Is it strange to use a pre-amp or amp sim pedal for overdrive?

General
1

I have a simple question here… I’m struggling to decide on a distortion pedal, so I’m thinking of exploring more options. I came across the Ampworx series and the Boss IR-2, and I’m wondering if these have a stompbox mode? Can they be used for overdrive purposes?

2

Trust your ears. If it sounds good, it’s good.

3

JHS is selling a lot of preamp emulations at $450 each, and they’re marketed for various types of dirt.

4

Fox said:
JHS is selling a lot of preamp emulations at $450 each, and they’re marketed for various types of dirt.

The Color Box isn’t an emulation. It’s a fully analog preamp.

5

Sky said:

Fox said:
JHS is selling a lot of preamp emulations at $450 each, and they’re marketed for various types of dirt.

The Color Box isn’t an emulation. It’s a fully analog preamp.

It’s not the same. It’s inspired by it. Neve purists might argue about the differences, but I’m not getting into that debate. Feel free to swap ‘emulation’ for whatever you prefer.

6

@Fox
True, it’s not exactly the same as the Neve, but it’s still an analog preamp. So yeah, it’s a bit of semantics. ‘Emulation’ isn’t the best word here.

7

Sky said:
@Fox
True, it’s not exactly the same as the Neve, but it’s still an analog preamp. So yeah, it’s a bit of semantics. ‘Emulation’ isn’t the best word here.

I won’t be using the word ‘emulsion’ for guitar pedal architecture again. Thanks.

8

Fox said:
JHS is selling a lot of preamp emulations at $450 each, and they’re marketed for various types of dirt.

That’s the Color Box, right? I believe they also have the Clover, which is specifically a preamp pedal if I recall.

9

@Indigo
Yeah, there are lots of people using preamps for this purpose. I just referenced a high-dollar example to make the point clearer.

10

For a long time, I used an always-on overdrive for a subtle breakup sound. Now I use an Iridium with my breakup sound set on one button and more gain on the other. I just add boost pedals if I want extra gain. So no, I don’t think it’s weird at all.

11

A couple of things to keep in mind:

  • All overdrive, dirt, and even boost pedals are essentially preamps by definition. They amplify the signal before the power amp.

  • Most preamp pedals specifically marketed as preamps usually include extra EQ but are generally designed for their overdriven sound—though not always intense. If it wasn’t designed for that, you could just use a normal EQ pedal to shape a clean tone.

  • Many amp sim pedals can disable their cab sims. Once that’s done, they’re basically just a preamp pedal or overdrive, like any other.

So, in short: Go for it.

12

I sometimes use my Joyo American Sound in this way. Even though the speaker emulation is always on (it can be switched off on the Tech21 Blonde, which the Joyo is based on), it doesn’t work as an extension of the dry signal, but it’s great as a ‘second channel’ or an always-on preamp in front of a weak backline amp.

13

It’s a bit strange to try to expand your options just to make it easier to choose an overdrive.