Z-TONE Buffer Boost - Guitar IK Multimedia - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Instrument Preamp / Buffer / Boost Pedal
Brand	IK Multimedia
Model	Z-TONE Buffer Boost
Category	Guitar & Bass Pedal
Dimensions (approx.)	120 x 70 x 50 mm (4.7 x 2.8 x 2.0 in)
Weight (approx.)	400 g (14 oz)
Power Supply	9V battery (standard), 9V DC pedal power supply (center negative), or +48V phantom power on XLR
Current Consumption (P48)	6.5 mA
Input Impedance (Passive mode)	Variable from 1 MΩ to 2.2 kΩ (Z-TONE control)
Input Impedance (Active mode)	Approx. 20 kΩ
Output Impedance (Unbalanced)	56 Ω
Output Impedance (Balanced)	600 Ω
Gain Range	-8 dB to +8 dB
Boost Range	0 dB to +10 dB
Frequency Response	5 Hz - 30 kHz (-1 dB)
Dynamic Range	>114 dB(A) at 0 dB gain
THD (Balanced, PURE)	0.0033% @ 1 kHz, +4 dBm
THD (Unbalanced, PURE)	0.00055% @ 1 kHz, +4 dBm
Preamp Topologies	JFET (warm) and PURE (transparent) selectable
Pick-Up Selector	Passive / Active
Controls	GAIN, BOOST, Z-TONE impedance, Pick-Up selector, JFET/PURE, GND LIFT, BYPASS footswitch, BOOST footswitch
Input / Output	1/4" instrument input, LINK output (parallel), unbalanced main output, balanced XLR output with ground lift
Housing Material	Metal chassis
Maintenance	Clean with dry cloth; avoid moisture and extreme temperatures
Safety Warnings	Use only recommended power supplies; no user-serviceable parts inside; refer to manual for battery installation
Spare Parts / Reparability	Not specified by manufacturer; contact IK Multimedia support
Included Accessories	4x rubber feet
Warranty	Details at www.ikmultimedia.com/warranty

Frequently Asked Questions - Z-TONE Buffer Boost IK Multimedia

What is the Z-TONE Buffer Boost?

It is a high-quality instrument preamp, buffer, and boost pedal designed for guitar and bass. It features low noise, wide frequency response, and multiple circuit topologies to adapt to different pickups and styles.

How do I power the Z-TONE Buffer Boost?

You can power it using a standard 9V battery, a 9V DC pedal power supply (center negative), or +48V phantom power on the balanced XLR output. Phantom power takes priority over battery when connected.

What is the Z-TONE control?

The Z-TONE control is a variable impedance knob that adjusts the input impedance from 1 MΩ (sharp, crisp tone) down to 2.2 kΩ (bold, thick tone). It only works with passive pickups and allows creative tone shaping at the source.

What are the JFET and PURE preamp modes?

JFET mode adds a touch of warmth and harmonics using discrete field-effect transistors, while PURE mode provides a completely linear, transparent signal path for maximum clarity. The selector only works when the Pick-Up selector is set to Passive.

Can I use this pedal with active pickups?

Yes. Set the Pick-Up selector to Active. In this mode, the Z-TONE control has no significant effect, and the input impedance is approximately 20 kΩ.

What outputs are available?

It has an unbalanced 1/4" main output, a balanced XLR output with ground lift, and a LINK output (parallel to input) for connecting to an amp.

How do I use the boost function?

Press the BOOST footswitch to activate up to +10 dB of additional gain. The BOOST LED lights up when active. The boost can be used for solos or to drive effects.

What is the bypass mode?

Press the BYPASS footswitch to bypass the gain, boost, and Z-TONE stage. The LED is off when bypassed. The pedal then acts as a simple buffer.

Where should I place this pedal on my pedalboard?

It is designed to be the first pedal in your chain (before any other effects) to buffer your guitar signal and maintain tone integrity. It also works well as a direct DI box for live or recording.

How do I change the battery?

Remove the screw on the bottom cover of the pedal to access the 9V battery compartment. Replace with a standard 9V battery. Ensure the pedal is powered off during replacement.

USER MANUAL Z-TONE Buffer Boost IK Multimedia

Level up your live rig

USER MANUAL

English

日本語

Z-TONE

BUFFER • BOOST

Level up your live rig

USER MANUAL

Table of Contents

Contents 2

English 3

Z-TONE Buffer Boost 3

Register your Z-TONE Buffer Boost 3

Overview 4

1 Power up the Z-TONE Buffer Boost 5

2 Dedicated guitar features 5

2.1 JFET / PURE input 5

2.2 Pick-Up selector 6

2.3 Variable impedance (Z-TONE™) control 6

3 Typical applications 8

3.1 Home studio 8

3.2 Professional studio 9

3.3 Live 10

4 Specifications 11

Warranty 11

Support and more info 11

Regulatory 12

Z-TONE Buffer Boost

Thank you for purchasing Z-TONE Buffer Boost.

Your package contains:

• Z-TONE Buffer Boost
- 4x rubber feet

Z-TONE Buffer Boost offers a high-quality instrument preamp with exceptionally low noise and wide frequency response, and multiple circuit topologies to adapt to any type of guitar, pick-up and style.

Z-TONE Buffer Boost offers a balanced XLR output to connect to mixers & PAs. Skip the amp and perform direct, or mix clean and processed signals to create even more tonal options. It also runs on a standard 9V battery or 9V pedal power supply, so it's easy to drop onto your existing pedalboard.

Register your Z-TONE Buffer Boost

By registering, you can access technical support, activate your warranty and receive free JamPoints™ which will be added to your account. JamPoints™ allow you to obtain discounts on future IK purchases! Registering also keeps you informed of all the latest software updates and IK products.

Register at: www.ikmultimedia.com/registration

Overview

1. GAIN control - adjusts the input gain: center for unity gain; -8dB when fully counterclockwise, +8dB when fully clockwise.

2. BOOST control - adjusts the amount of boost over a 10dB range.

3. PASSIVE/ACTIVE - Pick-Up selector - this selector allows you to match the type of pick-up installed on the connected instrument

4. Z-TONE™ - Variable impedance control - the front control named Z-TONE™ allows you to change the input impedance on the instrument input allowing for a unique possibility for tone shaping on your instruments.

5. JFET/PURE - Preamp topology selector - this selector allows you to select two different preamp topologies for your connected instrument: JFET preamp type and Pure preamp type.

6. GND LIFT - when the GND LIFT switch is depressed, the ground connection is interrupted.

7. Balanced output - High performance transformer coupled balanced output with ground lift option.

8. Main output (unbalanced) - Electronically buffered, grounded unbalanced output.

9. Instrument input - 1/4" (6.35mm) jack type - Connect your instrument here (e.g., guitar).

10. LINK output - LINK connector is wired in parallel with the INPUT: the LINK connector can be used both as a direct unbalanced output of the INPUT signal. You can, for example, connect LINK with the input of an amplifier. Z-TONE input impedance control also affects LINK output.

11. BYPASS - this footswitch, when activated (LED OFF), will bypass the gain, the boost and Z-Tone stage. The LED will turn ON when bypass in not engaged.

12. BOOST - this footswitch will activate the boost section. The LED will turn ON when activated.

13. 9V DC input and 9V battery compartment. To access to the battery compartment it is necessary to remove the screw holding the cover.

1 Power up the Z-TONE Buffer Boost

Z-TONE Buffer Boost runs on a standard 9V battery, +48v phantom power from your mixer or 9V pedal power supply, so it's easy to drop onto your existing pedalboard. If the battery is installed and P48 phantom power is provided on the balanced out, the +48V will have priority over battery.

To access to the battery compartment it is necessary to remove the screw holding the cover.

2 Dedicated guitar features

2.1 JFET / PURE input

Thanks to the front panel selector it is possible to select two different preamp topologies for your connected instrument: JFET preamp type and Pure preamp type.

The discrete JFET (field-effect transistor) circuitry adds a tiny bit of color and harmonics to the signal, giving your instruments a bit of added warmth.

Pure circuitry results in a more linear response featuring the absolutely cleaner signal path possible, for best transparency and clarity.

Each amplifier topology offers complimentary sonic performance to the other, and both are widely used in professional recording and stage work. Note: this control only works when the Pickup selector is on the Passive position.

2.2 Pick-Up selector

Z-TONE Buffer Boost works perfectly with both Passive and Active guitar or bass pickups, having independent circuitry that suits perfectly both topologies. Passive electric guitar pickups exhibit significantly higher output impedance than the active counterpart, among other significant tone differences, but neither of the two is “better” or “worse” than the other: indeed they have different behaviors. To properly couple this diversity of guitar pickups in the most musically pleasing manner, Z-TONE Buffer Boost offers a pickup selector that allows the artist to select between Active (when using an active pickup) and Passive (when using a passive pickup).

2.3 Variable impedance (Z-TONE™) control

All passive pickups (being them single coil, humbucker, split, etc.) have a certain sound character that is also determined by the loading impedance. The Z-TONE™ front control allows you to change the input impedance on the instrument input therefore allowing for a very creative way of shaping the tone of your instruments.

The beauty of this system is that it allows you to discover tonal shades from your instruments that you never heard before, by shaping the tone right at the source, within the pickups, instead of what is normally done with post-processing tools of any kind.

Feel free to experiment without rules with this knob! You will find your tone becomes generally more thick and bold by reducing the impedance (control is moved clockwise) and, on the other hand, more crisp and sharp when rotated counter-clockwise.

For example if you find your high gain tones to be too harsh, try setting this control at mid position, and you'll experience what the Z-TONE can magically do.

If you're recording a bass (with passive pickups) and find it sounds a bit thin, try the same. The sound will immediately feel more bold, solid and bigger.

The key here is experimentation! Feel free to check it out on your instruments, on various configurations, the possibilities are really endless.

Settings start from the highest impedance value (named “Sharp”) to the lowest impedance value (named “Bold”) The Z-TONE circuit only works with passive pickups of any kind.

Using it on active pickups will not provide any significant useful change to the sonics of the instrument.

3 Typical applications

Learn how to get your best guitar and bass tone using Z-TONE Buffer Boost performing live on stage or recording in a pro recording studio or your home studio.

3.1 Home studio

High-end guitar/bass direct recording in a home studio

This setup allows you to record a DI guitar track at the highest possible quality into your DAW for further plug-in processing. With the addition of Z-TONE control, any audio interface can become the best audio interface for guitar and bass.

High-end guitar/bass amp+DI recording in a home studio

graph LR
    A["BALANCED OUTPUT"] --> B["Z-TONE"]
    B --> C["AMP/MIC SIGNAL"]
    C --> D["MIC IN 1"]
    C --> E["MIC IN 2 +48V"]
    C --> F["GUITAR / BASS"]
    B --> G["LINK"]
    B --> H["INPUT"]
    G --> I["Output"]
    H --> J["Output"]

This setup allows for simultaneous recording of a DI guitar track and miked amp—at the highest possible quality—into your DAW for further plug-in processing. With the addition of Z-TONE control, your audio interface with 2 microphone inputs can become the best guitar and bass interface.

3.2 Professional studio

High-end guitar/bass direct recording in a pro studio

The setup below allows you to record a DI guitar track at the highest possible quality in your DAW for further plug-in processing. With the addition of Z-TONE control, you can still plug into your existing high-end modern or vintage mic preamps and capture amazing guitar or bass tone.

High-end guitar/bass amp+DI recording in a pro studio

graph TD
    A["BI SIGNAL"] --> B["Z-TONE"]
    B --> C["GUITAR / BASS"]
    B --> D["INPUT"]
    D --> E["AMP/MIC SIGNAL"]
    E --> F["MIC IN"]
    E --> G["LINE IN LINE IN"]
    F --> H["+48V MIC IN"]
    G --> I["+48V MIC IN"]
    J["BALANCED OUTPUT"] --> K["OUTPUT"]
    K --> L["LIK"]
    L --> M["INPUT"]

The following setup allows for simultaneous recording of a DI guitar track and miked amp—at the highest possible quality—into your DAW for further plug-in processing. With the addition of Z-TONE control, you can still plug into your existing modern or vintage mic preamps and capture amazing guitar or bass tone.

3.3 Live

Live electric guitar rig

graph LR
    A["Ground"] --> B["PEDALBOARD"]
    B --> C["MAIN OUT"]
    C --> D["Z-TONE"]
    D --> E["INPUT"]
    E --> F["GUITAR"]

Z-TONE Buffer Boost is the ideal first pedal in your guitar pedalboard chain. It buffers your guitar signal to drive pedals and amps with the best integrity and purity of tone. Z-TONE control will open a new palette of tones from your guitar or bass and the boost switch will add that edge for solos—with maximum level and minimum possible noise.

Live electric bass rig with pedalboard

Z-TONE Buffer Boost is the ideal first pedal on your bass pedalboard. It buffers your guitar signal to drive pedals and amps with the best integrity and purity of tone. Z-TONE control will open a new palette of tones from your guitar or bass and the boost switch will add that edge for solos—with maximum level and minimum possible noise. Here, Z-TONE DI is used to split the signal between FOH direct and to your amp.

4 Specifications

Audio specs

I/O Gain: Unitary, from 1/4" input JACK to both 1/4" and XLR outputs when GAIN is at 0dB and Z-TONE at the SHARP position.

Gain Range: From -8dB to +8dB

Boost Range: From 0dB to +10dB

Input impedance - Z-TONE set on PASSIVE mode: Variable from 1MΩ down to 2.2kΩ

Input impedance - Z-TONE set on ACTIVE mode: Approx 20kΩ

Output impedance, unbalanced out: 56Ω

Output impedance, balanced out: 600Ω

Max input level before clipping: +13dBm when powered by 48V phantom, +9dBm when powered by 9V battery

Dynamic Range: better than 114dB(A) for both outputs, input gain at 0dB

Total Harmonic Distortion, balanced output, 1kHz, +4dBm input: 0.0033% (PURE), 0.2% (JFET)

Total Harmonic Distortion, unbalanced output, 1kHz, +4dBm input: 0.00055% (PURE), 0.2% (JFET)

Frequency response: from 5Hz to 30kHz -1dB

Phase deviation: 0^ ± 10^ from 20Hz to 20kHz

Power

Phantom power: +48V phantom on Balanced output. +48V phantom has priority over installed battery.

Battery power: 9V

DC barrel: 9V DC (positive outside)

Current consumption from P48 phantom power source: 6.5mA

Warranty

For detail on your product's warranty, please visit:

www.ikmultimedia.com/warranty

for the complete warranty policy.

Support and more info

www.ikmultimedia.com/support

www.ikmultimedia.com/products/ztonebufferboost

FC

FCC statement

This device complies with Part 15.107 and 15.109 Class B of the FCC Rules CFR47: October 2010.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference.

2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

USER'S MANUAL REVISION NOTE:

v1.0 (2020/02/19): Initial Release

Z-TONE Buffer-Boost, AmpliTube and SampleTank® are trademarks property of IK Multimedia Production Srl. All other product names and images, trademarks and artists names are the property of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with IK Multimedia. iPad, iPhone, iPod touch Mac and Mac logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Lightning is a trademark of Apple Inc. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

Z-TONE

BUFFER • BOOST

Level up your live rig

ユーザー・マニュアル

Japanese

目次

コンテンツ 2

日本語 3

Z-TONE Buffer Boost 3
Z-TONE Buffer Boostの登録 3

概要 4

Regulatory - 規制基準 12

Z-TONE Buffer Boost

www.ikmultimedia.com/registration

www.ikmultimedia.com/products/ztonebufferboost/index.php?p=apps

特典ソフトウェアの入手/アンロック方法

www.ikmultimedia.com/freebonuscontent/

概要

www.ikmultimedia.com/support

www.ikmultimedia.com/products/ztonebufferboost

FC

FCC statement

This device complies with Part 15.107 and 15.109 Class B of the FCC Rules CFR47: October 2010.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference.

2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

USER'S MANUAL REVISION NOTE:

v1.0 (2020/02/19): Initial Release

Z-TONE Buffer-Boost, AmpliTube and SampleTank ^® are trademarks property of IK Multimedia Production Srl. All other product names and images, trademarks and artists names are the property of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with IK Multimedia. iPad, iPhone, iPod touch Mac and Mac logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Lightning is a trademark of Apple Inc. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.