Software Amp/Cab/Mic/IRs?

[rsm]

Finally getting near done with my gear, and ready to get into the software area for recording. Total noob on this topic though...

Having owned an Axe-Fx Ultra I know about it, and I know about the 11R and other hardware rack, pod, portable and floor modelers, really looking at the pure software only options now...native, VST

My first interest area is to learn about / hear / get thoughts and opintions on software modelers for guitar amps / cabs / mic placement / IRs?

Here are a few that I've found:

Vintage Amp Room
Line 6 PodFarm
Revalver
Guitar Rig
Studio Devil
Amplitube


Any thoughts on / experience with / opions on these? Any others out there worth a look/listen?

For tones, I'm into vintage Vox/Fender/Marshall tones, so Vintage Amp Room has my interest. Not looking for nu-metal, highgain, booteek cleans (well eventually booteek cleans), - Looking for tube clean, edge of breakup, low-gain, mid-gain (think 70's era hard rock: Humble Pie, Kiss, Deep Purple, Aerosmith, Queen gains)

[drgonzoguitar]

I use POD Farm (vers. 1...and now vers. 2). I have been more than happy with it. I also think Guitar Rig 4 is pretty cool (from the demo I played with). You can get some great edgier tones that are really tough to dial in with POD Farm.

Here is a POD Farm example from me:

"Harlem Nocturne"
Using the Vibro models... rhythm is with trem and lead with a ton of spring verb.
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=8874393

[stvnscott]

I would say download the demos and try them for yourself. Each is different, so you will need to dedicate some time to it to give it a fair audition.

Also keep in mind that success with these often depends on how good your preamp (must be guitar-centric) and your interface are.

I've tried them all and stuck with GR4. I take that back. I haven't tried Amplitube 3--just 2.

One other thing. You might do well to download Boogex (free IR plugin) and check out some other IRs like Red Wirez. They blow away most of the cab sims in the different software packages.

[rsm]

Thanks for the info and tips!

[Motokid]

Originally Posted by rsm

Thanks for the info and tips!

Have you tried the Vandal Amp Sims?

[Don Petersen]

Originally Posted by Motokid

Have you tried the Vandal Amp Sims?

another Vandal advocate here.

also, using ReCabinet or other high quality IRs greatly improves the tone of not so great sounding VSTs.

here's my list:
- NI GR4 good for complex fx sounds, but the straight amp & cab tones still are awful
- Amplitube3 good, but a CPU hog
- POD Farm meh, works I guess, nothing bad or great about it, mediocre
- Vandal my goto VST right now
- TH1/Triode superior to most other modelers, my #1 guitar plugin before Vandal arrived - check out the free Slego
- freeware plus ReCabinet IRs very interesting the Nick Crow Lab stuff seems to get good reviews, but I haven't had the time to check them out myself

[rsm]

No, haven't tried the Vandal Amps, but I did find their site and read/listened/watched. I should have added them to my list in the OP.

Does the Vandal Amps software require an iLok?