IK Multimedia ToneX One

My main unit is a Quad Cortex and I also have an Ampero as a backup, so I am well familiar with multi-fx modellers and capturing.

I like the general idea of having an amp with a cab/IR or a capture of a pedal in such a small footprint. At first glance it seems, IK Multimedia has it all figured out, so I thought.

Positive:
It's easy to wire up and the pedal even powers via USB-C, which I figured out by lucky accident.
I plugged my guitar into the pedal's input and my Audio Technica ATH50 headphones into the pedal's output and I got a sound immediately.

Negative:
All my criticism is basically about the software.

Installation
In order to get the ToneX Software Editor, you need to install the IK Multimedia Product Manager
In order to get the IK Multimedia Product Manager, you need to create an online account and provide all kinds of annoying details like your birthday, for instance.
In order to get access to the ToneX SE (!) Software inside of the Product Manager, you need to register the pedal. Which has to be done by typing a serial number which is written onto a small sheet of paper inside the package.

Version Contents
You're not getting the full version of ToneX, only the SE version, which has less models and captures. Which is fair I think, because the pedal is around 200 bucks and the ToneX SE alone is 100. For example, I was interested in the Marshall Plexi models, which unfortunately are only part of the full versions.

User Experience (UX)
This has been the worst for me.
If the pedal is connected to your computer via USB-C and the ToneX Software is open, the software will recognize the pedal no problem. However, in order to change settings on the amp on the pedal, for instance, you have to first change the settings in the patch on your computer and then sync that patch to the pedal by dragging and dropping it onto the pedal in the library. Which is annoying in itself, but I couldn't even change settings in the local patch, because when I change knobs on the virtual amp shown on the screen, nothing changed. That's where I gave up.

The pedal itself: I knew the limitations of a small, one footswitch device so I am not going to complain. I just wanted to try tonex as I use Helix daily and this seemed like a good, cheap way to test it. Sounds good, a perfect way to try amps you could never afford or even play. Enough has been said about profiling so I'll just stop here.

The ugly: software. What a badly designed, unfriendly piece of junk.
Do yourself a favour and stop thinking about it as an editor for the pedal. It is NOT.

1. Even standalone it is complicated (for example getting online took me 30 minutes trying everything, as by default it starts in offline mode).

2. The process to get the software may be cumbersome (registration, even if you had a previous IK account, download manager etc) but it unfortunately a standard today.

3. But the worst bit is the pedal management: no way to live edit the presets on your pedal.

4. If you use the tonex as your interface as well (obvious choice for most) you will hear BOTH your Tonex presets and Tonex software patches simultaneously (!!!!!). Solution: use another interface (really!?) or change a few pedal settings (switch to stomp mode, bypass, switch direct monitoring) - but as soon as you click to a new preset in the librarian section it reverts back!

5. Changes to gain, EQ etc in the software are carried over / stay valid even if you switch to a new preset (!!!!!).

6. IR management does not exists

7. Input trim - discussed in hundreds YT videos yet it still defaults to +8.5dB and IK is suggesting a procedure to set it up that just not make sense (anyone who ever played with real amps will know it's a bad advice)

Yes you can learn how to get over it, use it and get good sounds. But in 2024 this should not happen and we should expect a friendly, logical application from such a major player.

And one last complaint: no phone app. For such a small pedal with no screen a BT app would be really useful, especially when new effects are added in November firmware update.

sounds like very high quality analog device 👍 to my ears.

note : the pedal can really be used as headphone amp (it can drive a Beyerdynamic dt770 80 Ohm) .

In by bass mode my natural guitar tone is respected. 👍

If you are used to install soft emulations like thu overloud you won’t be bothered by the installation process, it’s also quite similar to universal audio’s, there is a “IK manager” software, you have to register, download toneX which is about 1.2Go, create an account, login. Everything worked fine for me on macOS.

Best of both worlds, you can take your software presets onboard the pedal and go everywhere you want to play, with your same sound.

the pedal behaves like a computer audio interface when connected via usb.

using the tonex software you can browse presets, hear demos, play , tweak settings, then decide to put the preset into the pedal, which can contain up to 20 of them.

The tuner mode worked fine.

The compressor is efficient.

There is no hall reverb, only spring, room and plate.

usb or 9v power works fine.

Such a small device for such a huge sound, sensation, responsiveness.

great.

thank you Thomann, great service as usual.

I returned a Mooer Prime S1, which is completely at the opposite in terms of product philosophy , sound, and playing sensation.

great 🇮🇹 product !

As mentioned by others, the sound is amazing. The user experience is awful. If you are a teenager who can afford to spend the time this might be for you. If you are a part-time musician with a real job you will not have the time to spend on this. You will struggle big time with the software anytime you want to change something on the software or move beyond the three initial presets. I have to go to YouTube anytime I need to change something because I am busy with my real work most of the time.

As someone else said, it is also incomprehensible that you cannot edit the presets with your phone or tablet, even though you can connect them with usb-c and use some version of toneX… this means that if you go rehearse with your buddies you better take your laptop with you…

It is interesting to compare with Positive Grid Spark Go, which is cheaper and connects with your phone via Bluetooth. Much simpler user experience and any changes you want to do you can do them remotely on your phone. So much better! So much more convenient. Even if the sound choices are a little more limited, the Spark is the one I’m using.

Finally, I paid 165CHF and now it sells for 135CHF. Not the best feeling but whatever.

If you are looking for great sounding amps, this can replace most of them if not all. Price is unbelievably low, and package is smallest possible.
I will skip pros as it is all over the net and if you are looking to buy, you probably know (30k amps/pedals you can download, 20 presets loaded to pedal and possible to change with hand, 2 presets can be loaded in A/B, third preset to Bypass mode, or you can change to switch A/B/C without bypass). After 2 months of using it, I plan to buy additionally big Tonex pedal.

Cons
- availability of FRFR active cabs on the market with two inputs that are "giggable" and also room-level friendly is still not that good. I ended up with Harley Benton 2x12 FRFR active cab - too heavy to carry it all the time to rehearsal, too loud for room level, very big as well. I still think it is the best option as others are too expensive. 1x12 HB is only 100€ cheaper and I also needed 2 inputs to jam with my (Tonex) buddy.
- you will probably need to have some external pedals drive/reverb for live gigging.
- software has mediocre user interface and it has bugs sometimes. They are updating it, but it might take time.
- your old gear will start to collect dust and you will need to get rid of it (and probably replace it with FRFR cab).