Disclaimer: This is an independent review — I borrowed the UA Ruby from a friend.
Features
- Vibrato, room modelling, multiple speakers, cabs and boosts, live and preset modes, and customisation options with the UAFX mobile app
- Microphone and speaker combinations from the OX Amp Top Box
- 2×12 speaker models: SILVER (rare 15W Celestion Silver Bulldogs), BLUE (original Celestion Blue Bulldogs), GREEN (modern Celestion G12Hs)
- Free additional cabinet models via UAFX Control App: 1×12 AC15 cab with Blue Bulldog, 2×12 Matchless cab with Celestion G12Hs, 2×12 Two-Rock cab with Celestion Golds
- Power via 9V DC power supply with min. 400 mA, centre-negative (not included — suitable power supply: art. 543322)
- 2 inputs: 6.3 mm jack
- 2 outputs: 6.3 mm jack
- USB-C connection
- Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 14.1 cm
- Weight: 567 g
What Is Universal Audio Ruby?
Universal Audio Ruby is a state-of-the-art amp modeler pedal that faithfully recreates the classic tones of Vox amplifiers and puts them in an easily accessible, superbly built housing that’s gig-ready.
First Impressions
I’m not completely new to the UA Ruby. I briefly tried it in my studio during my kid’s birthday party (we dads needed a break from all the cake eating). But this was the first time I really got to spend time with the pedal.
To me at least, the build quality is leaps and bounds above average. Everything feels road-worthy. I’d have no hesitation putting this on my pedalboard and stepping on it in the heat of a gig.
Testing Ruby With 4 Guitars
With a Strat
I decided to start with my budget-friendly Jet JS-400, which is basically an HSS Strat on a budget. This guitar has great-sounding, somewhat hot pickups that I absolutely love, and from the first chords onwards, it didn’t disappoint.
All the classic Strat + Vox tones were quickly accessible via factory and artist presets you can load through the UA app on your phone.
Out of all the classic amps, Vox is probably the one I’m least familiar with, so having those presets was a great starting point. And while Vox amps have a very distinct tone (which is part of what makes them legendary), there’s still a lot of tonal variety just by swapping speakers and choosing between different era models.
I get the Strat + Vox thing even more now.
With A Tele
Next, I picked up my Telecaster, which I built at a guitar-building course many years ago. It has a bridge with 6 individual saddles for intonation and height adjustment, but vintage-sounding Sheptone pickups.
After using the Strat, the lower output pickups felt a bit underwhelming — for about three seconds.
I don’t want this to sound like a sales pitch, but there’s just something about a Telecaster and a Vox amp that gets me. The tone just feels “right,” for lack of a better term. You can get those beautiful jangly tones, or go full blast on the bridge pickup and pretend you’re playing the riff in front of 20,000 people.
I’m really starting to get the Vox thing.
“Les Paul”
Now this is where things get really interesting. I don’t recall ever trying my semi-hollow Les Paul–style guitar with a Vox before, but since the Ruby had sounded great with everything else, I had no doubt it would work here too.
From the first chords, I was proven right. Most Ruby presets cut out some low end, which is exactly what this guitar needs. Instead of going for rock tones, I found myself using a preset with lush room reverb and a lot of low-end cut — it reminded me of Uptown Funk or something similar.
It inspired me to try and play something at least resembling that riff.
And of course, rock tones are still there — I momentarily forgot I was even shooting a video.
Harley Benton Explorer with EMGs
As the last guitar, I wanted to try the UA Ruby with an EMG-equipped Harley Benton Explorer I had in the studio for a demo.
Finding the right preset took a bit longer here — the pickups are super hot, and most clean tones sounded… kind of underwhelming.
But once I stumbled onto a high-gain artist preset, things clicked. I started playing something immediately. (You’ll have to check the results in the video — don’t worry, there are timestamps.)
I didn’t think this combo would work. Yet, somehow, it does.
Is Universal Audio Ruby Good?
Vox amps aren’t usually high on my list for recording or live playing, but my time with the Ruby changed that. It sounds incredible, the build quality is superb, and it feels real to play — which I absolutely love.
I get that some might find it a bit limited in terms of live control, but for me, this covers most of what I need. And having seen my buddy Mikko (whose pedal this is) use it as a pedal platform, I know it works great that way too.
Every Universal Audio pedal I’ve tried has been seriously impressive — enough to make me wonder if I should finally get one of my own.
If you are interested in getting your own Universal Audio Pedal, you can use the affiliate links below.
►►Get Your UA Pedal at Thomann: https://thmn.to/thocf/3sc9iq5pna
►►Get Your UA Pedal at Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/EEVge2