The IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost is an Ik Multimedia preamp pedal, currently around $125. Close alternatives include the Empress buffer+ Buffer/Booster and the SONICAKE Sonic Super Master. It pairs well with the Soldano SLO and the Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature.
IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost
Ik Multimedia · pedal
The IK Multimedia Z-TONE Buffer Boost is a buffer and clean boost pedal from Italian music technology company IK Multimedia, delivering a high-quality buffer to preserve signal integrity plus a clean boost for signal level adjustment. The Z-TONE provides impedance matching for active and passive pickups and clean signal amplification at IK Multimedia quality.
- clean boost
- boost
- impedance
- clean
- single function utility character
- z tone
Good for
- Silent Recording
- Studio
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Pedals that stack with the IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost
Soldano SLO
Soldano
18% matchRun Soldano SLO into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature
Ashdown
18% matchRun Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature into that transparent platform and it finally gets some low gain
Boss BF-2 Flanger
Boss
14% matchKeep Boss BF-2 Flanger after IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost in the signal chain, clear of IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost's own gain stage
J. Rockett Airchild Six Sixty
J Rockett
11% matchJ. Rockett Airchild Six Sixty leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Alexander Pedals Now We Are Ghosts Reverb
Alexander Pedals
7% matchRun Alexander Pedals Now We Are Ghosts Reverb after IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost in the signal chain, clear of IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Eventide Modulated Delay
Eventide
7% matchKeep Eventide Modulated Delay after IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost in the signal chain, clear of IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Tone City Dry Martini
Tone City
tonal matchTone City Dry Martini is voiced for a clean amp's front end — IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost gives it exactly that
Fender Hammertone Overdrive
Fender
tonal matchFender Hammertone Overdrive's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost delivers it
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Empress buffer+ Buffer/Booster
Empress
66% similarityShared character: buffer, signal_integrity, 8_impedance
SONICAKE Sonic Super Master
Sonicake
61% similarityShared character: buffer, boost
Digitech DOD 410 Bifet Boost
Digitech
61% similarityShared character: 8_impedance, boost
Laney TI-Boost
Laney
89% similaritysimilar tone character
IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost
Ik Multimedia
89% similaritysimilar tone character
Shin's Music Mighty Boost
Shins Music
88% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost?+
The closest matches in character are the Empress buffer+ Buffer/Booster, the SONICAKE Sonic Super Master, the Digitech DOD 410 Bifet Boost. Budget picks: Demon FX Full BB Preamp, Cusack Music Louder, Tone City All Spark Boost. Boutique upgrades: Crazy Tube Circuits Super Conductor, Walrus Audio EB-10 Black Edition, Wampler Decibel Plus Buffer Boost.
What pairs well with the IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Soldano SLO, Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature, Boss BF-2 Flanger — Run Soldano SLO into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain.
How much does the IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost cost?+
Around $125 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).