TONEX Editions Compared: Free CS, TONEX or MAX?

IK Multimedia’s “TONEX” is software that plays “tone models”, AI copies of the sound of real amps and pedals. It comes in three versions, the free CS, TONEX and TONEX MAX, which differ in the number of tone models included. In this article we compare the 3 editions on the same criteria as the 12 guitar amp simulators on this site. The basis is official manufacturer information.

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In short: which one to choose by purpose

• TONEX CS (rank A): people who want to try for free first what an AI-made amp sound is like.
• TONEX (rank S): people who want to choose from many options of amp sounds close to real gear.
• TONEX MAX (rank S): people who want to have as many amp sounds at hand as possible.

The highest score among the 3 editions is TONEX (rank S, average 4.2). But you do not need to buy a higher edition for features you will not use. Choose the one that fits your purpose.

Main features of TONEX

Tone models copied with AI

TONEX is software that uses “tone models”, copies of the sound of real amps and pedals made with AI technology (AI Machine Modeling). It can copy anything from a single pedal to a whole setup including the amp. It handles both guitar and bass sounds.

The number of tone models changes by edition

The free TONEX CS includes 20 premium tone models, TONEX more than 400, and TONEX MAX more than 1,250. CS lets you use and share models, while TONEX and MAX can also copy (capture) your own gear. Tone models made by other users can be searched for and downloaded from ToneNET.

Finish the sound by adding effects

Before and after a tone model you can add a compressor, modulation, delay, reverb and a noise gate to finish the sound. You can also load your own IRs. It can be used as a standalone app and as a DAW plug-in.

Where it is useful

• Playing with the sound of an amp copied from real gear, with the free TONEX CS
• Searching ToneNET for tone models made by other users
• Capturing your own amp and recording with the same sound at home (TONEX and MAX)

Differences between editions (comparison table)

Edition	Rank	Range of tones	Recording and practice	Modeling technology	Bass
TONEX CS	A (3.4)	20 models	Standalone	AI	Guitar and bass tones
TONEX	S (4.2)	400+ + IR	Standalone	AI	Guitar and bass tones
TONEX MAX	S (4.2)	1,250+ + IR	Standalone	AI	Guitar and bass tones

Rating of each edition

TONEX CS (rank A)

The free version of TONEX, which plays “tone models”, AI copies of the sound of real amps and pedals. It includes 20 premium tone models, and you can download up to 20 models made by other people.

• Range of tones: 2 points — A free version with 20 premium tone models.
• Recording and practice: 3 points — It can also be used as a standalone app.
• Modeling technology: 5 points — It uses “tone models”, AI copies of the sound of real gear.
• Also usable for bass: 5 points — The official page states that it handles both guitar and bass tones (Tone Models).

TONEX (rank S)

Software with “AI Machine Modeling”, which copies the sound of real amps and pedals with AI. It includes more than 400 premium tone models, and you can also make a model of your own gear’s sound (capture).

Image: from the IK Multimedia official website (product image for the press)

• Range of tones: 4 points — Besides more than 400 premium tone models, you can load your own IRs. You can also capture your own gear.
• Recording and practice: 3 points — It can also be used as a standalone app.
• Modeling technology: 5 points — It uses “tone models”, AI copies of the sound of real gear.
• Also usable for bass: 5 points — The official page states that it handles both guitar and bass tones (Tone Models).

TONEX screens and images

Image: from the IK Multimedia official website (product image for the press)

TONEX MAX (rank S)

The top version of TONEX, with more than 1,250 premium tone models. It also has the function of modeling your own gear’s sound and loading IRs.

• Range of tones: 4 points — Besides more than 1,250 premium tone models, you can load your own IRs.
• Recording and practice: 3 points — It can also be used as a standalone app.
• Modeling technology: 5 points — It uses “tone models”, AI copies of the sound of real gear.
• Also usable for bass: 5 points — The official page states that it handles both guitar and bass tones (Tone Models).

TONEX MAX screens and images

The chart above shows the scores of TONEX.

How we score (Guitar amp simulators)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Range of tones	Choices of amps, cabinets, microphones and so on	400 or more models, plus adjustment of microphone position, room and even your own IRs	Many amps and effects, plus loading your own IRs	Dozens of amps and effects can be combined	A small number of models (such as a free version)	—
Recording and practice	Features that help with home recording and practice	A recorder, a looper and a tuner are all included	Two or more, such as a looper and standalone use	Can be run as a standalone app	—	Not mentioned on the official page
Modeling technology	The technology used to recreate real gear	Has models made with machine learning or AI	Has its own IR (cabinet response) technology	Standard modeling	—	—
Also usable for bass	Whether it includes bass amps and the like, so you can record bass with it too	The official page states that it includes gear (amps and so on) for both guitar and bass	—	Stated to be usable for bass too (general-purpose processing)	—	No bass gear, or not mentioned

Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on how well the product serves one goal: recording guitar and bass through a line at home and making them sound like an amp. Scores follow the conditions in the table above, and the rank is based on an average in which "Range of tones" counts double. The basis is official manufacturer information. Sound quality and CPU load are not measured, so they are not scored; reviews from trade magazines are introduced in the articles for reference. Price is not part of the score. Features that cannot be confirmed from the manufacturer's or a retailer's description are scored as if absent. "Also usable for bass" is a criterion that answers the common search for "bass amp simulator". The "OBS (streaming)" column in the table shows whether the official page lists the VST2 format that the streaming software OBS Studio can use (○). OBS does not support the VST3 format. It is not part of the score.

TONEX system requirements and getting started

Supported OS	Windows / Mac
Plug-in formats	Windows: VST3, AAX / Mac: AU, VST3, AAX
Standalone	Yes
Free version	The free TONEX CS is available (20 premium tone models)
OBS (streaming)	Not usable as is (VST3 only). It can be loaded with a bridge plug-in

Checked on the manufacturer’s official page on September 27, 2026. How to use them in the OBS streaming software is explained in How to use VST3 plug-ins in OBS.

Compared with other guitar amp simulators

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Related reading

• Guitar amp simulators compared
• How we rate specifications