The
Imperial All-Tube Preamp pedal delivers Tone King’s legendary MKII
amplifier's '50s tweed, '60s blackface, and vintage British rock tones
in a compact, pedalboard-friendly format. It features the exact preamp
section and phase inverter circuitry of the Imperial MKII amp, as well
as Reverb, Tremolo and Attenuation, resulting in a pedal that sings with
harmonic richness and blooming touch response.Powered by three 12AX7
preamp tubes running at high voltage, this preamp delivers the amp's
sound, responsiveness, and exquisite interaction with your pickups and
effects. The onboard, low-latency impulse response (IR) loader (per
channel), Headphones, easy integration and expansion with your existing
gear, and MIDI capabilities, takes these iconic tones into the new era
of guitar playing.
Legendary Vintage Tube Amp Tones
The Imperial Preamp Pedal features two distinct channels, each mirroring the '50s and '60s flavors of the Imperial MKII.
- The
Rhythm Channel evokes the essence of a classic '60s blackface combo's
pristine cleans with a touch-sensitive response that transitions
smoothly into overdrive.
- The Lead Channel is inspired by the
iconic tweed amps of the '50s’ with the ability to glide between warm
articulate cleans and aggressive midrange bark. This channel's Mid-Bite
control adds a further layer of tone shaping, focusing the low-end,
while adding high-end presence and gain for a British-flavored rock
crunch.
Built-In Zero Watt Poweramp - Phase InverterThe
Imperial Pre-Amp Pedal includes the exact phase inverter circuitry of
the actual Imperial MKII amp, utilizing one of its three 12AX7
tubes.This built-in “0 watt poweramp” authentically provides the
harmonic and dynamic content of the Tone King poweramp section. This
revolutionary design is the cornerstone that delivers the ENTIRE
Imperial MKII experience right on your pedal board.
Stereo Convolution Spring Reverb & Stereo Tremolo
Like
its namesake amp, the Imperial Preamp boasts foot-switchable spring
reverb and tremolo (digital on the preamp pedal) which are assignable to
each channel. A signature of the Tone King Imperial MKII tube
amplifier, these era-correct effects add dimension and movement while
transporting you to a golden age of electric guitar tone.
Impulse Response (IR) Cabinet & Power Amp SimThe
Imperial Preamp pedal's low latency IR and power amp simulation
technology delivers its tube tones directly to the front of house or
your interface. That’s especially evident in the 15 included
OwnHammer-made IRs. Each channel has three of our favorites, preloaded,
and selectable via dual 3-way toggle switches.
OH 112 Imperial TK1660: Tone
King 1660 speaker in a Tone King Imperial 1x12 combo. Captured using a
Shure SM57, a Neumann U87, and a Royer 121 through '70s API 312 preamps.
OH 212 Class A Blue: Celestion Blues
from 1963 in a Vox AC30 2x12 combo. Captured using a Shure SM57, a
Neumann U87, and a Royer 121 through '70s API 312 preamps.
OH 412 Basketweave M25:
Celestion G12M-25 speakers from 1971 in a basket-weave 1960B 4x12
cabinet. Captured using a Shure SM57, Telefunken MD421, and Royer 121.
There
are 12 additional IRs to choose from in the included Tone King Editor
software (powered by Synergy) which are easy to swap in and out of the
pedal's six available slots. You can also disengage the onboard IR
loader entirely to use the preamp with an external IR loader or powered
cabinet.
Tone King Editor Software
You
can assign the Reverb, Tremolo and IR to each of the channels right on
the pedal itself, making it a powerful and easy-to-use sonic tool. Tone
King offers an Editor software, powered by Synergy, which takes the
Pre-Amp's capabilities to another level, allowing you to fine-tune all
of the preamp's digitally controlled parameters and save them in up to
128 MIDI presets
Savable Parameters
- Control the independent power amp simulation HF Comp and Low-Pass filters
- Access all 15 included OwnHammer IRs
- Easily load your own IRs and manage your IR library
- Assign any of your IRs to the pedal's six available slots (three per channel)
- Control your reverb, reverb tails, tremolo and effects loop bypass settings
- Save these settings to up to 128 presets for instant recall via MIDI
Expanded Control Via MIDI
The
Tone King Editor software also unlocks all of the Imperial Preamp's
modern control. Fully MIDI-capable, you can save your presets and access
them instantly with a MIDI pedalboard controller or the laptop running
your entire show. It is the perfect marriage of modern control and
classic tube tone.
Expanding Your Rig's Capabilities
The Imperial Preamp Pedal is the perfect DI recording and performing solution. But that's just scratching the surface.
Add Channels to Your Current Guitar Amplifier
A
standout feature of the Imperial preamp pedal is its ability to easily
integrate with your existing amplifiers (must have a series effects
loop). A straightforward 3-cable connection is all it takes, and you can
instantly alternate between the Imperial Preamp as your amp's front end
or your amp's preamp channels.
Networking with Other Effects-Loop-Equipped Preamp Pedals
Create
the ultimate pedalboard-based rig with other preamp pedals (with
effects loops).Using the same 3-cable method, you get both Imperial
channels, your other preamp’s tones, the Imperial's stereo effects loop,
and its onboard IRs. Additionally, you can assign the Imperial's spring
reverb and tremolo effects to your other preamp channels.
Classic American Tube Tone for Every Stage & Studio
Whether
you're a gigging musician, a recording artist, or simply a tone
enthusiast, the Tone King Imperial Preamp pedal offers endless
possibilities. Use it as a standalone preamp for recording or for silent
stages and practice, add its two channels to your existing amplifier,
pair it with a power amp and cabinet to move some air, or combine it
with other preamp pedals for an even wider range of pedalboard-based
tones.
Tone King Imperial Preamp Pedal is the ultimate marriage of legendary, vintage American tube tone and modern control.
Features
- Two Channel High-Voltage preamp – DI
- 3 x 12AX7 preamp tubes running at proper high voltages
- Built-In zero watt poweramp - phase inverter circuit
- Two channels with independent Volume and Attenuation controls
Rhythm Channel (top)
- '60s-era American blackface combo tone
- Bass and Treble control
Lead Channel (bottom)
- '50s-era American tweed combo and British rock tones
- Tone and Mid-Bite controls
- Spring Reverb (convolution)
- Reverb and Dwell controls
- Independently assignable to each channel
- Tremolo (digital)
- Depth and Speed controls
- Independently assignable to each channel
- Stereo, Series FX loop (bypassable)
- MIDI programmable
- Save up to 128 presets for instant recall via an external MIDI switcher
- Presets save:
- Channel selection
- Master bypass setting
- IR selection
- IR bypass setting
- Effects loop bypass setting
- Reverb bypass and tails settings
- Tremolo bypass settings
- Onboard Impulse Response (IR) Technology
- Low-latency Impulse Response cabinet simulation (bypassable)
- 3-position CAB/IR select switch per channel (programmable via software)
- Included OwnHammer IRs
- Poweramp simulation with software editable HF Comp and Low-Pass filters (per channel)
Connections:
- Dual stereo balanced XLR outputs with Ground Lift Switch
- ¼" Headphone output
- Effects Send and Stereo Return Jacks
- MIDI 5-pin standard connector
- USB-C connector for use with the included Tone King Editor software editor
- To Amp In, From Amp Send and From Amp Return Jacks – for adding Imperial channels to your amp or preamp
Included
- 6’ USB Cable
- Universal 12V Power Supply
- Dimensions: 7.2” (W) x 5.7” (D) x 2.75” (H)
- Weight: 1.9 lbs.
