An amp pedal, often referred to as an amp simulator pedal or amp modeling pedal, is a type of effects pedal designed to emulate the sound and characteristics of various guitar amplifiers. By using digital or analog processing, these pedals replicate the tonal qualities, gain stages, and tonal response of different types of amplifiers, such as vintage tube amps, high-gain modern amps, or classic solid-state models.

Amp pedals are typically used to shape a guitarist’s tone without needing to rely on multiple physical amplifiers. They offer a range of preset or adjustable sounds that mimic the effects of different amp types, including their distinctive overdrive, distortion, and EQ settings. Some amp pedals also include additional features like cabinet simulations, which mimic the sound of different speaker cabinets, and built-in effects like reverb and delay. This makes them a versatile tool for achieving a variety of tones and sounds, whether in a practice setting, recording studio, or live performance, providing convenience and flexibility in a compact form.