The JOYO R-15 Preamp House is a preamp pedal from Joyo's R series that delivers nine amps' preamps in a single box. Each amp model carries a clean channel and a distortion channel, switchable by footswitches, which JOYO counts as 18 tones in all. MusicRadar's report on the launch described it as a preamp pedal offering nine preamp sims, each with a clean and distortion channel, giving 18 tones to tweak in total that can be switched onboard12.
JOYO positions the pedal as "an user-friendly and stable tone solution for musicians who perform and record frequently"1. Alongside the preamps it includes an FX loop for additional pedals in your rig and a balanced output: JOYO's page lists an "FX LOOP interface for external FX pedal, balanced Output"1, and MusicRadar called it a "balanced XLR output for recording"2.
The nine amp models
JOYO's product page names the preamp models as 65Twin / JCM900 / AC30 / LONESTAR / DUAL RECTIFIER / 5150 III / POWERBALL / TH200 / BE100 and more1. The list spans the kinds of voices players usually reach for in a modeling preamp: American clean, British crunch and high-gain modern styles, all in one pedal. Each model's two channels mean you can set up a clean and a driven sound per amp and move between them with the footswitches rather than reaching for the controls mid-song1.
Outputs and using it in a rig
The FX loop lets you place other pedals after the preamp stage, and MusicRadar noted the pedal ships "with an FX loop for additional pedals in your rig"2. The balanced output is aimed at recording and silent rigs: with a balanced XLR output for recording, the R-15 can feed an interface or desk directly2. Players who want a single preamp pedal covering many amp flavors, or a compact front end for a modeler-free board, are the players JOYO says it built this for1.
Firmware and manual
JOYO hosts the downloads on the product page itself:
- Firmware: R15 V1.2.0 Setup_w .zip, dated 5 March 20211
- Manual: R-15 Manual-new .pdf, dated 3 June 20201
JOYO's product page currently shows stock of 0 for the R-151. The related Joyo Preamp House page covers the pedal under its launch name, and other R-series preamps such as the JOYO R-24 RIGEL PREAMP sit alongside it in the range.
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Questions
Which amp models are in the JOYO R-15 Preamp House?
JOYO's product page lists the R-15's preamp models as 65Twin, JCM900, AC30, LONESTAR, DUAL RECTIFIER, 5150 III, POWERBALL, TH200 and BE100, with more beyond those nine. Each model has its own clean and distortion channel, so every amp voice comes in two flavors that you can switch between with the footswitches.
How many tones does the JOYO R-15 have?
Eighteen. The pedal carries nine amp preamps, and each one features a clean channel and a distortion channel that can be switched by the footswitches. JOYO counts that as 18 tones in all, and MusicRadar described the same arrangement as 18 tones to tweak in total, all switchable onboard.
Does the R-15 have a balanced output?
Yes. JOYO's product page lists a balanced output alongside an FX loop interface for external effects pedals, and MusicRadar's report on the pedal described it as a balanced XLR output for recording. That makes it possible to run the pedal straight into an interface or mixing desk without a microphone on an amp.
Where can I download the R-15 firmware?
From the R-15 Preamp House product page on JOYO's own website, which hosts the firmware and manual downloads. The most recent firmware listed there is the R15 V1.2.0 Setup_w .zip file, dated 5 March 2021, and the R-15 Manual-new .pdf is dated 3 June 2020.
Sources (2)
- R-15 PREAMP HOUSE_JOYO, JOYO (www.joyoaudio.com), 2021-03-05
- Joyo's new R-15 packs 9 classic preamps into one pedal, MusicRadar, 2019-11-18
