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Tonebone JDX Direct-Drive

Tonebone JDX Direct-Drive

Radial Engineering

Description

The Radial JDX Direct-Drive is a unique and powerful device that emulates the sound of a guitar amplifier while doubling as a direct box. Unlike a typical direct box that merely transfers the sound of the pedals to the PA, the Direct-Drive simulates the tone and feel of a real guitar amp, producing a much more realistic sound. In other words, with the Direct-Drive on your pedalboard, you can do a gig without carrying an amp to the club.

The design begins with a traditional .25 in. guitar input and passive thru-put to feed a stage amp. This is then followed by a dedicated tuner output that is buffered in order to eliminate loading on the pickup or noise from the quartz clock. The guitar signal is then passed through a series of carefully sculpted filters to create Radial’s signature JDX tone. This is modeled after the sound of a Shure SM57™ in front of a Marshall™ 4x12 cabinet. The Direct-Drive goes further with two more voicing settings: the first adds a vintage Marshall tube head character to the signal path while the second delivers a tone reminiscent of an early Fender Twin. The two amp tones can be further tailored using a presence switch for extra sparkle. The guitar signal exits the Direct-Drive via either a 1/4" guitar-level output or via a balanced XLR to feed the PA. The direct box output is outfitted with a 180° polarity reverse switch to help phase-align monitors with the stage amp along with a ground lift switch to help eliminate hum and buzz caused by ground loops. The Direct-Drive may be powered using a standard 9V power supply or typical pedalboard power brick.

As with all Radial products, the Direct-Drive is made to handle the rigors of professional touring with 14-gauge steel throughout. This not only helps prevent damage to the internal PCB, it also reduces susceptibility to noise from external magnetic fields.
Open Box Radial Engineering JDX Direct-Drive Amp Simulator and DI Box Guitar Effects Level 2 197881144647
Open Box Radial Engineering JDX Direct-Drive Amp Simulator and DI Box Guitar Effects Level 2 197881144647
Open Box Radial Engineering JDX Direct-Drive Amp Simulator and DI Box Guitar Effects Level 2 197881144647

Features

  • Guitar amp simulator for pedalboards
  • Eliminates need to bring an amp to the gig
  • 4 x 12 half-stack and open back combo tones
  • Employs Radial’s popular JDX tone shaping

Reviews

4

4 Reviews

75%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

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Reviewed by 4 customers

  • Couldn't possibly be any happier

    5

    submitted6 years ago

    byJoe

    fromTulsa, OK

    I've read other reviews first talking about how it sounds nothing like an amp or it didn't work with their other pedals. The PA EQ setting will have a lot to do with it. Don't let your sound guy add too much or this or take out that... flat EQ, "set it and forget it". Everything else is from your pedal board. This is supposed to be like your amp. Not just the power amp, it's like running pedals into your amp with flat EQ. Add an EQ pedal into it if you'd like but honestly I let my FT:FD2 MOSFET do all the the work. It's my gain control and master volume control. Those two together (or whatever OD pedal you want to use) make an excellent combo that reacts like my actual blackface amp. Like any other amp... not all pedals sound good with every amp. I've had pedals that sound incredible with one, but complete trash with another. You may like you Klon style pedal now or your TS style pedal but with this you may hate it an opt for a D-style or Tweed style pedal. Play around with it before you decide you hate it. Take to Guitar Center and play with every dirt pedal they have... it's well worth it. I'll never take this off my board. If something happens. I'll get another one. It's that good, that simple, and worth every dime.

  • Fanatic Amp Alternative w/o digital sounding

    5

    submitted8 years ago

    byJHX

    fromIndiana

    Had to get rid of the AC15 for something With lower stage volume. I'm happy with this, no it's not an amp but it does get really close. I can't stand digital amp modelers in this price range but this sounds really good. I'll probably end up buying a few more.

  • Uh, no thanks

    1

    submitted9 years ago

    byJed the Red

    fromBackwoods, Kentucky

    Using this pedal as the manufacturer intended, I found it to be very not good. Sounds like a transistor radio. Definitely not a usable tone. Ew, horrible. Just, horrible.

  • Love it!

    5

    submitted9 years ago

    byLedjet

    fromKnoxvegas, TN

    I tired several similar units with amp/cab modeling and the Direct Drive is the best. It does not sound quite as good as a quality tube amp, but with a couple od and modulation pedals it's great. My board is simple: ts9, ocd, Tim, trem, rev/delay, direct drive. The direct drive works best for me with the xlr to the pa and the thur line to a small tube amp. It sounds great on its own, and it's also an excellent alternative to carrying a backup amp, and putting a mic on a cab. Love it.

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