Tone King Imperial Preamp Pedal

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 tones

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)

15 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.