Description
For nearly two decades, Tone King has been synonymous with premium American tube tone, and no amplifier better defines their legacy than the Imperial MKII. From the glassy spank of vintage Blackface cleans to the gritty breakup of the best Tweed tones, the Imperial delivers the touch-sensitive dynamics and sweet harmonic complexity that have made Tone King a revered name among boutique amp aficionados. Now, through a collaboration with Synergy, the Tone King Imperial experience has been brought to the groundbreaking modular preamp format.
The Imperial module mirrors the two-channel design of the flagship Imperial MKII amplifier, offering independent Rhythm and Lead channels, complete with intuitive controls and the unmistakable feel of a handwired American classic. With a powerful, dynamic voice and inspiring responsiveness, the Tone King Imperial module puts decades of vintage tone at your fingertips – now with all the flexibility of the Synergy platform.
Key Features
- All-tube preamp module based on the legendary Tone King Imperial MKII amplifier
- 2 x 12AX7 preamp tubes ensure rich harmonic performance
- True analogue bias-modulated tremolo recreated from the original amp design
- HF Comp treble frequency cut switch
- Cathode Select switch for input tube voicing options
Vintage American Tones Reimagined
The Rhythm channel of the Imperial module captures the shimmering highs and round low end of a great Blackface-era amp, perfect for crisp chords, blues-inspired leads, and lush clean textures. The Lead channel is voiced after a mid-‘50s Tweed amp pushed into glorious overdrive, offering a thick, harmonically rich, and touch-sensitive breakup that can rival even classic 100W heads. Each channel features independent tone shaping, Volume, and Attenuation controls, giving you the ability to precisely fine-tune both your clean and driven tones.
Bias Tremolo – The Heart of Vintage Amps
One of the hallmarks of the original Imperial MKII amplifier is faithfully captured here: a vintage-style true analogue bias tremolo. This bias-modulated tremolo delivers pulsing, organic movement that breathes life into your playing. The effect can be assigned to either or both channels and is carefully tuned for musical consistency across all settings.
Dual-Channel Tube Preamp
The Synergy Imperial module offers two independent channels that recreate the classic Tone King amp experience with stunning authenticity.
- The Rhythm channel features a classic layout of Volume, Bass, and Treble controls, with a dedicated Attenuation control (Master Volume).
- The Lead channel offers Volume, Tone, Mid-Bite, and Attenuation controls, allowing you to sculpt your drive tone with precision.
The Imperial module ensures every note you play blooms with rich harmonics, dynamic feel, and the unmistakable responsiveness of an all-tube design.
Powe Amp Tone and Feel – Zero-Watt Power Amp
At the heart of the Imperial Preamp module lies Synergy’s innovative “Zero Watt Poweramp” technology. This feature incorporates the exact phase-inverter circuitry from the Imperial MKII amplifier. By utilising one of the 12AX7 tubes, the Imperial MKII module replicates the harmonic and dynamic characteristics of the original amp’s power section, and ensures that the Imperial MKII module responds with the same blooming harmonics and dynamic nuance as its full-sized counterpart. Whether you’re playing through a recording interface, a live PA system, or integrating it into your existing amplifier setup, the “Zero Watt Poweramp” is the missing ingredient to providing an authentic vintage-like tube amp experience with a preamp system.
Mid-Bite Control – Sculpting your Overdrive Character
A standout feature of the Imperial module’s Lead channel is the proprietary Mid-Bite control. More than just a midrange EQ, the Mid-Bite adjusts the amp’s overdrive structure. As you increase the Mid-Bite, it tightens the low end, boosts upper-mid presence, and introduces additional gain. This shifts the tone from warm, articulate cleans to a more aggressive, British-flavoured rock crunch. The Mid-Bite gives players seamless access to a wide range of tonal textures, from vintage Tweed grit to modern, punchy overdrive – all within a single channel.
Attenuation and HF Comp
The Attenuation controls mimic the Iron Man II attenuation found in the original Imperial MKII amplifier and function as adjustable master volume controls per channel. The HF Comp switch is the treble cut control found on the original amplifier, designed to soften high-end frequencies.
Cathode Select Function
Like all Synergy modules, the Imperial includes a three-position Cathode Select switch on its PCB, allowing you to tailor the input tube’s bass response and feel. The module comes preset to Tone King’s preferred setting, optimised to capture the warm, expressive character of the Imperial MKII, while still offering flexibility for players who want to explore alternative voicings.
