Ampster
- Fully analog single-tube signal path provides touch-sensitive dynamics and immediate response that reacts naturally to playing style, just like a traditional tube amplifier.
- Intuitive front panel controls including Gain, Master, three-band EQ with Presence, plus switchable 2×12 open-back or 4×12 closed-back cabinet simulations.
- Comprehensive routing options with instrument input, amp link output, balanced XLR DI with ground lift, and effects loop for seamless integration into any rig.
- Remote cabinet switching input compatible with external controllers like Octa-Switch The Strip, plus voicing switch for adapting to different guitars and monitoring systems.
- British-voiced overdrive character that responds organically to guitar and pickup choice, delivering full clean tones that transition smoothly into natural, musical breakup.
All about Carl Martin Ampster
When we designed Ampster, the goal was to deliver the feel and response of a real tube amp in a format that fits modern playing situations. Fewer players rely on large amp rigs today, but the expectation of organic response, dynamics, and immediacy hasn’t changed. Ampster is our fully analog answer to that shift.
Ampster is a single-tube driven amp and speaker simulation that can either complement an existing amp or replace it entirely. There’s no digital modeling, no latency, and no menu navigation. Instead, we built an analog signal path that reacts to your playing the same way a traditional amplifier does — touch-sensitive, dynamic, and immediate.
The front panel mirrors a familiar amp layout. We included Gain and Master controls for shaping drive and output level, a full EQ section with Bass, Middle, and Treble, plus a Presence control for fine-tuning the high end. A dedicated Mute switch makes silent stage changes or tuning simple, while the Cabinet switch lets us choose between two speaker simulations: a 2×12 open-back cabinet or a 4×12 closed-back cabinet, indicated clearly by LED.
On the rear panel, Ampster is designed for real-world routing. We included a standard instrument Input and a Link output for feeding a traditional amp. A balanced XLR DI output allows direct connection to a mixing console or recording interface, complete with Ground Lift to eliminate hum. There’s also an effects loop for time-based or modulation effects that belong after the preamp, plus a Remote input for external cabinet switching from controllers like our Octa-Switch The Strip.
A subtle Voicing switch provides a low-frequency contour adjustment, allowing us to adapt Ampster easily to different guitars, pickups, or monitoring systems. Power is supplied via a regulated 9V DC input capable of delivering the current needed for the tube and analog circuitry.
Plug a guitar straight in, or place Ampster at the end of a pedalboard, and the result is a full, rounded clean sound with natural depth. As the Gain is increased, the circuit moves smoothly into a distinctly British-voiced overdrive, shaped by the guitar and pickup rather than imposed by the circuit. Our test players consistently report that Ampster feels like playing a real amp — responsive, organic, and inspiring — only in a pedalboard-friendly format.
Ampster doesn’t try to be everything. It’s designed to sound and behave like an amplifier first — because that’s what matters.
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FAQ
Quick answers about this pedal — shipping, power, use-cases and more.
What is the Ampster?
The Ampster is a compact analog preamp pedal designed to deliver authentic amp-style overdrive and tone shaping without needing a full amplifier. It functions as an “amp-in-a-box,” giving you dynamic, touch-sensitive drive that reacts like a real tube amp when pushed.
Is the Ampster digital or analog?
Fully analog. There’s no digital modeling involved. The overdrive and tone shaping are achieved through discrete analog circuitry designed to behave like an amplifier’s preamp section.
How would I typically use the Ampster?
It can be used in several ways:
As your main overdrive pedal into a clean amp
As a preamp into a power amp or effects return
As a core tone shaper before modulation and delay
It responds well to guitar volume changes and picking dynamics, making it suitable for expressive playing.
Is it suitable for recording?
Yes. When paired with a speaker simulator, IR loader, or recording interface with cab simulation, the Ampster works very well as a direct recording preamp. Its analog nature gives it a natural feel that many players prefer over digital amp sims.
