This Steam&Amp is the device to enable musicians to dial in monster tones and patch them directly to a studio mixer or stage PA. It is built with 100% analog circuitry and incorporates mic and speaker simulation with pre- and power-amp distortion characteristics. The result is a pedal that is prized for achieving monster tone without lugging amps, speaker cabinets and microphones to find the elusive “sweet spot.”

The Ampcontrols include:

• Mic – has three microphone positioning options: Classic is distant miking without ambiance; Center is close miking at the center of the speaker cone; Off-Axis is close miking at the edge of the speaker cone.
• Mod – emulates three setup options: Clean is a stock tube amp setup; Hi Gain adds an extra gain stage, as if an extra 12AX7 preamplifier stage is added; Hot Wired is a scooped-out midrange for what SansAmp describes as a “sizzling, over the edge” quality.
• Amp – selects from three classic amp types: Tweed emulates Fender-style amps; British emulates Marshall-style amps; California emulates Mesa-Boogie-style amps.
• Drive – adjusts the overall amount of gain and overdrive.
• Level – adjusts the output level, without altering any tonal characteristics.
• Hi/Lo – the Hi and Lo pots are on-board active tone controls to compensate for the limited range of guitar speaker cabinets and combos.