For nearly two decades, Tone King has been synonymous with high-end American tube tone, and no amplifier reflects that legacy better than the Imperial MKII. From the crystalline shimmer of vintage Blackface cleans to the gritty breakup of the finest Tweed tones, the Imperial offers the tactile dynamics and sweet harmonic complexity that have made Tone King a benchmark for boutique amp enthusiasts. Now, thanks to a collaboration with Synergy, the Tone King Imperial experience is brought into the revolutionary modular preamp format.
The Imperial module features the dual-channel design of the flagship Imperial MKII amplifier, offering independent rhythm and lead channels, with intuitive controls and the unmistakable feel of a hand-wired American classic. With a powerful, dynamic voice and inspiring responsiveness, the Tone King Imperial module puts decades of vintage tones at your disposal, now with all the flexibility of the Synergy platform.
VINTAGE AMERICAN TONES REIMAGINED
The rhythm channel of the Imperial module captures the shimmering highs and round lows of a great Blackface-era amp, perfect for precise chords, blues-inspired leads, and lush clean textures. The Lead channel is inspired by a mid-50s Tweed amp pushed into exceptional overdrive, providing a thick, harmonically rich, and touch-sensitive sound capable of rivaling classic 100W amp heads. Each channel has independent tone shaping, volume, and attenuation controls, allowing you to fine-tune your clean and high-gain sounds with precision.
BIAS TREMOLO - THE HEART OF VINTAGE AMPS
One of the hallmark features of the original Imperial MKII amplifier is faithfully reproduced here: a true vintage-style bias tremolo. This bias-modulated tremolo produces a pulsing, organic movement that breathes life into your playing. The effect can be assigned to either or both channels and is carefully tuned for optimal musical consistency.
DUAL-CHANNEL TUBE PREAMP
The Synergy Imperial module provides two independent channels that recreate the experience of a classic Tone King amp with stunning authenticity.
The rhythm channel features a classic layout of volume, bass, and treble controls, with a dedicated attenuation (master volume) control.
The Lead channel offers volume, tone, middle, and attenuation controls, allowing you to sculpt your sound with precision.
The Imperial module ensures that every note played blooms with rich harmonics, dynamic feel, and the incomparable responsiveness of an all-tube design.
POWER AMP: SOUND AND FEEL - ZERO WATT POWERAMP
At the heart of the Imperial preamp module is Synergy's innovative "Zero Watt Poweramp" technology. This feature incorporates the exact phase inverter circuit of the Imperial MKII amplifier. By utilizing one of the 12AX7 tubes, the Imperial MKII module reproduces the harmonic and dynamic characteristics of the original amp's power section and ensures a harmonic and dynamic response identical to its standard counterpart. Whether you are using a recording interface, a live PA system, or integrating it into your existing amplifier setup, the "Zero Watt Poweramp" is the missing ingredient for delivering an authentic vintage tube amp experience with a preamp system.
MID-BITE CONTROL - SCULPT YOUR OVERDRIVE CHARACTER
One of the standout features of the Imperial module's Lead channel is the exclusive Mid-Bite control. More than just a mid-range EQ, the Mid-Bite adjusts the amp's overdrive structure. Increasing the Mid-Bite tightens the low frequencies, enhances upper-midrange presence, and adds gain. This allows you to go from a clean, precise sound to a more aggressive, British-accented rock crunch. Mid-Bite offers seamless access to a wide range of sonic textures, from vintage Tweed grit to modern, punchy overdrive, all on a single channel.
ATTENUATION AND HF COMP
The attenuation controls mimic the Iron Man II attenuation of the original Imperial MKII amplifier and function as per-channel adjustable master volumes. The HF Comp switch is the treble cut control found on the original amplifier to soften high frequencies.
CATHODE SELECT FUNCTION
Like all Synergy modules, the Imperial includes a three-position cathode select switch on its circuit board, allowing for adjustments to the low-frequency response and feel of the input tube. The module comes preset to Tone King's preferred settings, optimized to deliver the warm, expressive character of the Imperial MKII, while offering great flexibility for players wishing to explore alternative sounds.