Clip 1: Tele neck pickup, first with Mad Robot bypassed, then engaged with knob 1 at max, knob 2 at 9 o’clock, knob 3 at max, knob 5 at noon, and the toggle in the down position.
Clip 2: Tele neck pickup through Catalinbread Topanga, first with Mad Robot bypassed, then engaged with knob 1 at 3 o’clock, knob 2 at minimum, knob 3 at 8 o’clock, knob 5 at noon, and the toggle in the up position.
Clip 3: Eastwood neck pickup, first with Mad Robot bypassed, then engaged with knobs 1, 2, and 3 at noon, knob 5 at minimum, and the toggle in the up position.
RatingsPros:Gloriously gnarly, chaotic, and splatty tones perfect for everything from doom metal to MC5 mayhem, post-punk, and dysfunctional funk. Cons: Somewhat unpredictable operation. Unanchored interior perfboard could be cause for concern. Not adept at subtlety. Street: $130 MidValleyFx Mad Robot midvalleyfx.com | Tones:  Ease of Use:  Build/Design:  Value:  |
MidValleyFx’s Mad Robot fuzz is driven by silicon transistors and a 1n914 germanium diode. The manual calls knobs 1, 2, 3, and 5 output level, input gain, attack, and tone, respectively, while 4 is a toggle for engaging an octave-up oscillation circuit.
While fuzzy distinctions between knob functions certainly aren’t uncommon with deviant fuzzes, here their simplified descriptions often belie their practical effect: All four knobs tend to behave like gain controls of nebulous distinction—particularly with the octave circuit bypassed. Oh well—plug in and mess around, eh? With a humbucker-equipped Eastwood, multiple Mad Robot settings—all of them simultaneously corpulent, mid-heavy, and kind of unhinged sounding—immediately inspired angular, chaotic, atonal riffing … it felt wrong to play “normal.” In my book, that’s something to celebrate.
With a Tele, the MR’s sludgy tendencies breathed more and felt friendlier to chord work—though the pedal’s skwonky essence was still inescapable. Due to the difficulty of dialing out sometimes-harsh highs, I favored the neck pickup on both guitars, although adding a wah to the equation opened a world of soaring, fantastically searing/seething possibilities in all three positions. At times I wished octave mode’s oscillations were more prominent—they often pop out more when you’re not playing than when you are—but that unpredictability can also be part of the pedal’s anarchic charm.
Test gear: Eastwood Sidejack Baritone DLX with Curtis Novak Jazzmaster Widerange pickups, Squier Vintage Modified Tele with Curtis Novak Tel-V and JM-V pickups, MXR Reverb, Dunlop Cry Baby Mini 535Q wah, Jaguar HC50 and Fender Rumble 200 amps.
"The next step in its relentless pursuit of tonal perfection for studio and stage. Born from the same innovative drive that introduced the world's most advanced AI-based amp modeling, TONEX Cab ensures that every nuance of modern rigs shines onstage. It sets the new standard for FRFR powered cabinets for authentic amp tones, delivering unmatched realism to TONEX Tone Models or any other professional amp modeler or capture system."
Setting a New Standard
- Professional full-range flat-response (FRFR) powered cab for guitar
- True 350 W RMS / 700 W Peak with audiophile-grade power amps and advanced DSP control
- The most compact 12" power cab on the market, only 28 lbs. (12.7 kg)
- Exclusive AMP TONE control for amp-in-the-room feel and response
- Custom Celestion 12'' guitar speaker and 1'' high-performance compression driver
- 132 dB Max SPL for exceptional punch and clarity on any stage
- Programmable 3-band EQ, custom IR loader with 8 onboard presets and software editor
- Inputs: XLR/1/4" combo jack Main and AUX inputs, MIDI I/O and USB
- Output: XLR output (Pre/Post processing) for FOH or cab linking, GND lift
- Durable wood construction with elegant design and finish
- Swappable grill cloths (sold separately) and integrated tilt-back legs
Finally, Amp-in-the-room Tone and Feel
Thanks to its unique DSP algorithms, TONEX Cab's exclusive AMP TONE control stands apart from any other FRFR in the market today, allowing players to dial in the perfect amount of real amp feel and response to any room or venue.
It achieves this through advanced algorithmic control over the custom high-wattage Celestion 12'' guitar speaker and 1'' high-performance compression driver. Together, they deliver the optimal resonance and sound dispersion players expect from a real cab. Combined with a wood cabinet, this creates a playing experience that feels alive and responsive, where every note blooms and sustains just like a traditional amp.
Ultra-portable and Powerful
TONEX Cab is the most compact 12'' powered cab in its class, leaving extra room in the car to pack two for stereo or to travel lighter. Despite its minimal size, the TONEX Cab delivers true 350 W RMS / 700 W Peak Class-D power. Its unique DSP control provides true-amp sound at any volume, reaching an astonishing 132 dB Max SPL for low-end punch and clarity at any volume. With larger venues, the XLR output can link multiple cabs for even more volume and sound dispersion.
Amplify Any Rig Anywhere
TONEX Cab is the perfect companion for amplifying the tonal richness, dynamics and feel of TONEX Tone Models and other digital amp sims. It adds muscle, articulation, and a rich multi-dimensional sound to make playing live an electrifying and immersive experience.
Its onboard IR loader lets players connect analog preamps directly to the cab or save DSP power by removing the modeler's IR block. Precision drivers also work perfectly with acoustic guitars and other audio instruments, ensuring that time-based effects shine with studio-quality clarity and detail.
Pro-level Features
TONEX Cab offers plug-and-play simplicity with additional pro features for more complex rigs. Features include a 3-band EQ for quickly dialing in your tone to a specific room without editing each preset. You can program the eight memory slots to store both EQ and AMP TONE settings, plus your cabinet IR selection using the onboard controls or the included TONEX Cab Control software. Seamlessly select between memory slots with the onboard PRESET selector or via the built-in MIDI I/O.
On Stage to FOH
TONEX Cab's balanced audio output makes it easy to customize the stage or house sound. It features pre- or post-EQ/IR for cab linking or sending sound to the front-of-house (FOH). The AUX IN allows users to monitor a band mix or play backing tracks. These flexible routing options are ideal for fine-tuning the setup at each gig, big or small.
Stereo and Stacking
With two or more TONEX Cabs, any rig becomes even more versatile. A dual TONEX pedal rig creates a lush, immersive tone with spacious, time-based effects. Players can also build a wet/dry or wet/dry/wet rig to precisely control the direct/FX mix, keeping the core tone intact while letting the wet effects add depth and space. Stack multiple cabs for a massive wall of sound and increased headroom to ensure the tone stays punchy and powerful, no matter the venue size.
Designed to Inspire
The TONEX Cab's Italian design and finish give it a timeless yet modern look under any spotlight. The integrated tilt-back legs let users angle the cab and direct the sound, which is optimal for hearing better in small or dense sound stages. Swappable optional grills (Gold/Silver) make it easy to customize each rig's appearance or keep track of different TONEX Cabs between bandmates or when running stereo rigs.
Bundled Software
TONEX Cab includes a dedicated TONEX Cab Control software application for managing and loading presets and IRs. As part of the TONEX ecosystem, it also includes TONEX SE, the most popular capture software program, with 200 Premium Tone Models, unlimited user downloads via ToneNET and AmpliTube SE for a complete tone-shaping experience.
Pricing and Availability
TONEX Cab is now available for pre-order from the IK online store and IK dealers worldwide at a special pre-order price of $/€699.99 (reg. MSRP $/€799.99*) with a black grill as the default. The optional gold and silver grill cloths are available at a special pre-order price of $/€39.99 (reg. MSRP $/€49.99*). Introductory pricing will end on March 18, with TONEX Cab shipping in April.
*Pricing excluding tax.
For more information, please visit ikmultimedia.com
IK Multimedia TONEX Cab 700-watt 1 x 12-inch Power Guitar Cabinet
