The AMT M1 is a JFET guitar preamp pedal from AMT Electronics, part of the company's Legend Amps series. AMT describes it as a return to the roots of rock, with classic gain in the style of the Marshall JCM-800, delivering vintage Marshall style distortion in compact pedal form. AMT notes that the JCM-800 trademark belongs to its respective owner and that the company is not affiliated with it1.
Controls
The M1 keeps its panel simple, with five knobs covering gain, volume and a three-band EQ1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| GAIN | Sets the amount of preamp distortion |
| LEVEL | Sets the output volume |
| LOW | Bass EQ |
| MID | Middle EQ |
| HIGH | Treble EQ |
Controls are LEVEL, GAIN, LOW, MID, and HIGH, according to AMT's product page1.
Outputs and level
The M1 has two signal outputs, which is the main thing that sets it apart from a plain drive pedal. The DIRECT AMPLIFIER OUT is for plugging into a guitar amplifier as you would any pedal, while the CAB SIMULATION OUT is for going straight into a mixer or a studio input, where the pedal's speaker simulation stands in for a mic'd cabinet1.
AMT also points to a hot output stage: the pedal puts out +10dB at the extreme position of the Level knob, a level the maker says is similar to tube preamp output levels and allows connecting the M1 directly to a power amplifier input1. In practice that means the M1 can act as the preamp section of a rig, feeding a power amp or a return, rather than only pushing the front end of an amp.
Power
AMT lists a 9V battery or adapter as the power option and recommends an AMT Electronics DC 12V/1.25A or DC 9V/0.85A adapter. Current draw is less than 6mA from a 9V power unit, dropping to 4mA in power saving mode1.
That draw is low enough that the M1 sits comfortably alongside other pedals on a shared supply1.
Where it sits in the AMT range
The M1 is one of a family of single-amp preamps in the Legend Amps and related AMT lines. Other AMT preamp pedals cover different amp flavors, including the AMT M2, the AMT P1, the AMT SS-20 and the AMT Bricks M-Lead, so players looking for a different gain character within the same approach have options across the range1.
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Questions
What amp is the AMT M1 based on?
AMT Electronics describes the M1 as modeling the classic Marshall JCM-800 guitar amplifier, delivering vintage Marshall style distortion in a compact pedal. AMT notes that the JCM-800 trademark belongs to its respective owner and that the company is not affiliated with it.
Is the AMT M1 true bypass?
Yes. AMT says the preamps in the Legend Amp Series, which includes the M1, use passive true bypass circuitry, so the guitar signal passes through without loss when the pedal is off.
What is the difference between the Direct Amplifier Out and the Cab Simulation Out on the AMT M1?
The M1 has two signal outputs. The DIRECT AMPLIFIER OUT is meant for feeding a guitar amplifier, while the CAB SIMULATION OUT is meant for going straight into a mixer or a studio setup, where speaker simulation takes the place of a mic'd cabinet.
Does the AMT M1 run on a 9V battery?
AMT lists a 9V battery or adapter as a power option for the M1, and recommends an AMT Electronics DC 12V/1.25A or DC 9V/0.85A adapter.
How much current does the AMT M1 draw?
AMT specifies current consumption of less than 6mA from a 9V power unit, dropping to 4mA in power saving mode, which makes it easy to run from almost any pedalboard supply.
Sources (1)
- AMT M1 | AMT Electronics official website, AMT Electronics, 2026
