Amp simulator plugins have become a cornerstone for modern music production, offering incredible tone shaping and flexibility right within your digital audio workstation. They emulate the sound of iconic amplifiers, cabinets, and effects with stunning accuracy, making them an essential tool for guitarists, producers, and engineers. Whether you’re recording at home or crafting professional-grade tracks, amp sims provide endless possibilities without the need for physical gear.
It’s time to hear from you! Cast your vote for the best amp simulator plugins and share your thoughts in the comments. From favorite features to insider tips, your insights can guide others in discovering the perfect plugin for their sound.
1. AmpliTube 5 Max
111 stompboxes, 111 amps, 106 cabinets, 33 speakers, 18 microphones, 48 rack effects, and 8 rooms.
Up to 57 effects, 3 cabinets, and 3 amps simultaneously.
New VIR™ Volumetric Impulse Response cabinet engine.
New IR loader with up to 2,400 IRs per cabinet.
8-track multitrack recorder DAW in standalone operation.
Supports sampling rates up to 192 kHz.
2. Neural DSP Archetype: Petrucci
Plugin and Standalone Version.
4 guitar amps, wah & compressor, overdrive, phaser/vibe, chorus, and flanger.
Cabsim + IR Loader featuring six virtual microphones.
4-band semi-parametric equalizer.
Volume - MIDI-controllable.
Post Effects: stereo chorus, stereo delay & reverb.
Transpose & Doubler.
Tuner and Metronome.
3. Neural DSP Archetype: Gojira X
Plugin and Standalone Version.
3 amp models: Clean, Rust and Hot.
Effects: overdrive, distortion, phaser, chorus, delay and reverb.
Pitch shifter pedal and octaver pedal.
Cabsim module with hundreds of IRs featuring six virtual microphones.
9-band graphic equalizer.
Transpose & doubler.
Tuner & metronome.
4. Positive Grid Bias FX 2 Elite
Plugin and Standalone Version.
116 Amps, 125 Effects and 18 Racks.
IR Loader.
Looper/Backing Track Player.
MIDI / Automation.
5. IK Multimedia - TONEX MAX
AI Machine Modeling.
Contains 1000 Tone Models with 100 amplifiers and 50 pedals.
Modeling of any amplifier, cabinet, combo, pedal, etc.
Unlimited access to User Tone Models.
6. Line 6 - Helix Native
60+ amp models, 30+ speaker cabinet simulations.
100+ effects models.
Supports third party impulse responses.
7. Neural DSP Soldano SLO-100 X
Plugin and Standalone Version.
Pre effects: compressor, boost (OD1), overdrive (OD2), and a vintage chorus.
9-band graphic EQ with high and low-pass filters.
Comprehensive cabsim module with hundreds of IRs featuring six virtual microphones.
Post effects: delay and reverb.
Transpose & doubler.
Tuner & metronome.
8. Guitar Rig 7 Pro
26 classic guitar and bass amps with matching cabinets and 115 effects.
Impulse Response Loader.
Over 100 rack presets.
Onboard Loop Machine Pro.
9. Neural DSP Archetype: Nolly X
Plugin and Standalone Version.
4 amp models: Clean, Crunch, Rhythm and Lead.
Effects: compressor, 2 overdrives, 2 delays and reverb.
Hundreds of impulse responses + load your own IR files.
9-band graphic equalizer.
Transpose & doubler.
Tuner & metronome.
10. STL Tones AmpHub
Plugin and Standalone Version.
47 Amps, 37 Pedals, and 28 Cabinets.
You can load your own IR.
11. Positive Grid BIAS Amp 2 Elite
36 HD amp models.
15 licensed Celestion IRs.
Amp match technology.
Tubes, transformers, cabinets, microphones etc. can be changed individually.
EQs, noise gate and room simulation.
12. Neural DSP Archetype: Cory Wong X
Plugin and Standalone Version.
3 amp models: D.I. Funk Console, The Clean Machine and The Amp Snob.
Cabsim features 108 IRs per cab for a total of 324 IRs.
Wah, envelope filter, compressor, booster and overdrive.
Room reverb, chorus, delay.
9-band graphic equalizer.
Transpose & doubler.
Tuner & metronome.
13. Neural DSP Tone King Imperial MKII
Plugin and Standalone Version.
Wah, compressor, 2 overdrives.
9-band graphic equalizer.
Cabsim module with hundreds of IRs.
Chorus, stereo delay & reverb.
14. Waves - PRS SuperModels
Plugin and Standalone Version.
3 PRS amps.
Customizable dual cabs with 8 cab IRs, or use 3rd-party IRs.
Boost switch for high-gain.
Full MIDI implementation.
15. Overloud TH-U Full
89 guitar amps and 4 bass amps.
50 guitar cabs and 2 bass cabs.
85 pedal and rack effects.
18 microphone models.
More than 1000 presets covering all musical styles.
Fully customizable MIDI control for live usage.
16. Scuffham S-Gear
Plugin and Standalone Version.
Collection of guitar amps, speaker cabinets and effects.
Flexible Drag & Drop effects rack.
10 day fully featured trial.
17. Neural DSP Morgan Amps Suite
Plugin and Standalone Version.
3 amp models: AC20, PR12 and SW50R.
Cabsim + IR Loader.
9-band graphic EQ per amplifier with a high pass filter and low pass filter.
Pre effects: compressor, two overdrives and tremolo.
Post effects: delay and reverb.
Transpose & doubler.
Tuner & metronome.
18. Waves GTR3
5 clean, 5 overdrive, 14 high-gain, and 6 Neil Citron custom amps.
25 high-end guitar effects.
16 guitar cabs and 6 bass cabs with 12 miking options.
GTR3 ToolRack & Tuner.
19. Universal Audio Fender Tweed ‘55 Deluxe
Authentic emulation of a 1955 Fender tweed Deluxe.
Different microphone combinations and placements.
Re-amp with any UAD-2 hardware.
20. Universal Audio Softube Amp Room
Collection of Softube’s guitar and bass amp models.
Click-and-drag mic placements.
Vintage Amp Room, Metal Amp Room & Bass Amp Room.
21. Blue Cat Axiom
Two versatile amp simulation channels.
Over 100 built-in effects.
Built-in MIDI controllable looper.
Load and tweak impulse responses.
22. Blue Cat Free Amp
Free guitar amp simulation plugin.
3 amp models.
Load you own cabinet or reverb impulse responses.
23. TSE Audio X50II
Zero-latency IR-loader with adjustable IR length.
IR Analyzer.
Power Tubes. Switch between using 6L6GC or EL34 pentode models.
Rack - Tuner, Delay, Equalizer, Reverb.
Pedalboard - Noise Gate, TSE808, R47, Phaser, Pandora's Box and SDM-2.
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