In a move that signals a paradigm shift for the guitar industry, Synergy Amps has officially bridged the gap between digital convenience and analog soul. On the eve of NAMM 2026, the company unveiled its patent-protected Machine-Learning (ML) Power Amp technology, designed to deliver the sag, compression, and “feel” of a vacuum tube amp within a lightweight, Class D architecture.
The technology is making its world debut in two flagship collaborations: the Wampler Pedalhead and the Friedman IR-Load.
Solving the “Class D Stiffness” Problem
For years, guitarists have faced a trade-off: the portability of Class D amplifiers versus the organic response of traditional tube sections. While efficient, Class D units often feel “stiff” or “hard” to the player’s touch. Synergy’s ML system solves this by monitoring voltage and current at the speaker’s output in real time.
Upon connection to a speaker cabinet, the unit performs “controlled sweeps” to analyze the cabinet’s unique impedance profile. The machine-learning algorithm then dynamically adapts its output, mimicking the complex harmonic richness and physical “push” of a tube-driven power section.
“Synergy’s invention takes a fundamentally different approach,” the company stated. “By reacting dynamically to the speaker—just as a tube amp would—we are providing the missing link for the modern guitarist.”
The Wampler Pedalhead: The Ultimate Pedalboard Engine
Partnering with pedal legend Brian Wampler, Synergy introduced the Wampler Pedalhead. This 240-watt stereo power amp (equivalent to 60 tube watts) is a compact powerhouse designed for players using digital modelers or preamps.
Key Features:
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6 Power Amp Models: Tailor your response from American to British styles.
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Onboard IR Loader: High-resolution cabinet simulations for direct-to-PA use.
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MIDI Integration: Seamlessly switch settings alongside your digital presets.
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Portability: Small enough to live on a pedalboard while powering a full 4×12 cabinet.
The Friedman IR-Load: The Professional “Kitchen Sink”
Designed alongside Dave Friedman and tone virtuoso Pete Thorn, the Friedman IR-Load is a 360-watt (90-tube-watt equivalent) monster. Available in head and rack-mount formats, it functions as a load box, attenuator, and IR loader.
Pete Thorn, who consulted on the project, emphasized the unit’s transparency: “The design in the IR-Load can actually respond in real-time to the particular speaker cabinet that you are plugged into… it feels just like your amp.”
FAQ: Synergy Machine-Learning Tech
How does “Machine-Learning” help a guitar amp?
Unlike standard digital amps that use static models, Synergy’s ML tech “listens” to how your specific speaker cabinet is behaving. It calculates the impedance curve and adjusts power delivery in real time to ensure the amp feels “squishy” and responsive rather than flat and clinical.
Is 240 watts (Class D) the same as a 240-watt tube amp?
No. In this context, Synergy notes that their 240-watt Class D output provides the headroom and volume equivalent to a 60-watt tube amp, while the 360-watt Friedman unit is equivalent to a 90-watt tube amp.
Can I use these units without a speaker cabinet?
Yes. Both the Wampler Pedalhead and Friedman IR-Load feature internal loads and IR (Impulse Response) loaders, meaning you can run them directly into a recording interface or PA system without a physical cab.
When will these be available?
Both units will be on display at NAMM starting January 22, 2026, with shipping expected to begin later this year.
Our Thoughts
Synergy Amps isn’t trying to replace the digital modeling market; they are trying to perfect it. By providing the “reactive” element that digital rigs often lack, the Wampler Pedalhead and Friedman IR-Load offer a “no-compromise” solution for the touring professional.
These could be great if you are a bedroom creator or a stadium performer; the combination of ML-driven feel and Class D portability marks a new era in guitar amplification.
More Information
#Synergy Amps #Friedman Amplification #Wampler Pedals
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