The AMT BC-1 "Bass Crunch" is a two-channel JFET bass guitar preamp in stomp box form, made by AMT Electronics1. It pairs an analog preamp section, with Clean, Low gain and High gain modes, with a feature set that also includes a compressor, a noise gate, delay, reverb, a power amp block with 9 types, and an IR cab simulation output that lets a player go direct to a computer or mixing desk23. AMT lists the unit as available now1.
The preamp is built on AMT's custom technology using JFET emulation of vacuum tube range clipping, which is how the maker approaches tube-amp character in a solid-state circuit1. RockBoard's PedalPedia entry describes it as "one of the most versatile bass guitar preamps on the market in a such small package"4.
What it is and what it does
The BC-1 is a preamp pedal for bass, built on a two-channel circuit: a Clean channel and a Drive channel1. AMT describes the Clean channel as shaping "the classic bass guitar sound characteristic for «old» amplifiers", allowing both a transparent sound and a slight compressed overdrive depending on where the Gain control sits1. The Drive channel carries the overdriven side of the unit, with a High Mode that AMT says provides "additional possibilities in terms of the range enrichment towards higher sound density and aggressiveness"1.
Alongside the analog preamp, the unit carries a digital feature set. The IR cab simulation uses one IR for both L/R channels per preset, and the unit includes a compressor, a noise gate as a global setting, delay, reverb, and a power amp block with 9 types567. AMT's media center demonstrates the unit going direct to a computer via the cab sim output, and also running into a Laney VC50 power amp with a miked cabinet28.
Controls and modes
The front panel controls and switching cover both channels:
| Control or switch | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level (Clean) | Output signal level adjustment1 |
| Gain (Clean) | Sets the Clean channel from transparent sound to slight compressed overdrive1 |
| 3-position mid-range filter (Drive) | Adjustable mid filter combined with deep adjustments along the frequency ranges for shaping the overdriven tone1 |
| High Mode (Drive) | Adds range enrichment toward higher sound density and aggressiveness1 |
| Footswitch DRIVE | Drive channel on/off, with an LED indicator for Drive channel on1 |
The preamp modes are Clean, Low gain and High gain23. Connections on the right panel are the instrument INPUT and SEND FX, a signal send to an aux effect1.
Power
The BC-1 runs on 18V DC, center negative, with a current draw of 1250mA4. AMT also specifies DC 18V for connection of a power adapter, and the unit has a battery compartment that takes two 9V batteries1.
At 1250mA, the BC-1 draws far more current than most compact pedals. A typical low-current daisy chain will not serve it; it needs a supply rated for 18V at that draw, or the two-battery option14.
Where it came from and who plays it
AMT Electronics' media center has carried BC-1 content since at least 2015, when it posted the unit's feature set alongside an interview with Mat Lehmann, an endorser of AMT Electronics3. The maker's media center continues to list BC-1 demo material as of October 2026, including direct-to-computer and power-amp demonstrations28.
Videos
Brett Kingman
Brett Kingman
ToneZone!
Questions
Can the AMT BC-1 run on batteries?
Yes. The BC-1 has a battery compartment that takes two 9V batteries, so it can run away from a power supply. For full current draw, an 18V DC adapter is the intended power source.
What power supply does the AMT BC-1 need?
The BC-1 runs on 18V DC, center negative, with a current draw of 1250mA. That draw is well beyond what a typical 9V pedal supply provides, so it needs a supply rated for 18V at that current.
Is the AMT BC-1 analog or digital?
The preamp itself is analog. AMT builds it on its own custom technology using JFET emulation of vacuum tube range clipping. The unit also includes digital elements such as the IR cab simulation, delay and reverb.
Does the AMT BC-1 have a noise gate?
Yes. The BC-1 includes a noise gate as a global setting, so it applies across the unit rather than to one channel only.
Sources (8)
- AMT BC-1, AMT Electronics, 2026
- AMT Electronics BC-1 ‘Bass Crunch’: Direct to computer via Cab Sim output., Media center of AMT Electronics
- AMT BC-1, AMT Electronics media center, 2015-07-02
- BC-1 by AMT Electronics, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- AMT Electronics BC-1 Bass Crunch, Media center of AMT Electronics
- AMT Electronics BC-1 Bass Crunch, Media center of AMT Electronics
- AMT BC-1 Bass Crunch: LEHMANN SCREAMING BASS, Media center of AMT Electronics
- AMT Electronics BC-1 ‘Bass Crunch’: To Laney VC50 Power Amp and miked (with a cheap P-Bass copy), Media center of AMT Electronics
