The Universal Audio UAFX Dream '65 Reverb-Amp is an amp-in-a-box pedal that models a 1965 Fender Deluxe Reverb, one of the most recorded American tube amps. It is part of the first wave of model-specific virtual amp pedals in Universal Audio's UAFX range, launched in July 2022, almost exactly a year after the UAFX line itself debuted1. Alongside the amp model it carries the Deluxe's spring reverb and its period-correct optical tremolo, labeled Vibrato on the panel12.
It is a digital pedal, built on a dual-engine DSP, and it goes beyond a straight amp copy: Delicious Audio describes it as "an authentic emulation of a Fender Deluxe Reverb, with several added features," including three speaker options and three amp versions, stock plus two common modifications, that capture the amp's sparkling cleans and rich overdrive23. Mic, cab and Dynamic Room Modeling technology allow for tone fine-tuning, so the pedal can deliver a recorded-amp sound rather than just an amp-in-a-room sound3.
A Deluxe Reverb-style amp in a pedal
Each of the first three UAFX amp pedals models just a single amplifier type, and Universal Audio adopted what Sound On Sound called a "less is more" approach: the Dream '65 is the 1965 Deluxe Reverb, while its launch siblings the Woodrow '55 and Ruby '63 covered a 1955 wide-panel Fender Deluxe and a 1961/1963 Vox AC30 respectively1. Guitar.com likewise notes the Dream modeled a Fender Deluxe Reverb4.
The amp side offers three variations, listed by Delicious Audio as Lead, Stock and D-TRK, covering the stock circuit and two common mods2. The single Volume control behaves like the one on the Vibrato channel of the real amp, complete with the hardwired bright capacitor whose effect diminishes as you advance the volume, a detail players of the original will recognize1.
The effects on board are the ones the real Deluxe carries:
- Spring reverb, modeled after the Fender spring tank2
- Vibrato, which is really Fender's period-correct optical tremolo circuit1
- Boost modes, three of them per Guitar World's description5
Guitar World's reviewer called the Dream '65 "UA's pedal amp answer to the iconic Fender Deluxe Reverb, with one of the very best spring reverb recreations around, an evocative vibrato and three different boost modes"5. GuitarPlayer's reviewers, drawing on significant experience with the pedal, called it "the unbelievable Dream '65 Reverb Amp Fender Deluxe modeler"6.
"UA's Dream '65 Reverb-Amp is capable of some of the finest, most detailed and, above all, most playable emulations of a recorded amp sound I've ever heard."
Lockwood also noted proper tube-rectifier sag in the model's response1.
Presets, app and connections
The pedal runs in one of two modes: Live or Preset1. By default the two footswitches select Live and Preset mode versus buffered bypass, but the right-hand footswitch can be reassigned1.
All the presets actually reside in the pedal itself, but without the app you can only access the most recently active one1. The UAFX Control app connects over Bluetooth on iOS and Android and divides presets into User, Factory and Artist categories, with backup and restore handled in the app1. Delicious Audio highlights that you can download custom artist tones and archive your presets there2. A USB-C port is reserved for registration and firmware updates1.
Connectivity is straightforward: four unbalanced jacks, two in and two out1. There is a true stereo path through the unit if you use both inputs; if you use one input and both outputs, the pedal runs two phase-locked instances of slightly different amps, a wide pseudo-stereo effect1.
There is no MIDI or external control, no effects loop and no headphone output1. Presets reside in the pedal itself, but without the UAFX Control app only the most recently active one is accessible; the app handles recall, archive, backup and restore of User, Factory and Artist presets1.
Power requirements
External 9V DC power is required, using a standard 2.1mm center-negative pedal connector, and a suitable power supply is not included with the pedal1. The supply needs a 400mA current capacity, and Sound On Sound points out that not all pedalboard power supply outputs can deliver that, so check your power brick's per-output rating before planning a board around it1.
Where it sits among speaker simulation pedals
The Dream '65 belongs to the broader family of speaker simulation pedals, but it is an amp model first: the cab, mic and room modeling are part of the amp voice rather than a load-and-cab solution like the Two Notes Torpedo C.A.B. or MOOER Radar. Its closest siblings in the UAFX range are the Woodrow '55 and Ruby '63, launched alongside it, and later the OX Stomp, which brought speaker, cab, mic and room emulation to a compact stereo pedal on its own. Comparable single-amp pedal platforms from other makers include the Strymon Iridium and the Walrus Audio Mako Series MKII ACS131.
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Questions
Does the UAFX Dream '65 come with a power supply?
No. A suitable power supply is not included. The pedal requires external 9V DC through a standard 2.1mm center-negative pedal connector, and the supply needs a 400mA current capacity, so not every pedalboard power output will drive it.
Does the Dream '65 Reverb-Amp have MIDI?
No. Sound On Sound's review notes there is no MIDI or external control, no effects loop and no headphone output. Control beyond the knobs and footswitches comes from the UAFX Control app over Bluetooth.
Is the Dream '65 a true stereo pedal?
It has two inputs and two outputs, all unbalanced jacks. There is a true stereo path if you use both inputs. If you use one input and both outputs, the pedal runs two phase-locked instances of slightly different amps.
What amp is the Dream '65 based on?
It models a 1965 Fender Deluxe Reverb. Delicious Audio describes it as an authentic emulation with three speaker options and three amp versions: stock and two common modifications, capturing the amp's sparkling cleans and rich overdrive.
Can you control the Dream '65 from a phone?
Yes. The UAFX Control app runs on iOS and Android and connects over Bluetooth. It manages User, Factory and Artist presets, backs up and restores them, and can reassign the right-hand footswitch. A USB-C port handles registration and firmware updates.
What do Live and Preset modes do on the Dream '65?
The pedal runs in one of two modes. Live mode gives direct control of the knobs. Preset mode recalls stored settings. By default the two footswitches select between Live and Preset mode versus buffered bypass, but the right-hand footswitch can be reassigned in the app.
Sources (6)
- Universal Audio UAFX Amp Pedals, Sound On Sound (www.soundonsound.com), 2022-07
- UAFX Dream '65 Reverb Ovedrive, Delicious Audio, 2022-09-26
- UAFX Amp-In-A-Box Pedals, Delicious Audio, 2022-06-16
- UAFX Lion review: UA’s most raucous pedal yet delivers the goods, Guitar.com, 2024-01-05
- Tone King Imperial Tri Tube Preamp review, Guitar World, 2025-07-02
- UAFX Enigmatic '82 Overdrive Special Amp pedal reviewed, GuitarPlayer (www.guitarplayer.com), 2025-02-26
