TONEX ONE – Xsonic Airstep TX vs Pirate MIDI Polar with M-Vave Chocolate| Best MIDI Controller!
Unlock the full power of the IK Multimedia Tonex ONE pedal with external MIDI control! In this video we compare the Xsonic Airstep TX vs Pirate MIDI Polar + M-Vave Chocolate to find the best controller for Tonex ONE.
The IK Multimedia Tonex ONE pedal is one of the most powerful compact guitar capture pedals available today. Guitarists love the Tonex ONE for its sound quality, but many are frustrated by the fact that the Tonex ONE has no MIDI control or external control options out of the box. In this video, we solve that problem by comparing two of the best solutions: the Xsonic Airstep TX and the Pirate MIDI Polar with the M-Vave Chocolate MIDI controller.
If you’re asking “How do I add MIDI control to my Tonex ONE?” or “What is the best external controller for the Tonex ONE pedal?”, this deep-dive is for you. We’ll cover price comparisons, features, apps, portability, functionality, MIDI integration, and live gig usability so you can decide which Tonex controller setup works best for your guitar rig.
Both the Xsonic Airstep TX and the Pirate MIDI Polar + M-Vave Chocolate can unlock hidden features of the Tonex ONE, letting you control presets, effects, amps, modulation, delay, reverb, compression, and more. But they do it in very different ways:
The Xsonic Airstep TX offers a simple, direct connection to the Tonex ONE pedal.
The Pirate MIDI Polar, combined with the M-Vave Chocolate, gives you full MIDI control of Tonex ONE and integrates seamlessly with other MIDI devices like HX Stomp, GT-1000, or multi-effects pedals.
By the end of this video, you’ll know which controller is the best value for money, easiest to use, and most flexible for your setup.
⏱ Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction: Why the Tonex ONE needs MIDI control and Overview: Xsonic Airstep TX vs Pirate MIDI Polar
01:09 – Cost comparison (UK prices for Airstep TX, Polar, M-Vave Chocolate)
02:34 – Portability & compact size with Tonex ONE pedal
02:43 – App control: Airstep app vs Pirate MIDI Polar web app
05:35 – Tonex ONE with external control in live performance + Limitations of Airstep TX (closed system)
06:21 – Advantages of Pirate MIDI Polar + MIDI flexibility
06:56 – Using Tonex ONE with HX Stomp, GT-1000, and multi-FX
08:38 – Functionality & button setup on Xsonic Airstep TX
11:58 – Long-press issues with Airstep TX in live use
13:37 – Pirate MIDI Polar with M-Vave Chocolate workflow
13:59 – Programming MIDI banks, presets, and effects
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???? Tell Us in the Comments:
Which setup do you prefer for the Tonex ONE pedal — the Xsonic Airstep TX for simplicity, or the Pirate MIDI Polar + M-Vave Chocolate for full MIDI flexibility?
???? Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Bell for more Tonex tutorials, MIDI controller reviews, and guitar gear comparisons.
Hashtags:
#TonexONE #Tonex #IKMultimedia #GuitarPedals #MIDIController #XsonicAirstep #PirateMIDI #MVaveChocolate #GuitarRig #Pedalboard
#TONEX #Xsonic #Airstep #Pirate #MIDI #Polar #MVave #Chocolate #MIDI #Controller
Originally posted by UC_taDD-EXJmzHfxlTzUzegg at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiHKeUNGgQ0
???? Which setup do YOU think is the best way to control the IK Multimedia Tonex ONE?
???? The Xsonic Airstep TX (simple, direct, no fuss)
or
???? The Pirate MIDI Polar + M-Vave Chocolate (full MIDI control + pedalboard integration)?
I’d love to hear your thoughts — especially if you’re already using one of these controllers with your Tonex ONE pedal. Do you prefer simplicity or full flexibility with MIDI? Drop your answer below ???? and let’s get the discussion going!
#TonexONE #MIDIController #GuitarPedals
Will the Pirate Midi Polar ship to the US?
What about the Tonex ones big brother ????
Thank you for doing this comparison video, the pirate midi seamed like the best option as you can then integrate with other pedals if using a midi footswitch looper. I think it's a shame that more dont know about the pirate midi stuff, they need more marketing
Great video Leon, sharing this to The Line6 MIDI Mad Scientist Club
Great video Leon!
Hands down. Pirate MIDI.
Great video thanks.
The firmware on the pirate boards is designed by Greg Smith. Those familiar or interested in DIY stuff, I encourage you to check his work. You can build your own controller similar to the Pirate ones for very cheap. I have 3 of them now (a tiny one, a small one with control display and a big one where I can edit the Tonex parameters)
Totally agree with you over the flawed functionality of the airstep TX. It needs a major rethink and firmware upgrade. Too easy to accidentally turn off your amp, and stupidly 'difficult ' to turn on effects like delay with a long press.
Brilliant – thanks, Leon! The comparison video I (and I suspect many others) have been waiting for. Only issues are a mismatch between the video and the time codes, which also indicate a much longer video, including a conclusion covering the best MIDI controller for TONEX ONE, though I think you have covered that in a previous video.
Very helpful video, Leon. I will definitely use some configuration from Pirate Midi once they get the tariff thing situated and start shipping to the US later this month. Thanks very much!
Lim
Just starting to watch – looking forward to this video! 🙂