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Why tinemachine is the ideal preamp for vintage e-pianos?
tinemachine is a high-quality analog preamp for vintage e-pianos, designed in Germany for musicians who want to take the sound of their vintage e-piano to the next level. With its thoughtful design, powerful tonal controls and integrated effects, tinemachine is the perfect solution for studio, stage, or home use.
Analog design meets modern versatility
At the heart of the tinemachine there is a three-band equalizer featuring a semi-parametric midrange and a continuously variable low-pass filter. This allows for precise shaping of the E-Piano sound—from the bell-like highs of the Mark II to the warm, biting mids of early Mark I models. The integrated optical compressor provides musical dynamic control without overwhelming the tone.
Stereo Tremolo and Flexible Effects Section
The optical stereo tremolo of tinemachine offers two modes: classic ping-pong in traditional suitcase style or mono for Wurlitzer-like tremolo. The integrated DSP provides eight digital effects — including reverb, delay, chorus and phaser. The MIX control lets you blend these effects continuously with the dry signal. Since tremolo is always available and every effect program includes a reverb control, up to three effects can run simultaneously, e.g. tremolo -> delay -> reverb.
Perfect for Stage, Studio, and Home
tinemachine features both unbalanced jack and balanced XLR outputs with ground lift—ideal for noise-free stage integration. Footswitch inputs allow remote activation of tremolo and effects. A built-in headphone amplifier is available for silent practice. An integrated effects loop also enables seamless integration of external gear
Technical Highlights
- Analog EQ and Filter Design
- Optical Compressor
- 8 DSP-Effects
- Stereo Tremolo with Waveform Selection
- XLR Outputs with Ground Lift
- Effects Loop & Headphone Amplifier
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about tinemachine
Which instruments are compatible with tinemachine?
tinemachine is designed especially for Fender Rhodes, but also works great with other instruments like Wurlitzer 200 and 200A as well as Hohner Clavinet and Pianet.
Is tinemachine a purely analog device?
The audio signal path is entirely analog, including the EQ, filter, and compressor. The effects section is DSP-based but can be completely bypassed.
Can I connect external effects?
Yes, external effects can be integrated via the stereo effects loop—positioned before the tremolo and DSP sections.
Is a power supply included?
Yes, a 12 V power supply (500 mA, center-positive) is included, along with a standard IEC cable. The power supply is compatible with different mains voltages; however, an adapter or alternative IEC cable may be required depending on your region.
Where can I find more information about the preamp?
The best place to start is the Tines & Reeds YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@tinesandreeds
Fender Rhodes and Rhodes are trademarks of their respective owners. Tines & Reeds is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by the respective trademark holders. Trademark names are used solely to describe compatibility and intended use.
Thomas Braune (verified owner) –
Absolut der Amp für Rhodes , mega EQ, tolles Tremolo. Alle Sounds von vintage bis modern sind machbar.
Markus Drissner (verified owner) –
Der Preamp lässt keine Wünsch offen, Hammer-Sound, einfach zu bedienen, macht einfach nur Spaß. Klare Kaufempfehlung!
Michael Caloroso (verified owner) –
Mine just arrived. I have been a Rhodes player since 1978 and have always wanted a Rhodes „channel strip“ preamp to eliminate multiple devices in my recording chain. The tinemachine sounds great, everything you need is in one box!!!
David Richard Kear (verified owner) –
The tinemachine is a great preamp and effects unit combo. I use it with an active Vintage Vibe piano using the effects send socket, which is the same signal that comes directly from the harp. I had a Rhodes Suitcase piano back in the 1980s and wish this device had been available then! The Mid control on the EQ allows you to dial in that Dyno-My-Piano sound, not otherwise possible with just Treble and Bass controls. The stereo vibrato and effects are very versatile, giving you great sounding reverb, delay, chorus, phaser, flanger and auto-wah. These are all the effects that are commonly used with tine pianos. Because of signal processing limitations, the reverb on knob 3 that can be added to the non-stereo reverb effects is mono, but on stereo effects such as chorus this does not really matter. If I want a stereo reverb on the mono effects such as phaser, I can simply plug a stereo reverb pedal into the effects loop on the back. The unit is virtually noise-free, even when the Treble control is set to maximum.
Overall, this is a fantastic preamp + effects unit suitable for all tine pianos!
Chris (verified owner) –
Gleich Vorweg – der tinemachine ist schlicht und ergreifend fantastisch!
Habe mein Stage MKI und mein Rhodes 54 über den Preamp laufen und es zaubert mir jedes mal ein Lächeln ins Gesicht.
Der Preamp ist rauschfrei und der EQ fürs Rhodes optimiert. Die absolute „Geheimwaffe“ ist da der Filter-Regler im Verbund mit dem Treble-Regler. Hier ist definitiv jeder erdenkliche Rhodes-Sound möglich! Vom rohen, mittigen (a la Herbie Hancock /Headhunters) Sound bis hin zu Glockenklang a la Dyno My Piano (wer´s mag)! In nur wenigen Poti-Bewegungen ist da alles drin!
Am Besten gefällt mir allerdings das Tremolo/der Panner. Ich bin da extrem penibel und heikel! Genau so muss das Signal im Stereo-Betrieb links und rechts pendeln. Chapeau!
Aus Neugier habe ich auch mein Wurlitzer 200A, mein Clavinet D6 und mein CP-70 über den tinemachine gespielt – (ja, ich lebe in einem Keyboard-Museum:-)) – auch hier klingt er großartig! Vor allem das CP-70 im Verbund mit den beiden Halleffekten gefällt mir sehr gut!
Der tinemachine ist zwar kein Schnäppchen, aber jeden Cent wert!
Noch zu meiner Person – mein erstes Rhodes habe ich im Alter von 15 Jahren gekauft (finanziert vom ersten Ferial-Job 🙂 Mittlerweile bin ich fast 50 und es kamen und gingen diverse Suitcase-Modelle, Fender Rhodes MKI und die späteren Rhodes MK I, II und V. Manche auch mit Vintage Vibe Preamp modifiziert. Ich denke, ich weiß daher, wovon ich rede…