VST software synths, guitar processors, and audio effects
Here is a broad listing of some of the guitar soft synths around at the moment. There is a lot of software for guitar amp & effect modelling to choose from, some of it is free or can come included with certain DAW’s while other items require hard cash. Either which way there are no set rules for where to go to find a particular sound and there is no reason why you shouldn’t draw from all sources available.
Guitar Rig 5 Pro
Get perfect custom tone with a complete guitar studio in your computer. Stunning amps and effects – exquisitely modeled in a powerful and intuitive virtual effects rack. Premium sound quality, maximum flexibility, and total control for guitar, bass and more. Legendary guitar and bass amplifiers, modeled with award-winning Dynamic Tube Response Technology. These amps convey the character, charm, and feel of their real-world counterparts. Each amp has its own matched cabinet plus an extra set of alternative cabinets – 27 exquisite models in all.
Price: Approx $210
Native Instruments Guitar Rig 5 Pro
Peavey ReValver 4
Redesigned from the ground up, ReValver 4 — the latest version of Peavey’s award-winning ReValver modeling software — contains revolutionary amp modeling capabilities that capture the true characteristics of real tube amplifiers. Running Stand Alone or as an AAX/VST or AU plug-in on Mac or PC, ReValver is renowned for its industry-leading amp modeling accuracy which is achieved by modeling an amplifier down to the component level. Now Peavey has updated and improved the modeling engine in ReValver 4, taking amp modeling to a whole new level of realistic tone-shaping possibilities. ReValver 4 also incorporates a GUI and UX redesign and the ability to run on a Windows® tablet, plus other high-level features including GIG mode, ACT™ (Audio Cloning Technology) and RIR 2 cabinet modeling.
Price: Approx $100
SimulAnalog – Guitar suite
SimulAnalog is a research project that studies numerical and DSP techniques applied to computer music; the main branch is about the digital simulation of analog instruments and processors. Guitar Suite is a suite of vst plugin with amplifiers and analog processors for guitarists.
This suite is not a commercial product. It is born inside an academic research project about the modelling of electric devices, and then applied to the musical instrument field as an evolution of the techniques currently available in some commercial units. Its most important feature is the extremely high precision of the simulation, which is about indistinguishable from the original sound.
Price: FREE
Studio Devil – Amp Modeler Pro
Studio Devil Amp Modeler Pro is a guitar amp modeling and audio effects plug-in for use with VST, AudioUnits, and ProTools RTAS compatible hosts running on both Mac and Windows platforms.
“…the high-gain Marshall and Soldano simulations were some of the best I’ve heard.” – Electronic Musician
“Basically, it’s everything you could possibly need to create a complete, professional-sounding guitar tone.” – Music Tech Magazine
Price: $149
Magix – Vandal
Vandal is the only guitar and bass amplifier that combines the characteristic sound and feel of a real hardware setup with the advantages of a software application – all for you to enjoy on your computer!
Every step and component of the amplifier, from the tube to the speaker coils, is virtualized.
Physical modeling technology guarantees great sound without compromise, whether during studio recording sessions, band rehearsals, or live gigs!
The intuitive program interface is based on workflows that are optimized for guitar and bass players who are familiar with these kinds of work processes from working with hardware.
Price $266
Overload – TH3
Imagine you have a tool to express your talent with the best tone ever. Imagine people listening to your guitar tracks and saying “wow! how did you get that killer tone?!”
Imagine you have more than 160 models including Randall®, THD® and Brunetti® amplifiers. And that these, for the first time in software form, cannot be distinguished from the real ones. That’s Overloud TH2.
Price $197.00
How to connect a guitar – YouTube
TH2 with a MIDI pedalboard – YouTube
Eleven Rack vs. Overloud TH2 – You Tube
LePou – Plug-ins
A highly respected guitar amp and cab simulation these amp plug-ins are developed Alain Poulain in Canada and are free. The plug-ins are available for both PC and Mac, so head over to the LePou website and have a look for yourself.
LePou has created a number of really good amp sims based on famous high-gain metal amps.
Some of the software features include an impulse response loader, a separate VST for loading cabinet simulator impulses and the LeCab2 can actually load 6 simultaneous impulses that you can mix.
FREE
Kuassa – Amplifikation One
Kuassa Amplifikation One captures the dynamic response and characteristics of hardware distortion modules, amplifier heads, and guitar amplifier loudspeaker cabinets, captured by various types of microphones in multiple configurations. It must be noted that the Kuassa Amplifikation One is not emulated or modeled after any specific amplifier, but rather is an amalgamation of the best hardware schematic designs, tube designs, and digital signal processes, implemented in the digital domain.
Price $49.95
