The IK Multimedia Tonex Pedal is a digital floor unit that takes AI-captured models of amplifiers, cabinets and drive pedals to the stage. IK's AI Machine Modeling technology captures the tone, dynamics and harmonic character of real gear, and the pedal stores complete Tone Models and presets that you can recall live1. Around the amp modeling it carries a set of built-in effects: a noise gate, EQ, compressor, two delays, five modulation effects and six stereo reverbs, which IK positions as an all-in-one solution1.
The pedal was announced in March 2023 and launched at $399.99 in the US2. By February 2026, Guitar.com's reviewer noted a street price of $3293. It is built in a compact anodized aluminum enclosure, and IK says every Tone Model delivers authentic dynamics, touch sensitivity and playing feel1.
What the Tonex Pedal does
The core idea is AI Machine Modeling: IK's TONEX Modeler software captures the tone, dynamics and harmonic character of your amps, cabinets and drive pedals, and those captures become Tone Models you can load onto the pedal7. The pedal itself is the stage half of that system, letting you prepare live presets with real-time editing in the TONEX software and then take them to a gig8. It also doubles as a high-quality USB audio interface1.
For bass players, the factory content leans in that direction too. Bass Musician Magazine's review notes factory models including Ampeg classics like the B-15 and SVT, the Aguilar DB750, and rigs from Gallien-Krueger and Orange, plus factory stomps such as overdrives modeled on the Tech21 SH1, SansAmp and Fulltone OCD4.
The controls
The pedal keeps editing hardware simple. Three big knobs double as push-buttons: Model, Preset and Parameter. These handle browsing models, switching presets and editing deeper parameters4. MusicRadar's Bass Edition review lists the full control set as Model, Preset and Parameter rotary controls plus Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble and Volume, all dual-purpose, alongside the three preset-select footswitches6.
| Control | Primary function | Secondary function |
|---|---|---|
| Model knob | Browse Tone Models | Push to edit deeper parameters4 |
| Preset knob | Switch presets | Push-button4 |
| Parameter knob | Edit deeper parameters | Push-button4 |
| Gain | Gain | Reverb4 |
| Bass | Bass | Compressor (per review's secondary functions)4 |
| Mid | Mid | Noise Gate4 |
| Treble | Treble | Presence4 |
| Volume | Volume | Secondary function per review4 |
The three footswitches switch presets A, B and C, handle bank up and down when pressed together, and call up a tuner when one is held down4. MusicRadar's reviewer found the footswitches, a classic metal push-button design, feel sturdy with noise-free operation6.
Power and connections
The pedal runs on standard 9V DC power4, with the Bass Edition listed at 9V DC drawing 120 mA5. On the connection side it offers a mono input4, stereo outputs12, a headphone output1, full MIDI in/out1, an expression pedal input that can control any parameter1, and USB connectivity1. MusicRadar's buying guide lists the Bass Edition's connections as 24-bit/192 kHz USB, mono/stereo outputs, headphone jacks, MIDI in/out and expression pedal inputs5, and its review specifies the stereo output as two unbalanced 1/4-inch jacks with 5-pin DIN MIDI6.
There is no battery option in IK's specifications, and at 120 mA it is light on current, but it still needs a 9V DC supply rather than USB power alone, unlike the smaller Tonex One which can run from USB C8.
Versions and the Tonex family
The Tonex Pedal comes in three versions: the standard pedal, the Bass Edition and an Anniversary Limited Edition1.
- Tonex Pedal Anniversary Limited Edition: a limited Anniversary Edition of the Tonex Pedal, made by IK Multimedia1. It is sold out1.
- Tonex Pedal for bass players: the Tonex Pedal ships with factory amp models that cover bass rigs, including the Ampeg B-15, Ampeg SVT, Aguilar DB750, Gallien-Krueger and Orange4, alongside factory stomps such as overdrives like the Tech21 SH1, SansAmp and Fulltone OCD4.
The family also extends into special editions and artist collections, such as the Tonex One Joe Satriani page covers, and the broader multi-effects pedals category it sits in.
What reviewers said
Sound On Sound reviewed the pedal at launch in June 2023, covering its stereo outputs and $399.99 price2. Bass Musician Magazine's Cláudio Ribeiro reviewed it for bassists in September 2025, finding realistic amp tones and flexibility but a learning-curve interface and no quick blend control4. Guitar.com's Josh Gardner, reviewing in February 2026, was more measured:
"the Tonex Pedal ($329 / £329) is limited in functionality but has some impressive sounds and features"3
He summed it up as profiling on an absolute budget overall3. MusicRadar's Bass Edition review highlighted the sturdy footswitches and the included software package, which bundles the TONEX CS plugin, TONEX Modeler and TONEX Editor alongside the USB audio interface function6.
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Questions
What power supply does the Tonex Pedal need?
It runs on a standard 9V DC power supply, the same kind of adapter most pedalboards already use. The Bass Edition, which shares identical hardware, is listed at 9V DC drawing 120 mA. There is no battery option mentioned by IK Multimedia, so it needs a wall adapter or a pedalboard power supply to run.
Can the Tonex Pedal be used as a USB audio interface?
Yes. IK Multimedia says the pedal doubles as a high-quality USB audio interface, with 24-bit/192 kHz converters, so you can record straight into a computer through its USB connection. That means one box can serve as both your live rig and your recording front end without extra hardware.
What is the difference between the Tonex Pedal and the Tonex One?
The Tonex One is an ultra-compact pedal that fits on any pedalboard and holds up to 30 presets, while the Tonex Pedal is a larger floor unit holding 150 presets across 50 banks with three footswitches, MIDI in/out, an expression pedal input and stereo outputs. Both run the same AI Machine Modeling Tone Models.
Does the Tonex Pedal have a tuner?
Yes. The three footswitches switch presets A, B and C and handle bank up and down when pressed together, and holding one of them down calls up a tuner, according to Bass Musician Magazine's review. So the tuner is reached through a footswitch hold rather than a dedicated switch.
Does the Tonex Pedal work for bass?
Yes, in two ways. The standard pedal ships with bass-friendly factory models including Ampeg B-15 and SVT rigs, and IK Multimedia also sells a dedicated Bass Edition with hardware specifications identical to the Tonex Pedal, loaded with 150 bass Tone Models and aimed squarely at bass players.
How many presets does the Tonex Pedal hold?
It stores up to 150 customizable presets across 50 banks, which IK Multimedia describes as a complete, portable guitar rig for stage and studio. For comparison, the compact Tonex One holds up to 30 presets and the Tonex Plug software holds 30 customizable presets.
Sources (8)
- TONEX Pedal, IK Multimedia
- IK Multimedia Tonex Pedal, Sound On Sound, 2023-06
- Neural DSP Quad Cortex Mini review: too good to be true?, Guitar.com, 2026-02-20
- Review: IK Multimedia TONEX Pedal, Bass Musician Magazine, 2025-09-08
- Best multi-effects pedals 2026: Intensify your tone, MusicRadar, 2022-10-19
- "With a DI box and some time to learn the layout, it's a robust, reliable and ridiculously well-equipped powerhouse for the stage and studio": IK Multimedia TONEX Pedal Bass Edition review, MusicRadar, 2025-11-24
- TONEX Board, IK Multimedia
- TONEX ONE, IK Multimedia
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