Stratus vs IK Multimedia ToneX One: Capture Player vs Whole Rig

Updated September 18, 2026. Written by Chaos Audio, maker of Stratus. Product specifications and comparison sources are linked below.

Both pedals can put captured amp and pedal sounds on your board. Stratus adds up to three simultaneous NAM A2-Lite models, a reorderable effects chain, a looper, and FX Builder 2.0. TONEX ONE offers its Tone Model ecosystem in a smaller enclosure with headphone output and USB recording. The decision is how much of your sound you want to build and control inside this pedal.

Three NAM models, one Stratus preset. With the latest Chaos Audio app and Stratus firmware 1.0.100, Stratus runs up to three NAM A2-Lite models simultaneously in a single preset/chain, using your own uploads or TONE3000 captures. Each NAM block now uses roughly half the CPU it used before this update; other effects still share the pedal’s processing budget.

As of September 17, 2026, Stratus is the only factory-built compact pedal under US$300 we’re aware of that natively runs three NAM A2-Lite models simultaneously in one preset/chain. Its price is $299. See the latest Stratus and FX Builder 2.0 update.

The short version

• Stratus: Captures, custom effects, looping, and multiple foot-recalled sounds in a mono chain.
• The alternative: TONEX ONE pairs one Tone Model with its effect slots, headphone monitoring, and USB audio in a mini enclosure.
• Start with the rig: decide which sound, control, or connection you need before comparing catalog totals.

Side by side

Two different kinds of AI

Both workflows use captures of real equipment. Stratus also lets you create and refine a custom effect around those captured sounds.

IK’s AI Machine Modeling creates Tone Models using the supported TONEX capture workflow, an audio interface, and the source gear. TONEX ONE plays compatible Tone Models from that ecosystem. Check the included software edition and capture features in the current bundle.

For a particular sound, describe an effect in FX Builder 2.0—for example, a delay with darker repeats and gentle movement. Audition the result, ask for a change, then install it in your Stratus chain. Pedal captures can feed an amp capture, with other effects sharing the available processing power. Once installed, your sounds run locally and can be recalled without a phone or internet connection. Hear FX Builder 2.0 examples and explore the workflow. The examples on that page are software-rendered demonstrations.

FX Builder 2.0 is now on mobile. Build effects directly in the Chaos Audio app for iOS and Android, then use them in your Stratus chain alongside NAM captures. These current app screenshots show the builder and a finished effect.

Many amp and pedal requests in FX Builder 2.0 now use Chaos Audio’s verified library of real hardware captures. Custom effect requests follow the generation and refinement workflow. Stratus therefore combines capture playback and effect creation; describing the choice as “cloning versus creating” misses half of its role.

Amp tones

TONEX ONE stores 20 presets and provides its included Tone Models, compatible ToneNET content, and cabinet/IR tools. Its one-switch Stomp or A/B modes suit a small set of sounds that you want immediately available.

Stratus loads all 600,000+ amp and pedal NAM captures on TONE3000 natively, with up to three running simultaneously in one preset. Every capture has been retrained to A2, which includes both Lite and Full modes; Stratus uses Lite. Published NAM format tests do not constitute a controlled listening test of Stratus against TONEX ONE.

Effects and the chain

Current TONEX ONE software offers 15 effects across seven slots, including modulation, delay, reverb, compression, and gating. Its effects chain is useful in its own right. Follow IK’s current firmware and editor requirements for the features you want.

Stratus lets you reorder effects around captures and include a five-minute looper. A practical preset could combine a drive capture, an amp capture, and a custom delay as processing allows. The complete chain shares the CPU budget; three NAM blocks do not guarantee room for every other effect.

On stage

TONEX ONE has a single footswitch with Stomp and A/B modes. The separately named TONEX ONE+ adds features including MIDI and wireless editing; do not assume those connections are on the original ONE.

Stratus gives you 14 presets hands-free out of the box — seven color-coded pairs on the Multiknob, footswitch toggling within each pair — 128 presets stored, and a full USB-MIDI map: program changes for every preset, per-effect bypass, looper transport, mode switching. If your set list runs deeper than two sounds a song, that depth is the feature you'll feel.

Recording and included software

TONEX ONE is a USB audio interface, including headphone monitoring through its output. To record the physical Stratus sound, connect its analog output to an external audio interface. Source-code access and desktop effect availability are separate matters; Stratus itself is not a USB audio interface.

Cost of ownership

Stratus is US$299 with 19 free effects covering all effect categories, 30 free AI builds every month in FX Builder 2.0, and access to all 600,000+ amp and pedal NAM captures on TONE3000. See the product page for configuration, regional pricing, and shipping estimates.

Openness

NAM is an open capture format, and the entire TONE3000 NAM catalog works on Stratus in A2 Lite mode. FX Builder 2.0 provides source access for generated effects, though that does not automatically include a packaged desktop plugin. TONEX uses IK’s Tone Model ecosystem; choose the workflow that fits your collection.

Which should you buy?

Choose Stratus when you want drive and amp captures in the same preset, effects arranged around them, and several sounds to recall during a set. FX Builder 2.0 lets you create a delay, modulation, or other effect with the behavior you want.

Choose TONEX ONE for a compact Tone Model role with headphones and recording. Check the ONE versus ONE+ feature list before buying for MIDI or wireless control.

Sources

• IK Multimedia — TONEX ONE product page (features, Tone Model counts, ToneNET figures, dimensions, power, comparison chart incl. ToneX One+ differences)
• Guitar World — TONEX ONE+ launch ($249 pricing and added features)
• TONE3000 — NAM Architecture 2 (A2) (test methodology and results; code and data are open source)
• Chaos Audio — Stratus product page (Stratus specs and pricing)
• Chaos Audio — three NAM blocks, firmware 1.0.100, and FX Builder 2.0 on mobile

Explore Stratus, its included effects, and current availability.