Compact Modeling Pedals Buying Guide
Guitar amp modelers have come an amazingly long way, and modern modelers can offer everything from unlimited amps and cabs to built-in looping, multi-channel USB recording, and even capturing your own IRs. So what about the players that don’t want all that? What about us players that just want to replace our amp and cabinet with a compact modeling pedal that easily fits on our pedalboards? We found there are plenty of compact modeling pedals that pack studio-quality guitar tones without overwhelming you with menus and features — check them out!
Connecting Your Compact Modeling Pedal
Even though your guitar is a mono (single-channel) signal, your amp modeler is emulating the sound of an amp in a real space and sending it out as a stereo signal. For compact modeler pedals, some manufacturers save space by offering a single stereo output jack. If you’re connecting to a stereo input, you can use a single TRS cable to connect your amp modeler. If you need to connect to two separate inputs, such as a stereo pair on a mixer, you’ll want to use a TRS-to-dual TS cable for the best sound quality.
Powering Your Compact Modeling Pedal
While many of these amp modeler pedals look like any other effects pedal at a glance, they sometimes have different power requirements than typical 9-volt effects pedals. The easy solution is to use the power supply the manufacturer recommends for your amp modeler. And depending on the voltage requirements of your amp modeler pedal, you may be able to power it from a consolidated pedalboard power supply.
Learn more about versatile pedalboard power supplies in our guide for How to Choose a Pedalboard Power Supply!
NEURAL DSP NANO CORTEX
Neural DSP is a leader in modeling with their powerful SHARC DSP technology and wide range of solutions. The Neural DSP Nano Cortex gives you access to more than top-tier amp and cab models — with its built-in Capture input, you can create your own custom IRs of your favorite amps, cabs and pedals to play through them anywhere. With 256 Neural Capture slots, 256 custom IR slots, and 64 preset slots, Nano Cortex is equipped for even the most sonically diverse guitarists.
As part of the Cortex series, the Nano Cortex gives you access to Neural DSP’s vast library of artist-created IRs. Even if you don’t plan to use the Capture feature to create models of your favorite gear, you’ll have access to some of the best IRs currently available. If you’ve been enticed by the buzz around the Neural DSP Cortex series, and want that power in a pedal-sized format, you’ll be impressed with the Neural DSP Nano Cortex.
Why Players Love the Neural DSP Nano Cortex
- Excellent library of tones to explore
- Capture the sound of your favorite amps, cabs and pedals
- Create up to 256 captures, import up to 256 IRs, and customize up to 64 presets
- Dual footswitches also function as rotary encoders for easy selection of Captures and IRs
- High-quality metal construction
UNIVERSAL AUDIO RUBY ’63 TOP BOOST AMPLIFIER
Universal Audio has earned big acclaim for their DSP-based models of classic studio processors, and their UAFX pedal series puts that same powerful modeling on your pedalboard. The Universal Audio Ruby ’63 Top Boost Amplifier pedal is a spot-on emulation of the legendary VOX AC30 2x12" tube combo amp, with its legendary chime and growl that pioneered the sound of British rock. And unlike the amp it’s based on, you don’t need to play at glass-breaking volume to really make it sing.
While the UA Ruby ’63 pedal focuses on one specific amplifier, you have three channel options (including the iconic Vibrato channel) and three speaker emulations to customize your sound. The AC30 is one of the most in-demand backline amplifiers around, possibly because players are tired of lugging them around. If the classic top boost sound is your style, the UA Ruby ’63 Top Boost Amplifier pedal lets you ditch the amp and put it right on your pedalboard. The UAFX series covers a range of legendary guitar amps, so if the AC30 isn’t your ideal amp, it’s still worth checking out the rest of the series.
Why Players Love the Universal Audio Ruby ’63 Top Boost Amplifier
- Spot-on emulation of the VOX AC30 2x12" tube amplifier
- Nails the “British Invasion” rock sound at any volume level
- Outstanding clean and edge-of-breakup tones
- Much more practical than performing with a vintage tube amp
- Bluetooth allows you to edit parameters directly from the UAFX App
LINE 6 POD EXPRESS
Line 6 needs no introduction in the world of amp modeling — some would argue that the original POD pioneered the world of amp modeling as we know it. And among their modern range of modeling solutions, the Line 6 POD Express fills the need for advanced POD amp models in a stompbox format. With 7 amp models, 7 cabinets, and 17 effects, simplifies a surprisingly diverse set of features — there’s even an onboard tuner.
You can easily dial in your POD Express tones right from the chunky control knobs, and preset switching is available with the dual footswitches (you can also hook up an external switch for preset navigation). It’s simple to create your custom sounds and save your presets directly on the pedal, and you can use the Line 6 POD Express Edit app on your computer or smartphone for deeper editing and preset management. POD amp modeling earned its reputation for a reason, and the POD Express brings it to the convenient stompbox format.
Why Players Love the Line 6 POD Express
- USB interface for recording and re-amping tracks from your DAW
- Advanced amp, cab, and effects models derived from Line 6 HX amp models
- Dedicated controls for modulation, delay, and reverb effects
- Comprehensive solution for replacing as much physical gear (amps, pedals, etc.) as possible
- Lots of sounds in an easy-to-use format
IK MULTIMEDIA TONEX ONE
If the words “amp modeler” typically make you think of a large floorboard, the IK Multimedia TONEX ONE will have you re-thinking everything you know about modeling. Despite its mini-sized pedal housing, TONEX ONE packs everything you need to replace your amp and cab with studio-quality modeling.
TONEX ONE is based around IK Multimedia’s blossoming TONEX library of custom modeled tones — you can load up to 20 TONEX models on TONEX ONE for instant recall, and you can download more to create your collection. And whichever amp model you choose, TONEX ONE gives you dedicated controls for Gate, Compressor, Reverb, 3-band EQ, and Volume/Gain. If you want the convenience of modeling but with the simplicity of a combo amp, you should definitely check out TONEX ONE.
Why Players Love the IK Multimedia TONEX ONE
- Top-notch modeled amp tones in a mini-sized pedal
- Dedicated controls for most-needed features like EQ, Gate and Reverb
- Free access to TONEX tone library for over 200 AI-modeled amp tones
- Also functions as a USB audio interface
- TRS output doubles as a headphone output for silent practice sessions
TWO NOTES OPUS
Two Notes earned their acclaim with innovative cab sim technology, and the Two Notes Opus amp modeler aims to streamline your entire guitar rig. Opus gives you deep control over the three most components of your tone — preamp modeling, power amp modeling, and speaker cabinet modeling. With the ability to optimize each for your specific play style, you can create custom tones that simply wouldn’t be practical with physical components.
Tone-chasing guitarists will especially appreciate the power amp modeling — from the gut-punch of cranked KT88s and 6L6s to the sweet chime of EL84s and more, Opus nails this crucial component of exciting guitar tone. The preamp modeling section offers similar control over tube types and such, and the DynIR Engine cabinet modeling features 32 cabinets that cover practically application we can think of. Instead of presenting you with a huge selection of classic amps (that everyone seems to offer), the Two Notes Opus makes it surprisingly simple to construct your own dream amplifier.
Why Players Love the Two Notes Opus
- Create your own custom amps with preamp, power amp, and speaker cabinet modeling
- 12 amplifier models, and virtually unlimited speaker/cabinet IRs
- Studio-quality signal path with 24-bit/96kHz digital conversion
- Free lifetime license for Two Notes GENOME tone ecosystem
- Designed to meet the needs of pro players and demanding stage conditions
WALRUS AUDIO MAKO MKII ACS1
The Walrus Audio Mako MKII ACS1 amp/cabinet modeler aims to deliver “the sound and feel of world-class amplifiers”, with IRs by acclaimed creators Tone Factor and York Audio. While the Mako MKII ACS1 offers relatively deep tone-editing, it’s presented in a familiar stompbox format that makes it easy to make fast adjustments. You have three dedicated controls for Volume, Gain, and Room (ambience), plus three rotary controls for things like EQ and amp/cab selection.
Out of the box, the Mako MKII ACS1 features six amp models and 12 cabs, covering the the most common go-to rigs for most guitarists. You can also import your own IRs if you prefer those, too. Mako MKII ACS1 also supports MIDI for advanced control capability and integration with studio workflows — there’s a lot to enjoy here.
Why Players Love the Walrus Audio Mako MKII ACS1
- 6 classic amp models and 12 speaker IRs
- Amp-like controls for fast and effective tone tweaks
- Dual footswitches include a dedicated boost for driving your tone
- MIDI-controllable for advanced integration with modern studio and stage setups
- Fully stereo signal path
NUX AMP CORE STUDIO
Compact amp modeler pedals often reduce the input and output options to save space, but the NUX Amp Core Studio packs an extremely useful effects send/return loop into a single-size pedal. You can place overdrive, fuzz and other dirt pedals in front of the Amp Core Studio, and use the effects loop to integrate time-based effects like delay and reverb — just like you would on your amplifier.
In total the NUX Amp Core Studio is loaded with 26 amp models, 33 cabinet IRs and support for importing your own IRs too. MIDI support is ready for advanced control setups, and the free software editor gives you deep control over your amp tones and presets. If you’re looking for much of the functionality of an amp modeler floorboard, but with the compact convenience of a standard effects pedal, check out the NUX Amp Core Studio.
Why Players Love the NUX Amp Core Studio
- Rugged construction and bright, easily-visible display
- Built-in effects loop for amp-like integration with other effects pedals
- MIDI capability and a huge feature set at a low price
- USB audio for direct recording and re-amping
- Headphone output for private practice sessions
HOTONE AMPERO MINI
With advanced modeling and enough DSP for up to nine simultaneous effects, the Hotone Ampero Mini packs a lot of functionality into a compact amp modeling pedal. On top of amps, cabs, and effects, Ampero Mini features an onboard looper with up to 100 seconds of recording — perfect for capturing song ideas and live performance alike.
Ampero Mini also stands out with its built-in drum machine with 100 patterns — practicing and songwriting with a drum machine is much more fun and inspiring than without, and Ampero Mini makes it easy to dial in a rhythm and tempo quickly. Factor in the USB audio interface, OTG support for smartphones, and support for external control, the Hotone Ampero Mini can be the backbone of your guitar rig without taking up much space.
Why Players Love the Hotone Ampero Mini
- Lots of amps, effects, and cab models with deep customization options
- Microphone modeling allows you to move the mic position to fine-tune your sound
- Onboard drum machine with 100 patterns for inspiring and fun songwriting and practice sessions
- Presets range from emulations of iconic amps to creative and experimental sounds
- Built-in looper with 100-second recording time eliminates the need for a separate loop pedal
BOSS IR-2
BOSS has long been a leader in amp modeling from the early days of their COSM modeling technology. The modern BOSS lineup includes a modeling solution for just about everybody, and the BOSS IR-2 modeler pedal is for those seeking an amp-like experience with the familiar BOSS pedal format. With concentric knobs for your core tone shaping functions, and not a digital display in sight, the IR-2 focuses squarely on what you need — high-quality amp modeling that’s as fast and easy to dial in as a real amp.
The BOSS IR-2’s amp models range from sparkling clean to screaming mean, and basically gives you the options you’d expect in a well-stocked studio. The built-in effects loop helps you integrate with your other pedals any way you like, and the additional input for an external “channel” switch is a nice touch (you can also use the onboard switch to change amp channels if you don’t want to use a separate switch). If you want the conveniences of amp modeling in the simplest format possible, you should definitely check out the BOSS IR-2.
Why Players Love the BOSS IR-2
- Complete guitar rig in a rugged BOSS pedal
- Headphone output makes it a fantastic apartment amplifier
- Punchy, vibrant sound quality across all amp models
- No digital menus, and dedicated amp-like controls
- A great backup for real amplifiers in a live setting
ZOOM MS-80 IR+
Zoom wants to spark your sonic creativity with the Zoom MS-80 IR+ amp modeler. Zoom’s Multi-Layer IR technology allows you to layer different IRs to create studio-ready tones, and the pedal is designed to help you work fast right from the pedal with an array of controls. If you do want to dive deep with a software editor, you can do it right from your smartphone with the Guitar Lap app. And with the ability to save up to 80 presets for instant access, the MS-80 IR+ encourages curating a wide range of sounds.
The MS-80 IR+ pedal’s outputs can be split for wet (with IR) and dry (no IR) operation, perfect if you want to send your tone to the sound system while also plugging into an amplifier for stage monitoring. As a nice bonus the onboard tuner supports alternate tunings and drop tuning, a step above the basic tuner you’ll find on some modelers. If you’re looking for a single pedal that can replace everything in your guitar rig besides your guitar, the Zoom MS-80 IR+ could be exactly what you need.
Why Players Love the Zoom MS-80 IR+
- Excellent sound quality with a diverse range of tones
- Easy to use whether you’re using onboard controls or the editor app
- Import your own IRs to customize your sound
- Save up to 80 presets for instant recall
- 7 amps, 16 cabs, 12 effects and Multi-Layer IR support
Looking for tips on comparing different guitar amplifier modeling pedals? Check out our article on How to Choose an Amp Modeler!
- Introduction
- Connecting Your Compact Modeling Pedal
- Powering Your Compact Modeling Pedal
- NEURAL DSP NANO CORTEX
- Why Players Love the Neural DSP Nano Cortex
- UNIVERSAL AUDIO RUBY ’63 TOP BOOST AMPLIFIER
- Why Players Love the Universal Audio Ruby ’63 Top Boost Amplifier
- LINE 6 POD EXPRESS
- Why Players Love the Line 6 POD Express
- IK MULTIMEDIA TONEX ONE
- Why Players Love the IK Multimedia TONEX ONE
- TWO NOTES OPUS
- Why Players Love the Two Notes Opus
- WALRUS AUDIO MAKO MKII ACS1
- Why Players Love the Walrus Audio Mako MKII ACS1
- NUX AMP CORE STUDIO
- Why Players Love the NUX Amp Core Studio
- HOTONE AMPERO MINI
- Why Players Love the Hotone Ampero Mini
- BOSS IR-2
- Why Players Love the BOSS IR-2
- ZOOM MS-80 IR+
- Why Players Love the Zoom MS-80 IR+
