Top 7 Free Amp Sims Best virtual guitar amplifier plug-ins · Source: gearnews.com
PreviousNext
![Pedal Pedal](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125869274/788074341.jpg)
Get all the latest information on Events, Sales and Offers. Sign up for newsletter today. Enter your email address. BIAS Pedal’s Tone Match technology analyzes and compares your currently selected pedal and the sound of a target tube pedal. It then executes the tonal compensation and enhancements needed to make your pedal’s sound accurately match that of the target pedal. Pedals vst free download - Audiffex Effect Pedals for Windows, Audiffex Effect Pedals, VST, and many more programs.
Although guitar simulation plug-ins, or amp sims, have been around for a while, it seems like only recently that they have gotten to the point where you want them printed to the final tracks on your record – and not just used for demo tracks.
It used to take a lot of tweaking and fine-tuning to get tracks involving amp sims to sit right in a mix, and even then you might still have had reservations on whether or not it was good enough to make the final cut. But the technology has progressed in fantastic ways thanks to companies like the ones on this list, but also the ones that are innovating digital guitar sounds on the live market like the ever-popular Kemper, Line 6, Headrush and Fractal Audio brands.
It was tough to narrow this list down. There are so many spectacular amp sims out now as freeware, offering every guitarist access to some legendary sounds without budget getting in the way. Here are seven freeware amp sims that sound as good as the real thing.
Native Instruments Guitar Rig 5 Player
Native Instruments Guitar Rig 5 Player
It’s a stripped down version of the paid one, but includes all of the sound quality, just with fewer options of cabinets, pedals, etc. The interface is a simple to navigate, intuitive GUI.
You get one amp and one cabinet choice with the free version, as well as access to a few guitar pedals. The guitar pedal options are pretty robust, with a Tubescreamer, a few delays, and other gain-related options like noise gating, compression, and a number of ways to shape your sound with EQ.
NI has provided a solid simulation starter pack, hoping to get you hooked enough to buy the full version. It might just work.
- Download page (Windows/Mac 64-bit, VST/AU/AAX)
IK Multimedia Amplitube
Amplitube was one of the first guitar sims to really push the boundaries of what you can do without a real amp, and IK Multimedia has vastly expanded the platform since then. It’s why we’ve often written about Amplitube on Gearnews. Included in the free version of Amplitube is Cab Room, a virtual recording space where you can swap out different cabinets and microphones. You also get four amps, a host of different pedals, three mics, among a few other goodies.
It’s a little gimmicky, but for good reason: IK Multimedia provides you with a bunch of solid options in the hopes that you’ll like the tones so much that you’ll want to pay for more.
- Download page (Windows/Mac 64-bit, VST2/3 /AU/AAX)
LePou Plug-in Suite
LePou Plug-in Suite
No matter what flavor of amp you’re looking for, LePou has it. They built their legacy on HyBrit – their Marshall emulation – and branched out with free variations of Soldano, Mesa Boogie, 5150, and more as they have been one of the foremost innovators in the freeware amp sim market for years.
Their site is no longer active, but the downloadable files can be found through a simple search. It might take some digging to get them all, but for their sound quality it’s highly worth it.
All of their creations can be run in mono or stereo and feature various ways to shape and control your tone on each head. They work with any type of impulse/cabinet loader so the ways that you can mix and match your tones are virtually endless.
- Download page (Windows/Mac 64 and 32-bit, VST /AU/AAX)
Ignite Amps
The only company on this list that offers software and hardware, Ignite’s amp simulation lineup features a number of different styles of amplifiers designed specifically for heavier styles.
Anvil might be their most infamous offering, as it is a full featured 3-channel (clean, rhythm, and lead) head that just rips with high gain sounds. It can do a great scooped metal sound, reminiscent of some of the most beloved tube amps in the heavy music world.
Emissary is a next-gen type of amp sim, sonically and graphically resembling a real tube stack in a way that is so realistic it’s scary. It models EL34, 6L6, and KT88 tubes with selectable power tubes and mono or stereo output.
The NRR-1 is based on a “famous boutique amplifier” from 1988 – my guess is it’s Ignite’s recreation of the Soldano SLO100 – which at that time was a boutique amp (widely available in the meantime). It also features 3 channels of clean, rhythm, and lead mayhem coming loaded with all of the appointments of the other amps.
Though their lineup is obviously meant to cater to the heaviest of the heavy, the simulations also feature sparkling clean and drive channels that can find a home on recordings of any genre. All amps feature mono or stereo support, 64-bit floating bit depth, and up to 8x oversampling capability. Their software suite also includes a number of impulse responses and cab loaders, as well as guitar pedals.
Their plug-ins are available for Windows and Mac formats.
- Download page (Windows/Mac 64-bit, VST/VST3 /AU/AAX)
Kuassa Ampilfikation Lite
Kuassa offers simulations of some of the most classic amps of all time. Their freebie is their Lite model, an amp whose tone sits somewhere between a Marshall and a Peavey. It provides great gain for harder rock styles, but also cleans up nicely. It really shines in its articulation and response, and when you’re playing it you almost forget that it’s digital, as it nails the late 70s early 80s thing so well.
- Download page (Windows/Mac 64 and 32-bit, VST/AU)
Shattered Glass Audio Ace
Shattered Glass Audio Ace
A standalone vintage amp sim, the Ace is a digital recreation of the venerable all-tube 50’s tweed amp. Based on the late 1950’s Fender Tweed Champ, an amp that attained a legendary status on some of the greatest recordings of all time.
There are added controls to adjust the amount of feedback, a common mod to the Champ in the amp world. The digital recreation also includes the mod to the real circuit that includes grip stopper resistors.
It comes packaged with an impulse response so you don’t have to use a separate IR loader, but it is defeatable and you can use the digital head with whatever type of cabinet responses you like. The plug-in can also be oversampled up to 8x, and the onboard cabinet emulation offers mono or stereo output.
- Download page (Windows 64 and 32-bit, VST/AU)
Voxengo Boogex
Boogex is Voxengo’s take on amp simulation, and just like their host of other freeware offerings, it checks all the right boxes. It is built for low and medium-gain sounds, which sets it apart from some of the other options on this list. While it can do higher-gain sounds it gets pretty fizzy and compressed, which might just be exactly what you’re looking for!
It comes with a plethora of on-board impulse responses, and it can be used with 3rd party response loaders. With such a solid selection of amps, cabinets, and microphones it’s hard to beat this much value in a freeware guitar amp processor.
- Download page (Windows 64 and 32-bit, VST/VST3 /AU / AAX)
Disclaimer: Links throughout the article may be affiliated. If you click and make a purchase, I get a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you’re looking for some great steel guitar VSTS, you’ve come to the right place. I have the opinion that these are perfect for modern country production as well as for even hip hop and indie productions.
Contents
- 6 Best Steel Guitar VSTS & Samples
- 6.1 Slide Guitar By Organic Loops
- 6.2 Pedal Steel By Impact Soundworks
- 6.3 DSK Steel Guitar – Best Free Steel Guitar VST
Steel Guitar VST Plugins
IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS |
---|---|---|
Editor’s Pick | Slide Guitar Loops | |
Alternative | Rhythm Guitar |
Loop Pedal Vst
Steel guitar plugins can add an element to your music that offers the emotional value that is just what you’re looking for. The best part here is that you can either play a part or write it on directly into your DAW and then hear it. I think this is beneficial as not everyone knows how to play it and they especially don’t know how to play it well.
If you’re a fan of music production, check out these guides that I’ve created below.
What Types Of Music Can You Incorporate Steel Guitar VSTS?
I think the possibilities are endless here. You can definitely use them for country, blues, and hip hop productions. Hip hop may surprise you, but there is a gigantic market right now that has a bluesy influence.
My advice would be to jump in and start finding options that you really enjoy and will get use out of.
What To Look For In Steel Guitar Plugins
Compatibility: Make sure that the plugin that you choose is compatible with your DAW and player. Some free versions of Kontakt won’t be compatible with certain VSTS. To solve this problem, simply read the requirements listed for each VST. This will save a lot of headaches. Also, make sure your PC is strong enough to run it.
Price: Decide how much money you want to spend. Listed below is an option that contains a bunch of different types of guitars. While it’s more money, you will find that you get a ton of different options.
Sound: The sound of steel guitar plugins range from bad to good. Typically, the more expensive products will sound infinitely better than free options. With that being said, you will find free steel guitar VSTS below so you can compare.
Dynamics: The more dynamics that you’re able to do, the better. This is where you can really make your recordings sound realistic and believable. No one wants to use something that sounds cheap and thin.
Pros
- Emulation of real steel guitars at your disposal
- Save time and money
- Instant use
- A lot of different tones you can create and bend
Cons
- Not the real thing
- Not a ton of options yet
Best Steel Guitar VSTS & Samples
![Board Board](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125869274/621172876.jpg)
Slide Guitar By Organic Loops
While this is not a VST, it is a great option that has some crazy cool steel guitar loops. If you’re wondering how you would use this, the answer would be to check out its presets and see if it works in your songs.
Above are fantastic blues riffs that you can use to mess with your productions.
Overall
This isn’t going to be a steel guitar that you can play, it’s going to be pre-recorded riffs and loops that you can use in your production. If that’s what you’re looking for, it sounds great. However, don’t buy this thinking you’re getting a VST.
Pedal Steel By Impact Soundworks
I often write about Impact Soundworks. This company puts out a product that is state of the art almost every time. Pedal Steel is an extremely playable pedal steel guitar.
They specifically designed this to play like a real steel guitar and they focused on the dynamics. I would recommend this for jazz, country bluegrass, and certain hip-hop-infused styles.
As far as the sound quality goes with Pedal Steel, I really believe it’s top-notch. There’s really not much to dislike here, other than the price is a little steep.
Overall
This is a fantastic product that should be on your list for steel guitar plugins. It is expensive, so unless you’re going to be working in a genre where you will be using it frequently, you may wanna go a different route.
DSK Steel Guitar – Best Free Steel Guitar VST
DSK Steel Guitar is surprisingly very realistic. I really admire this website as the owner does this for fun and does a phenomenal job giving producers options. I believe the tones sound believable and they can sound even better when run through some other effect plugins.
I recommend trying this plugin out before purchasing one as it does a great job at giving you a very close to natural sound.
Overall
Overall, I think this sounds pretty realistic and even better when you add more effects to it. At the very least, you have a plugin that allows you to wet your feet and get used to the instrument before investing more money in it.
Conclusion
In this list, I’ve presented you with options for loops and samples, VSTS and a free VST option. Take some time and play around with whichever option you choose to go with. Remember, they all have their uses and you will most likely end up finding a variety of use in each.
Free Guitar Pedal Vst
Steel guitar plugins could be just what your next country or bluegrass production needed. If you’re longing for a real instrument, you can always program out a VST part before to get an idea of what it will sound like.