Preamp for electric guitar with three 12AX7 tubes and IR loader
Full tube preamp with three 12AX7 tubes
Two channels
Rhythm channel: Blackface clean, bass and treble controls
Lead channel: Tweed crunch and British drive, tone and mid-bite controls
Integrated zero-watt phase inverter for real power amp dynamics
Spring reverb (convolution) & tremolo, assignable per channel
Onboard IR loader with 15 OwnHammer impulse responses
3 selectable IRs per channel, expandable to 6 IR slots via editor
Stereo effect loop
Stereo XLR-Out
Headphone connection
Fully MIDI-capable with up to 128 storable presets
Tone King Editor software for PC/Mac
Dimensions: 18.3 x 14.5 x 7 cm
Weight: approx. 860 g
USB cable & universal power supply included
As an all-tube preamp with three 12AX7 tubes, the Imperial delivers a great sound, while numerous routing options and the extensive IR loader make the pedal ideal for studio and live use!
The Tone King Imperial Preamp at a glance:
With the Imperial Preamp pedal, Tone King brings the iconic sound of its highly acclaimed Imperial MKII tube amp directly to Pedalboard - complete with preamp tubes, effects, IR technology and MIDI support. The result: a versatile, powerful tool for stage, studio and creative sound tinkerers that combines the warm, dynamic character of classic American combos with modern features - completely independent of a speaker or amplifier. The Tone King Imperial Preamp pedal offers two independent channels that are directly derived from the DNA of the Imperial MKII. The Rhythm channel with its clear, open tone is reminiscent of a classic blackface combo from the 60s - perfect for brilliant clean sounds with sensitive dynamics. The lead channel, on the other hand, delivers the characterful, growling sound of old tweed amps from the 50s, enhanced by the mid-bite control, which can be used to shape mid-range emphasis, Attack and British-influenced crunch sounds. Powered by three 12AX7 tubes at a high operating voltage, the Preamp delivers the full dynamics, harmonic behavior and unadulterated response of the original - not as an emulation, but as genuine tube technology in pedal format.
Reverb, Tremolo & Zero Watt Poweramp included
A special highlight is the integrated "Zero Watt Poweramp", which is based on the original phase inverter circuit of the MKII and reproduces the complete dynamic behavior of a power amplifier - without any speakers. The sound is complemented by two footswitchable vintage effects: a stereo spring reverb (Convolution Reverb) with reverb and dwell controls and a digitally controlled stereo tremolo with classic speed and depth parameters. Both effects can be assigned separately for each channel.
Direct recording & IR technology
Thanks to the onboard IR loader with 15 high-quality OwnHammer impulse responses (including Tone King, Vox and Marshall cabinets), the pedal is perfect for recording, direct-to-PA or headphone practice sessions. Three IRs per channel are pre-installed and can be selected via toggle switches. Alternatively, the IR loader can be completely deactivated to use external IRs or a real speaker. With the free Tone King Editor software (powered by Synergy), all parameters such as Reverb tails, tremolo assignment, power amp simulation, IR selection and EQs can be edited in detail. In addition, up to 128 presets can be saved and recalled directly via MIDI controller - perfect for live scenarios, complex setups or automated switching in the studio.
I have tried various emulators as an alternative to loud output that I get from my Fender Deluxe Reverb and Blues Jr. None of them approached the real thing. And then I found this. You Tube reviewers usually present it with various effects so I wasn't sure what I'd get. It surpassed my expectations. This is not a digital pedal. this is a real preamp. Sounds good both recorded with a mic and direct through the line output. There is a tone variation of course but both sound good. The cab emulators arevaried and equal to a real cab. The software is easy to use. Some people complain the low frequencies are too much. You can adjust that with software and controls on the pedal. And my Deluxe Reverb also needs to be tamed in the low register. The second channel, like my Blues Jr, has less bass and can easily be adjusted. Tone King doesn't sound exactly like my Fenders, and that is good, I already have my two amps. Neither does it sound like a Tone King full amp (judging from video comparisons). So what? It sounds good. If you want that sound you have to buy the amp that costs 4x as much. It's pricey but you can use the effects return if you have another amp to turn it into a real thing. And you can wire it to add Imperial channels to your amp, increasing its scope by two channels. I use it with my Laney L5, it is necessary to have a serial FX loop, and it seems it does, contrary to what some sources say that L5 has a parallel loop. I have looked in the past at Tone King amps and could not justify spending so much money on yet another amp, albeit with attenuator (I have an attenuator that I use with my Fenders and a Boogie). This is the solution I was hoping for when I considered getting a Fractal, but I don't need hundreds of amps and I have my analog pedals that work better than the digital ones that I have (Boss, UAFX). So, Tone King is king.
Craftsmanship
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