AmpliTube incredibly shrinks its ToneX AI Infused Modelling Pedal into a mini enclosure - courtesy of the ToneX One
This is truly quite a feat of engineering, and it’s all so beautifully executed too. That said Boss’s Katana : Go had a useful tiny screen, and Bluetooth connectivity to its app - which this devices could really have benefitted from. I’ve long grown tired of having to USB-cable-connect my pedals to a laptop app for updates - it should all really just be bluetooth to an iOS or Android mobile phone app by now.
In any case, the operation of this device could not be easier - you first of course need to decided whether you’re operating in A/B always-on Mode, or more incidental On/Off Stompbox mode. After which you then have a plethora of options to explore.
AmpliTube / IK Multimedia has most definitely gotten the most out of this control interface - where each control / switch has at least 3 functions! For instance you Press-Hold both Alt and Bypass Footswitch to access Presets - where the ’Bass’ knob controls Preset / A, Mid is Preset B, and Treble is Stompboxes - as indicated in the top visual. The Alt Button normally gives you secondary settings - so Gate, Compressor, Reverb and Gain, in place of Bass, Mid, Treble and Volume.
If you hold down the Alt button / LED - you get taken into the Global Settings, and if you hold down the Bypass Footswitch you get taken to a Tuner - where the top 3 button LED's indicate via Red and Green illuminations where your tuning sits.
Controls - Bass / Gate / Preset A, Mid / Comp / Preset B, Treble / Reverb / Stomp Preset, Volume / Gain, Alt / Hold for Global Settings, A/B-Bypass Footswitch / Tuner, Press Alt + Bypass for Presets, Mono In, TRS Stereo Out, USB-C Port for Updates / Admin / Audio Interface.
There is so much crammed into this tiny unit, while of course you do get a reduced subset of the larger original pedal, and need to pay extra for certain services. For €179 | $179 | £179 though - this is still exceptional value for money - and gives you 20 presets for your deployment. You can then adjust / changes those via the App and connect USB-C cable mentioned.
There's plenty of pictures with 2 or more of these on a board - as there's no easy way to switch presets on the fly - you could possibly cope with memorising the 1st 3 and flipping between those during your set, but it's more advisable to deploy another one or two of these instead. I will for sure be getting one, while of course I typically lean more into the analog side of things.
Of course I do recognise innovation, and this certainly looks and sounds very impressive from what I've so far witnessed. I'm not sure where exactly it will fall on my acquisitions priority list - but I will definitely be down for one of these. And I imagine AmpliTube / IK Multimedia will struggle to keep these in stock!
Considering how many of these got sent out to pedal people - I'm feeling a little unloved! There must be 20-30 demos out there already! These will of course be widely out of stock almost everywhere I would imagine! Currently actually mostly 'coming soon'!
Key Features
- Advanced AI Machine Modeling™ technology for hyper realistic Tone Models
- Play models of amps, amps + cabs, combos or pedals like: distortion, overdrive, fuzz, boost and EQ
- Built-in USB port doubles an audio interface for recording and for preset management
- Exclusive VIR™ multi-IR cabinets and custom IR Loader, Noise gate, EQ, compressor and 5 stereo reverbs
- Store up to 20 presets with 3 assignable slots
- Two Performance Modes: Stomp or Dual presets
- TRS output: Stereo, dual mono or headphones
- Customizable RGB retro-illuminated micro knobs for each preset
- Access to over 25,000 user Tone Models on ToneNET
- Includes a tuner with 2 modes: Thru and Mute
- Connects to real amps, PA systems and FRFR Cabs
- No editing lost with 'always saved' behavior
- Safe mode to protect accidental parameter change while playing
- Auto save mode for making adjustments on the fly
- Global cabinet bypass option
- Add Premium, Signature or Tone Partner expansions
- Model your own rig (amp, cabinets, pedals) using the TONEX modeling software
- Includes TONEX SE software all-in-one player, modeler and librarian and AmpliTube 5 SE software
- Preloaded with 12 bonus Tone Models from TONEX MAX/Reg
- Compact design to fit on any size pedalboard
- Power : 9V DC [-] 120mA
- Dimensions : 48mm x 94mm x 53mm
- Weight : 160g
- RRP / MAP : €179 | $179 | £179
Demos
12 Degrees of Saturation 2023 Compact Edition
