AmpliTube 4 is a guitar and bass tone studio for Mac/PC that works as a standalone application and as a plug-in for your favorite DAW. AmpliTube recreates the entire guitar/bass signal chain from instrument to recording device, and does so in a very realistic and intuitive way. But it also does it in ways you never dreamed possible.
- Guitar Amps For Sale Cheap
- Guitar Amp For Microphone
- Free Guitar Amp Simulator For Mac
- Amplifier For Acoustic Guitar
Below is a round up of the best free and paid amp sims for playing guitar using a computer instead of the old school method of playing through a “real” amp.
Amp sims have come a long way in recent years. Their realism and sound quality has improved immensely to the point where it can be impossible to distinguish them from the real thing.
Not all amp sims are on the same level, and none can achieve every possible guitar tone or specific kind of sound.
Some sims are better than others for certain types of music, and some end up sounding great for things you wouldn’t expect.
Basically it all just comes down to a ton to testing to see which amp sims are the best for the particular sound that you are going for; there’s not one “best” amp sim for everything.
- From amp cases to replacement parts, we offer a wide range of guitar amplifier accessories. We'll help you outfit your rig with everything you need, allowing you to focus on giving your best performance. Your tone and your ability to be heard are important to you. They're important to us, too.
- A full-range guitar amp designed for all levels of players. Spark is a powerhouse 40 Watt combo that packs some serious thunder. With bass, mid and treble tone stack controls, plus handy mod, delay and reverb effects, tone starter preset programs, a built-in tuner, tap tempo and more, you'll be blown away by Spark's versatility and authentic.
- Guitar Amplifiers from Amazon.com. When you're playing for an audience, good guitar amplifiers are a must. They help to pick up the sound of your electric or acoustic guitar and project it across the room. Whether you're playing in a small club or a large venue, you need to choose the right guitar amplifiers to meet your needs.
There are way more amp sims on the market for guitar (not so much for bass amp sims) than you’d think, so let’s get this list started.
Additionally, depending on the amp sim you are using, you may also need to use a separate cabinet loader and some impulse responses (cabinet simulations).
If you’re new to all this, here are some tips for making guitars sound better with amp sims. You’ll need a good equalizer (like the free DDMF IIEQ Pro EQ) and it helps to have a tubescreamer pedal in front with high gain amps (like the free TSE 808 pedal). And of course you’ll need a digital audio workstation to work in; here’s a list of free DAWs that can get you started making music in no time.
Free Amp Sims
Guitar Amps For Sale Cheap
LePou Amp Sims – There are five amp sims included in the LePou plugins package, including simulations of a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, an ENGL Powerball amp, and a Marshal amp. There’s also a free IR loader for cabinet simulations but it’s only available in 32-bit. A good alternative is NadIR from Ignite Amps.
Brainworx bx_rockrack V3 Player – The Brainworx V3 Player is the free version of their bx_rockrack V3 amp sim collection. It includes a bunch of presets for several amp sim models. The limitation with the free version is you can’t adjust any of the parameters other than the volume. But the presets cover a number of tones and sound really good, and you can always use other plugins and EQs to shape the tone outside of the plugin.
Amplitube 4 Free – You can get access to some free gear from IK by installing their AmpliTube Custom Shop, with the free version of AmpliTube 4 that includes 4 amps, 5 cabinets, 9 stomp boxes, 3 mics and 2 rack effects. But beware, it’s like a gateway drug that induces buying more gear from IK.
Voxengo Boogex – The Voxengo Boogex amp sim is one of the better options for a free amp sim plugin. It includes a built-in reverb module, a noise gate, a cabinet IR loader that supports 3rd party IRs, and a spectrum analyzer. It’s available in VST, AU, and AAX formats for PC and Mac.
Mercuriall Tube Amp Ultra 530 Free – Mercuriall Audio offers a free version of their U530 amp that simulates the ENGL E530 preamp. The free version has a number of limitations but it still works and sounds quite good with a very minimal amount of tweaking. Mercuriall also offers some other free amp sims, including ones for the Marshall JCM800.
Ignite Amps – There a number of really good free plugins available from Ignite Amps. They have everything from an IR loader, a bass amp, tube amps, pedals, and even a vintage tube equalizer.
AmpLion Free – Audiffex offers a free version of their AmpLion amp modeling software. One advantage with it over most other free amps is that it can be used as a standalone application without having to use a DAW. They also offer some other free gear, including a bass amp, and a bunch of simulated pedals, cabinets and microphones.
Vadim Taranov Amp Simulation – Vadim Taranov offers several free VST plugins in 32-bit that simulate amps such as the ENGL Invader, Marshall JCM800, ENGL E530, Peavey 5150, and more.
Paid Amp Sims
Amplitube 4 – Price: $149-$299, with frequent sales
Amplitube has been among the top brands for guitar amp sims for some time, with over two dozen available amps and a crapload of cabinets, speakers, mics, and effects. Amplitube 4 is a very comprehensive set of software with over a hundred paid add-ons and packages. The sheer number of choices and tweaking options with Amplitube can be overwhelming. See my AmpliTube 4 Review for more information and a video demo.
Scuffham S-Gear – Price: $129
A lot of people that use amps sims often and are familiar with the different brands consider S-Gear to be one of the best options around. S-Gear includes 5 amps, an IR loader with cabinet sims and a few effects. They offer a 15-day fully functional trial.
Guitar Amp For Microphone
Thermionik – Price: $35 per 5-amp bundle, or $9 per amp
Thermionik includes 30 total amps to choose from. They come in sets of 5 amps for $35 with the option to make your own bundle or buy each individually for $8.99. There’s also a complete bundle package with everything for $149, which also includes an IR loader, cabinet sims, a clipper, and EQ as well. Kazrog’s plugins don’t have sexy graphics like the other brands but their sound quality is top notch. Amp models include Fender, Marshall, Peavey, Mesa Boogie, ENGL, Vox, and more.
BIAS – Price: $69-$169
BIAS is a bit different in that it also offers an amp matching feature to capture any miked amp or recorded track. 36 HD amp models are included in the amp package, plus effects cabinets, mics and tons of customization options.
Guitar Rig 5 Pro – Price: $199
Guitar Rig 5 from Native Instruments is a complete guitar amp modelling package that features 17 amp models, 27 cabinets, 8 microphones and 54 stompboxes and rack effects.
Brainworx Amps and Pedals – Price: $49-$249
There are several different guitar amp and pedal simulations available from Brainworx over at Plugin Alliance, but they are some of the more expensive options on this list.
Line 6 Helix Native – Price: $399
Helix Native has a ton of amps and effects that can be used in a DAW independently from Line 6 hardware. It includes over 60 guitar amps, 30 cabinets, and 100 effects. There is no standalone version so a DAW is required, but it can load 3rd party IRs. There is no free version to try but there is a 15-day fully-functional demo.
Waves GTR3 – Price: $129
The Guitar Tool Rack from Waves includes over 30 amps, 30 Cabs, and 25 stompboxes. The have models for Fender, Vox, Mesa/Boogie, Marshall, and others.
Avid Eleven MK II – Price: $499
If money is no object and you are a Pro Tools users, than Avid’s Eleven MK II amp modelling software may be just what you’re looking for. It includes over 30 amps, 18 cabinets and 10 microphones. Works with Pro Tools only.
Peavey Revalver – Price: $99
Revalver 4 is the latest version of Peavey’s own amp modeling software. You can buy amps separately or with a bundle package. As you’d expect, there are a bunch of Peavey amps available, along with a bunch of cabinets and some effects. You can get started with a couple of amp modules and some gear for free.
TSE X50 – Price: $69
TSE X50 includes two amp sims, the Peavey 5150 and ENGL E530. There’re also 3 pedals, an EQ, delay, and tuner. The built-in IR loader comes with some really nice cabinet simulations and you can load your own. See my TSE X50 Review for more information and a video demo.
Mercuriall Tube Amp Ultra 530 – Price: $59
The Mercuriall Tube Amp Ultra 530 is based on the ENGL E530 preamp. The plugin also includes 8 cabinet models and three tube choices.
AmpLion Pro – Price: $99
The paid version of AmpLion’s amp software features simulations of 9 guitar preamps, 7 power amps, 12 speakers, 8 microphones and 30 effects.
TH3 – Price: $249
Overloud’s epic TH3 amp software includes an epic 203 models, with 69 guitar amplifiers and 3 bass amplifiers, 35 guitar cabinets and 2 bass cabinets, 75 pedal and rack effects, and 18 microphone models, with up to four mics on each cabinet.
When you live in an apartment, chances are you don't have a spacious home studio with isolation booths, amp rooms, close and distant microphone set-ups, and massive consoles with gargantuan monitors. For many of us, our one or two bedroom apartment only has a closet or small office carved out for our gear. Guitar players find it especially difficult to play and create music at home and not be sent a warning letter from the management.
I am a life-long guitar player. I finance my gear addiction by working for a property management and development company that specializes in apartment communities. I know the joy and horror of the sound emanating from both sides of the walls, as well as the pain of posting a sound violation on a tenant's door.
Here are five crucial tips to make playing in your apartment possible without calls from the manager’s office or your neighbor pounding on your wall.
Be Honest About Your Volume
Straight to the truth: anything louder than a TV is unacceptable. Traditional tube amps are out. Even a one-watt tube amp like the Blackstar HT-1 is just too loud to properly use in your apartment. Many of us think five watts is low enough, but even the lowly Fender Champ 600 will melt paint and shake the windows before it sounds like 'Layla.'
The best alternative that sounds and feels like a real amp is the Yamaha THR. The THR (THR5 and THR10 models) is one of the only amps designed to sound good at low 'living room' volume, and features a range of models and effects to keep you inspired. I have used this amp since its release in two different apartment communities and never had a complaint. Most importantly, it sounds great.
Electric Guitars are Your Best Roommate
Volume is not your friend, but your electric guitar is. Your favorite acoustic can anger the neighbors just as much as a distorted electric when strummed hard. For quick jamming at home, semi-hollow guitars and Stratocasters work great; you can really dig in and not worry about waking anyone up. Semi-hollow guitars (like the Danelectro Convertible or Epiphone Riviera) give you electric guitar playability and feel, while producing enough volume to keep you happy. Playing your electric unplugged has the added benefit of letting the true tone ring out, giving new insight to what you have to work with when thinking about pickups.
Spend More on Headphones Now ( and Less on Moving Later)
Free Guitar Amp Simulator For Mac
A good set of headphones can save you from having long conversations with the manager. The headphones designed for listening to your iPod are not suited for listing to your guitar (Dr. Dre is no Hendrix). Bigger is better when it comes to monitoring your sound, so over the ear, studio-style headphones are best. The more transparent your headphones are, the better the sound quality will be. This is especially important when playing through amp models and using pedals. I use AKG K44 headphones, which work great. Many newer small tube amps now feature headphone outputs. The Blackstar HT-1 and Yamaha THR10 headphone-outs not only sound great, but also react like the amps would normally.
Noise is Lurking in the Walls, Learn to Deal With It
Amplifier For Acoustic Guitar
Plug your tube amp in, and turn it on without plugging your guitar in. In an apartment you will hear your idling amp make buzz-saw squeals, fuzzed out highs, and bowel-rumbling lows when you're not even playing! The typical apartment building has countless electrical wires, pipes, light fixtures, gas lines, and appliance motors “insulated” behind just an inch or less of drywall. These all make noise that will leach their way into your amp regardless of the quality of your cables and noiselessness of your pickups. You must own a noise gate such as the Boss NS-2 or other similar pedal. These devices will have a minimal effect on your tone, and will save your sanity when playing in the electrical vortex buzz-hum-crackle box that is the common apartment building.
Know Your Space and Make the Most of It
Finally, a non-sound related tip. Your guitars are your treasure -- give them a good home. Never hang a guitar on a wall, as you are only a cheap sheet of drywall away from heartbreak if you didn't safely drill into a stud. Apartment windows are notoriously drafty and leak cold air and moisture. External walls (walls that are directly opposite the outside of the building) in apartments can wildly fluctuate in temperature and moisture. Keep your guitars in cases and in stands away from windows and on interior walls (shared walls between rooms). This will keep temperature and humidity fluctuations to a minimum, and your guitars will require fewer set-ups when seasons change.
Lastly, an important note: buy renter’s insurance. Your property owner is not liable if water leaks, your roof collapses, or theft damages your guitar. Better to have the insurance company buy you a new Les Paul than to cry over a soggy or missing one.
Playing at home will always have tradeoffs, but home is where most of us practice, run through ideas, and record. Being an apartment guitarist will have its challenges, but remembering these tips can ensure that only your spouse will be bothered while the management leaves you in peace.