The Vertex Ultraphonix HRM is a Vertex overdrive pedal, currently around $115.59. Close alternatives include the Strymon Riverside and the DOD YJM308 Preamp Overdrive. It pairs well with the Friedman Dirty Shirley and the Mesa Boogie JP-2C 1x12 Combo.
Vertex Ultraphonix HRM
Vertex · pedal
The Vertex Ultraphonix HRM is an analog overdrive pedal with a distinctly British amp-style voicing. The Gain control sets how hard the internal preamp stage is driven, shaping the amount of distortion produced, while Accent controls add tone presence and layer in additional saturation. It's built to respond closely to pick dynamics, accentuating the vocal, expressive qualities of a guitar-and-amp combination rather than delivering a single fixed gain texture. It sits within the broader Ultraphonix line as the HRM-specific voicing, distinct from the newer Ultraphonix MkII revision.
- preamp
- saturation
- dynamic
- vocal
- presence
- pick attack
- british
- drive
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Vertex Ultraphonix HRM is commonly used in
- Classic Rock
- Rock
- Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Indie Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Vertex Ultraphonix HRM
Friedman Dirty Shirley
Friedman
25% matchFriedman Dirty Shirley layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Mesa Boogie JP-2C 1x12 Combo
Mesa Boogie
23% matchMesa Boogie JP-2C 1x12 Combo takes that saturated character and pushes it toward tight
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchInto Vertex Ultraphonix HRM, Ceriatone 2202H is right at home: it's built around Marshall-style amps
Marshall 2245 JTM45 MK II Reissue 2-Channel 30-Watt
Marshall
tonal matchMarshall 2245 JTM45 MK II Reissue 2-Channel 30-Watt is voiced for Marshall-style amps — Vertex Ultraphonix HRM gives it exactly that
Marshall 2061X Handwired 20W Amp Head
Marshall
tonal matchInto Vertex Ultraphonix HRM, Marshall 2061X Handwired 20W Amp Head is right at home: it's built around Marshall-style amps
3rd Power DRGN-100
3rd Power
tonal match3rd Power DRGN-100's own voicing points at Marshall-style amps, and Vertex Ultraphonix HRM delivers it
Marshall Studio Jubilee 2525H 20W Head
Marshall
tonal matchInto Vertex Ultraphonix HRM, Marshall Studio Jubilee 2525H 20W Head is right at home: it's built around Marshall-style amps
Marshall 2245 JTM45 Head
Marshall
tonal matchMarshall 2245 JTM45 Head is voiced for Marshall-style amps — Vertex Ultraphonix HRM gives it exactly that
Pedals that stack with the Vertex Ultraphonix HRM
Greer Royal Velvet
Greer
20% matchGreer Royal Velvet layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
ZVEX Fuzz Factory
Zvex
19% matchZVEX Fuzz Factory's smooth balances out the bright tone
Crazy Tube Circuits Golden Ratio
Crazy Tube Circuits
17% matchCrazy Tube Circuits Golden Ratio's own tight character is the real reason this is worth trying
MXR Analog Chorus
MXR
14% matchKeep Vertex Ultraphonix HRM's saturated voice out front: MXR Analog Chorus goes after Vertex Ultraphonix HRM in the signal chain so its full voice doesn't muddy it
Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte
Caroline Guitar Company
9% matchKeep Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte after Vertex Ultraphonix HRM in the signal chain, clear of Vertex Ultraphonix HRM's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Suhr Discovery
Suhr
9% matchRun Suhr Discovery after Vertex Ultraphonix HRM in the signal chain, clear of Vertex Ultraphonix HRM's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Keeley Angry 4-in-1 Distortion/Fuzz
Keeley
tonal matchVertex Ultraphonix HRM leans into Marshall-style amps, precisely the platform Keeley Angry 4-in-1 Distortion/Fuzz wants
Amptweaker Tight Rock 2
Amptweaker
tonal matchAmptweaker Tight Rock 2's own voicing points at Marshall-style amps, and Vertex Ultraphonix HRM delivers it
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Vertex Ultraphonix MKII
Vertex
70% similarity“distinct from the newer Ultraphonix MkII revision”
Xotic BB Preamp V1.5
Xotic
70% similarityShared character: vocal, amp, stage
Crowther Hot Cake
Crowther
69% similarityShared character: presence, amp, distortion
Dophix Lussuria overdrive
Dophix
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Empress Driv
Empress
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Friedman IR-J Jake E. Lee Preamp
Friedman
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Strymon Riverside
Strymon
71% similarityShared character: pick_attack, pedal, stage
DOD YJM308 Preamp Overdrive
Dod
69% similarityShared character: players, pick_attack, pedal
Snouse BlackBox Overdrive 2
Snouse
69% similarityShared character: vocal, presence, pedal
MXR CSP039 Duke of Tone Overdrive
MXR
68% similarityShared character: players, pick_attack, pedal
JHS Pedals JHS Hare Drive
JHS Pedals
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Fender Santa Ana Overdrive
Fender
94% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Vertex Ultraphonix HRM (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Vertex Ultraphonix HRM?+
The closest matches in character are the Strymon Riverside, the DOD YJM308 Preamp Overdrive, the Snouse BlackBox Overdrive 2. Budget picks: EarthQuaker Devices Special Cranker. Boutique upgrades: Vertex Ultraphonix MKII, Xotic BB Preamp V1.5, Crowther Hot Cake.
What pairs well with the Vertex Ultraphonix HRM?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Friedman Dirty Shirley, Mesa Boogie JP-2C 1x12 Combo, Ceriatone 2202H — Friedman Dirty Shirley layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal.
How much does the Vertex Ultraphonix HRM cost?+
Around $115.59 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).