Death By Audio and Rainger FX launch Amp Crash pedal

Death By Audio and Rainger FX have introduced the Amp Crash, an effects pedal that places a real amplifier, speaker and microphone inside a compact stompbox. The collaboration is designed to recreate the physical interaction of a small amplifier pushed to its limits rather than digitally simulating the result.

The Amp Crash pedal combines a 3-watt amplifier, an internal 2-inch speaker and a built-in microphone. Players can blend the direct amplifier signal with the microphone feed to produce sounds ranging from touch-sensitive overdrive and fuzz to harmonic feedback and less predictable textures.

A physical approach to amplifier distortion

Unlike conventional distortion and amp simulation pedals, Amp Crash generates its sound through the physical interaction between the internal amplifier, speaker and microphone. As the speaker moves air inside the enclosure, the system creates harmonics, compression, feedback and other acoustic effects.

The pedal also includes Reverb, Echo and Chorus effects, allowing musicians to process the internal amplifier and microphone sounds further. Depending on its settings, Amp Crash can cover edge-of-breakup tones, heavier fuzz sounds and sustained harmonic feedback.

“David from Rainger is who I always gravitate to at any event. His effects are bonkers in the best way possible,” said Oliver Ackermann of Death By Audio. “When he told me he was coming to NY to work on a collaboration, it was a dream come true. Like cities in the world, 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.”

How the Amp Crash project began

The collaboration started when Rainger FX founder David Rainger travelled to New York with the idea of placing a microphone inside an effects pedal. His original concept would have allowed ambient sound to blend with a guitar signal, producing additional harmonics and unexpected overtones.

Death By Audio expanded on that idea by adding an internal speaker. According to the companies, the first prototype began behaving like a small combo amplifier, with the speaker and microphone interacting inside the enclosure.

Death By Audio subsequently developed a broader multi-effects platform around the concept, adding the integrated Reverb, Echo and Chorus sections.

“We’re so excited to be bringing out the Amp Crash with Death By Audio,” said David Rainger of Rainger FX. “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.”

Recording, practice and external speaker support

The Amp Crash can function as a microphone-equipped amplifier, compact recording tool, portable practice amp or experimental effects platform. It can also be incorporated into a conventional pedalboard setup.

An external speaker output allows the pedal to drive an 8-ohm speaker cabinet, effectively turning it into a compact 3-watt amplifier. The connected cabinet must have an impedance of at least 8 ohms and a power rating of 3 watts or greater.

Amp Crash features

• Developed jointly by Death By Audio and Rainger FX
• Real 3-watt internal amplifier
• Built-in 2-inch speaker and microphone
• Blend control for the direct amplifier and microphone signals
• Physical speaker interaction producing harmonics, feedback and compression
• Integrated Reverb, Echo and Chorus
• Tones ranging from edge-of-breakup overdrive to heavy fuzz and harmonic feedback
• External 8-ohm speaker output
• Buffered bypass
• Lifetime warranty

Technical specifications

• Dimensions: 5.9 × 3.76 × 2.85 inches, including hardware
• Weight: 19.1 ounces
• Internal amplifier: 3 watts
• Internal speaker: 2 inches
• Power requirement: 9V DC, 2.1mm center-negative, 300mA
• External speaker output: 8 ohms minimum, 3 watts or greater

Price and availability

The Amp Crash pedal will be available directly from the manufacturers and through participating retailers worldwide from Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 10 a.m. EST. The listed price is $395.

The product pages at Death By Audio and Rainger FX are also scheduled to go live at 10 a.m. EST on August 20. Death By Audio will handle direct sales internationally, while UK customers can order through Rainger FX.