Favorite amp sim and why

[PurpleCatfishBettie]

Agreed, all i can say is that, if i can, while recording either a) hear the actual guitar through one ear (and not in the phones), or b) not hear the guitar at all, the track seems to 'line up' better on playback.

Often, it does involve at least some small amount of 'chopping' of the guitar track to line up the actual playback 'start point.'

[redshift factor]

My favorite ampsim is AmpliTube 3, easily, because it has the most realistic sound of all ampsims, and enough models and flexibility that I can dial in a pretty convincing recreation of the guitar tone from most songs with just a little bit of knowledge of the gear used, and some careful tweaking. The sound of the designer impostors found in AmpliTube 3 come extremely close to the real thing, and the new miking scheme provides a very wide variety for your ambient recording environment. Together, these can give you just about any guitar tone that's been recorded, and countless ones that haven't been, yet.

[Agreed]

Agreed, all i can say is that, if i can, while recording either a) hear the actual guitar through one ear (and not in the phones), or b) not hear the guitar at all, the track seems to 'line up' better on playback.

Often, it does involve at least some small amount of 'chopping' of the guitar track to line up the actual playback 'start point.'

Sure, it sounds like it's just a unique work flow thing for you, if it helps you make music then that's the way to go

Thanks for humoring me and explaining further, I hope it didn't seem as though I were criticizing your method - just curious about it.

[redshift factor]

Another thing that really makes AmpliTube special among all ampsims is how much I've learned about guitar gear from using it. For example, before AmpliTube, I didn't know the difference between the Marshall sound and the Fender sound. Now, I can identify them on a record. And I can tell you which flanger a guitarist is using. I have a much better idea of what gear I like, and know now what to get. I'd advise anyone looking to invest in more guitar gear to consult AmpliTube 3 first.

[shogger]

Another thing that really makes AmpliTube special among all ampsims is how much I've learned about guitar gear from using it. For example, before AmpliTube, I didn't know the difference between the Marshall sound and the Fender sound. Now, I can identify them on a record. And I can tell you which flanger a guitarist is using. I have a much better idea of what gear I like, and know now what to get. I'd advise anyone looking to invest in more guitar gear to consult AmpliTube 3 first.

Best A3 commercial I heard yet!

Shogger

[Silenceborn]

Another thing that really makes AmpliTube special among all ampsims is how much I've learned about guitar gear from using it. For example, before AmpliTube, I didn't know the difference between the Marshall sound and the Fender sound. Now, I can identify them on a record. And I can tell you which flanger a guitarist is using. I have a much better idea of what gear I like, and know now what to get. I'd advise anyone looking to invest in more guitar gear to consult AmpliTube 3 first.

I used to think like that. Get real Fender and Marshal to FEEL the real difference, real air push when you play a power chord , And NO I'm not against any Amp sims, but I do not believe AT is that close to the real deal tbh, don't get me wrong though, I'm using them all the time myself for many of my projects, even sometime I use amp sims instead of real amps for their fun factor and ease of use, but the real difference between Real Amps and Amp Sims is STILL HUGE. IMHO.

However the closest one to my ears so far is Vandal. And though it is very close, I want to mention that amp sims genrally can not simulate all the aspects and all the factors of a real amps, for instance they can not simulate the feedback and harmonics just like the real deal, especially in live situations, or they can not simulate the AIR PUSH, or the real feel of the strings when they truly fadeout to darkness after your chords. But these are not Amp sims problems, we could not blame them or their creators, its the limitations of the physical worlds, in fact you should blame Gods for these, if you want !

Best A3 commercial I heard yet!

Shogger

Indeed !



Cheers

[redshift factor]

Get real Fender and Marshal to FEEL the real difference, real air push when you play a power chord

Ampsims aren't supposed to simulate live amps. They are only meant to replicate the sound of a recorded amp.

However the closest one to my ears so far is Vandal.

Magix Vandal amp sim = Winner in terms of sound quality so far, right?

And though it is very close, I want to mention that amp sims genrally can not simulate all the aspects and all the factors of a real amps, for instance they can not simulate the feedback and harmonics just like the real deal, especially in live situations

AmpliTube does. That's one of the many things that puts it head and shoulders above all other ampsims in terms of realism and responsiveness.

or they can not simulate the AIR PUSH

They can if you use a cranked 4x12 cab as your speaker.

[Silenceborn]

Well, after playing and recording with more than 10 real world miced amps and cabinets, I for myself am sure that NO AM SIM can recreate and simulate the real world amps 100%, but there are some amp sims which are able to simulate them in a very realistic/convincing close way and that is why I still believe in this sentence :

"Magix Vandal amp sim = Winner in terms of sound quality so far"

, and that is why I'm still using em all the time. However I still believe that AT(2,3) are not that close to the real deal to my ears anymore, maybe they were 4 years ago, but not now, maybe they are very realistic for you, but not for me indeed. ears and tastes are different for sure, especially in terms of sounds and music.

About the Live situation and the FEELING of a real amp, if you ever recorded a real amp in live, you can clearly feel and hear the DIFFERENCE, even in recorded live tracks.


Anyway I am happy that you are satisfied with AT that much !


Cheers !

[skank]

Another thing that really makes AmpliTube special among all ampsims is how much I've learned about guitar gear from using it. For example, before AmpliTube, I didn't know the difference between the Marshall sound and the Fender sound. Now, I can identify them on a record. And I can tell you which flanger a guitarist is using. I have a much better idea of what gear I like, and know now what to get. I'd advise anyone looking to invest in more guitar gear to consult AmpliTube 3 first.

Best A3 commercial I heard yet!

Shogger

+100

[buscemi]

Well, I'm one with obvious bias in this thread (at least it has been made obvious on purpose - I'm with IK, said so here on KVR the minute I was) and I'll just say that I'll give a quick example: I don't recall which tracks on the new AC/DC record use AmpliTube (v2, not even 3!) in the mix and I can't tell which when listening through it. I suggest the same or similar exercise for those that feel that even in recordings some feel or magic of real amps is evident instantly. And, noting that I never throw around credentials - though they've been mentioned indirectly before, I'm pretty sure I've got some truly relevant training and experience far outside of my current employment that might make the admission of not being able to tell in the mix (and that can and probably does include a competitive product or two, I'll admit that) a bit surprising but I've been known to be both brutally honest and not at all too snooty to admit things like this.

[Gonz]

I'm not an active member in KVR but I visit the forums every day and I've been doing it for some time now. As English is not my mother tongue it takes me more time to express myself. Also, my knowledge in mixing and mastering is very limited but I've been playing the guitar for many many years now.
I also find Vandal excellent, far beyond Guitar Rig and Amplitube. And I'm not paid by Magix. It doesn't have as many effects as Guitar Rig or Amplitube, but in my personal opinion, there is no comparison if we are talking about driven sounds or hi-gain. I would like it to be standalone also.
Thanks Sascha.

[Manc Chris]

Vandal sounds interesting. Anyone know the demo limitations?

[Steviebone]

Well at the risk of being flamed... all I can say is the other day after reading all these AT3 sermons lately I pulled out the plug and set up multiple sends to my board so I could easily A/B or blend sounds from multiple amp sims.

To my ears, AT3 is sterile, static and flat sounding compared to Vandal. Whats more, it's nowhere near as CPU efficient, especially with multiple instances.

The Vandal FX and stomps are largely so-so, but the amp sim itself is the best sounding of all by far if you take the time to tweak it. Personally I don't care about stomps and fx. There are plenty of good plugs out there to serve these purposes anyway. Just stick a good Mokafix in front.

Speaking of fronts, here's an interesting try... put one or more Antares Tubes in front of Vandal...

Anyway, flame on... I don't work for Vandal, in fact have not ponied up yet awaiting the MIDI fix... but I see no comparison between AT3 and Vandal except for a fancier GUI and better FX. I frankly can't understand all the AT3 hype.

And that's not a slam on AT. I like alot of their products. There was a time when AT ruled. But in my humble opinion, both Studio Devil Pro and Vandal outshine AT3 in terms of sound and playability.

Bear in mind, no two people like the same real world amps so why should we expect amp sims to be any different? Use whatever works for you. In the words of the immortal Franky, just "Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar"!

[Hink]

Get real Fender and Marshal to FEEL the real difference, real air push when you play a power chord

Ampsims aren't supposed to simulate live amps. They are only meant to replicate the sound of a recorded amp.

However the closest one to my ears so far is Vandal.

Magix Vandal amp sim = Winner in terms of sound quality so far, right?

And though it is very close, I want to mention that amp sims genrally can not simulate all the aspects and all the factors of a real amps, for instance they can not simulate the feedback and harmonics just like the real deal, especially in live situations

AmpliTube does. That's one of the many things that puts it head and shoulders above all other ampsims in terms of realism and responsiveness.

or they can not simulate the AIR PUSH

They can if you use a cranked 4x12 cab as your speaker.

I really like AT3, but would you please show me the natural feedback button? I disagree that amp sims are only meant to replicate the sound of a recorded amp. If that were true it would sample based, a sim is designed to allow the artist to record their guitar without the limitations of a live amp.

But then you already know that because of the last thing you say, which brings up another point. Just pushing a sound through a 4x12 does not a guitar amp make.

The fact is that the biggest problem when it comes to live amps vs. sims is that there is a thing like live amps vs. sims. The polarization is a problem, it's not either/or. The fact is a tube amp has something that's not able to be simulated, tubes are microphonic the amps are subject to other outside factors and little changes outside of the control of the amp or sim makes a difference (why live during a soundcheck you'll find me wandering to find my sweet spot). The fact is that tube amps are generally one trick ponies, or I should say were as many are multi channel now. Real amps are not consistent and it doesn't matter what amp, there will always be a difference in tone from different amps (with the exception of amps that are all matched for to be used together).

I had a modded plexi for years, I was identified by my amp often because I loved it..."Hink has that modded Marshall". After a few years I changed tubes in it, that ended my enjoyment of that amp. At the time the local music store was sell Freds/Bedrock amps (tube amps that were short lived) and Laneys. My best friend, bass player and roommate was away for his two weeks of national guard duty. I took my guitar over to the music store to try the Laneys and Fred's, both were too bottom heavy for me. (all heads my cabs were a 2x12 tusc with fanes and a straight 4x12 hi-watt with fanes).

I saw in the corner near the back room a Boogie head on the floor, I asked the owner (small town so we knew each other well) about it. He said he just took on trade and I asked him if it I good try it. Turned out to be an SOB (I have another SOB head now), I plugged into that amp and minutes later (like two or three) I asked "Dave, what will you give me for a trade value"?

Seeing how I bought the tubes from him, he knew my amp and he wanted it, we traded even. When my bussy came home he looked in my room and nearly had a heart attack...no Marshall. Meanwhile (this was like 85) last I heard from the "Dave" he was still using my plexi.

Sims do not have this quality except for the fact that they give you so many choices you can hear the difference. My issues with my plexi was all about, my amp, my tone and what I was use to. But as the tubes were failing that was a thing of the past, changing them out was too much of a change and instead of refreshing it was frustrating. A sim will not change, a sim doesn't have a burn in period and it doesn't have the proper or should I say realistic interaction between the input, pre-amp and power amp. This was one of the reasons Marshall put l.e.d.s in the input stage on the valvestate line.

But a real amp in a live setting is not as critical as recording. The same club from one night to another can create a different sound out of your amp just because of the amount of people there.

I'll take a real amp for live every time (though my live playing days are over), I'll take a sim for recording because of the fact I'm not locked in. I do not have a favorite sim nor do I have a favorite amp but the truth is the ultimate truth behind amps and sims is that I'm not going into a music store to demo sims. Whenever possible I want to try an amp.

Last night I was tooling around with Vandal, very quickly I dialed in a tone I wanted and was wailing away just keeping my chops up. I decided to hit record and record my dry signal. I sat down after and copied the signal, hard panned the Vandal to the left and the other track to the right. I wanted to create a similar sound using AT3.

I sat down and first was choosing an amp model, settled with a 5150 emulation. Tweaked the amp using the matched cab and the mic placement settings, and slowly narrowed it down to quite close. But all those choices meant a lot of think, not plug and play for sure. Then I put a mono chorus from the rack section on the AT3 (subtle) because I like the old school way of stereo like this.

The bottom line, in just about 39 years of playing guitar and owning so many amps, sims and what have you I can honestly say the one thing I have yet to find is the best. I suspect only a unicorn has the best of anything.

A strength with Vandal is the plug and play aspect, of course I can do this with any sim just by using presets Vandal has more of a real amp feel to me when tweaking with the guitar in my lap. (not a time for "think" for me) My other sims including AT3 are more about when I put my thinking cap on and am playing the mixer role.

The difference is with the guitar in my lap I'm jamming, tweaking, jamming etc and eventually my guitar playing is adapting to the sound I have chosen and my tone is also complimenting my playing style. When I re-amp I'm choosing the tone that fits the mix and the over all the character of the tone I want for the song, which requires more think. Still the idea of preset browsing is foreign to me, knob tweaking is a trigger to start my creative juices flowing (thinking is not).

A live amp? Well when I play live I dont want to sound the exact same every time, I want my signature needs fulfilled but I'm not going to even play the song the same way twice. That's what playing live is to me, the place to have fun and not be critical. I'm going to get triggers off the audience and off of my band mates all of which come together to make each performance unique.

It's not either/or it's what tool do I need for this, having a bunch of sims makes for great fun and less aggravation when recording. But there is no best, just the best at the moment.

[Silenceborn]

I frankly can't understand all the AT3 hype.

Same here to be honest ^^ .

It's not either/or it's what tool do I need for this, having a bunch of sims makes for great fun and less aggravation when recording. But there is no best, just the best at the moment.

I could not agree more tbh. very well said.



Cheers and as Steviebone said : just "Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar"!