VST plug-ins and effects apps
Multi-effects software for guitar and bass
We usually report on hardware multi-effects devices for guitar and bass on our website. However, for several years now, there have also been very useful software solutions that can be used to simulate amplifiers and guitar effects. This type of software is available as standalone programs and as plug-ins for popular digital audio workstations (DAWs). Often, the programs can even do both. In this guide, we'll introduce you to some popular paid and free products in this area.
What are the advantages of software guitar effects?
As a guitarist, you're probably wondering why you should even consider software for guitar effects when there are so many tried-and-tested multi-effects devices and stomp boxes available for this purpose. However, there are good reasons for choosing a software solution:
Flexibility: Even though many multi-effects devices can be updated with new features via firmware updates, this does not necessarily happen regularly, and the basic scope is determined by the hardware used. Software does not have this problem. Not only is the number of available amp simulations and effects enormous with software, but the settings options are also usually much more extensive than with hardware solutions. Since interfaces for plug-ins are standardized, plug-ins from different manufacturers can also be used together.
Price: Most of the apps and plug-ins we present in this article cost less than $200, many significantly less—and some are free. Of course, you can also get a decent multi-effects device for less than $200. However, inexpensive multi-effects devices often cannot compete with the quality of the sound engines offered by the major software providers.
Home studio with decent quality: If you want to record music at home, recording your physical amplifier with a microphone is not really an option. For this purpose, it makes sense to play an undistorted signal directly into your DAW and then apply professional effects. Many of the plug-ins presented here have been designed for exactly this type of application.
The setup in a case: There are now quite a few musicians who spare themselves the logistical nightmare of lugging their entire zoo of devices and equipment to every gig. With some of the professional bundles for effects software, you don't need much more than your guitar and a laptop or iPad to take your sound with you wherever you go.
To be honest, though, we have to mention that even when using multi-effect software for guitar, you can't do without hardware entirely. In theory, you could connect your guitar directly to your PC's sound card using a 6.3 mm to 3.5 mm jack adapter. However, you won't get much joy out of it. The inputs on most sound cards are designed for other frequency ranges. So, to use software solutions, you'll need to buy a so-called audio interface.
Most audio interfaces simply connect to your PC or Mac via USB and usually offer at least one Hi-Z instrument input to which you can connect your guitar or bass directly. You can get decent USB audio interfaces for around $100. Popular models include the Scarlett Solo* from Focusrite for computers and the iRig HD 2* or iRig Pro I/O* from IK Multimedia for iPads.
A tip from us: If you already own a multi-effects device for your guitar, it's worth checking the manual to see if the USB interface can also be used as a USB audio interface. In this case, you can use your multi-effects device as an interface and don't need to purchase a separate device.
Paid multi-effects software
In this section, we present what we consider to be the best and most popular VST effect plug-ins and apps for amp simulation that you have to pay for. Further down in this article, we also present a few good free alternatives.
Native Instruments Guitar Rig 6 Pro
The Berlin-based company Native Instruments is a household name for most musicians who have ever worked with instrument plug-ins for DAWs. Native Instruments has also been offering Guitar Rig for guitarists for over 15 years. The current version 6 offers a wide range of amp simulations and effects. Guitar Rig 6 Pro is essentially an all-in-one solution that offers the right sound for every taste. As you would expect from Native Instruments, the sound quality is outstanding.
The software for Windows and Mac simulates a total of 21 different amplifiers, over 25 matching cabinets based on impulse response technology, 15 distortion effects, twelve modulation effects, eleven reverb and six delay effects, as well as effects such as bitcrusher, chorus, and phaser. With the help of so-called containers, multiple effects can be combined into multi-effect packages, which makes management much more convenient. Incidentally, almost all amplifiers and effects in Guitar Rig 6 are modeled after well-known physical devices, such as Marshall, Vox, or Boss, even if they have different names in the UI.
Guitar Rig 6 Pro currently costs $199 as a new purchase and $99 as an update from the previous version. Guitar Rig is also included in the complete package “Komplete”* from Native Instruments, which costs between $549 and $1,600 depending on the edition. Guitar Rig 6 Pro can be used as a standalone application or as a plug-in in AU, AAX and VST formats for 64-bit Windows and Mac systems.
Positive Grid BIAS FX 2
At €99, BIAS FX 2* from Positive Grid is significantly cheaper than Guitar Rig 6 Pro. The software is in the same league in terms of sound and even offers a wider range of simulations with 60 amplifiers and 100 effect pedals. Similar to the other multi-effect programs presented here, BIAS FX 2 simulates numerous well-known amplifier models. This is evident from the appearance of the UI, but not necessarily from their names. With 120 presets, the app invites you to experiment with different styles.
BIAS FX 2 is available for Windows and Mac as a standalone program and as a plug-in in AU, AAX, VST2, and VST3 formats. A special feature is that iPad owners don't have to miss out. The app is available for iPadOS and iOS, starting with operating system version 11.
IK Multimedia AmpliTube 5
AmpliTube is also available not only for Windows and Mac, but also in a slimmed-down version for the iPad. IK Multimedia is particularly well known in the Apple ecosystem for its various USB audio interfaces for iPad and iPhone. AmpliTube 5 simulates over 400 well-known amplifiers and effects for guitar and bass, placing it in the category of all-in-one solutions such as BIAS FX 2 and Guitar Rig 6 Pro. We like the sound of BIAS FX 2 and Guitar Rig a little better, but that's a matter of taste, of course.
AmpliTube 5* is available for desktop in four different editions, ranging from free to $399.
Line 6 Helix Native
We have already reviewed Line 6's multi-effects devices several times on our website. With Helix Native, however, the same awesome sound engine found in the Helix devices is now also available in a software version.
Helix Native runs on Windows and Mac systems and is available in AU, AAX, and VST interface formats. The software simulates over 300 amplifiers, cabinets, microphones, and effects.
In terms of sound, Helix Native is definitely at the top of its game and among the best the market has to offer. However, Line 6 also charges a premium for this. Helix Native costs around $400. A free trial version that runs for 15 days is available for download on the official website.
Other paid apps and plug-ins
Neural DSP is likely to appeal to fans of polished metal sounds who don't need an all-inclusive package. The company offers a selection of so-called “Archtetype” plug-ins that simulate the sound of bands and musicians such as Gojira, Tim Henson, and Plini. For bassists, there is also the Darkglass Ultra plug-in, which simulates vintage and B7K Ultra bass amplifiers. All plug-ins cost around $100 and impress with their outstanding sound.
The “Bluecat Audio Destructor” is a versatile plug-in for distorted amp sounds. It costs €79 and is available for Windows and Mac as AU, AAX, and VST.
Free apps and plug-ins
The following apps and plug-ins are free. However, that doesn't mean they sound bad – on the contrary, many of them are simply slimmed-down versions of paid professional programs.
Ignite Amps Emissary offers a good-sounding amp simulation and includes 6 IR files for cabinets. The plugin bundle from STL Tones runs on Windows and Mac and is available in AU, AAX, and VST formats.
Voxengo Boogex is a versatile amp plugin for Mac and Windows. It features an impressive 61 cabinet IR files – a remarkable achievement for free software! The plug-in is available in AU, AAX, and VST formats.
Conclusion
Guitarists now have a wide range of useful amp and effects simulations to choose from in the form of DAW plug-ins and standalone apps. Bass players aren't left out either, although the selection is somewhat smaller for them. Most programs and plug-ins run on Windows and Mac, and some even on iPads and iPhones. Even free plug-ins are sometimes good for more than just a quick try before buying a professional bundle.
