Amp simulators are the perfect solution for musicians who want to experiment with sounds without investing in an expensive amplifier. Plus, they let you get a better sound for a song without disturbing other musicians in the room.
When using an amp sim, make sure the volume from your guitar through the interface is loud enough and not too low or high. Otherwise, you could experience pops, clicks, dropping outs, stuttering or digital distortion.
1. Amplitube 5
Amplitube 5 is a software-based amp simulator that recreates the entire guitar/bass signal chain from instrument to recording device with stunning realism and ease. It can be used as either an independent application or plugin for your DAW, featuring an 8-track recorder, looper and phrase trainer for live performances.
Amplitube 5 stands out among amp sims with its highly intuitive and responsive user interface that was created to mimic how guitarists think and practice. This is made possible through an innovative drag-and-drop gear selection process as well as a photorealistic gear view window that creates the illusion that you are actually in the room.
Another impressive feature of Amplitube 5 is the newly designed cable room, offering users even greater customization when building their own amp setups. You can now route multiple signal paths and pick from an array of speaker cabinets tailored to meet your requirements.
Amplitube 5 has taken its virtual gear realism to a whole new level with this latest addition, offering one of the most immersive and accurate guitar amp simulation applications available on the market. Now featuring over 400 gear models, Amplitube 5 takes users on an immersive journey from pre-amp through power amp all the way up to speaker cabinet level realism.
Amplitube 5 has improved the Custom Shop to offer even faster browsing and auditioning of new gear models a la carte, enabling you to add them directly to your library in record time.
IK Multimedia has been releasing their AmpliTube and T-RackS products for many years now, but with AmpliTube 5 they have truly gone all out. Not only do they introduce an array of new gear models from various brands, but they’ve also redesigned their Custom Shop so you can search through and audition new gear models at an incredibly low cost and add them to your AmpliTube 5 collection at once!
2. Cypress TT-15
Ampeg’s legendary SVT series of high-end bass amps serves as the inspiration for this comprehensive virtual amplifier model, offering an abundance of authentic tones that can be tailored to suit individual playing styles. It includes a versatile tube preamp with 5 mid-frequency centre point selections, onboard graphic EQ and powerful solid state power amp.
Cypress TT-15 offers an expansive library of presets that capture a variety of tones, from thick bass guitar sounds inspired by hard rock and early metal to more rounded sounds found on Motown records. It’s incredibly flexible too; you can use it either as a standalone application or an add-on for your host DAW.
This bass amp simulator offers an impressive selection of emulations from brands like ‘Hiwatt’, ‘Ampeg’ and ‘Mesa Boogie’. Its user-friendly design follows a drag-and-drop method where each element can be adjusted using sliders to shape the tone.
Another key feature is the capacity to run two chains of components simultaneously with either series or parallel routing options, enabling you to create layered sounds or large stereo spreads. Furthermore, you have control over the amplitude and level of signal passing through each chain, plus add effects like envelope filters, wah-wah pedals, reverbs, delays and more to enhance the mix.
The user interface of this amp simulation software is user-friendly and well designed, but it’s worth taking the time to read through its manual a few times in order to get the most from it. This is especially true if you plan on building your own custom setup as each modellable amp needs to be understood in relation to its cabinet and mic arrangements.
Amplitube 2 offers some new features that may be of interest to users, such as DSM (Dynamic Saturation Modelling). This modeling approach allows Amplitube to better replicate non-linear systems like distortion. Nonetheless, much of its functionality remains unchanged from versions 1 and 2.
3. Helix Native
Helix Native is an intuitive guitar and bass amp simulator from Line 6 featuring a comprehensive selection of effects. The iconic sound signatures from their Helix series solid-state amplifiers have been condensed into this pedal, making it the ideal choice for anyone searching for an all-inclusive bass amp sim.
The Helix modeling engine is an impressive choice in the market, offering superior tone and dynamic response that faithfully replicates various amplifier circuitry. Furthermore, it includes powerful high-end effects like distortion and compression with an intuitive yet user-friendly workflow.
Helix Native stands out from other plugins with the unique capability to use the same model and effects across a variety of settings, such as drum tracks. This gives producers and engineers unrestricted freedom when it comes to sound design, enabling them to experiment with EQs, compressors, reverbs, modulation etc..
Helix Native utilizes the same engine as its hardware counterparts, offering 60+ amplifiers, 30+ speaker cabinets and 100+ effects in an intuitive tone editing workflow for a fast and fluid experience. Plus it supports third-party impulse responses (IRs) along with broad compatibility across popular DAWs on AAX, AU and VST3 platforms.
Helix Native provides flexible audio routing with four stereo signal paths per preset, enabling you to design complex routing scenarios with multiple inputs and outputs for each patch. All it takes is selecting a template preset or creating your own to explore all the creative possibilities available.
Helix Native offers an expansive library of presets, from clean and bright amps to classic British models and heavy tones – plus everything in-between! Plus, you can load in your own impulse responses for each modeled amplifier for a truly personalized sound.
Helix Native is an ideal option for guitarists seeking a bass amp simulator with plenty of sounds they can use across different genres of music, making it suitable for all players. Furthermore, those interested in exploring Line 6 effects algorithms without needing to invest in new hardware will find this product to be ideal.
4. GTR-3
GTR-3 is an amp simulator that reproduces the sound of various guitar and bass amplifier models. It can be used for practicing or playing live without needing a physical amplifier, while also enabling users to create more authentic sounds using guitar effects.
Unlike other amp simulators, this one is cost-effective and offers a great selection of tones. No matter if you’re just starting out or an experienced player, this software will allow you to craft an authentic guitar and bass sound without breaking the bank.
With this software you can select from a range of amp and cab models with realistic core bass tones and the ability to tweak frequency response using included EQ. Plus, you can load in impulse responses (IR), creating an even more authentic setup.
This software’s user-friendly interface makes selecting the ideal acoustic, distorted or bass amp and cab for your music a breeze. All you have to do is select your model and hit play – this automatically loads its associated plug-in into your DAW.
GTR-3 not only features plug-ins, but it also includes two expression pedals which you can assign to control various aspects of the software. The first pedal controls wah-wah, pitch shift or output volume while the second adjusts overall volume throughout GTR3’s user interface.
There are also a selection of stomp-boxes, which allow you to enhance the software’s core sound with effects. They’re listed on the bottom row in alphabetical order with letters showing whether they are activated or not. Press any button and you can switch on or off each one; each has a brightly lit letter on display as confirmation.
This software’s stomp-boxes have been carefully chosen to offer a range of tones suitable for acoustic and electric bassists. Each stomp box has several presets which can all be altered by turning on or off its associated plug-in. You even have the option to save your own custom presets for future use.