AmpliTube finally releases pedal format of its smart ToneX Tone Capture and AI Infused Modelling Pedal

So IK Multimedia / AmpliTube has at last released a pedal hardware version of its highly celebrated ToneX Modelling Software - thereby issuing a challenge to Kemper, Fractal Audio, Helix and everything else that it out there. Of course most of those other devices are infused with Multi-FX - some with very extensive Effects Libraries, while this ToneX pedal has simply 5 Stereo Reverbs (from the X-Space), a Compressor, Noise-Gate and 3-Band Parametric EQ beyond its Modelling abilities.

The ToneX pedal essentially models / covers Amps, Cabinet IR’s, and Stompboxes, and combinations thereof, as follows :

• STOMPs
• STOMPs + AMP
• STOMPs + AMP + CAB
• AMP
• AMP + CAN

The format of the pedal is identical to the previous X-series varieties - i.e. X-Drive, X-Space, X-Time, and X-Vibe - exactly the same topology and overall forma factor while it doesn’t have the split facia of the others. I see this very much as a competitor to its own X-Drive - I would imagine this would take a lot of sales away from that device. I of course have and still love my X-Space Reverb - while that is currently taking a break from the chain!

The ToneX Library is already massive, but not fully comprehensive yet. There are just over 1,000 Professional Tone Models and many more delivered by the community. Meaning all the more obvious Fender, Marshall, Vox, Dumble, MESA etc amps, are covered - while missing some of my favourites - including the Diezel Hagen.

Same goes for all the STOMPs Tone Models - all the obvious Boss and Ibanez Drives are mostly covered, and EHX Muffs etc. but nowhere near all of the interesting varieties of gain stompboxes out there. I need to do more of a deeper dive to figure out whether the Model Library is worth it for my own preferences. I would really just be using the pedal as a Multi-Drive unit - I already have all the auxiliary utilities in my pedal-chain.

This is not as far reaching as many of its competitors - in terms of an all-encompassing ecosystem, And it lacks all the sophistication of something like the Neural DSP Quad Cortex - which is my own frontrunner for these kinds of devices - but a much bigger proposition every which way - and not suitable as a one of many pedals setup - while you can relatively easily squeeze in the ToneX.

I really do like much about the ToneX, but it’s still a little vanilla, and it’s sorely lacking the Bluetooth connectivity that makes the Quad Cortex so appealing - the fact that you can directly zap your buddies’ favourite presets into your device and yours into theirs - while with the ToneX you’re reliant on old-fashioned USB wired connection to your laptop or PC - and downloading via your laptop or PC.

If you like the range of Models on offer here - this actually sounds really decent - and some of those profiles sound immense. But as with all things there will be limited mileage in certain areas. For $400 though it’s a really competent and capable device - and for sure deep in my considerations.

I can certainly see myself deploying this at some stage, while the limiting factor of 150 Models onboard  at any one time somewhat niggles me a little - I can’t say why exactly, but I feel there should be a few more flavours at your disposal. Also your Helix or GT-1000 Core covers more areas overall - while there is no denying that the ToneX can sound pretty amazing - and that its proprietary Modelling tech is hugely impressive.

Definitely a contender for me, but not without limitations. Part of me is still more tempted by the Quad Cortex - which is much larger, and much dearer at $1,849 - or more than 4 times the price!