1. Introduction et plusview
The Tone King Imperial All-Tube Preamp pedal is designed to deliver the legendary tones of Tone King's MKII amplifier, encompassing '50s tweed, '60s blackface, and vintage British rock sounds. This compact pedalboard-friendly unit integrates the exact preamp circuit inverseur de section et de phase de l'Imperial MKII amp. It also includes onboard Reverb, Tremolo, and Attenuation, providing a rich harmonic sound and responsive touch. Powered by three 12AX7 preamp tubes operating at high voltage, the pedal ensures authentic amplifier sound and interaction with your pickups and effects. Advanced features include a low-latency impulse response (IR) loader per channel, headphone output, and MIDI capabilities for seamless integration into modern guitar setups.
Caractéristiques principales :
- Puissance indépendante amp simulation with HF Comp and Low-Pass filters.
- Access to 15 included OwnHammer IRs.
- Ability to load custom IRs and manage your IR library.
- Six assignable IR slots (three per channel).
- Comprehensive control over reverb, reverb tails, tremolo, and effects loop bypass settings.
2. Installation et connexions
Proper setup ensures optimal performance and sound quality. Follow these steps to connect your Imperial Preamp Pédale:
Connexion électrique :
- Connect the provided 12V DC power adapter to the '9-12VDC 9W' input jack on the rear panel. Ensure the correct voltaget la polarité pour éviter les dommages.
Connexions audio :
- Saisir: Connect your guitar to the 'INPUT' jack on the rear panel.
- À Amp Dans: For connecting to the input of a guitar amplifier.
- Depuis Amp Envoyer: For connecting from an amplifier's effects send.
- À Amp Retour: Pour se connecter à un amplifier's effects return.
- Send (Line Out) / Return: These jacks form an effects loop, allowing you to integrate external effects pedals. The 'Send' jack can also function as a line out.
- Cab Sim (Headphones): Connect headphones to this 3.5mm jack for silent practice with cabinet simulation.
- Speaker Output (8Ω / 16Ω): Connect to a speaker cabinet. Ensure the impedance matches your cabinet (8 or 16 ohms).
- Balanced Out (Left/Right XLR): For connecting to a mixing console, audio interface, or PA system.
- Ascenseur GND : Use this switch to eliminate ground loop hum when using the balanced outputs.
MIDI et USB :
- Entrée MIDI : Connect MIDI devices for external control.
- USB: Connect to a computer for IR management, firmware updates, and deeper editing.


3. Actionner la pédale
The Imperial Preamp Pedal offers intuitive controls for shaping your tone. The front panel is divided into sections for Reverb, Tremolo, Rhythm Channel, and Lead Channel, along with footswitches for various functions.
Commandes du panneau avant :
- Réverbération : Adjusts the overall reverb level.
- Demeurer: Controls the decay time of the reverb.
- Tremolo Depth: Sets the intensity of the tremolo effect.
- Tremolo Speed: Ajuste le taux de l’effet trémolo.
- Attenuation (Rhythm/Lead): Controls the output level of each channel, simulating power amp atténuation.
- Bass (Rhythm): Adjusts the low-frequency response of the Rhythm channel.
- Treble (Rhythm): Adjusts the high-frequency response of the Rhythm channel.
- Volume (Rhythm/Lead): Sets the overall output volume for each channel.
- Mid-Bite (Lead): Shapes the mid-range character of the Lead channel.
- Tone (Lead): Adjusts the overall brightness of the Lead channel.
Commutateurs au pied :
- Réverbération : Active/désactive l'effet de réverbération.
- Magasin: Used to save custom presets and IR assignments.
- Canal: Switches between the Rhythm and Lead channels.
- Loop Bypass: Engages or bypasses the effects loop.
- IR Bypass: Toggles the Impulse Response loader on/off.

4. Fonctionnalités avancées
Impulse Response (IR) Loader:
The Imperial Preamp Pedal features a powerful, low-latency IR loader. It comes pre-loaded with 15 premium OwnHammer IRs, offering a variety of cabinet emulations. You can also load your own custom IRs via the USB connection and assign them to the pedal's six available slots (three per channel) for quick recall.
Reverb and Tremolo:
The onboard Reverb and Tremolo effects are designed to emulate classic amplifier effects. Adjust the 'Reverb' and 'Dwell' controls to fine-tune your reverb sound, and use 'Depth' and 'Speed' to customize the tremolo effect. The 'Store' footswitch allows you to save your preferred settings.
Boucle d'effets :
The dedicated 'Send' and 'Return' jacks provide a transparent effects loop, allowing you to insert your favorite modulation, delay, or other time-based effects into the signal chain after the preamp section but before the IR loader. The 'Loop Bypass' footswitch offers convenient control.
MIDI Capabilities:
The 'MIDI In' port enables advanced control over the pedal's functions. You can integrate the Imperial Preamp Pedal into a larger MIDI-controlled setup, allowing for remote switching of channels, effects, and other parameters.
Sortie casque :
The 'Cab Sim' output provides a convenient way to practice silently using headphones, delivering a fully processed and cabinet-emulated tone directly to your ears.
Pouvoir Amp Simulation:
The independent power amp simulation features 'HF Comp' and 'Low-Pass' filters, allowing you to fine-tune the high-frequency compression and overall tonal balance, mimicking the characteristics of different power amp sections.
5. Entretien
To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your Tone King Imperial Tube Preamp Pedal, follow these maintenance guidelines:
- Nettoyage: Utilisez un chiffon doux et sec pour nettoyer l'extérieur de la pédale. Évitez les nettoyants abrasifs et les solvants.
- Stockage: Store the pedal in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and humidity.
- Manutention: Manipulez la pédale avec précaution. Évitez de la laisser tomber ou de la soumettre à des chocs violents.
- Entretien des tubes : The pedal uses three 12AX7 preamp tubes. While designed for durability, tubes are delicate. If you experience a significant change in tone or excessive noise, a tube replacement may be necessary. Consult a qualified technician for tube replacement.
- Alimentation: Always use the specified 12V DC power supply. Using an incorrect power supply can damage the unit and void the warranty.
6. Dépannage
If you encounter issues with your Imperial Preamp Pedal, try the following troubleshooting steps:
- Pas d'alimentation : Ensure the 12V DC power adapter is securely connected to both the pedal and a working power outlet. Check the power outlet with another device.
- Pas de son : Verify all audio cables are correctly connected. Check your guitar, amplifier, and other pedals in the signal chain. Ensure the 'Volume' knobs on both channels are not set to zero. If using headphones, ensure they are plugged into the 'Cab Sim' jack and the volume is adequate.
- Bourdonnement ou bruit : Check all cable connections for proper seating. If using balanced outputs, try engaging the 'GND Lift' switch. Ensure your power supply is not faulty and is providing clean power.
- Unexpected Tone: Check the settings of all knobs and footswitches. Ensure the correct IR is selected and loaded. If using the effects loop, bypass it to determine if an external pedal is causing the issue.
- Dysfonctionnement de la pédale : Ensure the footswitch is clean and free from debris. If a footswitch is unresponsive, try restarting the pedal.
- IR Loading Issues: Refer to the detailed instructions in the full user manual for loading custom IRs via USB. Ensure the correct file format and size are used.
If problems persist, contact Tone King customer support or an authorized service center.
7. Spécifications
| Fonctionnalité | Détail |
|---|---|
| Poids de l'article | 2.87 livres (1.3 kg) |
| Dimensions du produit | 11.35 x 7.5 x 4 pouces (28.8 x 19.05 x 10.16 cm) |
| Numéro de modèle de l'article | PRÉ IMPÉRIALAMP PEDL |
| Interface matérielle | Prise audio 6,35 mm (1/4 pouce), prise audio 3.5 mm |
| Format du signal | Analogique |
| Voltage | 12 volts |
| Effets de sortie audio | Reverb, Tremolo, Effects Loop |
8. Garantie et assistance
For warranty claims and technical support, it is crucial to purchase your Tone King Imperial Tube Preamp Pedal from an authorized dealer. Warranties may be invalidated if the product is not purchased through official channels.
Tone King does not offer direct repair services. In the event of a malfunction, especially concerning internal components like the circuit board, you will need to rely on your warranty through an authorized dealer or seek independent repair services if the warranty is not applicable.
Always retain your proof of purchase from an authorized dealer to ensure warranty eligibility.
