Ik Multimedia Axe I/O One

An AXE I/O Designed "Guitar First" in a Streamlined Format

AXE I/O ONE carries the DNA of IK Multimedia's AXE I/O range: an instrument-oriented audio interface designed so that the input chain respects the dynamics of your playing and the personality of your pickups. The approach is clear: to offer a credible studio integration for guitarists and bassists, with features that truly change everyday use (Z-TONE, JFET stage, Amp Out, controllers), in a more straightforward format to fit into a home studio or mobile setup.

In practice, this philosophy translates into a very "pedalboard and amp" workflow: you keep your feel, focus on capturing the source well, then choose between simulation, sound capture, processing, and reamping without wasting time on complex connections.

Who Is It For and What Are Its Uses in Studio and Home?

The AXE I/O ONE is aimed at musicians who want to record guitar or bass with professional results while maintaining maximum control over the input. It suits everything from demo recording to polished production: double-tracked riffs, clean DI takes, layers of saturated guitars, pick-played basses, or vocal capture via the mic preamp.

Thanks to its line outputs and headphone output, it easily integrates into a headphone monitoring setup, active speakers, or a hybrid configuration with a real amp. The Controller inputs are especially useful if you control your effects while playing: volume, wah, or state changes via footswitch, without letting go of the instrument.

Key Features: Sound at the Source, Then Freedom in Post-Production

Z-TONE: Adjust Impedance to "Match" Your Pickups

The Z-TONE control allows you to adjust the impedance matching of the instrument input. Practically, you influence how your pickups interact with the input: more attack, more roundness, more bite, or a smoother high end depending on the guitar and style. It's a valuable tool to find the right feel right at the source, even before opening a plugin.

PURE and JFET: Two Input Colors, Two Intentions

With its PURE and JFET stages, AXE I/O ONE lets you choose between very faithful capture (ideal for heavy processing later) and an input with a warmer character, inspired by the response of an analog amp-style stage. The result: a DI that "holds" better in the mix and a more pleasant dynamic feel under the fingers, especially on crunch and saturated tones.

Amp Out: Simple Reamping, Practice, and Real Amp Integration

The dedicated Amp Out is designed for guitarists: you can send your signal to an amp or external chain, record a clean DI, then find the right sound afterward by reamping as many times as needed. It's also handy for playing through an amp while keeping a usable direct track in the studio.

Foot Control and Pickup Selection: A "Musician" Workflow

The active/passive pickup selector and the 2 Controller inputs (expression pedals or single/double footswitch) reinforce the instrument-focused approach. You can keep a natural gesture, automate playing parameters, and control your effects without breaking the take. Add MIDI I/O, and the interface becomes a true compact command center for a modern rig.

Included Software: Production, Simulation, and Sound Capture

To get started immediately, IK Multimedia includes TONEX SE (amp captures and sounds), AmpliTube 5 SE (amps, cabinets, effects), and Ableton Live Lite (production). Access to thousands of presets and sounds via ToneNET lets you quickly find a base, then refine according to your guitar, pickups, and style, from clean to high-gain.

Technical specifications