Guitar World Verdict
It really is a micro-sized pedal that you could use for a whole run of gigs and not feel remotely short-changed. Once it's all set up, the TONEX One Bass Edition is a solid, high-quality and great-sounding device that vacuum-packs incredible utility into a compact space.
Pros
- +
It's small enough to fit into a gig bag, even a trouser pocket (you never know).
- +
The physical build quality of the unit is matched by the quality of the software.
- +
It's got a whole load of great sounds in it, covering all that many players could ever need.
Cons
- -
You'll want to keep the Editor app on standby.
- -
The unit itself simply doesn't have the space to host enough controls for easy tweaking.
- -
Some will baulk at $199 for a micro-sized pedal, whether or not that misses the point.
You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
What is it?
There’s no doubt – it’s no longer necessary to have a big, powerful bass amp. Of course, might always used to be right; before the advent of Class D micro-heads and preamp-come-DI pedals, it was simply the only way to be heard.
Today, we can sling a single pedal into the front of our gig bag, plug it into front-of-house, and have a fully dialled-in sound all night, with all the volume we’d need.
Can this concept go too far the other way, though? Can a micro-sized modeling pedal be your stand-alone rig, or will it prove too compromised?
That’s the question today. IK Multimedia has brought out a bass-specific version of its TONEX One, and it’s time to see how it gets on.
And believe me, it's micro – the size of a Mooer, or a TC Electronic mini pedal. You could lose it between the sofa cushions, or swallow it in your sleep without realising. Ok, maybe not the last one but you get my point…
Specs
- Price: $199 | £179 | €199
- Type: Bass amp/effect modeling unit
- Made: Italy
- Controls: Dual-purpose on/off/channel selector footswitch, Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble (with secondary functions for Gain, Gate, Comp and Reverb), ALT button
- Features: Twenty presets with 3 active performance slots, noise gate, compressor, 5 modulation effects, 2 delay effects and 6 reverb effects, switchable Dual/Stomp modes, ToneX software compatibility, audio interface functionality
- Connectivity: Instrument in, Amplifier out, USB-C connection, 9v power input
- Bypass: Buffered
- Power: 9v DC (120mA)
- Dimensions: 48mm x 94mm x 53mm
- Weight: 160g
- Contact: IK Multimedia
Build quality
Build quality rating: ★★★★★
It's a sturdy, well-built anodised aluminium chassis, with a useful set of controls squeezed in. The largest knob is for volume, then there’s a three-band EQ section; an ‘ALT’ button enables all these controls to adopt secondary functions.
The transparent EQ knobs helpfully light up in different colours, signifying which operating mode the pedal is in. And even if your pedalboard space is at a premium, it's certainly small enough to find a place with a very reasonable 120mA power draw for your pedalboard power supply compared to amp pedal competition that can be as high as 400 or even 500mA.
Usability
Usability rating: ★★★½
This isn’t a pedal whose full potential can be extracted from the small array of physical controls
There are numerous configurations for how the TONX One can be connected, either as a stand-alone unit or integrated into a larger rig. I ran it directly into an FRFR speaker, while connecting the pedal to its editing software via USB-C.
If you don’t have the TONEX software already, the One grants you access, alongside its Editor and Modeler packages. Be in no doubt, you will need it – this isn’t a pedal whose full potential can be extracted from the small array of physical controls.
It means the initial setup can be lengthy but, from there, TONEX and Editor will help you unlock the little unit’s capabilities. Here, you can audition and tweak presets in-depth, or create new sounds to be loaded into the library - custom IRs and all. Twenty preset slots are available for use on the TONEX One.
The device itself can accept three presets at a time; these are split across two modes. In ‘Dual’ mode, the pedal is permanently engaged and the footswitch toggles between two chosen sounds, like a configurable two-channel preamp. In ‘Stomp’ mode, meanwhile, the footswitch toggles your third chosen sound on/off - like a pedal.
So many functions, packed into such a small box. To operate the ToneX One is to memorise a dizzying array of button-presses, knob-turns and combinations thereof. Switching modes, or adjusting in-depth parameters on the fly, means really learning the manual, or keeping the (far more intuitive) TONEX Editor on standby. Some, perhaps understandably, will find this off-putting.
Sounds
Sounds rating: ★★★★☆
Once I’d found my way around, I grabbed my trusted Ibanez P Bass-alike and my StingRay. The presets I chose for Dual mode were modeled after a clean Gallien-Krueger and an overdriven Darkglass Vintage Ultra. For Stomp mode, I chose a SansAmp - always a favourite.
All three deliver well on their brief – the GK emulation sounding full-bodied yet crystal-clear, working perfectly for a wide spectrum of clean tones. The Darkglass is fat and aggressive - nailing the retro growl that the Finnish brand’s Vintage series pedals do so well, suited to anything from '70s rock to more modern styles.
The winning SansAmp and StingRay combination sounds as taut, defined and punchy as ever, ideal for harder-edged '80s and '90s rock and metal
The winning SansAmp and StingRay combination sounds as taut, defined and punchy as ever, ideal for harder-edged '80s and '90s rock and metal but also providing abundant definition for intricate slap and pop lines. These are just three of the sounds that come pre-loaded; there’s something to suit most styles or tastes, and they're well-judged and properly dialled in.
The Editor’s EQ controls are parametric for extra precision, and the gate, compression, modulation and time-based effects are all very accomplished. After learning your way around, it’s easy to create excellent, gig-ready tones - and the changes you make are saved automatically, so everything is always where you left it.
Verdict
As an addition to an existing rig, a backup, or even as a primary setup, the TONEX One is a tiny box that packs a big punch
So, could you use the TONEX One as your stand-alone bass rig after all? Well, certainly, as long as you accept that you’ll need to team it with the Editor at least some of the time to get it working for you.
It might be a wrestle to tweak the unit itself, but the app is very intuitive and the sounds are excellent. As an addition to an existing rig, a backup, or even as a primary setup, the TONEX One is a tiny box that packs a big punch.
Guitar World verdict: It really is a micro-sized pedal that you could use for a whole run of gigs and not feel remotely short-changed. Once it's all set up, the TONEX One Bass Edition is a solid, high-quality and great-sounding device that vacuum-packs incredible utility into a compact space.
Test | Results | Score |
|---|---|---|
Build quality | Absolutely no notes. Some micro pedals can feel flimsy – not a bit of it here. | ★★★★★ |
Usability | The tiny size has limitations, by its very nature. You can't do much quickly without plugging into the Editor, although the software is excellent. | ★★★½☆ |
Sounds | It does all the sounds that bass players covet most. IK's considerable modelling experience means it does them very well, too. | ★★★★☆ |
Overall | Tiny, mighty, and if you have access to the Editor it can be the micro bass rig you can throw in your gig bag. | ★★★★☆ |
Also try
Hands-on videos
IK Multimedia
Bass The World
The Wetter Bass
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
