Getting good guitar tone for FREE!

[Sixto]

I've had a lot of guitar players ask me about getting a good recorded guitar tones without spending a ton of money. Well, here are a bunch of plug-ins that have given me some pretty great results.

First of all, to run these plugins, you're going to need a good recording/sequencing program. And if you don't have the cash (even if you DO have the cash) for something like Cubase, Sonar, ProTools (bleh!) or whatever, definitely look into Reaper (http://reaper.fm/download.php). It does everything you need it to (vst hosting, recording, midi, etc) and it does it so well. If I hadn't paid so much for Cubase SX, I'd be using Reaper.

Now, for the goodies.

If you're needing a solid rig, perfect for all kinds of music from country to pop, rock, jazz...whatever, check out the Simulanalog Guitar Suite VST (http://www.simulanalog.org/guitarsuite.htm) plugin set.

Plug-ins included are:

Marshall JCM900 amp sim, both clean and drive channels with reverb. (Clean Demo (http://tadakichi.baka.us/VSTDemo/JCMCleanDemo.mp3), Dirty Demo (http://tadakichi.baka.us/VSTDemo/JCMDirtyDemo.mp3))
Fender Twin amp sim with Tremolo, one of the most sought after clean amps. (Twin Demo (http://tadakichi.baka.us/VSTDemo/TwinDemo.mp3))
Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer sim, essentially the most popular overdrive pedal ever. (TubeScreamer Demo (http://tadakichi.baka.us/VSTDemo/TSDemo.mp3))
Boss DS-1 sim, great distortion pedal with lots of character. (DS-1 into JCM900 Demo (http://tadakichi.baka.us/VSTDemo/DS1Demo.mp3))
Boss SD-1 sim, fat overdrive pedal similar to the Tube Screamer, but with more drive and low end. (SD-1 into JCM900 Demo (http://tadakichi.baka.us/VSTDemo/SD1Demo.mp3))
Dunlop Univibe Chorus/Vibrato pedal sim, probably one of the coolest modulation pedals ever. Great for getting a Jimi Hendrix tone. (UniVibe into JCM900 Demo (http://tadakichi.baka.us/VSTDemo/UniVibeDemo.mp3))

I've already recommended this plug-in set to a few guitar players and they seem really happy with it.

There is also Fretted Synth's FreeAmp (http://frettedsynth.home.att.net/) software. (Thanks, Flexstyle) While the overdrive/distortion tones aren't too great, the other effects are. They'd be perfect for enhancing Guitar Suite.

Now, if you're looking for something a little heavier, you might want to give the Wagner Sharp Tube Preamp (http://rekkerd.org/nickcrow-releases-wagner-sharp-v06/) sim a try. This thing is a beast, perfect for heavy metal and hard rock. Reminds me of the original Peavy 5150 amp. Bright, gainy, and very tight.

(Wagner Demo with Rectifier 4x12 Impulse (http://tadakichi.baka.us/VSTDemo/WagnerDemo.mp3))

Keep in mind, this is only a preamp sim, so you will need either a cabinet simulator or cabinet impulses after the plugin.

Cabinet impulses can be found all over the web and are great for getting extremely realistic guitar tones. To get you started, here are some really nice ones I've been using for a while.

Guitar Cab Impulses (http://tadakichi.baka.us/Guitar_Cabs.rar)

You'll need a plugin for using these impulses, and I reccommend the keFIR VST (http://www.audioproduction.gr/content/view/127/48/) for this. Great plugin that is easy on your resources.

There are tons more free amp sims out there, but these are the best and most natural sounding in my opinion. Hope this helps some of you guys out there still searching for a good recording tone.

P.S.

Sorry for you Mac guys. Sixto doesn't know Mac.

Edit: AWWWWWYEEEEEEAH Got some more awesome free amp sim plugins for you guys!

http://lepouplugins.blogspot.com/

You'll need speaker impulses with these plugins but man, do they sound awesome!

[Harmony]

Nice, guitar advice from Sixto. Thanks!

I've used the SA suite for a little while now and I absolutely love it. I wish it had stereo output for processing stuff besides guitar, but that's a pointless gripe. I'll try out the other goodies soon.

Do you regularly use any of the plugins you mentioned in your setup?

[Hale-Bopp]

Fantastic! I can't wait to try those out. Thanks for the links, Sixto!

[Flexstyle]

Sixto, what are your thoughts on the FreeAmp software from FrettedSynth? I'm not a guitar player at all, but I occasionally use the FreeAmp software (formerly FreeAmp2 and now FreeAmp3 is out) on a friend's guitar or something. I like how it sounds, but I'm not any judge on how it ought to sound.

[Sixto]

Harmony, I've used the Simulanalog plugins on a couple of remixes and I use keFIR everytime I record using an amp head direct without a cabinet. Once in a mix, it sounds just as good as micing a speaker cabinet.

Flexstyle, thanks for reminding me about that. FreeAmp is pretty neat as well. Lots of cool effects to play with, though the overdrive tones aren't so great. I would suggest using Guitar Suite or Wagner for the meat of the tone, then enhancing it with effects from FreeAmp.

[Lunahorum]

sticky


excellent guitar resource!

[Teh Mick]

Any hint to similar free software for Mac ?

[Rozovian]

On Mac, use Audio Units. GarageBand and Logic both use Audio Units, effects like VSTs. Some are synths/samplers, some are audio effects. I'd recommend Camel Crusher (http://www.camelaudio.com/camelcrusher.php) followed by the standard Guitar Amp effect. Tweaking those two right gives you loads of different sounds.

"Audio Unit". Google is your friend.

Better yet, Logic Express 8 now comes with Guitar Amp Pro (http://www.apple.com/logicexpress/#effects), and the whole package is just 200 bucks (means you get lots more than just Guitar Amp Pro). Haven't tried it yet (waiting for a memory upgrade to arrive before installing), but from the looks of things, it's a big step up from the already decent Guitar Amp in GB.

[Dash Myoku]

Wow, I'm glad I found this thread. I've been needing a better guitar sound because my amp just...well, sucks. I'm gonna try a few of those out and then come back to tell you what I think. :D

[Sixto]

Yeah... sorry about you Mac guys. I don't use Mac and haven't in a loooong time, so I have no idea what kind of stuff is out there for you guys.

[Rozovian]

I don't generally record much guitar, not quite skilled enough to make it sound tight enough, but I could put together a list of AUs I find useful... And, once my memory upgrade arrives, install that and LE8 and try out Guitar Amp Pro. We'll see if I get around to it.

Wow, my last post sounds like an infomersial.

Better yet, Logic Express 8 now comes with Guitar Amp Pro, and the whole package is just 200 bucks (means you get lots more than just Guitar Amp Pro).

Buy now and you also get, for free, a bottle of carwax. But that's not all, you get this amazing set of frying pans for no cost whatsoever! And that's not the end of it, you get a multi-device remote control (batteries not included)...

*ahem*

[Harmony]

I just tried out the Wagner > keFIR > impulse combo, and great jebus this is the greatest thing to happen to my guitar since I bought it. I’m in utter awe at how realistic these sound. I guess I should say “good” instead of “realistic” because I’m not experienced enough to really compare these tones to any of the actual setups. Which brings me to my questions sixto (or anyone).

I’m coming from a strictly self-taught acoustic guitar background and as a result I know jack-squat about guitar amplification. I only have a general but vague idea of what a “header”, “preamp” or a “cabinet” are and how they come together to create the final tone. So, clicking through this extensive list of impulses is fun, and I can pick off a few things that I do know in the descriptions (SM57 = mic, off-axis = mic placement) but I’d like to be more systematic about it.

How do different factors affect the sound?

Does off-axis typically give a warmer sound?
Larger cabinet sizes are better for what?
What’s “tweed”?
Why do people typically choose Mesa vs Marshall or _____ vs ______?
Etc


I gather that a preamp feeds into the cabinet (or cabinet sim here), but what if I want a clean sound? Traditionally, do I take the preamp out of the loop, or do I just turn down the drive of the preamp?

Why would the mix of keFIR be anything except 100% (full output)?

What impact do the eq/tone settings on the guitar itself have? Should I just set them to neutral and mess with the eq on the preamp? Does it matter?

Sixto, you made an awesome demo with a Rectifier impulse, but didn’t include it in the impulses you gave out. What gives? :grin:


Thanks!

[Lunahorum]

howcome when I play with ultra high gain, I can hear noise in the background even if I unplug the sound card cables from the guitar, the same amount of noise is still there.

Is this referred to as the signal to noise ratio of a sound card?

[Sixto]

How do different factors affect the sound?

Does off-axis typically give a warmer sound?
Larger cabinet sizes are better for what?
What’s “tweed”?
Why do people typically choose Mesa vs Marshall or _____ vs ______?
Etc



Mic'ing the cabinet with an off-axis setup does help shave off some of the high frequencies and gives a somewhat thicker sound.

A larger cabinet with more/larger speakers produces a heavier, fuller sound than a smaller cabinet with a single speaker. Typical blues/clean sounds come from combo amps, usually one or two 10-12" speakers, while rock/metal sounds come from amp stacks, which is an amp head and 4x12" speaker cabinets.

Tweed is a term used when talking about vintage gear that was often covered in tweed. When talking about amps, it usually refers to vintage Fender amps used in blues and country.

Amps come in lots of flavors. Even amps that are very similar have lots of differences. For example, a Mesa Rectifier is an amp that is capable of a ridiculous amount of gain and has a very heavy, percussive tone with tons of low end. A Marshall JCM2000 is also capable of very high gain, but the tone it produces is very different. It's much brighter and has more bite with a very tight low end. Neither is better than the other. They just cater to different tastes.


I gather that a preamp feeds into the cabinet (or cabinet sim here), but what if I want a clean sound? Traditionally, do I take the preamp out of the loop, or do I just turn down the drive of the preamp?

In a guitar amp, tube or otherwise, the preamp feeds into the power amp which powers the speakers. For a clean sound, you'd turn down the gain/drive on the preamp, not take the preamp out, as the point of the preamp is to color the tone of your guitar.


Why would the mix of keFIR be anything except 100% (full output)?


For special effects, you might want to use some of the dry signal. Provides a harsher, very abrasive tone.


What impact do the eq/tone settings on the guitar itself have? Should I just set them to neutral and mess with the eq on the preamp? Does it matter?


I almost always have the tone controls on my guitars set at 10. Experiment, though, and see what works for you. Rolling back on the tone knobs produces a very woman-like tone (think Eric Clapton) and is useful when using very bright pickups, such as a single coil pickup in the bridge position.


Sixto, you made an awesome demo with a Rectifier impulse, but didn’t include it in the impulses you gave out. What gives? :grin:


Ooooh, sorry about that. I must have left out a folder. I'll have to check my files.

[Sixto]

howcome when I play with ultra high gain, I can hear noise in the background even if I unplug the sound card cables from the guitar, the same amount of noise is still there.

Is this referred to as the signal to noise ratio of a sound card?

That's called a noisy amp. That's what high gain amps sound like, I'm afraid. The only way to fix that is with quiet pickups and a noise reduction/suppressor pedal or plug-in.

[Lunahorum]

well even without guitar plugged in and card cables removed it has same noise profile.

Also when I play a major 3rd on two strings, it sounds terrible, but when I record the bottom of the third then 2nd track a 3rd up on top of it, it sounds good then. What gives?


I will give an audio example if needed.


http://h1.ripway.com/max97230/dist.mp3

Ok I made this preetty fast. Sorry It's not in rhtym but I recorded 3 parts as fast as I could. The first time the upper 3rds are playing on two different strings at the same time. The second time the upper 3rds are played on two strings but on one string per take. And yes I am muting every string I am not playing even on the two string.

ok I figured it out. When I play two notes at once through the same settings, the drive clips it too much. When I play one note at a time then layer them post-distortion, the peaks are not as high so it doesn't get clipped as much.

[Sixto]

well even without guitar plugged in and card cables removed it has same noise profile.

Yeah. Noisy amp. Like I said, that's how high gain amps sound.

[Harmony]

Ooooh, sorry about that. I must have left out a folder. I'll have to check my files.
Nah, you have a bunch of Mesa impulses in the UM Cabs folder. I just didn't know that a Rectifier was a Mesa product.

[Zephyr]

Going a tad bit off topic I'm wondering if anyone knows of any half decent free guitar samples (or soundfonts), I need something to run through all these amps!

[Evfan42]

This is sweet... now I just gotta learn to play the guitar lol

[Sui]

I downloaded these, but I have no idea how to use them!

How do I plug the guitar into the computer? I just go right from the 1/8 jack to a 1/4 converter into the sound card IN ?

[zircon]

Yes, you would go right into your soundcard, although ideally you would have an audio interface/sound card that has 1/4" jacks to begin with.

You then load up the plugins into a host program like FLStudio, Cubase, Sonar, Logic, etc. Exactly how you do this, and exactly how you set an audio track to receive input from your soundcard's input, varies based on your host.

[MichaelTheCrow]

I was searching getting a better guitar tone and I found this.

I'm using Cakewalk Music Creator 3, and a Tapco Link. USB audio interface for recording. I put the Marshall JCM900 amp sim into the effects rack? I noticed something didn't sound right, the clean guitar sample could be heard in the right speaker, and the amped up guitar could be heard in the left speaker. So I thought changing the track to mono would solve things. Interesting enough this is what happened: http://www.box.net/shared/5umcgekg0g (http://www.box.net/shared/5umcgekg0g)
(Yes I know it is hard to pick-up, but I'm fussy when it comes to sound, I tend to notice these things)

Does anyone have any idea why the clean guitar sample can be heard in this track? It just sounds strange with a distorted guitar and a clean guitar are being played at the same time. Any idea how to eliminate the original guitar sound?

Also here is a sampler of a similar clip(I say similar cause I stuffed up :P) with the way I usually record (Distortion pedal into amp, the amp's line out to the audio interface etc.): http://www.box.net/shared/wuogeea3os

All this stuff is far too confusing for me, so I'm wondering if just recording with my amp and distortion pedal is good enough for quality sound? Or do I have to do something to make it sound better? Maybe it's cause I'm inexperienced with recording knowledge and guitar setup :P.

[Lunahorum]

All this stuff is far too confusing for me, so I'm wondering if just recording with my amp and distortion pedal is good enough for quality sound? Or do I have to do something to make it sound better? Maybe it's cause I'm inexperienced with recording knowledge and guitar setup :P.

if it sounds good it is fine. If it doesn't sound good it's not fine.

[MichaelTheCrow]

Alright then, I guess I'll just stick with what I've got and use those neat plugins for effects and a good clean guitar sound, well unless I actually find a way to improve the tone with this stuff to more of my liking.

I guess it doesn't hurt to still experiment with the plugins though ;).

Oh I tried to download the Cab Impulses but I got a 404:
"The requested URL /Guitar_Cabs.rar was not found on this server."
The type of tone I'm really looking for is similar to the Wagner Demo with Rectifier 4x12 Impulse example sixto presented. I guess I'll just look around for these cab impulses.

EDIT: I was browsing around on google and found some Mesa 4x12 cab impulses. I recorded the normal way I do, and I added the KeFIR VST and loaded up the impulse file and then an eq, I was quite happy with the end result, I decided to record one of my favourite end of song melodies: http://www.box.net/shared/3nq6cj6og8 so now I guess I have to focus on learning about this stereo panning stuff and mixing/mastering etc =P.

[Lunahorum]

So i have audiophile 2496 right now. There seems to be a lot of noise coming out. When I play a note on the guitar, the noise goes away. What gives?? When there is no actual signal in the wire, is there induced signals that can be heard in mega-high gain setups?

I testing playing a really high note and the noise went away (Visual EQ confirmed).

Is there a way to get around this noise problem? I don't think it is a "noisy amp" as it is no longer noisy when I play a note. Is the thing that fixes this called a DI box? thx

[Tensei]

^^ Turn off your monitor or move your guitar away from it (or more specifically the pickups). If all else fails, noisegate is your friend (or you can just remove the hum by editing it out).

[Nekofrog]

When you say it's no longer noisy when you play a note, do you mean for the duration of that note or once a note is played it no longer makes noise from thereafter?

Most likely the former, in which case, noisegate of some kind. Boss makes a good'un.

[SnappleMan]

Oh man, finding a well wired location is key. I did all the wiring in my house, so I designed it specifically to give me an ultra clean flow out of every outlet without bullshit. If you haven't had that luxury, you need to take your guitar around the room,while plugged in, and see which outlet gives you the least noise. You'll want to use this one as a primary power source. Then, start testing your power supplies with your guitar. PC and laptop power units can sometimes create noise when part of the voltage path, for this, you should isolate them and plug them into a second outlet (through a surge protector, of course). Eventually, when you get serious enough, you can get yourself a good power conditioning unit, and that'll clean up all the power going to your entire system.

[Lunahorum]

With the virtual amp on super high gain, there is no "noise" until I specify an input.

Then there is noise even without the sound card plugged into anything. Maybe it is from magnetic induced currents? Ok well now I plug my guitar straight into the rca cable. Same noise still until I play a note. Now I get a nice pure note, but as the note dies away, the noise comes back. I don't really know much about it. Is this the sort of thing a DI box fixes? I have been using a multiband expander with some success as a noise gate, but I would like a better solution as there is not very good sustain (can't hold a pinch harmonic for more than a second). I am going to try my friends pod ux1 thing and see if that works any better.


Thanks for the good suggestions everyone. I'll upload an audio file soon so you can hear it if you are curious

[Palpable]

Just wanted to post that I was able to get some awesome sounds out of my electric using some of the VSTs mentioned in the original post, especially the Marshall JCM900. Might post a clip here once I've got something.

For some reason, I always had the impression that you had to mic a cabinet to get a decent electric sound (not sure where I learned this). This was as easy as plugging straight into the soundcard and recording. I feel like a totally new avenue of making songs is open to me now. You rule, Sixto.

[Nekofrog]

For some reason, I always had the impression that you had to mic a cabinet to get a decent electric sound (not sure where I learned this).

Probably tube snobs.

[Lunahorum]

can someone re-up the guitar impulses?

until then - type in hack guitar impulses into google. Some guy called hack made some pretty good ones.

http://www.guitarampmodeling.com/viewtopic.php?t=1172 here is a direct link. Not sure if they are all here, but this is all I have



check out this demo!!
http://www.peavey.com/products/revalver/index.cfm

[Lunahorum]

I finally found an answer to my question.

It was in the revalver mk III user manual found here
http://www.peavey.com/products/revalver/index.cfm

here are 3 ways to connect guitar to computer

1. simplest option hook guitar to line-in using suitable connector, usually 1/4 to 1/8 inch adapter. The sound is not good. Due to an impedance mismatch. Most guitars do no have batteries powering their outputs. The guitar falls outside of electrical standards because its output is passive. The only signal is that generated by the string vibrating above the magnets.

2. use a DI box or preamp. DI stands for direct input. It matches the impedance of the sound card and the output impedance of the guitar. These could cost as low as $20 or above $200. A DI box has a high impedance input for your guitar to plug into. Then plug in straight to the computer line in jack.

3. The middle road is to use an ordinary stomp box which is like a DI box.
a) stomp box is electrically powered (battery/outlet)
b) you use it in bypassed mode
c) it is not a true bypass. If the sound disappears when you remove the battery, then you want to use it as a DI box.

Anything else with "Hi-Z" high impedance inputs would likely work as well

4. best option is to buy a good audio interface. Look for something with ASIO drivers. There are several made just for guitar for under $100. (tone port gx for example)

[relyanCe]

/nevermind

[Nekofrog]

So... my guess is these don't work for general MIDI recording? I downloaded the VST's but i get nothing when I apply them to MIDI tracks in reaper... Am I missing something? What are the cab impulses for exactly?


No.12345678

[the_Predator]

The guitar Cab Impulses are 404. :(

[Sixto]

Oops. Uploading them again.

Edit: Uploaded. Link should work now.

[MichaelTheCrow]

Thankyou so much sixto! I've been waiting for many many months for the link to the cab impulses you supplied to work :). I have a problem with those amp sims etc though, I use Cakewalk Music Creator 4...pretty much a scaled down version of Sonar and well for some reason the left speaker is from the plugins and the right speaker just plays back the direct signal from my guitar. I can sort of fix the problem by making the track mono, but then it's a mix of the clean guitar and the amp sim, so it sounds like 2 guitars are being played, not a pleasant sound (same problem with wagner). Could it be my soundcard/music software?

However I found the Impulse Cabs quite astounding, I was simply amazed, sounded better than my smallish amp being miced up. May I suggest an amp sim called Dirthead, it didn't have the stereo splitting problem like the others, it has a built in cab sim(cannot change cab model however) and it can be disabled. Excellent distortion/crunch/clean in my point of view, the built in cab is alright but it sounds different when it's from a cab impulse, not sure which is better. I'll just put in a few examples to compare :).

First is dirthead0.80 with cab on: http://www.box.net/shared/kflxeqaktc

Dirthead with cab off using KeFIR running the Mesa Boogie Studio 22 441 Edge 48s impulse: http://www.box.net/shared/99i8lk065j

Guitar guru's, any suggestions/feedback?

(Oops I forgot to mention I the gain on the left side is a bit lower, I kind of forgot to change it when I changed the right one...well it doesn't affect the sound too much :) )

[dfalkmusic]

thank you so much, sixto. i'm just getting started into remixing (but i have been composing for a little while :) ) and with this thread, i can use my guitar in my mixes :D

[Soryiu]

I was wondering if anyone has any tips on using gearbox/toneport to amp and acid to record. I can't seem to find any amp models that are compatible with gearbox that aren't faded or scratchy on decent distortion levels.

[Lunahorum]

line6 is having an amazing deal on tone port DI-bundled.

You get the hardware + 3 months guitar online + some other stuff for $30. I remember there being a catch (like no vst) or something so be careful, but awesome deal otherwise!!

[Cuda]

OK, I have a Line6 HD150, I can run a line out to my computer from the amp head, it has lots of amp models etc.

Any tips on how to get it sounding good in audacity? Should I cut out the effects and just add them in after the recording? Using one of the programs seems kind of redundant but would they give me a better sound versus the amp's settings?

Also, I generally roll the eq with bass down, Mid somewhere up and high around the mids, though I do tweak the EQ for different tones. When I direct input the guitar it sounds really weak, plus lots of buzz and hum.When I run the line out from the amp it comes through really loud, but I can cut out all the noise and such. Plus on the direct, the 7 string sounds really bass heavy. Is it more a matter of preference or is there better ways?

I apologize if this is out of place. I'm new to recording and am finding this site most helpful.

[MoonDoggie]

Hey Lunahorum, I think I may be having the same problem you had with respect to level of amp noise. I'm directly connecting my guitar into my firebox, and getting some amp hiss thorugh amplitube and the vsts posted on this thread. I thought it was normal at first, like a part of the amp simulation, but you posted that you got rid of it.

I couldn't gather how you did it from your post. You mentioned getting an audiophile 2496. From what I could tell it seemed to fix your problem somewhat. So I guess it might be my firebox, but I'm not sure. If you could elaborate more on what exactly you did, that'd be a big help to me.

Edit: Crap, sorry about the off-topicness. Only just realized I could have sent the user a pm instead -_-

[gatesoflife7]

It seems that keFIR is no longer available =/ is there another program that will work in it's place?

[berlin]

It seems that keFIR is no longer available =/ is there another program that will work in it's place?

I've just got it from softopedia so it's a matter of how hard you look rather than it's availability.

[Salluz]

Available: http://rekkerd.org/fretted-synth/

This should replace the older FrettedSynth in that list. The one I use: FreeAmp 3 Full.

[LuketheXjesse]

It seems that keFIR is no longer available =/ is there another program that will work in it's place?

Voxengo Boogex, which is actually better.

[Level 99]

Just gotta put in and say thank you to everyone who's contributed to this thread, especially Mr. Sixto. I'm sure I'll have questions at some point but there's much tinkering to be had before then!

RAWK

[Sixto]

Lots of new stuff has come out since I made this thread so I'll probably be updating sometime soon. I'll probably also be making a new thread that talks more about setting up all the "virtual knobs" on these goodies so people just starting to learn this stuff (and all you Shreddage users!) can get a better idea of how to craft their own tones.

[BlackPanther]

Learnin about the knobs would definitely help me as I own Shreddage, soooo can't wait for that! =D

[Sixto]

Bump! More free goodies on the front page.

[Magellanic]

I just want to say thank you for the amazing post! I've been experimenting with the plugins and been getting nice, natural results.

You beat me to posting the LePou plugins. I found this tutorial whilst trying to learn a bit more about guitar tones:

http://audio.tutsplus.com/tutorials/production/using-guitar-amp-simulators-101-part-1/

It goes from a very basic level but goes through some tone shaping. Definitely informative if you are starting out with amp simulators and want to know what each of the parameters does. It focuses on Guitar Rig, but I think it provides some useful info in general on guitar amp sims. In the third tutorial it shows some stuff on using 3rd party impulses.

If you think its any good, whack it on the opening post :)

[AngelCityOutlaw]

Hot damn.....I've been trying this stuff out alongside my actual amp (which I thought sounded good to begin with) and this stuff opens up a whole new level of possibilities.

Great thread, thank you!

[Magellanic]

Thought I'd share some plugins that aren't in the opening post. I've been using TSE plugins recently. They're free and absolutely amazing!

http://www.theserinaexperiment.net/forum/

There is continuing development (don't be put off by some being in beta) on the plugins so just click on the relevant forum to get the plugin you want. The real star of this bunch is the high-gain X50 . It sounds simply fantastic. You can change settings such as bias and the tubes in it. In my humble opinion, the X50 is one of the greatest sounding sims. Very nice to play with. The only negative is it can be a real resource hog BUT you can switch between high and low quality settings. Obviously you only need the high quality for mixdowns. Having said all that the X30 is no slouch and the TSE808 is a pretty good tube screamer plugin (I think that's included in Sixto's opening post anywho)

Like the LePou amps, you'll need impulses but I don't see that as a drawback. Always good to have flexibility.