The AMT R1 sits in AMT Electronics' Legend Amps series as a JFET guitar preamp pedal, a format that puts an amplifier's preamp section on a pedalboard. AMT describes it as a pedal version of the Mesa Triple Rectifier, which the company calls one of the most sought after high gain modern amplifiers, and lists its tone matching as the MesaBoogie Recto preamp1. It is listed as available now1.
Where it fits in the Legend Amps series
The Legend Amps series is a five-pedal line of preamps: the AMT M1, AMT S1, R1, AMT P1 and AMT B12. The R1 is the Rectifier-voiced member of that line, and AMT also makes a related R2 model. For a player, the series idea is simple: pick the preamp voicing that matches the amp sound you want, rather than carrying the amp itself. The R1 is also a preamp pedal in the broader sense, replacing or standing in for an amplifier's front end.
Controls and features
AMT's product page lists the controls as LEVEL, GAIN, LOW, MID and HIGH1, a conventional preamp layout of level, gain and a three-band EQ.
The R1's signal features, as listed by AMT's media center, are:
- Analog Preamp with Clean / Low gain / High gain modes3
- Power Amp with 9 types4
- IR cabsim with 1 IR for both L/R channels per preset3
- Noise Gate (global setting)2
The analog preamp's three gain modes cover clean through high gain playing, while the power amp block offers nine types to shape the back end of the sound. The IR cab simulation loads one IR for both left and right channels per preset, and the noise gate is a global setting rather than a per-preset one23.
Outputs: amp or mixer
The R1 has two signal outputs, and the choice between them decides how you use the pedal1:
With the Direct Amplifier Out, the R1 feeds a regular guitar amp as you would any drive pedal. With the Cab Simulation Out, the pedal's IR cab simulation is in the path, so the R1 can go straight into a mixer or an audio interface without a guitar amp or a separate load of speaker simulation1.
Power and bypass
The pedal runs from a 9V power unit1. AMT's own pages give differing figures for the current consumption, so no single number is stated here. Either way, the draw is small enough that the pedal is not a heavy load on a shared supply.
The Legend Amp Series preamps use passive true bypass circuitry, according to AMT, so the pedal's circuit drops out of the signal path when it is off1.
Videos
gearmanndude
Brett Kingman
VTM
Questions
Is the AMT R1 true bypass?
Yes. AMT Electronics states that the preamps of the Legend Amp Series pedals, including the R1, use passive true bypass circuitry, so the pedal's circuit is removed from the signal path when the effect is off.
How much current does the AMT R1 draw?
AMT Electronics' product page gives the current consumption as less than 6 mA from a 9V power unit. Another AMT product page lists 4 mA, so the maker's own figures disagree; both values are under 6 mA either way.
What amp is the AMT R1 based on?
AMT describes the R1 as a pedal version of the Mesa Triple Rectifier, one of the most sought after high gain modern amplifiers, and the company lists its tone matching as the MesaBoogie Recto preamp.
Does the AMT R1 have a built-in noise gate?
Yes. The R1 includes a Noise Gate as a global setting, according to AMT Electronics' own product and demo material.
What is the difference between the Direct Amplifier Out and the Cab Simulation Out on the R1?
The R1 has two signal outputs. The Direct Amplifier Out is for feeding a guitar amplifier, while the Cab Simulation Out, which carries the IR cab simulation, is for a mixer or studio use.
Which pedals are in the AMT Legend Amps series?
AMT lists the Legend Amps series as five pedals: the M1, S1, R1, P1 and B1. The R1 is the Rectifier-voiced model of the five.
Sources (4)
- AMT R1 | AMT Electronics official website, AMT Electronics, 2026
- AMT R1 - Media center of AMT Electronics, Media center of AMT Electronics
- AMT R1 Typical Tone, Media center of AMT Electronics
- AMT Electronics Legend Amp Series R1 guitar effects pedal demo, Media center of AMT Electronics
