Condition Note: Item is subject to minor cosmetic imperfections. Packaging may be in poor shape. The item displayed in the images may not be the actual item you receive.

Tone King Imperial Preamp Tri-Tube Preamp Pedal

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 Inverter

The 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 Sim

The 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 controls
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.

NEW - What you get with the latest version of the software and firmware:

Per-Channel High-Pass Filter: You can now set a custom bass-cut (high-pass) filter for each channel and preset (just like you already can with the low-pass filter).
IR Selection in Bypass: A new IR-on-Bypass option lets you choose which impulse response stays active when the pedal is bypassed (for use with external amps).
Auto Mono to Amp Return: The To Amp Return output now automatically sums stereo signals to mono, so effects in the loop always run properly in mono (when looping external amps).
Mono Output Option for XLR: A new Mono button lets you sum the XLR outputs to mono using either Left or Right even when running stereo effects.

If you have never updated your Imperial preamp from the original firmware, you also get the following:

Fix Reverb bug
Fix Midi Lock bug
Fix Channel indicator lock bug
Improve Software communication

Component - Effects & Pedals - FBAU

Dreadbox Hypnosis Time Effects Processor

Milkman The Amp

Tone King Imperial Preamp Tri-Tube Preamp Pedal