Guitarists: What amp sim do you use?

[ManFromNapa]

I have the stock Logic Amp Sims, a couple UA ones, but the ones I really love the tone of is Ampitube.  My issue is that it's hard to record with. 

What do you use?  How is it on resource utilization?

[Glenn L.]

Scuffham Amps. Very CPU friendly.

Edited May 6, 2023 by Glenn L.

[kaboomer]

What kind of sounds are you looking for? I've found that different sims seem to specialize in one thing or another (clean, high gain, edge of breakup). 

I also use Scuffham, exclusively. 

 

[ManFromNapa]

Looking for a mix of sounds, but guitar tones from the 60-early 90's.  Classic overdrives, fuzzes.  Some hair metal and grunge. 

I'll check out Scuffham.

[deckard1]

I use Scuffham's S-Gear as well. 

Any thoughts from anyone on Tonex? 

Edited May 12, 2023 by deckard1

[Glenn L.]

Tonex is great. There are some great captures available. I haven't seen anyone have a bad thing to say about it, either. 
it's not a 'sim' though, which is why I didn't mention it.

I've got 6 Tonex amps in my main template, 3 Scuffham, and 3 Amplitube. Tonex is CPU friendly. Less so when used in Amplitube. If Tonex is on sale, I'd get it.

[zipb]

Blue Cat Axiom

MeldaProductions MturboAmp

NI Guitar Rig 6

[ManFromNapa]

7 hours ago, Glenn L. said:

Tonex is great. There are some great captures available. I haven't seen anyone have a bad thing to say about it, either. 
it's not a 'sim' though, which is why I didn't mention it.

I've got 6 Tonex amps in my main template, 3 Scuffham, and 3 Amplitube. Tonex is CPU friendly. Less so when used in Amplitube. If Tonex is on sale, I'd get it.

Tonex isn't a sim/plugin... but it does allow me to use a hardware amp sim.  

What I've been doing recently is using Logic's Amp Sim to record, the swap it out for Amplitube when I mix.  From what I understand Tonex and Amplitube use the same amp sims, right?  I could use a Tonex pedal to offload the processing when I record.  I just wouldn't be able to change virtual amps when I mix unless I recorded a dry signal.  

OK.. the wheels are turning.

Edited May 13, 2023 by ManFromNapa

[Glenn L.]

Tonex is a completely different product from Amplitube that can be used within Amplitube. Tonex has very limited FX, so I suppose throwing it into Amplitube makes sense on that account. Tonex is not a sim. It uses machine learning to 'capture' an amp at a particular setting. I had Tonex setup within Amplitube, but felt the fx weren't good enough, so bought a few VahallaDSP plugins to give me the delays/mods/ reverbs I wanted.

I believe there's a free version, as well as a trial period. I tried the free version, and within a few minutes coughed up for the non-maxx Tonex.

At tone.net within Tonex, there are thousands of free captures. Some are great, some not so much.

Try the demo.

hth.

[deckard1]

What about Helix Native?

https://line6.com/helix/helixnative.html

Line 6’s Helix Native is overpriced in my opinion at $399. I got it on sale but I’ve never been able to get a really good overdrive/distortion sound out of it…at least not as good as S-Gear. 

Edited May 13, 2023 by deckard1

[Glenn L.]

No idea, sorry. I had a PODxt 17 odd years ago, and haven't bothered with Line6 since. I don't get along with digital multifx boxes at all. Scuffham will beat just about any sim I've heard, and Mike's presets are well thought out and useful off the bat.

[ManFromNapa]

36 minutes ago, Glenn L. said:

No idea, sorry. I had a PODxt 17 odd years ago, and haven't bothered with Line6 since. I don't get along with digital multifx boxes at all. Scuffham will beat just about any sim I've heard, and Mike's presets are well thought out and useful off the bat.

I had the same experience with Line6 also.

[Glenn L.]

Someone I know on another board just got a POD Go. Says it's great, maybe it is. I 'window-shopped' it at Thomann.

If not for my history of boredom with multifx boxes, I might have a look. But as things stand, I rarely use my VOX AC-15C these days. Any tone I would ever need is now ITB. 
GAS has given me some hard, fast rules on what works for me and what doesn't. And multifx boxes are definitely on my 'avoid' list.

if I were gigging, I might see it differently. Then again, I wouldn't want to schlep my VOX and its 2 x 12 cab around. Too old for that ####.

[ManFromNapa]

14 minutes ago, Glenn L. said:

Someone I know on another board just got a POD Go. Says it's great, maybe it is. I 'window-shopped' it at Thomann.

If not for my history of boredom with multifx boxes, I might have a look. But as things stand, I rarely use my VOX AC-15C these days. Any tone I would ever need is now ITB. 
GAS has given me some hard, fast rules on what works for me and what doesn't. And multifx boxes are definitely on my 'avoid' list.

if I were gigging, I might see it differently. Then again, I wouldn't want to schlep my VOX and its 2 x 12 cab around. Too old for that ####.

I used to have a Marshall Bluesbreaker that was 80lbs!  Too damn heavy and loud for anything I do so I sold it.  Recently my local shop was closing down and they had an AC30 priced to go.  I've ALWAYS wanted a VOX so I tried it out.  It sounded great.  I was about to buy it when I tried to pick it up.  HA HA

[denitronik]

I bought a Line 6 HX Stomp XL that I like and I was offered a good deal for Helix Native. I just started using it and I’m sure I can get some good sounds out of it. You just have to work at it. 

[Glenn L.]

I am averse to such finessing. Which is why I avoid them. I didn't really try all these fx until I was around 29-30. Until then, I just plugged in and played, with maybe a wah and a Big Muff. So, I'd equate my basic needs with someone like Keef, who generally just plugs in and plays. The wilder fx like shimmer reverb and deep mod stuff I use very sparingly.

Basically, I just want to plug my guitars in and get on with it.

[deckard1]

These amp sims are supposed to be good as well:

https://neuraldsp.com

[ManFromNapa]

50 minutes ago, deckard1 said:

These amp sims are supposed to be good as well:

https://neuraldsp.com

I've heard a lot about them.  Anyone using them?

[Glenn L.]

There is a free plugin that has seen significant discussion over at KvR:

https://github.com/sdatkinson/NeuralAmpModelerPlugin/releases/tag/v0.7.3

This is legit. And free. There's a Facebook group for it with 10,000+ members.

[ManFromNapa]

I'm gonna try it out.  Is there a community of free "models"?

[David Nahmani]

On 5/13/2023 at 7:21 PM, Glenn L. said:

Someone I know on another board just got a POD Go. Says it's great, maybe it is. I 'window-shopped' it at Thomann.

I got a Pod Go. At Thomann. A few weeks ago. I'm not a huge fan of the amp mods but then again that's not what I got it for and admittedly I didn't spend much time on them, so I may not be the best source. I got it for the effects and I connect it straight into my Marshall DSL40CR, so I'm using the Marshall for the distortion. 

On 5/17/2023 at 6:57 PM, deckard1 said:

These amp sims are supposed to be good as well:

https://neuraldsp.com

These are THEE ones that all the touring guitar players use nowadays. Bit on the expensive side of course. 

[Glenn L.]

I don't seem to get along with digimultifx boxes. I find they get in my way. 
I think the Tonex pedal has some real potential, but I'm happy enough with the software. I haven't played live with an electric guitar in a long time. Take something with the amp captures of Tonex combined with decent time-based fx, and it would be a winner. For gigging.
It's not realistic these days to use my VOX at any meaningful volume. Our new upstairs neighbour is a music-hating Gen-Z'er. 

1 hour ago, ManFromNapa said:

I'm gonna try it out.  Is there a community of free "models"?

I believe so. I have Tonex, and all the great sounds I could want, so rather than chase another rabbit down a hole, I haven't tried it. But I read people gushing about it. 

[David Nahmani]

4 minutes ago, Glenn L. said:

Our new upstairs neighbour is a music-hating Gen-Z'er. 

Ugh. That's tough. I rarely crank the volume up but once in a while I do and I certainly wouldn't want anyone to complain when I do. 

So yes the Pod Go was a choice for a live gig where I need different sounds for each song, a whammy, etc.. so it just fits the bill for me. I don't like the way you have to go through menus to switch patches though, that's just plain silly since it's designed for live gigs. Just give me a + and - pedals to go to the next or previous patch and I'd be happy. 

That ToneX pedal looks incredible but it wouldn't have fit the bill for me so no regrets. But I enjoyed watching the demo video. 

[deckard1]

1 hour ago, David Nahmani said:

These are THEE ones that all the touring guitar players use nowadays. Bit on the expensive side of course. 

You are referring to the Quad Cortex from Neural DSP? 

[David Nahmani]

Just now, deckard1 said:

You are referring to the Quad Cortex from Neural DSP? 

Yes! That's the one. 

[deckard1]

6 minutes ago, David Nahmani said:

Yes! That's the one. 

What about the Fractal Audio Axe FX too? See a lot of touring pros using that as well. 

Edited May 23, 2023 by deckard1

[ManFromNapa]

So many amazing options.  Thank you all for replying.  I'm overwhelmed with options now, which is a good thing.

[deckard1]

Blackstar released this not too long ago. Has received good reviews and the sound clips sound pretty good as well. 

https://blackstarplugins.com/dp/st-james-plugin/

Edited August 23, 2023 by deckard1

[ManFromNapa]

I recently got the UA Ruby.  Sounds amazing!  Thinking trying out the TC Electronics Ampworx.

[deckard1]

5 hours ago, ManFromNapa said:

I recently got the UA Ruby.  Sounds amazing!  Thinking trying out the TC Electronics Ampworx.

Nice! What amp does the UA Ruby emulate? 

I managed to pick up a Quad Cortex last week. Probably more than I need, but, the Quad Cortex is really an amazing piece of gear. Sounds and feels like a real amp. 

Edited August 25, 2023 by deckard1