Amped Review: IK Stealth Pedal

Plug it in and stomp on it   17-Nov-09

The guitarist has been under siege from a whole bunch of computer recording and modeling products in recent months, software, hardware, integrated pedalboards and the like.

So, what works best? In this review we take a look at the IK Multimedia Stealth Pedal Deluxe. Sturdily constructed inside a bona-fide Wah-Wah case, it's built to take a knock or two. But inside, instead of the Wah circuitry, you get a 2-channel USB audio interface (24-bit 48kHz max) and dedicated MIDI control interface.

As well as the built-in expression pedal and footswitch, you also get provision for connecting an additional dual footswitch and an additional expression pedal. All these together giving you plenty of assignable control to use with either the included X-Gear package, or using the included MIDI assign control panel, for controling other MIDI controlable software.

To start, the unit takes a single USB cable to both power and hook up to the computer - it's class compliant, so it can be used without drivers as a basic audio interface, but you'll be wanting to install the IK drivers and software. We are looking at the Deluxe version, which comes with an install of Amplitube 2 - IK's flagship guitar processing software package.


A little Stealth blurb from IK themselves:

    StealthPedal also comes with a must-have assortment of software including AmpliTube 2 Live  guitar and bass amp and fx modeling software, standalone and plug-in, Ampeg® SVX UNO, standalone and plug-in bass amp and fx modeling software, AmpliTube X-GEAR for further expandability with all “Powered by Amplitube” software, Sonoma Riffworks™ T4 for immediate recording/composing/online sharing with your Mac or PC and AmpliGrooves Loops  from Sonic Reality.

The StealthPedal and the included plug-in is also compatible with all popular DAW software supporting ASIO and Core Audio drivers on PC and Mac.

Available now in two forms:
Stealth Pedal Standard
• Includes AmpliTube 2 Live, Ampeg SVX UNO, AmpliTube X-GEAR, RiffWorks™ T4 recording software, and AmpliTube Metal
RRP
$269.99 / £211 / €199.99 $199.99 at MusiciansFriend.com

Stealth Pedal Deluxe  
• Includes AmpliTube 2, Ampeg SVX, AmpliTube X-GEAR, RiffWorks™ T4 recording software, and AmpliTube Metal
RRP
$449.99 / €349.99/ £369  $399.99 at Music123.com