"It’s got the looks, the feel, and - most importantly - the sound to rival its valve-powered namesake, all in a compact, road-ready package": Laney Lionheart Loudpedal review review

What is it?

Within the pantheon of legendary UK amp makers, Laney has firmly earned its place. As the go-to brand for heavy metal’s godfather, Tony Iommi, the Birmingham-based company has been shaping guitar music since 1967. Far from resting on its laurels, Laney has embraced the modern era with plug-ins, FRFR speakers, Bluetooth speakers and even pedalboard amps - enter the Loudpedal range, a bold step into the pedal amp market.

The Lionheart Loudpedal, priced at £400, positions itself in a fiercely competitive landscape. With the incredibly popular Strymon Iridium coming in at a slightly lower price point and new offerings from Universal Audio’s UAFX range, the Loudpedal faces stiff competition. Yet, its pedigree and features set it apart, promising to bring the iconic sound of the Lionheart series to a pedalboard-friendly format.

Building on the success of the Ironheart Foundry Loudpedal, and with some persuasion from Laney artist Tom Quayle, the Lionheart Loudpedal was born: a 60-watt, twin-channel pedal amp designed to capture the soul - and roar - of the original valve combo. With two identical channels, it also serves as an incredibly versatile pedal platform, allowing seamless switching without any unwanted tone variations. 

Crafted in Laney’s Black Country Customs UK workshop, the Loudpedal is the result of a close collaboration between Quayle and Laney’s team. The attention to detail is evident, with the pedal’s design echoing the iconic aesthetic of the Lionheart amp - from its recessed control panel and brushed mirror finish to the chicken-head knobs, signature blue hue and classic font.

But the Lionheart Loudpedal is much more than just a familiar face. Unlike similar floor-based products, it is not a modeller. Instead, it is a true solid-state analogue front-end powered by a Class-D amp, offering a sincere valve-like response and performance. Where its sibling - the Ironheart Loudpedal - leans into high-gain modernity, the Lionheart delivers an instantly recognisable British tone - glassy cleans, loose gain, and a mid-range focus that oozes character.

However, the Loudpedal is not an exact copycat of its inspiration. With its built-in boost, lifted straight from Laney’s CUB range and marked by the instantly recognisable red control knob, there is a surprising amount of gain on tap. This lets you push well beyond the limits of any traditional Lionheart combo without the need for additional drive pedals. 

Next to the boost control, you will find all the essentials. There is a three-band global EQ, separate volume and gain knobs for each channel, and a three-way EQ switch that lets you toggle between Dark, Bright, and Natural voicings. Rounding things out on the control panel is a tone control and a reverb knob. The reverb is a spring emulation borrowed from another BCC product, the Secret Path pedal. 

As for the connections, everything you need is present. The ¼-inch input sits on the right-hand side of the pedal, while on the opposite is a loudspeaker connection for a cab at 8 ohms minimum. Next to this is an FX loop where the send output also acts as a non-emulated line out. 

However, things get really interesting on the back of the pedal.  There is a digital IR emulated balanced XLR Out, with two switchable onboard IRs. Even better, the Loudpedal includes USB-C connectivity, allowing you to link up with Laney’s LAIR app, where you can upload your own IRs directly to the unit or choose between four of Laney’s. Lastly, the old-school MIDI connection is there to toggle the reverb, channels, and boost if you have an additional MIDI foot controller. 

Specifications

• Price: £400/$499/€449
• Type: Analogue Solid state pedalboard amp
• Origin: UK
• Output: 60-Watts 
• Controls: 2x Volume, 2x gain, treble, bass, middle, reverb, boost, 2x dark, normal and bright switch
• Connectivity: Input, output L & R, XLR DI out, headphone output, USB-C output, aux-in, MIDI in and thru, line out
• Weight: 1.7 kg/3.7 lbs 
• Contact: Laney 

Build quality

When it comes to pedal amps and modellers, I’ve tried just about everything. From the Neural DSP Quad Cortex to the Strymon Iridium, I’ve owned, borrowed, and played a fair share of the Loudpedal’s competitors. Naturally, I was eager to see how Laney’s Lionheart Loudpedal would measure up.

Straight out of the box, it is clear that the team at the Black Country Customs workshop knows their craft. Everything about the Loudpedal exudes confidence, from the reassuring click of the output jack to the silky-smooth sweep of those iconic chicken-head control knobs. The metal chassis is built like a tank, offering all the durability you would want from a pedal destined for the stage. For a unit you are going to stomp on night after night, durability is an absolute must - and Laney has nailed it.

Of course, the robust build means it is a bit heavier than your average effects pedal. At 1.7kg, it is no featherweight, but it is still miles easier to lug around than a back-breaking valve combo. And unlike some of its competitors, there is no fragile LCD screen to worry about cracking on the way to a gig. This is a pedal built to take a beating and keep going, which is precisely what you want in a gig-ready unit.

However, practicality isn’t flawless. The power supply is an external, somewhat bulky unit, meaning you’ll need to reserve an extra mains plug at the venue. While it’s chunky, it does fit neatly under larger pedalboards, so it’s unlikely to be a dealbreaker.

Usability

When it comes to usability, swapping a traditional amp for the Loudpedal has clear perks. With your amp controls right on your pedalboard, there’s no more awkward crouching mid-song to tweak settings. On a cramped stage, it also saves you from accidentally toppling your drummer’s cymbals - a win-win. I’m already eyeing my Vox AC30 and considering early retirement plans.

The Loudpedal feels like it was made for guitarists who want to take advantage of modern conveniences without having to have a computing degree. If the thought of endless menu diving on a complex modeller makes your head spin, this pedal is a breath of fresh air. It is intuitive and quick to tweak, whether you are fine-tuning your tone in soundcheck or making last-minute adjustments just before a set.

Switching between the two channels, reverb and boost, is as straightforward as it gets. The three footswitches built into the Loudpedal mean you won’t need to lug around additional accessories to achieve what a combo amp might otherwise handle. In fact, the built-in reverb and boost might even let you trim down your pedalboard, depending on your setup. The only drawback for those with larger feet is the closely spaced footswitches - you might need to leave the platforms at home for your next gig.

Taking the Loudpedal from stage to studio, exploring its IR editing via the LAIR app is effortless. The software is not the most advanced, but that’s not the point - ease of use comes first. You get a parametric EQ for each IR, which is a handy touch, and uploading a Celestion IR took just minutes. Connecting the pedal to my iMac was seamless, thanks to the premium-feeling USB cable Laney includes in the box.

Sounds

Now for the all-important question - how does the Lionheart Loudpedal sound? In short, absolutely fantastic. Grabbing my trusty Player Plus Nashville Telecaster, I plugged the Loudpedal into a custom 10-inch cabinet, set all the controls to 12 o’clock, and hit my first chord. I was immediately floored by the sheer power of this thing. 

True to its name, the Loudpedal packs some serious punch. With a larger cabinet, I have no doubt it could handle every gigging situation you would realistically face. It is a 60-watt amp, so perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised, but the compact size of the pedal itself makes that kind of output feel almost surreal. More than anything, though, I loved how it moved air - a sensation that some modellers just don’t quite capture.

In Normal mode, the Loudpedal delivers a vintage-voiced gain that feels instantly familiar. It reminded me of the Marshall 1959 Super Lead tones found in the Strymon Iridium - full of sizzling highs, rich low-end warmth, and a wide-open presence that fills the room. 

What impressed me most, though, was its dynamic responsiveness. Laney’s analogue solid-state preamp truly nails the saggy, squishy character you would expect from a proper valve amp, something that can be missing from class-D amps. Whether digging into a riff or rolling back the volume for a cleaner touch, the Loudpedal reacts beautifully to every nuance of your playing.

On the flip side, Bright mode delivers an incredibly glassy, shimmering tone. With a clean setting, my Telecaster felt alive, each note ringing out with a joyful clarity. While all the modes have their charm, Bright mode became my go-to when running my pedalboard. It handled everything I threw at it with ease, including my notoriously demanding Way Huge Angry Troll. This pedal is brilliant at exposing an amp’s inability to handle dynamic pedals, leaving no room for weakness - but the Lionheart took it all in stride. I got a rich, tube-like overdrive that was effortless to dial in, full of warmth and character.

As the evening wound down, I decided to switch gears. I connected the IR DI XLR output directly to my audio interface and opened Logic Pro. The Loudpedal didn’t just hold its own in a recording setup - it shone. With four onboard IR cabinets to choose from - two Laney-designed options and two created with Quayle - you can store two IRs in the pedal at once, easily toggled via a switch. My personal favourite was the L20T-212 Vintage 30. It sounded uncannily close to my custom cabinet, offering an open, chimey character with a tight low end. Every nuance of the Lionheart’s natural tone was captured beautifully, from the harmonics to the gritty detail of lead parts and riffs. 

Verdict

Laney has absolutely nailed it with the Lionheart Loudpedal. It’s got the looks, the feel, and - most importantly - the sound to rival its valve-powered namesake, all in a compact, road-ready package. Whether you are a gigging guitarist, a studio tinkerer, or simply a tone enthusiast, there is a lot to love here. 

While the £400 price tag puts it up against incredibly popular options like the Strymon Iridium and Universal Audio UAFX range, the Loudpedal stands apart with its all-analogue circuitry, dynamic response, and no-nonsense simplicity. 

Packed with IR loading, USB-C connectivity, and a built-in boost, it offers modern flexibility without sacrificing the organic feel that traditionalists crave. For those who prioritise tone and playability over endless digital options, this is a pedal amp worth considering.

Hands-on demos

PMTVUK

Laney's Lionheart & Ironheart Amps Now As Dual-Channel, IR Loaded, 60w Pedalboard Amps! - YouTube

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Andertons Music Co

Laney Boutique Loudpedals - Designed with Tom Quayle and Martin Miller! - YouTube

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