Your 5 favorite virtual guitar amps

[Hink]

Peter, no offense but amp companies being happy about their models being in AT might also be about marketing

I'll never like the concept but that's just me, I get why it is so but I ignore the names and listen to the tone. I do question if customers are paying more for the cost of licensing the brand name though. The other thing that bugs me is I thought 40 some odd years ago (and 30 and 20 and 10 and...) someday I would never hear an amp advertised with "sounds just like a Marshall"...I have given up on that and AT is only about 1% of the reason why so please do not feel I'm singling out IK...back in the day when every SS amp advertised "sounds just like a Marshall" I felt exactly the same...I hated it then and I hate it now, for me either an amp has it or it doesn't...I dont like all Marhalls, or Fenders, or Boogies (I could go on) and no one can see what I use...but again that's me and I'm

[Hink]

Seems a lot of slightly neurotic unwritten forum decorum here at KVR.

I see no problem with reps, however many, from IK Multimedia, or any other company/developer, posting into threads.

IK Multimedia reps, specifically, make it quite easy to find someone to speak with, ask a question of, or request help from with their presence here, while occasionally being treated somewhat rudely at the same time.

Just mentioning so there wasn't an implied total consensus opinion against it.

I see your point and agree being able to get the attention of a rep is good...however (and this seems to be improving quite a bit) when reps from one company go into a thread about a product from another company to push their product I do feel that is way out of line. I see it as similar to going into say Burger King to advertise for Wendy's, that imo is disrespectful and does not make said company look good.

Another way to look at it is like this (coming from my retail days), in stores companies pay for where their product is displayed. How would it be if you were in the Roland section of a store checking out a keyboard and a rep (not a store employee) from Korg was there telling you why you should buy a Korg?

So there is a middle ground here that I believe should be respected by all companies

[beau921]

Seems a lot of slightly neurotic unwritten forum decorum here at KVR.

I see no problem with reps, however many, from IK Multimedia, or any other company/developer, posting into threads.

IK Multimedia reps, specifically, make it quite easy to find someone to speak with, ask a question of, or request help from with their presence here, while occasionally being treated somewhat rudely at the same time.

Just mentioning so there wasn't an implied total consensus opinion against it.

I see your point and agree being able to get the attention of a rep is good...however (and this seems to be improving quite a bit) when reps from one company go into a thread about a product from another company to push their product I do feel that is way out of line. I see it as similar to going into say Burger King to advertise for Wendy's, that imo is disrespectful and does not make said company look good.

Another way to look at it is like this (coming from my retail days), in stores companies pay for where their product is displayed. How would it be if you were in the Roland section of a store checking out a keyboard and a rep (not a store employee) from Korg was there telling you why you should buy a Korg?

So there is a middle ground here that I believe should be respected by all companies

We're on a discussion forum here, not in a store.

Big difference.

So, no, I guess I still see it only my way. But, thanks for trying.

I guess I just live in a less rigid KVR world than some.

Apologies to the OP for my part in slightly derailing your thread.

[Hink]

Seems a lot of slightly neurotic unwritten forum decorum here at KVR.

I see no problem with reps, however many, from IK Multimedia, or any other company/developer, posting into threads.

IK Multimedia reps, specifically, make it quite easy to find someone to speak with, ask a question of, or request help from with their presence here, while occasionally being treated somewhat rudely at the same time.

Just mentioning so there wasn't an implied total consensus opinion against it.

I see your point and agree being able to get the attention of a rep is good...however (and this seems to be improving quite a bit) when reps from one company go into a thread about a product from another company to push their product I do feel that is way out of line. I see it as similar to going into say Burger King to advertise for Wendy's, that imo is disrespectful and does not make said company look good.

Another way to look at it is like this (coming from my retail days), in stores companies pay for where their product is displayed. How would it be if you were in the Roland section of a store checking out a keyboard and a rep (not a store employee) from Korg was there telling you why you should buy a Korg?

So there is a middle ground here that I believe should be respected by all companies

We're on a discussion forum here, not in a store.

Big difference.

So, no, I guess I still see it only my way. But, thanks for trying.

I guess I just live in a less rigid KVR world than some.

Apologies to the OP for my part in slightly derailing your thread.

I respectfully disagree, companies advertise here and those are the threads I speak of. Threads where one company announces a new product (or update) and another company jumps in are what I'm talking about, not threads like this...respect is respect, plain and simple...let me ask you this then...if you post a song in the cafe and I come in and post a song in your thread telling other listeners mine sounds better would that be cool with you? More important because my post was constructive criticism, if I did that who would look bad? FWIW I am far from rigid when it comes to posting

edit: also many companies here have their forums here so this is far more than just a discussion forum

[beau921]

I respectfully disagree, companies advertise here and those are the threads I speak of. Threads where one company announces a new product (or update) and another company jumps in are what I'm talking about, not threads like this...respect is respect, plain and simple...let me ask you this then...if you post a song in the cafe and I come in and post a song in your thread telling other listeners mine sounds better would that be cool with you? More important because my post was constructive criticism, if I did that who would look bad? FWIW I am far from rigid when it comes to posting

edit: also many companies here have their forums here so this is far more than just a discussion forum

I'm not going to keep going back and forth page after page of this thread.
You seem determined I am to see it your way, and I'm not. So, you can save yourself the trouble of writing analogies.

I said what I said, I meant it, I stand by it, and am not going to ammend it to please anyone because they disagree with me.

As for posting your songs, as far as I'm concerned, post them anywhere you like.

I once saw another artist's music mixed into the Led Zeppelin bin at the record store, and Jimmy Page wasn't standing there to complain to the store and make sure I knew the difference.

But in staying with the original intent of this thread, I wouldn't rank virtual amp simulators in a particular order, because I find good in all of them. Plus, I use a lot of hardware.

Honorable mention has to go to, in no particular order, AmpLion Pro, GTR, Guitar Rig, and Pod Farm.

That said, my top 2 are Amplitube 3 and Revalver III.

Of those, I probably open Amplitube 3 most often, because I was reading a thread here and 3 IK Multimedia reps popped out of my computer and told me to download and begin using Amplitube 3 Free. I became confused and couldn't think for myself enough to decide what I like. It's all their fault.

Ok, it could also be the streamlned interface, sound, and that with the Custom Shop I can fill it with only the gear models I want and will use.

I could go into deeper detail as to why, but I'd most likely be telling you things about the product you already know.

One positive about Revalver III is the ability to load third party plugins. Maybe at some point an additional feature added to Amplitube 3?

If there was a race toward anything, it seems, to this point Amplitube 3 has won it.

Even so, they continue competing by improving and adding to the product, which is a win for the user.

And, if they market a little in doing so, that's called making an effort to stay in business.

[strangedogs]

Headcase, Amplitube 3, Studio Devil Pro, Kuassa Creme and LE456

[ObiWonder]

Well, regardless of who you picked, thanks for all the AmpliTube Custom Shop shout outs.

[SuperNashwan]

Things have moved on to the point where a lot of amp sims sound perfectly decent, if not totally believable as real hardware. I put both Guitar Rig and Amplitube in that category, where I can have fun playing them but each has a distinct character to its tube modelling that gives it away. Not even in an unmusical way, but still lacking somehow and a nagging reminder that I have real tube amps I could be playing instead, inconvenient as they sometimes are. And then I tried S-Gear and for the first time I could be properly convinced I was playing with real tubes. It helps that the amps are extremely tonally versatile too thanks to Mike's experience. I'd gush about it at length but I'd end up sounding like one of the more obvious astroturfers that hang around KVR, all I'll say is go try S-Gear, you're an idiot if you don't, no matter how invested or happy you are with your current sims.
So S-Gear is my top 3, pick two of LePou's for the last two, err SoloC and Le456 I guess.

[sergevoluminous]

S-Gear is the only thing I would buy right back if I had to. Every other piece of software I own I would rather have the money back instead.

[ariajazz]

Demoed S-Gear and liked it a lot. I have tried and own almost all amp sims out there. They all have their pros and cons. Lately I'm using AT3 almost exclusively due to its versatility and great tone, you have everything right out of the box. Magix Vandal is amazing too, sounds and feels very real. Some amps in GR5 are quite good as well. IR's..... mmmm they sound very good but I prefer to tweak mic positions in AT3, it is faster and easier, you can apply the real thing knowledge and get great tones. In despite of what many people say about AT3's Marshalls I have achieved very good tones out of the JCM800 and 900 models, better ones than Simulanalog, which is enough to say, at least for my ears. Try these amps with Modern cabinets (Mesa ones) and you'll see what I'm talking about. AT Fender does not convince me, I have tried it many times, no way. Simulanalog TWIN is a far way better. Revalver... good one, I have to use it more and squeeze all its juice. Overloud TH2, I don't like it at all.
The Freebies, LePou and AcmeBarGig are great. Try CAB ENHANCER from ABG, you'll be suprised. I use it always in my chain.

[Amon1973]

Simulanalog TWIN is a far way better. Revalver... good one, I have to use it more and squeeze all its juice. Overloud TH2, I don't like it at all.

Maybe you should try TH2 again, it's the commercial evolution of Simulanalog

By the way, my personal list would look something like this:

Studio Devil VGAII / AMP
Amplitube 3 (especially the SLO100 and ANGER, but also lots of nice stomps and FX)
TH2 (Randall and Brunetti, but I also like the Soldano)
Kuassa Creme
Nick Crow 8505

EDIT: Let me fit also Amplion Pro in the list, some emulations are truly convincing
Oh, and when speaking of just heads without all the bells and whistles, I'd put the 8505 right at the second place!

[AudioGuy720]

In despite of what many people say about AT3's Marshalls I have achieved very good tones out of the JCM800 and 900 models, better ones than Simulanalog, which is enough to say, at least for my ears. Try these amps with Modern cabinets (Mesa ones) and you'll see what I'm talking about.

+1 . I OWN a JCM 900 and the old British Tube Lead 2 amp + Slash 1960AV (which is about what I have, I have a 1960A cab) sounds as good if not better than the real deal.

I also own a Fender Twin Reverb and think IK comes close to the sound of it. It's a bit more trebly than the real deal but I think it fits better in a mix. Plus that could just be that I have a vintage 1965 Twin and their model is based off the reissue. Either way I really love their Fender models.

I think the reason a lot of people aren't happy with guitar sims is they're expecting to plug in a crappy guitar into a crappy DI box (or line input LMAO) and get a great sound. Not gonna happen. At least not without a LOT of finessing.

You NEED a great sounding guitar, ideally fresh strings, a decent DI box...heck I'd even go far as to say the cable quality matters to an extent. Combine all those along with the most important element: a great guitar player, and you have a large basement full of guitar tone inside your computer.

Have a weak link in the chain? Don't blame Amplitube or any other guitar sim for that matter. Get your "pre-computer chain" situated and then see...

[ariajazz]

AudioGuy720

You're completely right about all these elements, I use an ART MP Studio (tube preamp) as a DI and it makes a lot of difference in tone, it gives warmth to the incoming signal and adecuates impedance for the interface (this is crucial), even if your interface has hi Z input the pre gives a strong and nice signal. Other things to mention is to have the sims at the highest sampling resolution (specialy for distortion and hi gain tones). Also try to set your card to 88K or 96K sampling rates and you'll get fuller digital conversion of the analog signal. Techniques like Equing with narrow notchs at some certain frequencies help get rid of some buzzy sound and "whistles" in some cases and when needed. Wave Arts MR Noise cleans your tone getting the cleanest sound you can ever have without compromising your tone character. As alcohol, use it with care.

I've been using amp sims since Amplitube 2 release and I'm now playing with them almost exclusively, not only for recording but for live performances as well. I built a dedicated PC with an AMD Athlon II x2 270 (3.4 Ghz), 4 Giga RAM 1333 DDR2. Nlited Win XP OS specially suited for audio. Output goes to two keyboard amps (80 watt each) with 12" CELESTION True Voice speakers on them and believe me they move air. Amp sims give endless possibilities and amazing tones, you just have to work them right.

I will give TH2 a try again and see the results, maybe it is the GUI that is a bit strange and gets me away from this software. I also own Amplion but haven't play with it too much. Kuassa Creme... too fizzy and noisy for my taste. Tried Izotope Trash once and liked the crunchy sound I got from it.

[Leibregime]

1. ReValver MK3.5
2. Guitar Rig 5 Pro
3. TH2

...also like to grind guitars through Trash

[AudioGuy720]

AudioGuy720

You're completely right about all these elements, I use an ART MP Studio (tube preamp) as a DI and it makes a lot of difference in tone, it gives warmth to the incoming signal and adecuates impedance for the interface (this is crucial), even if your interface has hi Z input the pre gives a strong and nice signal. Other things to mention is to have the sims at the highest sampling resolution (specialy for distortion and hi gain tones). Also try to set your card to 88K or 96K sampling rates and you'll get fuller digital conversion of the analog signal. Techniques like Equing with narrow notchs at some certain frequencies help get rid of some buzzy sound and "whistles" in some cases and when needed. Wave Arts MR Noise cleans your tone getting the cleanest sound you can ever have without compromising your tone character. As alcohol, use it with care.

I've been using amp sims since Amplitube 2 release and I'm now playing with them almost exclusively, not only for recording but for live performances as well. I built a dedicated PC with an AMD Athlon II x2 270 (3.4 Ghz), 4 Giga RAM 1333 DDR2. Nlited Win XP OS specially suited for audio. Output goes to two keyboard amps (80 watt each) with 12" CELESTION True Voice speakers on them and believe me they move air. Amp sims give endless possibilities and amazing tones, you just have to work them right.

+1!

I always roll with high sample rates so most definitely go that route. No cutting corners on quality. I'm running a Radial J48 with a George L cable and a vintage Stratocaster as my main guitar. Pickup upgrades, fresh Dean Markley vintage re-issue strings whenever I am "seriously" recording. Either do things correctly or blame yourself later, right?

The most important thing is I get a trusted luthier to tune up my guitar to ensure it is in good shape. I also try to keep the guitars at room temperature/not store them in a basement or attic where temperatures get crazy.

And yeah for whatever reason I could never get into TH2 either. Loved Simuanalog (their JCM 900 sim also sounded pretty darn good) but never liked the sound of TH2. Maybe I'm just happy with Amplitube's offerings and want to save money?