IK Multimedia Z-TONE DI User manual

English
日本語
Your instrument’s golden channel
USER MANUAL

Your instrument’s golden channel
USER MANUAL

Contents
2
Table of Contents
Contents 2
English 3
Z-TONE DI 3
Register your Z-TONE DI 3
Front panel 4
Rear panel 5
1 Power up the Z-TONE DI 5
2 Dedicated guitar features 6
2.1 JFET / PURE input 6
2.2 Pick-Up selector 6
2.3 Variable impedance (Z-TONE™) control 7
3 Typical applications 8
3.1 Home studio 8
3.2 Professional studio 9
3.3 Live 10
3.4 Ground-loops elimination 11
4 Specifications 12
Warranty 12
Support and more info 12
Regulatory 13

English
3
Z-TONE DI
Thank you for purchasing Z-TONE DI.
Your package contains:
• Z-TONE DI
Z-TONE DI is an ultra low noise, high bandwidth and ultra low distortion direct box, preamp and buffer, with
variable gain and input impedance.
It provides transformer-based galvanically isolated balanced output and electronically buffered low impedance
unbalanced output, as well as PURE and JFET input stages for total transparency or added harmonics.
In addition to being powered by a 9V battery, the Z-TONE DI can also run on phantom power provided by your
mixing console.
Register your Z-TONE DI
By registering, you can access technical support, activate your warranty and receive free JamPoints™ which will
be added to your account. JamPoints™ allow you to obtain discounts on future IK purchases! Registering also
keeps you informed of all the latest software updates and IK products.
Register at: www.ikmultimedia.com/registration

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Front panel
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1. Instrument input - 1/4” (6.35mm) jack type - Connect your instrument here (e.g., guitar).
2. LINK output - LINK connector is wired in parallel with the INPUT: the LINK connector can be used both as
a direct unbalanced output of the INPUT signal. You can, for example, connect LINK with the input of an
amplifier. Z-TONE input impedance control also affects LINK output.
3. ON LED - this LED indicates that the unit is turned on. It will turn on when the input jack is inserted and the
unit is powered either from battery or 48V.
4. GAIN control - adjusts the input gain: center for unity gain; -8dB when fully counterclockwise, +8dB when
fully clockwise.
5. PASSIVE/ACTIVE - Pick-Up selector - this selector allows you to match the type of pick-up installed on the
connected instrument.
6. Z-TONE™ - Variable impedance control - the front control named Z-TONE™allows you to change the input
impedance on the instrument input allowing for a unique possibility for tone shaping on your instruments.
7. JFET/PURE - Preamp topology selector - this selector allows you to select two different preamp topologies
for your connected instrument: JFET preamp type and Pure preamp type.

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Rear panel
12 3 4 5
1. 9V battery compartment. If the battery is installed and P48 phantom power is provided on the balanced out,
the +48V will have priority over battery.
2. Unbalanced output - Electronically buffered, grounded unbalanced output.
3. Balanced output - High performance transformer coupled balanced output with ground lift option.
4. GND LIFT - when the GND LIFT switch is depressed, the ground connection is interrupted.
5. PAD -20dB - The attenuation button increases the operating range of the Z-TONE DI. By activating the PAD,
the Z-TONE™ control will be bypassed.
1 Power up the Z-TONE DI
Z-TONE DI runs off a 9V battery for easy portability, but can also be powered by +48v phantom power from
your mixer or interface to run longer sessions without worries. If the battery is installed and P48 phantom power
is provided on the balanced out, the +48V will have priority over battery.
The front ON LED will turn on when the input jack is inserted and the unit is powered either from battery or 48V.

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2 Dedicated guitar features
2.1 JFET / PURE input
Thanks to the front panel selector it is possible to select two different preamp topologies for your connected
instrument: JFET preamp type and Pure preamp type.
The discrete JFET (field-effect transistor) circuitry adds a tiny bit of color and harmonics to the signal, giving your
instruments a bit of added warmth.
Pure circuitry results in a more linear response featuring the absolutely cleaner signal path possible, for best
transparency and clarity.
Each amplifier topology offers complimentary sonic performance to the other, and both are widely used in
professional recording and stage work. Note: this control only works when the Pickup selector is on the Passive
position.
2.2 Pick-Up selector
PICK-UP
Z-TONE DI works perfectly with both Passive and Active guitar or bass pickups, having independent circuitry
that suits perfectly both topologies. Passive electric guitar pickups exhibit significantly higher output impedance
than the active counterpart, among other significant tone differences, but neither of the two is “better” or

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“worse” than the other: indeed they have different behaviors. To properly couple this diversity of guitar pickups in
the most musically pleasing manner, Z-TONE DI offers a pickup selector that allows the artist to select between
Active (when using an active pickup) and Passive (when using a passive pickup).
2.3 Variable impedance (Z-TONE™) control
All passive pickups (being them single coil, humbucker, split, etc..) have a certain sound character that is also
determined by the loading impedance. The Z-TONE™ front control allows you to change the input impedance
on the instrument input therefore allowing for a very creative way of shaping the tone of your instruments.
The beauty of this system is that it allows you to discover tonal shades from your instruments that you never
heard before, by shaping the tone right at the source, within the pickups, instead of what is normally done with
post-processing tools of any kind.
Feel free to experiment without rules with this knob! You will find your tone becomes generally more thick and
bold by reducing the impedance (control is moved clockwise) and, on the other hand, more crisp and sharp
when rotated counter-clockwise.
For example if you find your high gain tones to be too harsh, try setting this control at mid position, and you’ll
experience what the Z-TONE can magically do.
If you’re recording a bass (with passive pickups) and find it sounds a bit thin, try the same. The sound will
immediately feel more bold, solid and bigger.
The key here is experimentation! Feel free to check it out on your instruments, on various configurations, the
possibilities are really endless.
Settings start from the highest impedance value (named “Sharp”) to the lowest impedance value (named “Bold”)
The Z-TONE circuit only works with passive pickups of any kind.
Using it on active pickups will not provide any significant useful change to the sonics of the instrument.

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3 Typical applications
Learn how to get your best guitar and bass tone using Z-TONE DI performing live on stage or recording in a pro
recording studio or your home studio.
3.1 Home studio
High-end guitar/bass direct recording in a home studio
INPUT
BALANCED OUTPUT
GUITAR / BASS
MIC IN
+48V
This setup allows you to record a DI guitar track at the highest possible quality into your DAW for further plug-in
processing. With the addition of Z-TONE control, any audio interface can become the best audio interface for
guitar and bass.
High-end guitar/bass amp+DI recording in a home studio
INPUT
INPUT
MIC IN 1
MIC IN 2
+48V
BALANCED OUTPUT
LINK
GUITAR / BASS
DI SIGNAL
AMP/MIC
SIGNAL
This setup allows for simultaneous recording of a DI guitar track and miked amp—at the highest possible

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quality—into your DAW for further plug-in processing. With the addition of Z-TONE control, your audio interface
with 2 microphone inputs can become the best guitar and bass interface.
3.2 Professional studio
High-end guitar/bass direct recording in a pro studio
INPUT
LINE IN
BALANCED OUTPUT
GUITAR / BASS
MIC IN
+48V
The setup below allows you to record a DI guitar track at the highest possible quality in your DAW for further
plug-in processing. With the addition of Z-TONE control, you can still plug into your existing high end modern or
vintage mic preamps and capture amazing guitar or bass tone.
High end guitar/bass amp+DI recording in a pro studio
INPUT
INPUT
MIC IN
LINE IN LINE IN
BALANCED OUTPUT
DI SIGNAL
AMP/MIC
SIGNAL
LINK
GUITAR / BASS
MIC IN
+48V
The following setup allows for simultaneous recording of a DI guitar track and miked amp—at the highest
possible quality—into your DAW for further plug-in processing. With the addition of Z-TONE control, you can still
plug into your existing modern or vintage mic preamps and capture amazing guitar or bass tone.

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3.3 Live
Live electric bass rig
INPUT
INPUT
MIC IN
MIC IN
BALANCED OUTPUT
LINK OUT
BASS
This setup is ideal for a live high-quality electric bass rig. The Z-TONE control will affect both the tone of the DI
signal to the FOH (front of house) and the signal sent to your on-stage amplifier.
Live electric bass rig with pedalboard
MAIN OUT
PEDALBOARD
INPUT
LINK
BALANCED OUTPUT
BASS
Z-TONE Buffer Boost is the ideal first pedal on your pedalboard. It buffers your guitar signal to drive pedals and
amps with the best integrity and purity of tone. Z-TONE control will open a new palette of tones from your guitar
or bass and the boost switch will add that edge for solos–with maximum level and minimum possible noise.
Here, Z-TONE DI is used to split the signal between FOH direct and to your amp.

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3.4 Ground-loops elimination
Elimination of ground-loops with USB instruments
AUDIO OUT
BALANCED
OUTPUT
GROUND
LOOP
NOISE
CLEAN
AUDIO OUT
LINE / INSTRUMENT
INPUT
USB
USB USB
USB
MIC IN
Connecting USB instruments to a computer and then to an audio interface at the same time can often cause
a noisy ground loop. The galvanically insulated Z-TONE DI balanced output completely eliminates ground loop
noise.
Elimination of ground loop noise using laptops or tablets onstage
GROUNDED
POWER
GROUNDED
POWER
GROUNDED
POWER
GROUNDED
POWER
LINE OUTPUTS
INPUT
2 x Z-TONE DI
XLR OUT
USB USB
USB USB
GROUND
LOOP
NOISE
CLEAN
USB
When connecting grounded computers or audio interfaces to a stage box or on-stage mixer, a noisy ground
loop is likely. The galvanically insulated Z-TONE DI balanced output completely eliminates ground loop noise.

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4 Specifications
Audio specs
I/O Gain: Unitary, from 1/4” input JACK to both 1/4” and XLR outputs when GAIN is at 0dB and Z-TONE at the
SHARP position.
Gain Range: From -8dB to +8dB
Inputimpedance-Z-TONEsetonPASSIVEmode:Variablefrom1MΩdownto2.2kΩ
Inputimpedance-Z-TONEsetonACTIVEmode:Approx20kΩ
Outputimpedance,unbalancedout:56Ω
Outputimpedance,balancedout:600Ω
Max input level before clipping: +13dBm when powered by 48V phantom,+9dBm when powered by 9V battery
PAD: -20dB
Dynamic Range: better than 114dB(A) for both outputs, input gain at 0dB
Total Harmonic Distortion, balanced output, 1kHz, +4dBm input: 0.0033% (PURE), 0.2% (JFET)
Total Harmonic Distortion, unbalanced output, 1kHz, +4dBm input: 0.00055% (PURE), 0.2% (JFET)
Frequency response: from 5Hz to 30kHz -1dB
Phase deviation: 0° +/-10° from 20Hz to 20kHz
Power
Phantom power: +48V phantom on Balanced output. +48V phantom has priority over installed battery.
Battery power: 9V
Current consumption from P48 phantom power source: 6.5mA
Warranty
For detail on your product’s warranty, please visit:
www.ikmultimedia.com/warranty
for the complete warranty policy.
Support and more info
www.ikmultimedia.com/support
www.ikmultimedia.com/products/ztonedi

13
Regulatory
Z-TONE DI, AmpliTube and SampleTank® are trademarks property of IK Multimedia Production Srl. All other product names and images, trademarks and artists names are the property of their
respective owners, which are in no way associated or afliated with IK Multimedia. iPad, iPhone, iPod touch Mac and Mac logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other
countries. Lightning is a trademark of Apple Inc. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.
USER’S MANUAL REVISION NOTE:
v1.0 (2020/02/19): Initial Release
FCC statement
This device complies with Part 15.107 and 15.109 Class B of the FCC Rules CFR47:
October 2010.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Changesormodicationsnotexpresslyapprovedbythepartyresponsiblefor
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Your instrument’s golden channel
ユ ー ザ ー・マ ニ ュ ア ル
Japanese

Contents
2
目次
コンテンツ2
日本語3
Z-TONE DI3
Z-TONE DIの登録3
フロ ントパ ネル 4
リアパネル5
1 Z-TONE DIの電源投入5
2 ギター/ベースから最高のトーンを引き出す機能6
2.1JFET/PURE入力6
2.2ピック アップ・セ レ クタ ー 6
2.3Z-TONE™（ バ リ ア ブ ル・イ ン ピ ー ダ ン ス 設 定 ）7
3 一般的な使用例8
3.1ホ ー ム・ス タ ジ オ 8
3.2商用スタジオ9
3.3ライブ 10
3.4グ ラ ウ ン ド・ル ー プ 除 去  11
4 製品仕様 12
保証 12
サポートおよびその他の情報 12
Regulatory - 規制基準 13

日本語
3
Z-TONE DI
この度は、Z-TONEDIをお求め頂き、誠に有難うございます。
以下、パッケージ同梱物になります：
• Z-TONEDI本体
Z-TONEDIは超低ノイズ、高帯域幅、そして超低歪のダイレクトボックス（DI）、プリアンプ、バッファーであり、可変ゲインと入力インピーダンス
コ ントロ ー ル を 装 備します。
出力にはトランスフォーマーベースの直流絶縁されたバランス出力と電気バッファーによる低インピーダンスのアンバランス出力が用意さ
れ、入力段には、高い透明度と忠実な信号伝達のPURE入力と倍音の付加によるギター音色の魅力を引き出すJFET入力を装備します。
一般的な9Vバッテリー駆動に加えて、Z-TONEDIはミキシングコンソールのファンタム電源による給電でも動作します。
Z-TONE DIの登録
同梱のカードに記載されたSerialNumberを登録をすることで、テクニカルサポートへのアクセス、保証の有効および無料のJamPoints™
をお客様のアカウントを通じて受け取ることが可能になります。JamPoints™は、将来IK製品をお求め頂く際の割引としてご利用頂けます。
また、ご登録頂くことで、最新のソフトウェアアップデートやIK製品に関する情報を随時受け取ることが可能になります。
登録はこちらから
www.ikmultimedia.com/registration
ユーザー登録後に提供される特典ソフトウェア
www.ikmultimedia.com/products/ztonedi/index.php?p=apps
特典ソフトウェアの入手/アンロック方法
www.ikmultimedia.com/freebonuscontent/

日本語
4
フロントパ ネ ル
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1. 楽器入力（INPUT）-楽器（ギターなど）を接続する為の1/4”（6.35mm）標準プラグを装着する為のジャックです。
2. リンク出力（LINK）-LINKコネクターは、入力ジャックとパラレル結線された端子で、主にINPUTに入力された信号のアンバランスのダ
イレクト分岐出力として使用します。例えば、Z-TONEを介したダイレクト出力と同時にギターやベースアンプに接続する場合、LINKをア
ンプの入力を繋ぎます。この際、Z-TONEのインピーダンスコントロールの設定はLINK出力にも影響します。
3. ONインジケーター-Z-TONEに電源が投入されるとこのLEDが点灯します。入力ジャックにプラグが射しこまれ、電池もしくは48Vファン
タム電源が供給されると電源が投入されます。
4. ゲイン（GAIN）コントロール-入力ゲインの調節に使用します。センターポジションがユニティゲインで、反時計回りで-8dB、時計回りに
捻ると最大で+8dBの増幅が可能です。
5. ピックアップセレクター（PASSIVE/ACTIVE）スイッチ-このスイッチはギターを接続した際、ギターに搭載されたピックアップに合わせ
て設定をします。ギター側のプリアンプの有無に合わせて設定することで、より自然なギタートーンを得ることが出来ます。
6. Z-TONE™-このノブは可変インピーダンスコントロールで、接続した楽器に対して最適な入力インピーダンス設定を行います。この機
能により、楽器本来の音色、質感を取り戻すことが可能です。また、EQでは得ることの出来ない微細なニュアンスを持った積極的なサウ
ンドメイクにも役立ちます。パネル記載の通り、反時計回りで音色が鋭くなり、時計回りに捻ると太さが強調されます。
7. JFET/PUREスイッチ-2種類の楽器用プリアンプ：JFETプリアンプとピュア（PURE）プリアンプの切り替えスイッチです。

日本語
5
リアパネル
12 3 4 5
1. 9V電池ホルダー-9V電池を装着します。バランス出力から+48Vのファンタム電源が供給された場合、そちらの方が優先されます。
2. アンバランス出力（UNBALANCED）-電気バッファー、グラウンド結線されたアンバランス出力です。接続に1/4”（6.35mm）標準プラグ
のアンバランスケーブルを使 用します。
3. バランス出力（BALANCED）-高品質のトランスフォーマーバランス出力です。グラウンドリフト設定が可能です。接続にXLRメスコネク
ターのバランスケーブルを使 用します。
4. グラウンドリフトスイッチ（GND LIFT）-ボタンを押し込むとグラウンド結線が遮断されます。
5. パッドスイッチ（PAD -20dB）-このアッテネーションボタンは、Z-TONEDIの動作レベル範囲の拡張に使用します。ただし、PADをオン
にした場合、Z-TONE™コントロールはバイパスされます。
1 Z-TONE DIの電源投入
Z-TONEDIは9V電池で駆動する可搬性に優れたデバイスですが、ミキサーの+48Vファンタム電源でも稼働できる様に設計されていますの
で、長時間のセッションでもバッテリー残量を心配する必要はありません。電池が装着されている状態で+48Vのファンタム電源が供給され
た場合、電池駆動ではなく、ファンタム電源駆動が優先されます。
入力ジャックにプラグを挿すと、電池もしくはファンタム電源から給電され、フロントパネルのONLEDが点灯します。

日本語
6
2 ギター/ベースから最高のトーンを引き出す機能
2.1JFET/PURE入力
このフロントパネルスイッチは、2つのプリアンプ技術：JFETとPUREのスイッチ切り替えに使用します。
JFET（field-effecttransistor）モードは、ディスクリート回路で構成されたプリアンプで、信号に対してほんの少し倍音と彩りを加えます。こ
のことにより、楽器の音色に少しだけ温もりを与えます。
PUREモードは、クリーンなシグナルパスを目指した回路で、リニアなレスポンスと透明感のあるサウンドに適しています。
いずれのプリアンプモードも、現代の業務スタジオでワークやステージパフォーマンスでの使用を想定した品質と特性が高いレベルで確保
された仕様に仕上がっています。注意：JFET/PUREスイッチは、ピックアップセレクター（PASSIVE/ACTIVEスイッチ）と連動し、PASSIVEポジ
ションに設定した際のみ、機能します。
2.2ピックアップ・セレクター
PICK-UP
Z-TONEDIは、ギター入力に対しての妥協はありません。エレキギターのパッシブピックアップ（Passive）とプリアンプを装備したアクティブ
ピックアップ（Active）入力に対する最適な入力回路もそれぞれ独立して用意され、切り替えることが可能です。パッシブピックアップのエレキ
ギターは、アクティブピックアップよりも高出力インピーダンスで、PASSIVEモードはその名の通り、パッシブピックアップ出力に最適化されて
います。ACTIVEモードは、プリアンプ（電池駆動する）出力を持ったエレキギターに最適化したモードです。
パッシブとアクティブ、どちらが素晴らしいということではなく、それぞれの魅力と特徴があり、この2つのモード切り替えもそれに習います。従
いまして、設定は必ずしも、ピックアップの仕様に合わせるのではなく、実際に耳にして頂き、音楽的に適した方をお選び下さい。
また、ギターの出力が大き過ぎて、PASSIVEモードでは許容できない場合やエレキベースを繋ぐ場合は、ACTIVEモードの設定をお試し下さい。