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.

Got to admit - installing everything and sorting it out is a nightmare. It's not just simple "click, download, install, open" as it suposed to be nowadays. It took me like 2 hours going through internet forums and youtube before I even manage to find out what to click to start downloading software and then another hours to figure out basics.
But once I got all in place I was just blown away, it's hard to believe how awesome this pedal is, best piece of guitar gear I ever bought, endless sound options and possibilities. Absolutely love it!

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 !