An emerging, open-source format for amp modeling, Neural Amp Modeler (NAM), is set to receive a significant upgrade in 2026. According to Gearnews.com, the format's plugin and training code operate under an MIT license, fostering community development and accessibility.
Steven Atkinson initiated the NAM project in 2019, and it functions by creating detailed representations of amplifier settings, rather than replicating the complete electronic design. The TONE3000 platform currently offers a large collection of user-generated NAM profiles at no cost.
NAM A2 will officially become the new standard beginning June 2, 2026. The new version is designed to demand fewer processing resources compared to earlier versions. NAM A2 profiles will be released in two variations: a complete version and a lighter version.
Existing software and hardware that do not support the A2 standard will not be able to load these new profiles, although older A1 profiles will still be functional with A2-compatible loaders.
For more information, visit gearnews.com.