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A Complete TONEX Rig Built for the Stage IK Multimedia has officially introduced the TONEX Board, the company’s most advanced hardware platform yet for its TONEX ecosystem. Combining TONEX AI Machine Modeling, AmpliTube effects, extensive routing options and a large touchscreen interface, the new unit is designed to function as a complete rig for both guitar and bass. We’ve been following the TONEX platform closely at BassGearReviews.com, having covered and reviewed several products from the TONEX family as the system has evolved. With the TONEX Board, IK Multimedia is taking the concept considerably further, moving from a compact amp-and-pedal modeling solution toward a full-featured floor-based rig. A complete TONEX system At the center of the TONEX Board is IK Multimedia’s AI Machine Modeling technology, which allows the unit to reproduce the sound, feel and response of captured amplifiers, cabinets and pedals. The difference here is the amount of processing and routing available. TONEX Board can run up to four Tone Models simultaneously, distributed across two independent signal paths. This makes configurations such as dual-amp stereo rigs, parallel processing and wet/dry setups possible, while also allowing captured overdrive, distortion or fuzz pedals to be combined with captured amplifiers. For bass players, this opens up some interesting possibilities. A single preset could combine different captured bass rigs, parallel clean and driven paths, or a conventional amp sound with additional processing, without requiring a collection of separate hardware pedals and amplifiers. The system also supports up to 12 effect slots, with flexible split-and-mix routing. 76 effects from AmpliTube and TONEX TONEX Board isn’t limited to Tone Models. IK Multimedia has integrated 76 effects, consisting of 51 effects from AmpliTube, 15 TONEX effects and 10 new processors. The effects cover drive, modulation, pitch, EQ, filters, reverb, dynamics, delay and utility functions. There are also several bass-specific options, including Bass Wah, as well as an Envelope Filter and NU-Tron III. The effects can be positioned throughout the available signal paths rather than being restricted to a fixed pedalboard-style order. For bass players, the inclusion of dedicated bass processing alongside the broader AmpliTube and TONEX effects library is particularly relevant. It means the Board can be configured as much more than an amp modeler, potentially replacing a substantial portion of a conventional bass pedalboard. 2,000 Tone Models included TONEX Board comes with 2,000 premium Tone Models, combining content from TONEX MAX, the TONEX ONE+ Signature Collection, new models created for the Board and selections from IK Multimedia’s Tone Partners. The unit also includes more than 230 factory presets, with more than 50 specifically aimed at bass. Beyond the factory content, users can access the much larger TONEX ecosystem through ToneNET, which currently offers more than 60,000 downloadable Tone Models and presets. The included software package also provides TONEX Modeler, TONEX Software, TONEX Board Editor and AmpliTube 5 MAX, giving users access to more than 400 gear models in the software environment. That connection between the hardware and software ecosystem has always been one of the strengths of TONEX, and the Board is clearly designed to make the transition from creating and organizing sounds on a computer to using them live as seamless as possible. Touchscreen control and live performance One of the most obvious differences between the TONEX Board and previous TONEX hardware is its 5-inch high-resolution color touchscreen. Six push-rotary controls provide hands-on editing and browsing, while four footswitches can operate in Preset, Scene or Stomp modes. The idea is to allow players to build and modify rigs directly from the hardware without having to navigate a complicated menu system. The Board can store up to 1,440 presets, organized into 12 setlists and 40 banks, with three presets per bank. Scene mode also allows multiple changes to be made within a preset, while Stomp mode provides control over individual effects. MIDI and two external controller inputs further expand the possibilities for players who need more extensive live control. Connectivity for almost any rig IK Multimedia has also paid considerable attention to connectivity. The TONEX Board features two independent stereo inputs, two pairs of stereo outputs, a stereo effects loop that can alternatively operate as two independent mono loops, MIDI I/O, two expression/external controller connections and a dedicated headphone output. The main outputs are balanced XLR connections, while the secondary outputs use balanced TRS connections. The Board also supports the four-cable method, allowing it to be integrated with a conventional amplifier’s effects loop rather than requiring the entire rig to be replaced. This makes the Board suitable for several different approaches: direct to front of house, into an FRFR system, into a traditional amplifier, or as part of a larger hybrid pedalboard. The USB-C connection currently handles data transfer, editing and firmware updates, with IK Multimedia stating that 4-in/2-out class-compliant USB audio interface functionality is coming through a future firmware update. Built with bass in mind Although TONEX has traditionally had a strong guitar focus, IK Multimedia has increasingly expanded the ecosystem for bass players. The TONEX Board continues that direction with dedicated bass presets and bass-oriented effects alongside its much larger collection of general-purpose processing. For bassists, the most interesting aspect may ultimately be the routing architecture rather than simply the number of models included. Parallel clean and distorted paths, multiple Tone Models and flexible effects placement can be particularly useful when trying to maintain low-end definition while adding drive, fuzz, modulation or other effects. It also makes the Board potentially useful for players who want several very different bass rigs available from a single floor unit rather than carrying multiple amplifiers and pedalboards. The next step for TONEX The TONEX concept has evolved considerably since the original TONEX Pedal. With the TONEX Board, IK Multimedia is moving firmly into the territory occupied by high-end multi-effects and amp-modeling floor processors, while retaining the Tone Model ecosystem that has defined TONEX from the beginning. The combination of four simultaneous Tone Models, 12 effect slots, dual signal paths, 1,440 presets, extensive I/O and touchscreen control makes