TOP 3 Plugins: Guitar Amp Sims
Developments in computing power brings new guitar amplifier software that can recreate sweet sizzling amplifiers with complex distortion algorithms. Now there are so many options to choose from on the market - but which are the best ? (In my humble opinion, of course !)
Amplitube 5 - The Jack of All Trades
So you play a bit of everything on guitar. You want to be able to record a bit of everything on guitar too? Then look no further ! Amplitube 5 really has all that you need.
Seriously, there’s way too much to choose from within this plugin. Not only does it have a zillion guitar amps & cabs to choose from, but also there’s also so many pedal effects - you might as well sell all your real ones to fund this plugin’s price tag of $299.99. I’m kidding don’t do that.
Although this plugin has so many features and is endorsed by top brands like Fender & Mesa Boogie, I feel like if you’re specifically only looking to record metal or high gain music, then other plugins can do a slightly better job for a much lower price point.
Introducing! The current monarch of high gain amp sims, Neural DSP.
Neural DSP: Archetype Gojira
Just listen to that video. Gnarly. If you’re not a metal-head then please refer to Amplitube above. However, if you’re wanting to get heavy tones, then you can’t really do much better than this.
I can’t get over how good this sounds. Maybe this is because I’m a big fan of Gojira. The amp sim even sounds better than the tones captured in some of their earlier records. This plugin features 3 different amp models, with the high gain amp (to my ears) being a modified classic Peavey 5150.
Archetype: Gojira includes many effects too. The preamp section features an overdrive, distortion, phaser and a chorus. In the FX loop section the plugin features a pitch shifter and an octaver for seriously dirty guitar tones.
For all this quality sound emulation and these features, the plugin only comes to £129 (see here). If you are looking to record only metal then I recommend this plugin over amplitube. However, the drawback is that this has nowhere near the amount of features or flexibility as the latter plugin shown.
Neural DSP: Archetype Tim Henson
If only this plugin came with the same amount of talent as Tim Henson, the guitarist from Polyphia.
I put this plugin here because it provides a truly unique and modern tone. Many young modern musicians are gravitating towards the sound of this RnB, trap & math rock fusion genre. This plugin is definitely the best way to access that sound.
Archetype: Tim Henson comes with 3 amp simulations as with most of the archetype series by Neural DSP. It features an acoustic amp, a glassy crunch amp and a smooth distortion lead.
Apart from delivering really smooth, crisp & clear tones, what really sets this plugin apart is the multivoicer FX unit. The creativity that is unit inspires is endless ! This harmonies your guitar signal to any chosen key and scale, turning your instrument into a really cool (almost?) synth.
In addition to the multivoicer FX, this plugin features many other effects too. In the preamp there are boost, compressor and overdrive pedals. Post cabinet features stereo chorus, delay and reverb units. Of course, all of these pedal units are top notch quality.
For all this, Archetype: Tim Henson comes to £119.99 and can be found here.
Thanks for checking out this blog post. These truly are some of my favourite plugins! Please let me know what you think down below, or feel free to share some of your favourite amp sims :)
