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Audio Sprockets ToneDexter II Acoustic Instrument Preamp Pedal

Acoustic Stringed Instrument Preamplifier with 3 Reverbs, 32 WaveMap Slots, Stereo-capable FX Loop, Boost, and Tuner
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Item ID: ToneDexterII
Audio Sprockets ToneDexter II Acoustic Instrument Preamp Pedal
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Audio Sprockets ToneDexter II Acoustic Instrument Preamp Pedal
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This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

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Bring Your Plugged-in Tone to Life

Sweetwater knows that getting the natural tone of an acoustic instrument to translate in a live environment can be a challenge. That’s where Audio Sprockets’ ToneDexter II comes in. This clever acoustic instrument preamp pedal uses proprietary WaveMap technology to take your plugged-in piezo sound to the next level of realism. Essentially, WaveMaps take the character of your favorite studio microphones and blend them into the signal from your piezo pickup, giving you an exceptionally vivid sound on any stage. Now in its second iteration, ToneDexter II comes with a trio of onboard reverb settings, an updated display screen, 32 preset slots for WaveMaps, USB preset management, a stereo-capable effects loop, and an updated EQ section. It all adds up to the ToneDexter II equating to an indispensable tool for gigging — add one to your rig today and experience the difference for yourself.

Upgraded with three reverb voices

Looking to elevate your acoustic with a wider, more expansive sound? You’re in luck — ToneDexter II boasts built-in reverb with Plate, Hall, and Room settings to explore. Moreover, each of these reverb settings boasts two distinct voices to choose from, effectively granting you a grand total of six reverbs! Whether you’re after a subtle reflection or a cavernous echo, ToneDexter II has you covered.

V4 update

With a single click from the management tool, your ToneDexter II can be updated with the free V4 software upgrade. Among a trove of top-notch enhancements and additions, the main upgrades featured in the V4 update include transparent compression with smart one-knob control and a new IR training algorithm with higher resolution and sharper focus than previous iterations.

What’s new in version two?

With production of the original ToneDexter halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the innovative minds at Audio Sprockets sought to greatly enhance the design. What resulted was no mere minor update. In fact, ToneDexter II boasts many new features and improvements. First and foremost, it now includes a new color screen with context-sensitive controls and labels. Next, 10 more preset slots were added, bringing the total up to 32 preset slots that store and recall all parameters. You can also manage your presets via USB! The stereo-capable effects loop now comes with dedicated input and output jacks for further convenience. The final major update is the EQ, complete with a parametric mid boost/cut and a selection of highpass filters.

Meanwhile, by using Record/Playback Mode, you can record your instrument for up to 90 seconds and then play it back via a loop. This functionality is useful for making tone shaping or WaveMap adjustments while hearing just the PA or amp, without the direct sound radiating from your instrument. The mode works for single or dual source configurations, with full control of all parameters including blend during playback.

Note: Record/Playback mode is not a substitute for a performance looper. Seamless loops and layering of live sound with recorded material are not possible. Contact your Sweetwater Sales Engineer with any questions.

Make your signal come alive with WaveMaps

Piezo pickups get pretty close to the real thing. And with ToneDexter II’s WaveMaps, your signal can sound more natural than ever before. So, how do WaveMaps work? Simply connect your stringed instrument’s piezo output to the ToneDexter II’s 1/4-inch input. Then, plug your favorite studio microphone into the XLR input, mic up your instrument, and start playing. ToneDexter II automatically modulates the direct signal to best match the microphone signal. Once you’re satisfied your direct-in tone sounds perfectly natural, save your new custom WaveMap into one of the 32 user preset slots for later recall.

Audio Sprockets ToneDexter II Features:

  • Full-color display enables context-sensitive controls and labels
  • 32 preset slots store and recall every parameter, including input and output levels
  • Stereo-capable effects loop effortlessly incorporates your favorite stompboxes
  • Onboard reverb to impart a touch of space to your sound, including Plate, Hall, and Room settings
  • Boost function heats up choice licks and solos with an additional 11dB
  • Overhauled EQ capabilities give you more control over your sound
  • Record/Playback mode enables you to record your instrument for up to 90 sec. and play it back via loop
  • Mute switch activates an ultra-accurate tuner
  • Character control makes your WaveMaps even punchier
  • 1/4-in. and XLR DI output suit any gigging requirement
  • Compatible with most active and passive piezo pickups

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Acoustic Preamp Pedal (active & piezo instruments)
  • Analog/Digital: Digital
  • Channels: 3
  • EQ: 4-band EQ per channel
  • Feedback Control: Notch Filter
  • Presets: 32, User-Assignable
  • Effects Types: Reverb: Plate, Hall, Room
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4" TS (instrument), 1 x 1/4" TRS (stereo/aux in), 1 x XLR (mic)
  • Outputs: 1 x 1/4" TRS (out), 1 x 1/4" TRS (phones/aux out), 1 x XLR (DI out)
  • Other I/O: 2 x 1/4" TRS (effects loop), 1 x 1/4" TRS (control In, midi)
  • USB: 1 x USB (firmware, presets)
  • Features: Built-in Tuner, Boost, 48V Phantom Power
  • Power Source: 9-15V DC Power Supply (included)
  • Height: 2.3"
  • Width: 6.3"
  • Depth: 5.9"
  • Weight: 2 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: ToneDexterII

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Reviews

Satisfied ToneDexter Customer
I've been using it for around a month now and I am very happy with it. I play fiddle and mandolin in a gigging band and this one pedal is now replacing the two LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI's and two clean boost pedals that I have used for years. I love that I can have both instruments plugged in and ready to go and of course the two (or more) distinct Wavemaps for each instrument complete with separate EQ and volume settings. I should note that my fiddle is equipped with a Baggs bridge pickup and the mando has a Baggs Radius pickup installed.

It has so many useable features and can even be used to blend a clip on mic with your pickup if desired. I really appreciate the boost feature which can be set to whatever db volume increase you choose. The tuner feature is cool but I will likely just use it as a signal mute when using my clip on instrument tuners. The effects loop is great and I will use it for a reverb or delay pedal depending on the venue we play.

But really it has to be about the sound. Per the recommendations I used a good quality small diaphragm condenser mic to create my Wavemaps and experimented with different distance placements. You can quickly toggle through the raw pickup, microphone and the created Wavemap and the results are dramatic. Though not precisely like the mic, once you've heard the Wavemap you're not going to want to go back to just the raw pickup I promise. Do your research on this pedal and if you are thinking it could work for you I highly recommend it!
Music background: Seasoned veteran
Nothing short of amazing!
I play in an acoustic duo and I've always been looking for that perfect amplified acoustic sound for my guitars and resonator. I've had the nice preamp pedals from Baggs and Fishman and have even tried acoustic IRs in my Helix. I have to admit I was skeptical when I heard about the ToneDexter but thought I'd give it a try since I could just return it if it didn't live up to the hype. Well I can say it exceeded my expectations! I did wavemaps of a couple of my guitars and then did one of my resonator. They sounded great in my studio, but the real test was using them live. I'm pleased to say this is the most natural reproduction of my guitars I've used. Especially the resonator. I've struggled to get it to sound good plugged in ever since I got it, and now it finally sounds "right". The pedal is well laid out and really intuitive to use too. I'm really pleased and look forward to making wavemaps for all of my acoustic instruments.
Finally!!!

I had truly given up on plugging my acoustics into acoustic amps since the sound was always non-acoustic. In fact I had a high end Taylor that sound just awful, totally unusable. The quack was worse than Dave Matthews in the 90's and that's bad. Now, that same guitar might be my favorite plugged in while running it through the TD2. Quack is a thing of the past. Also, this thing is crazy easy to use. I am always intimidated by multi-knobbed electronics as I have very little patience. But I watched a video and played around with knobs for 30 minutes figuring out what did what and viola. Now, set up takes maybe 5 minutes. Getting the wave file takes another say 5 minutes. Setting the EQ takes 3 to 5 minutes. And Viola! Your acoustic sounds like an acoustic. It is expensive, but I had $ in acoustics and acoustic amps but I couldn't amplify without using a mike. So, yes, it was definitely worth it to me.

6 stars... I can finally use me K&K guitar

I don't know how to keep this brief... but I'll try.

I have a K&K in a DSS-17 and I tried everything to get it to sound correct. Nothing worked... even the K&K pre sounded middy and muffled. I had my eye on the Tonedexter 1 for years.. and couldn't get myself to pull the trigger on $. However, I had an expensive guitar with a pickup installed that never got plugged in. What a shame! I bit the bullet, sold my K&K xlrpre and ordered the TD2.

Short and sweet - this is the be all end all DI even if you don't use the wavemap feature. It does everything.. too much to list.. just read the manual.

I trained my guitar with an old AKG C series mic, and listened to it in the headphones. WAY too tinny, way too gainy,.. I trained it again. Ok we are getting somewhere. I trained it again with a different mic position.. WOW! I plugged the wavemap into my PA and it was impressive. Turned the PA to venue volume and EQ'd it with a buddy.. it's amazing. If it gets better i don't care.. it's better than I ever heard. Truly a sound that will make you smile and giggle.

I then put the PA in a cinder block garage and let the feedback hum a bit... then used the notch feature to cut it out. WOW! a K&K that sounds like it's mic'd but won't feedback? Is this real?

I HIGHLY recommend.. reading the manuals a few times then listening to the Picky Fingers podcast to learn more about the TD2. DO NOT be tempted to buy the first version used... the second version is lightyears beyond the first in terms of functionality and ease of use.

Zero regrets after this purchase. I wouldn't consider going back.

Outstanding!
I don't often write reviews, but feel compelled to do so for this product. I am using a Taylor 914CE, with V Class bracing and an ES 2 pickup system. I have dialed in the native pickup tone by carefully adjusting the three pickup sensors and also using a bone saddle. It sounds terrific acoustically and through my Fishman Loudbox Mini Charge.

I was curious about the level of improvement the ToneDexter II would deliver from my already excellent sounding guitar. I used a large diaphragm condenser mic for the training process. Mic positioning is very important and I was successful on the second attempt. At first, I was underwhelmed by the WaveMap's effect. After tweaking the EQ, Spaciousness and Auto Feedback settings it sounded very natural and acoustic. The ToneDexter II added a lovely, woody resonance and delivered a very impressive, transparent tone. I was truly surprised when I engaged Bypass mode, which turns off the WaveMap so that only the ES 2 is heard. The difference was not subtle. The improvement with the WaveMap engaged was outstanding!

Do I feel the ToneDexter II could replace a high quality studio condenser mic when recording? Perhaps when used for a multi instrument recording, but less so for solo Fingerstyle guitar which I play. That being said, it is a top shelf solution for amplified sound. Highly recommend!!!