Most good overdrive and distortion pedals are responsive to picking dynamics and guitar volume shifts. So how come certain distortion or overdrive pedals are billed as more “amp-like” than others? There are two aspects to this.
Some pedals are labeled “amp-like” because in fact they are designed to emulate the sound of a particular amplifier. There are many examples, but a good one is the Wampler Plexi-Drive DLX, which is intended to create the tones of a “British” tube amplifier. The idea is for you to use your own amplifier, then step on the amp-in-a-box pedal to get the character of a different amp. It’s a great way to add tonal diversity to your rig!
Other pedals are said to be “amp-like” because they respond — dynamically in particular — in a way that is similar to how a “real” amp responds; the feel is the same as when you are plugged into an amplifier.
