Gear & SoftwareAn all-in-one smart amp that brings together amplification, effects, recording, and practice
You decide to play guitar, then get out the amp, connect an audio interface, start up the computer...
Have you ever lost the urge to play while getting everything ready?
LAVA MUSIC created LAVA STUDIO to eliminate that setup process altogether.
With a built-in 13.3-inch multitouch display, it lets you shape your tone, record, and practice using only the touchscreen.
Here are its main features.
- A built-in 13.3-inch multitouch screen lets you operate every feature without connecting a phone or computer.
- More than 40 lavaAI amps, plus access to over 25,000 tones through TONE3000.
- Built-in miniDAW multitrack recording and AI stem separation cover both music creation and practice.
On the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, it achieved first place of all time in the musical instruments category, attracting around 3,000 backers and more than 440 times its funding goal.
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An all-in-one design that puts everything in a single device
The idea behind LAVA STUDIO is to bring every stage of making music into one device.
A conventional setup requires separate amps, effects pedals, an audio interface, a computer, a DAW, and learning materials for practice.
LAVA STUDIO integrates all of these into its hardware, so you can get started as soon as you switch it on.
Its features revolve around four pillars: Playing, Creating, Learning, and Listening.
Let's look at each in turn.
Playing | More than 25,000 sounds at a touch
Its biggest strength in sound is the combination of high-quality, plentiful built-in tones and the freedom to import external ones.
More than 40 lavaAI amps and over 50 effects
The hardware includes more than 40 lavaAI amps with dedicated cabinets, plus over 50 studio-quality effects.
They are designed to work together naturally, providing a usable sound from your first strum without detailed tweaking.
The latest release at the time, lavaOS 1.7, arrived in June 2026 and replaced the modeling engine for the built-in amps with lavaAI Amp V2.
It delivers a more natural response and a more realistic playing feel while reducing processing load by 30%.
TONE3000 and NAM A2 support make the choice of tones virtually unlimited
One major difference between LAVA STUDIO and other smart amps is that you are not limited to its built-in tones.
The key is NAM (Neural Amp Modeler).
This technology uses AI to learn and reproduce the sound of a real amp. Rather than a proprietary LAVA MUSIC system, it is an open standard through which users worldwide share models they have made themselves.
TONE3000 is a hub for these NAM models.
LAVA STUDIO connects directly to TONE3000, letting you browse more than 25,000 community-created NAM models, download them, and start playing.
Native support for A2, the latest NAM format at the time, also lets you use higher-accuracy models directly.
If the lavaAI amps described earlier are the sounds that come preinstalled, these are sounds you can freely add from outside.
An IR loader is also built in.
An IR (impulse response) is data that captures the sound of a cabinet and microphone. Importing your own IR files lets you tailor even the cabinet response to your preference.
A 10-slot effects chain with footswitch support
In lavaOS 1.7, the effects chain was expanded to 10 slots, allowing you to combine more effects when shaping your tone.
Three new effects were also added: VCA, Rotary, and Tri-Chorus.
Pair it with the separately sold LAVA Effects Pedal to switch presets and scenes hands-free.
Changing tones without breaking your concentration makes the system easier to use live or during long practice sessions.
Creating | Turn ideas into music on the spot with miniDAW and AI stem separation
One feature records your own performances; another breaks down existing songs.
These two different approaches to music creation are built into the same device.
Built-in miniDAW: from jamming to serious recording
The built-in miniDAW is at the heart of its music creation features.
It supports multitrack recording and, in addition to the finished full mix, lets you export each track separately, so you can take the material into your usual DAW and continue working on it.
It also includes over 700 backing tracks and drum grooves, plus eight-track loop recording.
You can start jamming as soon as the urge strikes, or layer sounds to build the framework of a song, all within one device.
lavaAI stem separation turns your favorite songs into practice material
Import a song file and the system can automatically separate parts such as vocals, drums, guitar, and bass.
Mute just the guitar part and play it yourself: being able to practice this way without other software is a major advantage.
New users receive 50 minutes of free use of this feature. After that, usage costs one credit per minute (normally US$1 buys 10 credits).
Credits can also be used for LAVA Lessons, described below, so you can choose whether to spend them on music creation or learning.
Learning | Lessons from internationally active instructors, directly on the device
LAVA STUDIO provides a learning environment that lets you immediately put what you learn into practice.
At the service's launch, it included 112 lessons covering genres such as neo-soul, funk guitar, and jazz guitar.
A particularly useful feature is that video and guitar tablature stay synchronized in real time.
Watching the video, checking the interactive notation, and recording along with backing tracks all flow together without interruption.
New users receive US$150 in credits (approximately ¥24,000).
Individual lessons start at US$3.99, while curated lesson packs cost US$9.99–19.99.
Prices are displayed in US dollars and converted into Japanese yen at the exchange rate in effect at payment.
Listening | 2.1-channel audio that is useful even when you are not playing
LAVA STUDIO is designed both as a guitar amp and as a speaker for listening to music.
Its 2.1-channel audio system combines a woofer for deep bass with two 2-inch tweeters for clear mids and highs.
With Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C, built-in apps, web streaming, and lavaCloud synchronization, you can play your favorite music and pick up your guitar right there, making playing a natural part of the same space.
An 800 MHz DSP processor powers these features.
Low-latency, high-quality real-time processing maintains a smooth response even with complex effects chains.
Design | A full-metal body that fits a range of spaces
The design considers how the unit looks in your room as well as how it functions.
The 13.3-inch multitouch display tilts up to 80 degrees, letting you find a comfortable viewing angle whether it is on a desk or on your lap.
The precision-machined, full-metal enclosure combines durability with a refined finish.
The separately sold dedicated stand adjusts from 32 to 115 cm in height, so beside the sofa, at your desk, or by your bed, you can turn your favorite spot into a place to play.
Product specifications
The main specifications are listed below.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Output | 40 W RMS (Class D) |
| Speakers | 2.1-channel system (carbon-fiber woofer + two 2-inch tweeters) |
| Frequency response | 50 Hz–20 kHz |
| Display | 13.3-inch Full HD (1920 × 1080) multitouch display; tilt adjustable up to 80 degrees |
| Audio processor | 800 MHz DSP |
| CPU / memory / storage | Six cores, up to 1.8 GHz / 4 GB RAM / 64 GB |
| Inputs and outputs | Guitar input: one 1/4-inch jack / line outputs: two 1/4-inch jacks (L/Mono and R) / headphones: one 1/8-inch jack / USB Type-C |
| Wireless | Bluetooth 5.0 / Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) |
| Power | 19 V DC / 3.42 A |
| Dimensions / weight | 314 (W) × 168 (D) × 197 (H) mm / 4.5 kg |
Purchase benefits and pricing
Advance sales in Japan began on August 17, 2026.
The following benefits were offered to users who added the seller as a friend on LINE.
- Launch day only: a special price with up to 21% off
- First 500 customers: a limited-edition metal nameplate
The sales prices at the time were as follows.
• Advance-sale price: ¥128,000 (tax included)
• Regular price: ¥160,000 (tax included)
For reference, the official US store listed it at US$999 (manufacturer's suggested retail price / list price).
Prices and benefits reflect information as of August 2026. Details and eligibility conditions may change, so check the seller's website before purchasing.
Summary
Make a sound the moment you feel like playing, without any additional setup.
Ultimately, that is the value LAVA STUDIO offers.
Add more than 25,000 tones, recording tools, and lessons, and it goes well beyond the role of a practice amp.
It should be a particularly good fit if you want a music setup in limited space at home, an easier way to keep practicing guitar, or a way to record ideas immediately.
Take a look at this device as a way to give yourself more time to play guitar.