The MOOER Micro PreAmp 013 Match Box is a compact preamp pedal from MOOER that digitally recreates the preamp section of a tube amplifier. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes its micro preamps as "sonically accurate digital recreations of the preamp sections of popular tube amplifiers," and says the models were developed "by directly analyzing real tube amplifiers using a brand new technology to capture their sound, dynamics and response"1.
The amp captured inside the 013 is specific: in MOOER's words, "The model inside this preamp is a highly sought after, hand-built and modified version of a classic American style 30Watt combo"1. In other words, this is not a stock amp model but a boutique take on a classic American combo, squeezed into a micro-sized pedalboard-friendly enclosure.
What it does to your sound
MOOER describes the two channels of the Match Box in detail. Of the clean channel, the maker says: "The clean channel is fat and dynamic with sparkly highs and warm lows." Of the drive channel: "The drive channel provides more punchy and powerful cleans and vintage overdrive that can sing on every note"1.
For a player, that means one pedal covers both sides of a classic American combo: a full-range clean platform for pedals, and a vintage-voiced overdrive on the second channel for lead work. The two operating modes, a feature shared across the whole Micro Preamp series, give you further flexibility in how the pedal is configured and switched1.
Two channels, cab simulation and two modes
Every pedal in the MOOER Micro Preamp range, the 013 Match Box included, shares the same feature set. As RockBoard's PedalPedia puts it, "Each Micro Preamp comes complete with dual channels, integrated speaker cabinet simulation and dual operating modes"1. The same wording appears across the range, on the 001 Gas Station, the 008 Cali-MK 3 and the 017 Cali MK IV234.
Guitar Interactive Magazine, reporting on the series in January 2018, noted a "built-in optional cab simulator" on models 011 through 013, which places the Match Box in the group whose cabinet simulation can be switched off when you are running into a real guitar speaker cabinet5.
| Feature | What it means for the player |
|---|---|
| Dual channels | Clean and drive channels, each with its own character1 |
| Integrated speaker cabinet simulation | Run straight to a mixer, interface or power amp without a cab1 |
| Dual operating modes | Two ways to configure and use the pedal1 |
| Optional cab simulator | The cab sim can be switched out of the path on models 011 to 0135 |
Power and current draw
The Match Box runs on a 9V DC power supply with a center-negative plug, the standard used by most compact pedals1.
RockBoard's PedalPedia lists the current draw at 300mA1. That is considerably more than a typical analog overdrive or boost, so make sure your pedalboard power supply has an output rated for at least 300mA before adding this pedal. There is no battery option at that draw.
Where it came from
The Micro Preamp series grew out of MOOER's amp-sampling work. Guitar Interactive Magazine reported in January 2018 that "MOOER has been collecting samples from all kinds of different tube amps" as the basis for the line5. By May 2018, MusicPlayers.com was reporting on newly added models, confirming that "all Mooer Micro Preamp come complete with dual channels, integrated speaker cabinet simulation, and dual operating modes"6.
The series later evolved into standalone products such as the Mooer Preamp Model X2, a dual-channel digital preamp pedal with editable presets and third-party impulse response support, but the original micro-format pedals like the 013 remain the simplest expression of the idea: one captured amp, two channels, cab sim, in a tiny box.
Videos
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Guitar Bonedo
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Questions
Does the MOOER Micro PreAmp 013 Match Box have built-in speaker cab simulation?
Yes. Every pedal in the MOOER Micro Preamp series, including the 013 Match Box, comes with an integrated speaker cabinet simulation, so you can run it straight into a mixer, interface or power amp without a real cab. Guitar Interactive Magazine also described the cab simulator on models 011 to 013 as optional, meaning it can be switched out of the signal path.
What power supply does the MOOER Micro PreAmp 013 Match Box need?
It runs on a 9V DC power supply with a center-negative plug, the same standard supply used by most compact effects pedals. It cannot be run from a battery, so you will need a mains adapter or an isolated pedalboard power supply with a 9V center-negative output.
How much current does the MOOER Micro PreAmp 013 Match Box draw?
MOOER lists the current draw as 300mA. That is well above a typical analog overdrive or boost, so check that your pedalboard power supply has an output rated for at least 300mA before plugging it in.
Does the Match Box have more than one channel?
Yes. Like every pedal in the Micro Preamp series, the 013 Match Box has two channels: a clean channel and a drive channel, each with its own character, plus two operating modes.
Sources (6)
- Micro PreAmp 013 Match Box by MOOER, RockBoard (rockboard.de PedalPedia), 2026
- Micro PreAMP 001 Gas Station by MOOER, RockBoard (rockboard.de PedalPedia), 2026
- Micro Preamp 017 Cali-MK IV by MOOER, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Micro PreAMP 008 Cali-MK 3 by MOOER, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- NEW MOOER MICRO PREAMPS A trio of boutique delight!!!, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2018-01-10
- Mooer Adds Two New Micro Preamps, MusicPlayers.com, 2018-05-04
