The Horizon Devices Apex Preamp is a Horizon Devices distortion pedal, currently around $139. Close alternatives include the Horizon Devices Precision Drive and the Fortin Amplification 33. It pairs well with the Peavey Bandit 112 and the Marshall JCM800 2203.
Horizon Devices Apex Preamp
Horizon Devices · pedal
The Horizon Devices Apex Preamp is a Misha Mansoor-designed high-gain preamp/distortion (built by MXR) that works in front of amps, into power amps, or direct to a board or interface. It delivers tight, aggressive, modern metal gain with a flexible EQ and an Attack control to tighten low end for down-tuned, djent-style playing. It suits progressive and modern metal players wanting amp-like high gain from a pedal.
- modern
- preamp
- tight
- metal
- djent
- high gain
- eq
- attack
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Horizon Devices Apex Preamp is commonly used in
- Djent
- Metal
- Metalcore
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Heavy Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Hard Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Death Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Horizon Devices Apex Preamp
Peavey Bandit 112
Peavey
24% matchFeed a high gain signal into Peavey Bandit 112 and it comes out closer to tight
Marshall JCM800 2203
Marshall
23% matchMarshall JCM800 2203 pushes a high gain tone toward mid-forward
Traynor BB115
Traynor
tonal matchStack Traynor BB115 on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight
Gallien-Krueger Legacy 212
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchFeed a high gain signal into Gallien-Krueger Legacy 212 and it comes out closer to mid-forward
Phil Jones X4C NanoBass 35W 1x4 Combo
Phil Jones
tonal matchPhil Jones X4C NanoBass 35W 1x4 Combo takes that high gain character and pushes it toward mid-forward
Egnater Renegade 65 4x10 Combo
Egnater
tonal matchFeed a high gain signal into Egnater Renegade 65 4x10 Combo and it comes out closer to tight
Phil Jones BG-75 Double Four Bass Combo
Phil Jones
tonal matchStack Phil Jones BG-75 Double Four Bass Combo on top and a high gain tone tightens toward mid-forward
Gallien-Krueger Legacy 410
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchFeed a high gain signal into Gallien-Krueger Legacy 410 and it comes out closer to tight
Pedals that stack with the Horizon Devices Apex Preamp
Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress
Electro-Harmonix
22% matchKeep Horizon Devices Apex Preamp's tight voice out front: Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress goes after Horizon Devices Apex Preamp in the signal chain so its modulated voice doesn't muddy it
Suhr Shiba Drive
Suhr
21% matchStack Suhr Shiba Drive on top and a high gain tone tightens toward mid-forward
Xotic EP Booster
Xotic
21% matchFeed a high gain signal into Xotic EP Booster and it comes out closer to clean boost
Wampler Cory Wong
Wampler
18% matchWampler Cory Wong's own clean boost character is the real reason this is worth trying
Walrus Audio Fathom
Walrus Audio
18% matchPut Walrus Audio Fathom after Horizon Devices Apex Preamp in the signal chain, clear of Horizon Devices Apex Preamp's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Hungry Robot Moby Dick V2
Hungry Robot
18% matchKeep Horizon Devices Apex Preamp's tight voice out front: Hungry Robot Moby Dick V2 goes after Horizon Devices Apex Preamp in the signal chain so its ambient voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Benson Amps Delay PT2399 Echo
Benson Amps
tonal matchInto Horizon Devices Apex Preamp, Benson Amps Delay PT2399 Echo is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Beetronics Wannabee
Beetronics
tonal matchBeetronics Wannabee is voiced for a clean amp's front end — Horizon Devices Apex Preamp gives it exactly that
Cheaper alternatives
Hotone Skyline Djent Metalcore HiGain Metal Distortion
Hotone
70% similarityShared character: attack, high_gain_settings, metal
Tone City Wild Fro Rabea Massaad Signature Distortion
Tone City
68% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, metal
Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive
Boss
68% similarityShared character: pedal, response, high_gain_settings
Hotone Skyline Djent High-Gain Distortion
Hotone
67% similarityShared character: metal
Mad Professor Stone Grey Distortion
Mad Professor
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Carl Martin Crush Zone
Carl Martin
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Airis Effects -Nemesis Preamp
Airis Effects
72% similarityShared character: pedal, high_gain_settings, clarity
Wampler Dracarys
Wampler
71% similarityShared character: response, high_gain_settings, amp
Friedman IR-J Jake E. Lee Preamp
Friedman
70% similarityShared character: attack, response, high_gain_settings
Diezel Zerrer 2-Channel Preamp
Diezel
68% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, amp, preamp
Keeley Filaments
Keeley
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Dophix Perseo
Dophix
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Horizon Devices Precision Drive
Horizon Devices
74% similarityShared character: attack, pedal, response
Fortin Amplification 33
Fortin Amplification
72% similarityShared character: attack, pedal, response
Fortin Amplification 33 Fredrik Thordendal Boost
Fortin Amplification
71% similarityShared character: response, high_gain_settings, clarity
DOD YJM308 Preamp Overdrive
Dod
69% similarityShared character: pedal, response, high_gain_settings
Catalinbread Karma Suture
Catalinbread
69% similarityShared character: attack, pedal, response
Mooer 008
Mooer
68% similarityShared character: amp, high_gain_settings, preamp
See all alternatives to the Horizon Devices Apex Preamp (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Horizon Devices Apex Preamp?+
The closest matches in character are the Horizon Devices Precision Drive, the Fortin Amplification 33, the Fortin Amplification 33 Fredrik Thordendal Boost. Budget picks: Hotone Skyline Djent Metalcore HiGain Metal Distortion, Tone City Wild Fro Rabea Massaad Signature Distortion, Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive. Boutique upgrades: Airis Effects -Nemesis Preamp, Wampler Dracarys, Friedman IR-J Jake E. Lee Preamp.
What pairs well with the Horizon Devices Apex Preamp?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Peavey Bandit 112, Marshall JCM800 2203, Traynor BB115 — Feed a high gain signal into Peavey Bandit 112 and it comes out closer to tight.
How much does the Horizon Devices Apex Preamp cost?+
Around $139 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).