Death By Audio and Rainger FX have joined forces to create Amp Crash – a completely new kind of effects pedal containing a real 3-watt amplifier, internal 2" speaker and microphone.
Amp Crash captures the sound and feel of a cranked amplifier inside a compact stompbox. A real amplifier drives a real speaker, while a built-in microphone captures what that speaker is actually doing. You can then blend the direct amplifier signal with the mic'd sound for everything from rich, touch-sensitive overdrive to crushing fuzz, blooming harmonics, natural feedback and unpredictable textures.
The sound isn't being simulated. It's actually happening inside the pedal.
Unlike traditional distortion or amp-simulation pedals, Amp Crash creates part of its sound physically rather than purely electronically. As the amplifier, speaker and microphone interact, they generate harmonics, compression, feedback and textures caused by air physically moving inside the enclosure.
The result is an effect that feels unusually alive, dynamic and responsive.
A Real Amp Inside a Pedal
The project began when David Rainger came to New York with an idea: place a microphone inside a pedal and use it to blend ambient sound with the guitar signal, creating new harmonics and unexpected overtones.
Death By Audio took the idea one step further by adding an internal speaker. The interaction between the amplifier, speaker and microphone immediately began behaving like a tiny combo amp pushed hard in a room.
From there, the concept developed into a complete experimental effects platform with built-in Reverb, Echo and Chorus, allowing the physical amplifier sound to be pushed even further.
“Rainger FX is Death By Audio's sister company: weird, wild, and totally extreme. Working on this project with Rainger pushed us to create something so extreme, and then we took it further.”
– Oliver Ackermann, Death By Audio
“The Amp Crash is powerful, unique, flexible, and a whole load of fun to use! I'm knocked out by how Death By Audio developed this idea into an amazing product.”
– David Rainger, Rainger FX
More Than a Distortion Pedal
Amp Crash can function as a real mic'd amp experience, compact recording tool, portable practice amp, experimental effects platform or simply an inspiring source of sounds that conventional pedals cannot easily reproduce.
An external 8Ω speaker output also lets you connect Amp Crash to a suitable speaker cabinet, turning it into a tiny but genuine 3-watt amplifier.
Key Features
- Collaboration between Death By Audio and Rainger FX
- Real 3-watt amplifier built into the pedal
- Internal 2" speaker and microphone
- Blend between direct amplifier and internal microphone signals
- Physical speaker interaction creates harmonics, feedback and compression
- Built-in Reverb, Echo and Chorus
- From edge-of-breakup overdrive to crushing fuzz and harmonic feedback
- External 8Ω speaker output
- Suitable for recording, practice and experimentation
- Buffered bypass
- Lifetime warranty
Specifications
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Dimensions: 5.9" × 3.76" × 2.85" including hardware
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Weight: 19.1 oz
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Internal amplifier: 3 watts
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Internal speaker: 2"
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Power: 9V DC, 2.1 mm centre-negative, 300 mA
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External speaker output: 8Ω minimum, rated for 3W or greater
