NAMM 2020: IK Multimedia Announces Professional Guitar Accessories

US IK Multimedia announces Z-TONE Buffer Boost and Z-TONE DI 16/01/20

IK Multimedia is bringing its Z-TONE advanced tone-shaping, derived from IK's AXE I/O hi-end guitar interface, to two new products: Z-TONE Buffer Boost pedal and Z-TONE DI active direct box. They say that both offer a unique active/passive pickup selector switch to ensure the ideal gain staging for any instrument; switchable PURE and JFET input circuits to adjust from pristine, transparent sound to added warmth and harmonics; and IK's patented Z-TONE variable impedance control for powerful new ways to shape an instrument's sound & feel. Here's more details in IK's own words...

Z-TONE Buffer Boost
This guitar/bass preamp/DI pedal adds Z-TONE tone shaping to any player's pedalboard or stage rig. Now users can adjust the feel and tone of their instrument directly by adjusting the input impedance of their preamp pedal before hitting the rest of their pedalboard. Z-TONE Buffer Boost also offers premium sound, with a best-in-class dynamic range and extended frequency response, delivering superior performance as an instrument preamp.

A buffered signal preserves instruments' tone when using pedalboards or long cable runs, and a boost control provides added volume and drive when needed. Both the Z-TONE circuit and Boost circuit can be independently bypassed for more flexible control.

Z-TONE Buffer Boost offers true bypass on the pedal & amp output, while both balanced & unbalanced outputs let bass or acoustic players connect directly to mixers and PAs for a wider range of tonal or routing options. A ground lift switch is also included to eliminate buzz and hum.

Z-TONE Buffer Boost runs off either a 9V battery or standard 9V pedal power supply to make it easy for users to add to their existing rig.

Z-TONE DI
This studio-quality active DI box lets users add Z-TONE tone shaping to line-level sources like mixers and interfaces, making it ideal for use both in the studio and on stage.

Like Z-TONE Buffer Boost, Z-TONE DI offers a best-in-class dynamic range for ultra-quiet operation, and a wide, extended frequency response that won't cut off an instrument's natural range. It features adjustable input and output gain, a balanced Main output with ground lift to eliminate buzz or hum, plus an unbalanced out for flexibility and a -20dB pad for an extended operating range.

A convenient "Link out" also mirrors the input signal directly, making it easy to capture a DI signal while still feeding an amplifier or pedalboard. Now users can record or mix both clean and amplified signals without the need for additional splitters or gear.

For added convenience, Z-TONE DI can be powered by either a 9V battery or +48V phantom power.

Made in ltaly
Z-TONE Buffer Boost and Z-TONE DI are both housed in sturdy metal chassis for extreme reliability and durability, and are designed and manufactured in Modena, Italy in IK Multimedia's own state-of-the-art facilities.

Pricing and Availability:
Z-TONE Buffer Boost and Z-TONE DI will be available in March 2020, and are available for pre-order now from the IK Multimedia online store and from IK authorized dealers worldwide.

Z-TONE Buffer Boost: $/€169.99*
Z-TONE DI: $/€149.99*
*Prices excluding taxes

More information:

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