Premier Guitar features affiliate links to help support our content. We may earn a commission on any affiliated purchases.

No Mics, No Cab, No Problem!

No Mics, No Cab, No Problem!

Streamline your stage or studio rig and increase your tone options at the same time with one of these speaker-simulation pedals.

For any player who is less than enamoured with the idea of repeatedly hauling a heavy cab to a gig or studio session, and the effort involved with cabling and mic placement, the addition of a cab sim pedal to your 'board could be a gamechanger. We've rounded up a sampling of 10 options to help you minimize your footprint while maximizing your efficiency and tone.

Torpedo C.A.B. M+

Designed to be the missing link between a guitarist’s rig and the PA or audio interface, this pedal is loaded with 32 Two Notes cabinets, eight power amps, eight mics, and eight rooms to choose from.

TWO NOTES
$279

Red Box 5

This handy DI and speaker simulator offers powerful control over your sound, including cabinet size and cab tightness, and a means to avoid miking up your rig onstage.

HUGHES & KETTNER
$129

OmniCabSim Deluxe

Designed for guitarists who want to create their own cabinet response settings, rather than rely on presets, this pedal allows players to define their sound and get an accurate reproduction of it when gigging or recording.

DSM NOISEMAKER
$249

Iridium

This pedal has mathematically modeled every aspect of three iconic tube amps, and includes nine of Iridium’s IR cabinets with 24-bit 96 kHz resolution for the entire 500 milliseconds of its impulse responses.

STRYMON
$399

CabClone IR

Featuring two banks of eight Mesa cab presets for 16 proprietary IRs and the ability to upload third-party IRs, this pedal also functions as a tone-rich, silent practice tool with a set of headphones.

MESA/BOOGIE
$599

Element

With five cabinet simulations, a multi-channel USB-C audio interface, and Bluetooth tech to listen to backing tracks, this pedal was designed with practicality in mind, to empower modern musicians.

DARKGLASS ELECTRONICS
$249

Radar

With 30 cab models to choose from and microphone and power-amp simulation ideal for recording or silent practice, this mini can help transform a pedalboard into a complete guitar rig.

MOOER AUDIO
$148

Cabzeus

This two-channel cabinet/speaker/miking simulator uses advanced DSP processing techniques coupled with clean and robust circuit designs for minimal noise and optimal headroom.

GFI SYSTEM
$319

CabDriVR

Featuring 14 guitar- and bass-cabinet impulse responses and dual inputs and outputs, this emulator also has separate level controls so players can balance each cab’s volume in the mix.

DIGITECH
$169

Omni IR

This compact pedal houses 40 legendary guitar and bass cabinet IRs, a 4-band EQ with 12 dB boost/cut, and a hi-res OLED screen for easy operation in any recording or live scenario.

HOTONE
$129


Neutrik’s Timbre plug, made for toggling between capacitors.

Photo courtesy Neutrik company (https://www.neutrik.com)

This follow-up to May 2025’s column shows you a few basic techniques to inject some capacitance into your rig.

Hello, and welcome back to Mod Garage. This month, we will dive into the details of how to add additional guitar-cable capacitance—the right way. Time to get started!

Read MoreShow less

Vox’s Valvenergy Tone Sculptor

Two new pedals from the Valvenergy series use a Nutube valve to generate unique dynamics and tone ranges that can be used to radical ends.

When tracking in a studio or DAW, you’re likely to use compression and EQ on most things. Many enduringly amazing and powerful records were made using little else. And though many musicians regard both effects as a bit unglamorous and utilitarian, EQs and comps are as capable of radical sounds as more overtly “weird” effects—particularly when they are used in tandem.

Read MoreShow less

Significantly smaller and lighter than original TAE. Easy to configure and operate. Great value. Streamlined control set.

Air Feel Level control takes the place of more surgical and realistic resonance controls. Seventy watts less power in onboard power amp. No Bluetooth connectivity with desktop app.

$699

Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander Core

boss.info

5
4.5
4.5
4.5

Boss streamlines the size, features, and price of the already excellent Waza Tube Expander with little sacrifice in functionality.

Many of our younger selves would struggle to understand the urge—indeed, the need—to play quieter. My first real confrontation with this ever-more-present reality arrived when Covid came to town. For many months, I could only sneak into my studio space late at night to jam or review anything loud. Ultimately, the thing that made it possible to create and do my job in my little apartment was a reactive load box (in this case, a Universal Audio OX). I set up a Bassman head next to my desk and, with the help of the OX, did the work of a gear editor as well as recorded several very cathartic heavy jams, with the Bassman up to 10, that left my neighbors none the wiser.

Read MoreShow less
- YouTube
A FREE update adds up to 150 new Premium Tone Models and presets for all TONEX users.
Read MoreShow less