Amp ONE

Amp ONE is a free iPad app for real-time guitar preamp and cabinet simulation with effects. Its circuit simulations use pretrained artificial neural network models. Listed preamp circuits include Marshall JCM800, Cornford Harlequin, Engl E530, Krank Krankenstein and Revolution, an American hi-gain amp, EVH 5150 III, and Fender Blues Junior III. The power amp stage is modeled as part of the guitar cabinet through convolution. Effects include a noise gate with adjustable thresholds, attack and release, and fade timings that can create a swell, plus four chorus models, delay, and reverb. Snapshot and preset systems can save and restore all settings or selected sections. Amp ONE supports AudioBus and Inter-App Audio. An external audio interface is required to connect a guitar to an iPad. The stated system requirements are iPad 2 or later and iOS 7.1 or later. The App Store listing says it is designed for iPad and is not verified for macOS. Apple's listing says the developer has not provided details about privacy practices and data handling.

Amp ONE pairs modeled preamps and cabinet simulation with effects and preset tools for iPad guitar playing. Connecting a guitar requires an external audio interface, and the listing does not provide privacy-practice details.

Amp ONE suits guitarists who want to play through modeled amplification on an iPad. You’ll need an external audio interface to connect a guitar.

Amp ONE is an iPad guitar preamp and cabinet simulator with effects and saved sound settings. It suits guitarists who want a portable modeled rig inside an iPad audio workflow. Its breadth of named preamps is appealing, but an external audio interface is essential to connect a guitar.

Overview

Amp ONE uses pretrained neural-network models to simulate preamp circuits instead of solving their nonlinear equations directly, an approach Mercuriall says speeds up circuit simulation. Convolution modeling folds the power amp stage into the cabinet. Together, those choices make the app a focused guitar signal chain rather than an all-purpose audio workstation.

AudioBus and Inter-App Audio support let it work within an iPad-based audio setup. Snapshots and presets can restore either every setting or selected sections, which is useful for returning to a sound or changing parts of a setup independently. The interface requirement is a practical constraint: Amp ONE is not a guitar-playing setup by itself.

Key features

Modeled amplification and effects

The preamp circuits span the Marshall JCM800, Cornford Harlequin, Engl E530, Krank Krankenstein and Revolution, an American hi-gain amp, EVH 5150 III, and Fender Blues Junior III. That selection offers several distinct named amp designs in one iPad app, while keeping the emphasis on modeled amplification rather than a broad production toolset.

Effects include a noise gate with adjustable opening and closing thresholds, attack and release, and fade-in and fade-out timing. Those controls allow both noise reduction and the maker-described swell effect. Four stereo chorus models draw on the Roland JUNO-60, Roland Dimension D, Korg Triton, and VOX Stereo Chorus; delay and reverb round out the effects. The combination gives a guitarist useful tone-shaping options, though it remains centered on a guitar rig.

Snapshots and presets

Snapshot and preset systems save and restore all settings or settings for chosen sections. That flexibility suits players who want to keep repeatable sounds or change only part of a setup without rebuilding everything.

Pricing

Amp ONE is free: the Amp ONE plan costs nothing. That makes it an accessible option for iPad guitarists who already have compatible hardware and want modeled preamps, cabinet simulation, effects, and preset tools without a software purchase. No paid tier is presented; the main setup cost is the external audio interface needed to connect a guitar.

Platforms

Amp ONE is designed for iPad and requires Apple iPad 2 or later with iOS 7.1 or later. It is a standalone app, but its audio use is also framed around AudioBus and Inter-App Audio integration. The iPad-only scope rules it out for players seeking a Mac or Windows guitar amp app, and it is not verified for macOS.

Who it's for

Amp ONE is best for guitarists who want portable modeled amplification on an iPad, especially those interested in its named preamp circuits, stereo chorus choices, and reusable snapshots. It is a poor fit for anyone without an external audio interface or anyone whose setup is limited to desktop platforms.

Pros and cons

• Pro: A varied roster of named preamp circuits gives players several amp designs to choose from in one app.
• Pro: Adjustable gate and swell controls, four stereo chorus models, delay, and reverb provide effects beyond basic preamp simulation.
• Pro: Snapshots and presets can restore all settings or selected sections, supporting repeatable sounds and partial changes.
• Con: Connecting a guitar requires an external audio interface, adding necessary hardware beyond the free app.
• Con: The stated requirements are limited to iPad and iOS, making it unsuitable for Mac- or Windows-only rigs.

Alternatives

GENOME is a better fit for players who need iOS, macOS, or Windows support: its free Intro plan includes 4 TSM-Ai amplifiers, 14 pedals, 5 DynIR cabinets, and 4 Studio FX, while the full plan costs $89.99, paid once.

TH-U is another option for guitarists considering a paid product with a free trial and iOS, macOS, and Windows platforms; its listed upgrade plans are €49, paid once from TH3 Full or €119, paid once from THU Edition or TH3 Edition.

IK Multimedia ReSing is a freemium macOS and Windows alternative, rather than an iPad guitar amp app.

Amp Locker offers a free tier on Linux, macOS, and Windows, so it is worth considering for a desktop-platform setup instead.

Amped is a free, trial-supported alternative for macOS and Windows users who do not need iPad support.

Amplifikation 360 is a free option for macOS and Windows.

Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst is free software for macOS and Windows.

Helix Stadium Native is a freemium macOS and Windows alternative with a free Intro plan and a free trial.

For more choices, see Guitar Amp Software.

Verdict

Choose Amp ONE if you want a free, iPad-based guitar signal chain with a substantial roster of modeled preamps, effects, and reusable settings, and you have an external audio interface. Look elsewhere if you need a computer-based app or want to connect a guitar without additional hardware.