Tech 21's core product, the SansAmp, was designed by Andrew Barta and introduced in 1989. Although other companies have manufactured multi-effect units, the Sansamp was unique in that it introduced the concept of amp-modeling, that is, altering guitar sound to emulate different amplifiers, and allowed recording direct to a mixing console. Other Tech 21 products have included distortion pedals and bass specific pedals, rack mount units as well as a range of amplifiers that use Sansamp technology built in.