Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions beginners ask most often.
Is NAM legal? Can you share a model of a branded amp without permission?
The NAM plugin and format itself are an open-source project — you're free to distribute it. Models of specific branded amps are murkier territory: the legally cleanest approach is to only capture gear you own or have permission to use, and not pass a model off as an official product from the brand. We aren't offering legal advice here — check with the model's author if you're unsure.
Do NAM files take up a lot of space?
No, usually anywhere from a couple hundred kilobytes to a few megabytes — it's the weights of a small neural network, not audio.
Why doesn't the model sound like the author's demo recording?
Usually it's one of three things: (1) you forgot to add a cabinet IR for a "no cab" model, (2) your input signal level is different — try adjusting your guitar/interface gain, or (3) a different guitar and pickups — the model reproduces the amp, not the entire signal chain.
Can you use NAM live, without a laptop?
Yes — projects like NeuralPi run NAM models on a compact single-board computer (Raspberry Pi), and some guitar processors and open-hardware setups can have NAM built in. More details in the "Processors" section.
What's the difference between NAM and a Kemper profile?
Both approaches capture a real device's response, but they use different technologies and incompatible file formats. A Kemper profile only works on Kemper hardware, while a .nam file works in the NAM plugin and compatible gear. See the full comparison in the "Beginners" section.
Where else can I find NAM files besides this site?
The largest open libraries are ToneHunt.org and Tone3000.com. We link directly to both in the "File Library" section.
How do I submit my own file or article to the site?
Reach out via the contact details on the "About" page — self-service uploads aren't wired up yet, but we add material by hand.