Feel lucky to be a recording guitarist in this day and age — there have never been so many options for crafting amazing guitar tones. And while it’s hard to beat the simplicity of placing a microphone in front of a good tube amp and hitting record, it’s also hard to beat the flexibility and consistency that plug-ins offer. But just like any gear purchase, you want to be smart about what guitar plug-ins you add to your collection. What are your best options to accomplish your goals? There are plenty of plug-ins to choose from, and Sweetwater is here to shed some light on the subject.
Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!
- IK Multimedia AmpliTube 5 MAX Software Suite
- Positive Grid BIAS AMP 2 Pro Amp Match Modeling Plug-in
- Positive Grid BIAS FX 2 Standard Effects Modeling Plug-in
- Overloud TH-U Premium Guitar Effects Suite
- Line 6 Helix Native Guitar Amp and Effects Plug-in
- IK Multimedia TONEX MAX Amp/Cab/Pedal Modeling Software
- Neural DSP Tone King Imperial MKII Amp and FX Suite Software
- Line 6 Metallurgy Collection Amplifier and Effects Plug-in
- PreSonus Ampire Modeling Amp and Pedalboard Plug-in
- Blue Cat Audio Axiom Multi-effects and Amp Simulation Plug-in
- MixWave Benson Chimera Plug-in Collection
IK Multimedia AmpliTube 5 MAX Software Suite
Currently in its fifth generation, the IK Multimedia AmpliTube 5 MAX software suite has become a favorite among recording guitarists — mainly because it is so comprehensive. Offering much more than amplifier and effects modeling, AmpliTube is also the perfect practice partner with its 4-track looper, 8-track DAW/recorder, and built-in tuner. That means you can start off by choosing a great tone to practice with, and then, if inspiration strikes, you can begin tracking your ideas immediately without losing the creative flow. With more than 400 pieces of gear, including 107 amplifiers, 101 cabinets, 107 stompbox effects, 44 rack effects, and 18 mics, you’ll be able to find a great tone for any style of music with this AmpliTube MAX software.
Positive Grid BIAS AMP 2 Pro Amp Match Modeling Plug-in
The Positive Grid BIAS AMP 2 Pro Amp Match modeling plug-in may be the ultimate virtual amp designer. While it offers plenty of emulations of iconic amplifiers, BIAS AMP 2 Pro also stands out by allowing you to mix and match amplifier components, like tubes and transformers, to create your own dream rig. And if you’re trying to nail the sound of an already-recorded guitar track, then you can use the plug-in’s Amp Match technology to analyze and re-create that tone within the software. Plus, its ability to sync with BIAS iPad and iPhone apps to tweak your settings remotely from your host computer is insanely cool.
Positive Grid BIAS FX 2 Standard Effects Modeling Plug-in
The Positive Grid BIAS FX 2 standard effects modeling plug-in basically does for effects modeling what the BIAS AMP 2 Pro does for amplifier and cabinet modeling. So, why is it a separate software title? BIAS FX was designed from the ground up to be a complete effects processing solution with top sound quality. It’s a powerful effects suite for more than just guitars if you get creative with it. It also features full integration with BIAS AMP software, even allowing you to equip two custom amplifier models in the same virtual rig. If your amp needs are mostly covered, but you want a no-compromise virtual solution for effects and processors, then this BIAS FX plug-in is a smart choice.
Overloud TH-U Premium Guitar Effects Suite
The Overloud TH-U Premium guitar effects suite — the successor to the widely popular TH3 — represents the company’s fifth-generation analog emulation technology and is widely recognized as one of the best-sounding amp sims available. The fact that TH-U features amplifier models that are approved by the manufacturers themselves (Randall, DV Mark, Brunetti, THD) says a lot about Overloud’s accuracy when it comes to modeling. TH-U also features one preset bank entirely dedicated to electric bass, so it’s a solid solution for solo musicians that track both guitar and bass. Other favorite features of this suite include the ultra-vibrant BREVERB and SpringAge reverb effects as well as the easily configurable signal-path routing and advanced cabinet emulations, which can load external IRs. One additional feature that sets TH-U apart is the integrated Rig Player, which allows players to reproduce several real-world sampled setups.
Line 6 Helix Native Guitar Amp and Effects Plug-in
The Line 6 Helix Native amp and effects plug-in brings award-winning HX Modeling to your computer — no floor pedal or rack processor required. And if you do use a Line 6 Helix pedal onstage, then the Helix Native is the perfect companion. You’ll be able to transfer your custom tones between the two for complete tonal consistency, whether you’re recording or performing. With Helix Native, you have more than 60 guitar and bass amp models, more than 100 different effects, more than 30 speaker cabinet models, and support for external impulse responses, too. You’ll also find a ton of flexibility when it comes to creating your effects signal path. Whether you choose this Helix Native plug-in for its advanced sound quality or its comprehensive hardware integration with Helix and Helix Rack, you won’t be disappointed.
IK Multimedia TONEX MAX Amp/Cab/Pedal Modeling Software
The IK Multimedia TONEX MAX amp/cab/pedal modeling software gives you unrestricted access to a veritable sonic playground. At its core, the plug-in uses IK’s proprietary AI Machine Modeling technology to deliver spot-on emulations that entrap your ears. Players can use any one of the 100 amp models and 50 emulated pedals to explore old-school sounds, craft new presets, or explore uncharted tonal territory. You don’t need to be a gear guru to get good sounds, either! TONEX MAX has a simple and clean interface that can build a whole rig from the ground up in just five minutes. It also comes stocked with 1,000 tone models, and many more user-built models are available through IK Multimedia’s ToneNET sharing platform.
Neural DSP Tone King Imperial MKII Amp and FX Suite Software
Neural DSP plug-ins are known for their incredibly lifelike sounds. With the company’s Tone King Imperial MKII amp and FX suite software, you can add a boatload of American-style boutique tones to your DAW. You get two channels of operation: the first offers Cali-style cleans, while the other delivers iconic tweed tube tones. Neural DSP modeled every component of this amplifier all the way down to the emulated Ironman II Reactive Attenuator, a feature that offers the same perceived volume with different tonal variations via power amp saturation. Your purchase of Neural DSP’s Tone King Imperial MKII doesn’t just come with the amp! You also get three stompbox-style pre-effects (Compressor, Overdrive 1, and Overdrive 2) to dial in more tones without any extra processing power. If you’re looking for the iconic sound heard on countless rock, country, and blues recordings, then go with the Neural DSP Tone King Imperial MKII.
Line 6 Metallurgy Collection Amplifier and Effects Plug-in
Top-tier metal tones aren’t always easy to come by. Well, that’s if you don’t have the Line 6 Metallurgy Collection amplifier and effects plug-in. Powered by Line 6 HX technology, the Metallurgy Series consists of three plug-ins and 12 amplifier types. First up, the Metallurgy: Thrash plug-in offers four intense amp models that deliver every thrash-metal tone known to man. The Metallurgy: Modern plug-in gives you a trio of genre-defining amplifiers and one original Line 6 offering tailor-made for today’s surgically precise aggression. Finally, the Metallurgy: Doom plug-in provides the ideal, low-tuned drones and sludge platform. The Collection features eight cabs to give you the perfect tone. Each of the plug-ins in the Metallurgy Collection has a tuner, 4-band parametric EQ, and a noise gate.
PreSonus Ampire Modeling Amp and Pedalboard Plug-in
The stunningly realistic amp simulations within the PreSonus Ampire modeling amp and pedalboard plug-in continue to inspire players at Sweetwater to explore new tones. Ampire includes five amp models that cover everything from supercharged British leads to American cleans. There’s also a powerful bass amp to use when tracking the low end. Beyond the amps, this plug-in includes 16 classic speaker cabinet impulse responses — each with adjustable microphone settings. That’s still not all! With Ampire, you can access 14 scintillating stompbox emulations for additional tone-shaping capabilities. Everything is powered by PreSonus’s advanced State Space Modeling technology, which ensures that the tones you hear are vibrant and lifelike. Guitarists searching for great tones without a steep price tag will love using this PreSonus Ampire plug-in.
Blue Cat Audio Axiom Multi-effects and Amp Simulation Plug-in
“In-the-box” amplification is simple, impactful, and massively flexible when you’re rocking the Blue Cat Audio Axiom multi-effects and amp simulation plug-in. It operates just like a real amp — it has two channels that can run in parallel or be blended to perfection. The plug-in comes with 40 effects that you can place into the signal chain before or after the amp stage. Plus, you can load any third-party VST plug-in to the chain — how’s that for flexibility? There are hundreds of available presets to tweak, or you can use the built-in amp editor to create your signature sound. Guitarists who double on bass will find that the Axiom plug-in is as good on bass as it is on guitar.
MixWave Benson Chimera Plug-in Collection
The MixWave Benson Chimera Collection of plug-ins faithfully models one of the most talked about boutique amplifiers and effects pedals in recent memory. With its spot-on emulation of the 30-watt, all-tube firebreather, Chimera headlines this collection. It delivers a unique blend of dirty Americana and British grind that sounds big, fat, and bold. Next, three stompboxes (Benson Germanium Fuzz, Benson Germanium Boost, and Benson Preamp) allow you to refine your tone. And for your mixing pleasure, fire up the Benson Tall Bird reverb. Powered by proprietary convolution response techniques, this plug-in models the lush, all-tube reverb unit. Unlike other reverb tanks that produce spring reverbs, the Tall Bird offers a hall-like sound. For true-to-life, boutique tone, there’s nothing better than the MixWave Benson Chimera Plug-in Collection.
Sweetwater Has Amp Modeling Plug-ins for Everyone
One thing we love about these guitar plug-ins at Sweetwater is how useful they are for items beyond just guitars; many of these plug-ins are great solutions for basses, too. Their outstanding effects are also sweet on vocals and other instruments. Even if you’re usually the kind of player to plug directly into an amp, set up a mic, and get your tone that way, guitar plug-ins like the ones above can give you a ton of flexibility throughout your production process. That’s always a good thing! Want to talk with someone who has in-depth experience regarding a huge range of guitar software solutions? Just call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700.
