AMT SS-11B

The AMT SS-11B is a three-channel analog tube preamp in pedal form, made by AMT Electronics. Its three channels are CLEAN, OVERDRIVE and LEAD, and AMT positions the SS-11B Modern version as covering "the sounds of today's high gain tube amplifiers", aimed at heavy riffing, drop-tuned guitars, seven-string guitars and lead work¹. The overdrive channel is a fully tube-based four-stage circuit built around two 12AX7 tubes running a high-voltage anode supply of +300 V, which is much closer to real amplifier voltages than the low-voltage circuits in most pedals¹.

AMT describes the SS-11 as a brother to the SS-20 but designed to be different: the SS-20 is the more aggressive "METAL" pedal, while the SS-11 is intended for a classic tube-driven, saturated guitar tone¹. The SS-11B is the high-gain-leaning version of the SS-11 line; the SS-11A is its sibling, and AMT lists both as available now¹².

The channels and what AMT says they do

Each channel has its own character, and AMT describes them in the maker's own words on the product page.

The clean and crunch/lead channels each get individual gain sensitivity and output level controls, so the channels can be balanced against each other when switching¹. A TREBLE SHIFT toggle switch on the clean channel enters a bright mode "for that added punch of high end"¹.

The overdrive channel's circuit is worth noting for players comparing preamp pedals: it is a fully tube-based four-stage design with a dual-tube layout (2x 12AX7 or 2x 6N2P-EV) fed by a high-voltage anode supply of +300 V¹. Where most overdrive and distortion pedals clip the signal with diodes or op-amps at low voltages, the SS-11B instead runs its tubes at voltages comparable to a tube amplifier's.

Noise gate and EQ

The SS-11B includes a noise gate with a global setting, meaning one gate setting covers all channels rather than being stored per channel³. AMT's media center also lists a parametric Pre/Post EQ and a Power Amp section with nine types among the unit's features⁵.

Outputs, cab sim and buffers

The rear panel carries two kinds of output. An OUTPUT jack runs at a standard 0 dB level for connecting to a specialized guitar amplifier (GUITAR AMP mode), and a CAB SIM MIXER output runs at -10 dB with guitar cabinet simulation built in, for going straight to a mixer or interface¹. AMT's media center additionally lists an IR cabsim with one IR shared by both L/R channels per preset, along with per-preset settings for a delay or reverb effect³⁵.

The preamp outputs are equipped with solid-state buffers, which preserve the signal when driving long cable runs or the input of whatever follows in the chain¹. Input impedance is 1 MOhm with an input sensitivity of -10 dB, and output impedance is 10 kOhm¹.

Power and connections

The SS-11B runs on 12V DC, center negative, with a power consumption of 600mA (0.6A) per AMT's product page¹. RockBoard's PedalPedia listing for the SS-11B agrees on 12V DC center negative but gives the current draw as 1250mA⁴; the two sources disagree, so plan around the higher figure when choosing a supply.

How it differs from the SS-20 and SS-11A

The SS-20 is a three-channel tube guitar preamp in AMT's Studio Series with two high-grade channels, CLEAN and DRIVE, the DRIVE channel operating in two basic modes: moderate sensitivity (CRUNCH) and high sensitivity (LEAD)⁶. The SS-11B instead gives you three fully separate channels, CLEAN, OVERDRIVE and LEAD, each with its own controls¹. In character, AMT calls the SS-20 the more aggressive metal pedal and the SS-11 the one for classic tube-driven saturated tones¹.

The SS-11A shares the same Clean / Low gain / High gain preamp structure and is also listed as available now². AMT notes the SS-11A uses a specially designed high-voltage transformer to minimize the penetration of impulse noises into the amplified signal².

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