What is NAM FX?
NAM FX is a guitar and bass amp-modeling and multi-effects app for iPad, iPhone and Mac. It runs Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) captures and cabinet IRs in real time, with 39 built-in modules, eight scenes per preset, MIDI control, a tuner, a metronome, drums and a looper in one workspace. The full feature list is in the specifications.
Is NAM FX free?
Yes. NAM FX is free to download and keep using, with no subscription. Effects, routing, presets and scenes, MIDI, the tuner, the metronome and looper track 1 work without a purchase. Pro is a one-time in-app purchase shared by iPhone, iPad and Mac on the same Apple ID. See Free and Pro compared for what Pro unlocks.
Which devices does NAM FX run on?
NAM FX runs on iPad, iPhone and Mac with iPadOS 17, iOS 17 or macOS 14 and later. All three install from the same App Store record. There is no Android or Windows version.
Do I need an audio interface?
To play a guitar through NAM FX you need a USB audio interface with an instrument (Hi-Z) input. The built-in microphone is not used as a guitar input. USB-C devices connect to the interface directly; Lightning devices need an Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter. Without an interface you can still open the output and audition a chain. Your first sound walks through the connection.
Will my audio interface work?
Most USB audio interfaces with an instrument (Hi-Z) input work. On iPad and iPhone the interface has to be USB class compliant, working without a driver; on the Mac, interfaces that use the maker’s driver work too. An interface that is not listed still offers every input and output the device reports. Interfaces whose channel layout we have checked, from RME, Audient, Focusrite, MOTU, Universal Audio and others, are in the audio interface table in the specifications.
Does NAM FX include amp captures?
No. Amp capture files are not included with the app. Import your own .nam files (A1/A2) and IRs (WAV, AIFF), or connect TONE3000 to browse and download tones inside the app. The built-in effects work without any capture. Best Tones lists popular captures and How to Import explains bringing them in.
What is the difference between a NAM capture and an IR?
A NAM capture is a learned model of how an amp or pedal responds; an IR is the impulse response of a cabinet, microphone or space. Add a cabinet IR after an amp-head-only capture, and start without one when the capture already includes a cabinet. The tones chapter explains both.
How much latency does NAM FX have?
It depends on your interface and buffer size, so there is no single figure. You request a buffer of 32 / 64 / 128 / 256 / 512 frames; at 48 kHz a 64-frame buffer is about 1.3 ms and a 128-frame buffer about 2.7 ms per buffer. Converter latency, the operating system and processing such as NAM or pitch effects add to that. The app shows the actual sample rate, buffer and round-trip latency (RT) at the right of the bottom bar. See Audio settings.
Can I use NAM FX as a plug-in in a DAW?
Yes, with Pro. NAM FX loads as an AUv3 plug-in in hosts such as Logic Pro and Loopy Pro, where it appears as two Audio Unit effects, NAM FX and NAM FX MIDI. It uses the tones, IRs and presets you already have in the app. See the AUv3 plug-in chapter.
Can I use other AUv3 plug-ins inside NAM FX?
Yes. AUv3 Hosting in Pro puts the other AUv3 effects installed on your device into the chain as blocks. Choose the place with PLUG-IN in the chain header, open the plug-in’s own screen to adjust it, and its settings are saved with the preset. A block can run as an Insert in the chain or as a Send to the Space return, and iPhone, iPad and Mac can each use a different plug-in. It works in the standalone app only. See the AUv3 Hosting chapter.
Does NAM FX work with MIDI foot controllers?
Yes. NAM FX supports USB and Bluetooth MIDI. Assign switches with LEARN, use two expression pedals, and control scene changes, individual effects and the looper by foot. See MIDI & expression.
Can I use NAM FX on stage?
Yes. The LIVE screen has three modes: SCENE, STOMP and HYBRID. SCENE switches song sections and STOMP turns individual effects on and off. Each preset stores eight scenes, A–H. Download the tones you need beforehand and rehearse on your actual hardware. The LIVE chapter covers the setup.
Do presets and tones sync between devices?
iCloud sync for each device on its own is free: presets, tones, MIDI setup and loops come back when you reinstall or change device. Device Sync, which keeps iPhone, iPad and Mac the same, is part of Pro. See iCloud sync & Device Sync.
Is NAM FX an official Neural Amp Modeler or TONE3000 app?
No. NAM FX is not an official app or certified product of Neural Amp Modeler or TONE3000. It uses the open-source Neural Amp Modeler engine, and the TONE3000 connection is optional. The full notices are under Open source.
Is my playing uploaded anywhere?
No. Input is processed in real time on your device, and your playing audio is not automatically uploaded to a developer server. The app talks to TONE3000 only when you connect that service. Details are in the privacy policy.