The AMT R2 is a two-channel preamp and effects pedal from AMT Electronics, built around the sound of the Mesa/Boogie Rectifier series of amplifiers. It gives a player a footswitchable clean and overdriven preamp in a pedal, with an analog preamp section offering Clean, Low gain and High gain modes, a parametric pre/post EQ, a power amp section with nine types, and a global noise gate12. AMT describes it as offering "huge tube-style saturated tone in the styles of all of your favorite high gain modern and classic amp heads"2.
What it is and where it sits
The R2 belongs to the next generation of AMT's Legend Amp series, which the company calls the LA2 line, described as an enhanced upgraded "PRO" version accompanying the original series2. It is one of a family of letter-numbered preamp pedals from AMT, alongside the AMT D2, AMT C2, AMT S2, AMT B2, AMT E2, AMT M2, AMT Vt2, AMT K2 and AMT O2, each covering a different amp style, and the earlier AMT R1 in the original series. For a player, the R2 is the Rectifier-flavored option in that range: a preamp you can run into a power amp or a cab sim, or use as a drive pedal in front of an amp.
The Rectifier connection
AMT's own demo material presents the pedal directly against its inspiration: the company's media center carries a test video titled "AMT Electronics R2, Mesa Boogie Rectifier"3. On the product page, AMT writes that the "Rectifier series amps by Mesa / Boogie is yet another benchmark in modern sound that simply cannot be ignored" and describes the Rectifier as "a close relative of Soldano"2. For players, that places the R2 in modern high-gain territory, the kind of saturated rhythm and lead voice associated with that family of amps.
Controls and features
The R2 combines an analog preamp section with digital-style extras. AMT lists the following on the pedal12:
- Analog Preamp with Clean, Low gain and High gain modes1
- Parametric Pre/Post EQ1
- Power Amp with 9 types1
- Noise Gate, as a global setting1
- Two channels, clean and overdriven, switched by footswitch2
- OD LEVEL, which adjusts the overall loudness of the pedal output2
The noise gate being a global setting means it applies to the pedal as a whole rather than being dialed in separately for each channel, which matters for high-gain playing where gating behavior is a key part of the feel14.
Outputs and routing
One of the R2's distinguishing features is its output arrangement. AMT lists three outputs, the CAB SIM OUT, the PREAMP OUT and the DRIVE OUT, and states that all three can be used simultaneously2. In practice that lets the pedal feed several destinations at once: a cab sim output toward a recording interface or full-range rig, a preamp output toward a power amp, and a drive output toward another pedal or an amp input.
Power, bypass and size
The R2 runs on 9 to 12V DC with a negative center pin, from an adapter or a battery, and AMT describes it as having low power consumption2. The pedal measures 110 x 62 x 58 mm, which AMT describes as a small size2.
On bypass, AMT is explicit that this is not true bypass: "When in effect mode the series uses 'partial' active bypass, which reduces the need to minimize the length of used cables" and retains the original instrument sound when the pedal is off2.
The R2's active bypass means the pedal is not true bypass. AMT presents this as a benefit for cable length and signal retention when the effect is off, but players who build strictly true-bypass boards should know what they are getting2.
In use
AMT's media center carries demo material with the R2, including a video by Javi Viñas presenting the pedal as a Mesa Boogie Rectifier preamp3, and a video titled "MODERN GROOVE METAL MIX, AMT Electronics R2 & PANGAEA CP100" pairing the pedal with AMT's Pangaea cab sim4. A review of the R2 is also published at www.bonedo.de, according to AMT's media center4.
Videos
Brett Kingman
Ariel Pozzo
Daniel Michejda
Questions
Does the AMT R2 run on a battery?
Yes. AMT Electronics specifies 9 to 12V DC power with a negative center pin, supplied by an adapter or a battery, and describes the pedal as having low power consumption. That makes it usable on a pedalboard supply or on battery power when an adapter is not convenient.
Is the AMT R2 true bypass?
No. AMT says the Legend Amp series uses what it calls a partial active bypass when the pedal is in effect mode. The company states this reduces the need to minimize cable length and retains the original instrument sound when the pedal is off.
Can the AMT R2 use all three outputs at once?
Yes. The pedal has three outputs, labeled CAB SIM OUT, PREAMP OUT and DRIVE OUT, and AMT lists all three as usable simultaneously, which suits setups that feed a cab sim, a separate power amp input and a drive chain at the same time.
What amp is the AMT R2 based on?
AMT positions the R2 around the Mesa/Boogie Rectifier series of amplifiers. The company's own demo material titles the pedal as a Mesa Boogie Rectifier preamp, and AMT's product page calls the Rectifier series a benchmark in modern sound and a close relative of Soldano.
What size is the AMT R2?
AMT lists the R2 at 110 x 62 x 58 mm, which the company describes as a small size for a preamp pedal.
Does the AMT R2 have a noise gate?
Yes. The R2 includes a noise gate, and AMT lists it as a global setting, meaning it applies across the pedal rather than being set per channel.
Sources (4)
- AMT Electronics : R2 Preamp & Effects Pedal, Media center of AMT Electronics
- AMT R2 | AMT Electronics official website, AMT Electronics, 2026
- AMT Electronics R2, Media center of AMT Electronics
- AMT R2 - Media center of AMT Electronics, AMT Electronics media center, 2020-03-16
