESA amp models were captured through two MESA reference cabinets: a 4x12 Rectifier Slope with Celestion V30 speakers and a 1x12 Wide Body with Celestion V90 speakers. The King Snake combo uses a Jensen Blackbird 100 Alnico speaker.

Captures used SM57, AEA N22 and U87 microphones, with a Neve 1073 mic preamp in the chain for the Mark IIC+. The Mark IV captures used the SM57, AEA N22 and the Neve 1073 preamp.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	IK Multimedia
Type	Plugin
Category	Amp Simulator
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does Tonex MESA/Boogie Reference support?

It is available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats. These are the plugin formats listed for the product.

Which operating systems can run it?

The product supports Windows and macOS. On Mac it runs as a native Apple Silicon application as well as on Intel, and Windows requires a 64-bit CPU and operating system.

What do I need to use Tonex MESA/Boogie Reference?

You need the TONEX application, which is a 64-bit app that requires an internet connection to authorize and access ToneNET. Minimum requirements include 4 GB of RAM and 6 GB of free hard drive space.