Fender launches Tone Master Pro modeling floorboard
February 1, 2024 · 3 sources
Fender launched the Tone Master Pro, its first multi-effects floor unit, in October 2023, according to GuitarPlayer, which reported the launch on October 4, 20231. Guitar.com, reviewing it on October 13, 2023, said Fender had never before ventured into the multi-effects world2. Sound On Sound reviewed it in its February 2024 issue3.
The unit is a multi-effects amp, cabinet and effects modeler with an 8-core processor inside3. GuitarPlayer reported 100+ amp and effects models, including what it called the first-ever EVH 5150 III Stealth model to get an official license from EVH, plus over 6,000 Fender-captured IRs with third-party IR support1. Sound On Sound counted 134 factory presets at the time of its review: 129 combinations of amplifiers, cabs and pedals, one acoustic guitar and vocal preset on parallel paths, and four pedal-only setups3. It listed 504 user preset locations, songs holding up to six footswitch-selectable presets each for up to 200 songs, and setlists of up to 99 songs3.
The top panel has a seven-inch color touchscreen under a protective panel, 10 footswitches (all but one doubling as rotary encoders) and two-row scribble-strip screens3. The instrument input is an unbalanced quarter-inch TS jack with a switchable -6dB pad and three input impedances3. A balanced XLR/TRS combi connector takes microphone and line inputs and can supply 48V phantom power3. There are four send/return loops, balanced stereo outputs on XLR and quarter-inch TRS, a pair of unbalanced quarter-inch outputs, a 3.5mm aux input, a quarter-inch stereo headphone output, Bluetooth input for two stereo streams, inputs for two expression pedals and a toe switch, an Amp Control jack, full-size MIDI In and Out/Thru/merge, a micro-SD slot and USB-C3. It works as a 4-in/4-out USB 2 audio interface3.
GuitarPlayer reported a US price of $1,699, the same as Neural DSP's Quad Cortex and the Line 6 Helix1. Guitar.com also listed $1,6992. Sound On Sound noted two full-range, flat-response Class-D amplified speakers released alongside it, the FR-10 and FR-123.
"Fender has taken a massive step forward in its involvement in the amp-modeling and effects worlds with the launch of the Tone Master Pro"
Guitar.com's review said there was no ability to profile or capture your own gear, and that there were no bass-specific amps or cabs at launch2.