gear giveaway

Cab Simulation

Line 6 POD Express Black

Although the original Line 6 POD Express was quite black, the new POD Express Black is even more black, because... it's a metal pedal! In it, you will find all the sonic goodness of the regular pod (7 amp models, 7 cab simulations, and 17 effects based on cutting-edge HX-derived technology, along…Click on the title for more

Line 6 POD Express Black

IK Multimedia TONEX Amp Modeler + Multi-FX

Those who were mixing records in the late '90s and early '00s will remember the awe generated by the first amp modeling plugins, which allowed producers to record a clean guitar and apply a choice of amps (and later also effects and mic placements) at the mixing stage. Italian company…Click on the title for more

IK Multimedia TONEX Amp Modeler + Multi-FX

Neural DSP Nano Cortex Amp/Cab Sim

Neural DSP has just entered the stompbox realm with the Neural DSP Nano Cortex, a compact yet powerful amp and effects processor, packing the (much larger) Quad Cortex’s top-tier sound into a pedal that fits in your hand. Weighing less than two pounds, The Nano Cortex boasts 2GHz of SHARC…Click on the title for more

Neural DSP Nano Cortex Amp/Cab Sim

Universal Audio UAFX Knuckles Rev F Double Rectifier

With the Knuckles '92, Universal Audio continues its series of stereo, amp-inspired stompboxes (part of the broader UAFX line) with what has now become a signature format blending a compact footprint with a noteworthy amount of tweakability. The guitar amp subject to pedal cloning (or sound snatching!) is the venerable…Click on the title for more

Universal Audio UAFX Knuckles Rev F Double Rectifier

Universal Audio UAFX Enigmatic 82 D-Style Pedal

Overdrive and amp fanatics are surely familiar with the unattainable Dumble amps (the Overdrive Special model, in particular), the most expensive guitar amplifiers on earth, hand-built and customized on order for stars of the caliber of Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Mayer. There's a not-too-small niche of pedal builders dedicated…Click on the title for more

Universal Audio UAFX Enigmatic 82 D-Style Pedal

New Pedal: Poly Ample Amp/Cab Sim Pedal

Hailing from Melbourne, Australia (a big geographical disadvantage for any musical instrument manufacturer), Poly is one of the handful of brands currently driving innovation in the stompbox realm. The Ample is their (stereo) take on the amp/cab sim pedal. A knobless and toggle-less device, the Ample offers 56 modeled guitar…Click on the title for more

New Pedal: Poly Ample Amp/Cab Sim Pedal

IK Multimedia TONEX ONE becomes a Multi-FX

After the resounding success of the TONEX Amp/Cab Modeler (largish) pedal, the tiny IK Multimedia TONEX ONE is the natural evolution of that product, packing all of its power and tone in a mini enclosure. Oh and... it's in stereo! With the latest firmware update announced on October 3rd (and available…Click on the title for more

IK Multimedia TONEX ONE becomes a Multi-FX

2024 UPDATE! Best Amp Modeling Pedals & Cab Simulators

This article is about pedals that simulate the tone of guitar amps and cabs but are not able to power a speaker cabinet. If you are looking for a pedal that can do that, see our article about the best power amp pedals. [lwptoc depth="4" hierarchical="0" numeration="decimal" title="TABLE OF CONTENTS…Click on the title for more

2024 UPDATE! Best Amp Modeling Pedals & Cab Simulators

Updated Pedal: Walrus Audio ACS1 MkII Amp & Cab Simulator

Walrus Audio updated their Amp/Cab Simulator ACS-1 with a MkII, after the original version's 2.0 firmware introduced some new features. Firmware 2.0 Changes The firmware update, made public in August 2023, bring these improvements: Improved dynamic range on the gain knob on the existing amp simulators to allow for extra…Click on the title for more

Updated Pedal: Walrus Audio ACS1 MkII Amp & Cab Simulator

Tsakalis Audioworks Mothership Preamp

The Tsakalis Mothership is a tube overdrive preamp pedal with two identical channels, each featuring a 4 band EQ and 3 gain modes (Low, Medium and High). What's new and interesting, though, is that each channel also allows for two separate Volume/Gain configurations, which can be switched via a dedicated…Click on the title for more

Tsakalis Audioworks Mothership Preamp

New Pedal: Sonicake Matribox II Pro

Considering what good of a deal its older (and smaller) non-pro version was, the Sonicake Matribox II Pro - which sells for just $299 - is nothing short of a remarkable device. The reviews on YouTube are more than positive, although many warn that the presets are not representative of how…Click on the title for more

New Pedal: Sonicake Matribox II Pro

Line 6 POD Express

Those who've been around "long enough" will have fond memories of the day in 1998 when they saw, and then heard the very first Line 6 Pod. It was the first mass-produced device to deliver, in a rather small package and rather faithfully, the tones of a myriad of different…Click on the title for more

Line 6 POD Express