The Tonex One Joe Satriani is a limited edition of IK Multimedia's ultra-compact Tonex One, an AI amp and effects modeling pedal that fits on any pedalboard1. What makes it a Satriani signature pedal is the set of 20 preloaded presets created by the man himself, drawn from his own vault of amps2. The pedal also carries a distinctive look: Guitar World's reviewer Jason Sadites described "a rather striking and brilliantly reflective chrome finish, in keeping with Satch's Ibanez 'Chrome Boy'" signature guitar2.
The IK Multimedia Tonex One Joe Satriani is a limited edition pedal that puts Tonex tone modeling in a stompbox sized 48 mm by 94 mm by 53 mm, weighing 160g2. It is a sold-out limited edition, so this page is a reference for what it was and how it worked.
Satriani's tones in a compact amp modeling pedal
The Tonex One platform uses IK Multimedia's AI Machine Modeling, a capture-based approach that models real amps rather than approximating them with generic circuits1. Sound On Sound's Paul White, reviewing the standard Tonex One, found that "the current Tone Model can be adjusted using amp-like controls covering Gain/Volume and three-band EQ, plus control over a noise gate, compression and stereo reverb"4. The pedal ships with preset slots pre-loaded, including 13 bonus Tone Models taken from Tonex Max4.
On the Joe Satriani edition, the Tone Models come from Satriani's own amp collection, and the pedal carries 20 preloaded presets created by Joe Satriani himself2. The pedal handles amp and stompbox modeling plus multi-effects in one box2. Like the standard Tonex One, it can also serve as an audio interface, and IK Multimedia notes you can use two pedals to create a stereo rig or place multiple pedals in series for tone stacking and boosting lead and rhythm sounds1.
For context on where the Tonex One sits in the market: Guitar World has called it "the hugely popular, best-selling IK Multimedia TONEX One," noting it outsold every other modeler in 202456. Stefan Karlsson at Guitar Pedal X wrote that he owns the Joe Satriani Chrome Edition and has "gotten used to how it works, and I mostly like how it sounds"7.
The controls
The front panel keeps things amp-like, with one knob per function and an Alt button that unlocks secondary parameters2.
| Control | Function |
|---|---|
| Volume/Gain | Master volume and gain for the loaded Tone Model |
| Bass, Middle, Treble | Three-band EQ |
| Gate | Noise gate threshold |
| Comp | Compression amount |
| Reverb | Reverb level |
| Alt button | Accesses secondary functions (Gain, Gate, Comp, Reverb) |
The Alt button is illuminated, and on the standard Tonex One the layout is one large volume knob plus that button, with the other parameters reachable through it24. The delay block offers two modes, Digital or Tape2.
Power and connections
The pedal runs on 9V DC, center negative, drawing 120mA, with the power supply not included2. The standard Tonex One can also be powered over USB C1.
At 120mA the pedal is light on current, but it needs a center-negative 9V supply. There is no battery option.
Connectivity is 1/4" In and Out plus a TRS Out2. On the standard Tonex One, the input is mono while the output can be mono or stereo/dual-mono when you use a TRS cable4. The bypass is buffered rather than true bypass2.
A sold-out limited edition
IK Multimedia lists the TONEX ONE Joe Satriani Limited Edition as sold out3. It was part of a run of limited Tonex One editions: the Double Special, which modeled two vintage Dumble amps with tones inspired by players including Carlos Santana, Larry Carlton and Stevie Ray Vaughan, was limited to 1,000 units8, and the Brown Sound editions in red, yellow and white have all sold out as well3.
The standard Tonex One remains in the range, as does the larger Tonex Pedal and the newer TONEX Board, so players who missed the Satriani edition can still get the same modeling engine in other formats1.
What reviewers said
Guitar World's Jason Sadites reviewed the pedal and rated it highly across the board2:
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Sounds | ★★★★★ |
| Usability | ★★★★☆ |
| Build quality | ★★★★½ |
His overall verdict:
"A dream combination of IK's tech and Joe Satriani's vault of coveted amps plus presets tweaked by the man himself, the Tonex One Joe Satriani accurately delivers a selection of iconic Satch tones that you can literally place in the palm of your hand."2
Guitar World review2
The four-star usability rating rather than five suggests some of the workflow lives in the software rather than on the pedal itself, which matches the standard Tonex One's design, where deeper editing happens through the Tonex editor2. Reviewers of the platform have been consistent on its core strength: MusicRadar's Connor Flys wrote that the Tonex One "packs an unbelievable amount of power into an unbelievably tiny enclosure"9.
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Questions
How many presets does the Tonex One Joe Satriani have?
It ships with 20 preloaded presets created by Joe Satriani himself, which is what separates it from the standard Tonex One. The presets draw on the Joe Satriani Amp Vault Tone Model collection that IK Multimedia added to the Tonex library in June 2024. Presets are customizable through the Tonex software.
Is the Tonex One Joe Satriani still available?
No. IK Multimedia lists the TONEX ONE Joe Satriani Limited Edition as sold out. It was a limited run with a distinctive chrome finish, and once the stock was gone the maker closed orders. The standard Tonex One remains part of the range.
Is the Tonex One Joe Satriani true bypass?
No. Guitar World's review lists its bypass as buffered bypass rather than true bypass. If you run long cable runs or a large pedalboard after it, the buffer keeps the signal strong, though players who prefer a fully true-bypass chain should note the difference.
What power supply does the Tonex One Joe Satriani need?
It runs on 9V DC, center negative, drawing 120mA. The supply is not included. The standard Tonex One can also be powered over USB C, which is useful for desktop editing and recording straight into a computer.
What did the Tonex One Joe Satriani cost at launch?
It launched at $229 in the US, £229 in the UK and €229.99 in Europe, according to Guitar World's review. That placed it above the standard Tonex One, which launched around the $179 mark.
Does the Tonex One Joe Satriani have a delay?
Yes. The pedal includes a delay block with two modes, Digital or Tape, alongside its amp and stompbox modeling, noise gate, compressor and reverb. Guitar World's review lists the delay modes among the pedal's multi-effects features.
Sources (9)
- TONEX ONE, IK Multimedia
- IK Multimedia Tonex One Joe Satriani review, Guitar World, 2025-04-03
- TONEX 2 | AI Guitar Amp & Pedal Modeling Software, IK Multimedia
- IK Multimedia Tonex One, Sound On Sound, 2024-09
- Kemper gives its Profiler lineup a much-anticipated upgrade, Guitar World, 2025-05-28
- Valeton's $80 GP-5 looks to take the TONEX One's crown, Guitar World, 2025-05-27
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-05-29
- IK Multimedia models two Dumbles for $249 TONEX One, Guitar World, 2026-03-06
- "Once set up to taste, its utility is astounding": TC Electronic Plethora X1 review, MusicRadar, 2025-03-27
