What Is a .nam File? How NAM Models Work and How to Use Them
A .nam file is the output of Neural Amp Modeler: a small neural network trained to behave like one specific amp or pedal. Here is what it contains, what it is not, and how to put it to work.
Basics NAM Hub team · October 31, 2026 · 6 min read
The short answer
A .nam file is a model of a piece of guitar gear — usually an amp, a pedal or a full rig. It is created by Neural Amp Modeler (NAM), a free, open-source project (MIT license) started by Steve Atkinson. To make one, you play a standard test signal through the real gear, record what comes out, and let the software train a neural network until it reacts to your playing the way the original does.
The result is not a recording and not a preset of knob positions. It is a compact model that processes your live guitar signal in real time inside a plugin or on supported hardware.
What is inside a .nam file
According to the official file specification, a .nam file is a JSON text file. Its main parts are:
| Field | What it holds |
|---|---|
version | The file format version. |
architecture | The kind of neural network, for example WaveNet or LSTM. |
config | Settings of that network, such as the number of layers. |
weights | The long list of numbers the training produced — the actual "learning". |
sample_rate | The sample rate the model expects. If it is missing, 48 kHz is generally assumed. |
metadata | Optional description: name, creator, gear make and model, gear type (amp, pedal…), tone type (clean, hi-gain…), input and output level, loudness and a gain estimate. |
The loudness value is written by the trainer so that players can match levels between different models. You do not need to read any of this to use a file, but it explains why a .nam file is small and why a good listing tells you the gear and the settings it was captured with.
Amp only, full rig or pedal?
A model captures whatever was between the test signal and the microphone or line out. Some captures are the full rig (amp, cabinet and mic) and are ready to play. Others are amp only (for example from a load box or a direct output) and need a cabinet impulse response (IR) after them. Pedal captures are meant to sit in front of an amp model. Reading these details in a listing is covered in How to read a NAM model description.
A1 and A2: two generations of NAM models
In June 2026 a new model architecture, NAM A2, was released by TONE3000 together with NAM's creator, Steve Atkinson. It comes in two sizes: A2-Full for the best accuracy and A2-Lite, optimized for devices with limited processing power. The earlier generation, A1, was heavier on the CPU, which made it hard to run natively on many pedals.
This matters when you download: not every player loads every generation. For example, the official guide of the free TONE3000 plugin says it runs A2 models and impulse responses only, and that files from the legacy A1 architecture cannot be loaded. Hardware lists vary too — some units run A2-Full, others only A2-Lite. Always check which generation a capture uses and what your plugin or device supports.
How to use a .nam file
- Install a NAM-capable player. The official NAM plugin comes as VST3 and AU (Windows 10+ and macOS 10.15+) plus a standalone app. The free TONE3000 plugin offers VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP, LV2 and standalone on macOS, Windows and Linux.
- Load the file into the plugin's model slot and put the plugin on a track with a dry guitar signal.
- Set the levels. Aim for a healthy input level without clipping; use the loudness information to compare models fairly.
- Add an IR if the model is amp only. Do not add one after a full-rig capture.
- Play on stage. Several pedals and multi-effects now run NAM — see our compatibility guide.
Can I make my own?
Yes. The NAM documentation describes a Google Colab workflow: you download the standard input file, reamp it through your gear, upload both files, and training finishes in about ten minutes, producing a .nam file. See our step-by-step guide Create your own NAM profile and the notes on GPU vs CPU training.
FAQ
Is a .nam file safe to open?
A .nam file is a plain JSON data file with numbers and metadata, not a program. Still, download captures only from reputable sources such as TONE3000 and keep your plugin up to date.
What is the difference between a .nam file and an IR?
A .nam file models an amp or pedal. An IR (impulse response) models a speaker cabinet and microphone. You often use both: a .nam model of an amp head followed by an IR of a cabinet.
Are .nam files free?
The NAM software is open source under the MIT license, and playing captures is free. Individual captures are shared by their creators under the platform's sharing policy, so check the listing before using one commercially.
Can I use a .nam file without a computer?
Yes, on hardware that supports NAM, such as the Darkglass Anagram, the Dimehead NAM Player or a Raspberry Pi running PiPedal. Support for A1 and A2 models varies by device.
Keep reading
Where to Download Free NAM Files in 2026
TONE3000 (formerly ToneHunt), how its library works, and how to choose good captures.
HardwareWhich Pedals and Software Can Run NAM?
Devices that load NAM captures natively, through conversion, and the ones that do not.
Beginners5 Common Beginner Mistakes the First Time You Run NAM
Missing IR, two cabinets in a row, wrong input level and more — and how to fix them.