1. Soldano Vst Plugins
2. Soldano Vst Plugin
3. Soldano Vst Plugin

Amp simulator plugins offer realism, dynamics, and the convenience of authentic amp tones without needing to record a physical amp. For this reason alone, amp simulators are at the height of popularity with bedroom studio players.
When it comes to clean guitar sounds, many programs offer impressive tube amp clean tones. Whether it’s for blues, country, funk, metal, jazz, and ambient players.
And on the subject, this post serves as a round-up of some of the best amp simulator plugins for authentic and realistic clean guitar sounds. Value for money, price, features, and versatility are also heavy influencers on this list.

Soldano SP-77 Amplifier Simulation Juicy77 by BTE Audio is a free amp sim based on the legendary Soldano SP-77. The VST plugin features a separate preamplifier, a power amplifier, and a loudspeaker cabinet simulator section with seven classical cabinet types. About BST100 Super Overdrive plugin. What a great sound! Smooth strong preamp drive, very effective eq, the master boost really warms things up, the cabinet IR's add lots of tonal options, and captures the realism and authenticity that's vital for an amplifier plugin. Virtual Heavy Tone is the official VST plugin emulation of the analog boutique guitar pedal manufactured by Heptode. Inspired by the Soldano SLO-100 amp overdrive channel, Virtual Heavy Tone produces very realistic tubish hi-gain distortion. The VST plugin shall be used with a VST host such as Cubase, Sonar, Audacity, Fruityloops.

The Audio Capturing Device

Before I delve into the list, it first has to be said you need a high-quality audio interface with good pre-amps for ensuring a clear signal into your PC.

The reason is a quality interface will capture your guitars analog signal and convert it to a clean and transparent digital signal within your chosen amp simulator plugin and DAW.
This will improve your clean tones realism, clarity and, responsiveness. It will just sound plain better in a mix and sound more authentic in comparison next to a real tube amp.
No plugin in the world can produce a crystal clear dynamic tone without having a quality input into your chosen amp software.

Therefore, ensure you invest in a professional capturing device whether that be an audio interface, DI box or a mixer.

Now let’s get into it. Here is a great pick of amp sim plugins for fantastic clean tones for your DI guitars.

1. AmpliTube 4 (IK Multimedia)

• Price: €299.99 (Max version)
• Standalone: yes
• Win/Mac (64-bit only)
• Demo version: yes

Amplitube 4 has cemented itself as one of the most popular paid amp simulators offering an all in one tone factory aimed at guitar tone freaks.

This software boasts one of the best-emulated collection of iconic amplifiers and effects with an incredible amount of tonal versatility for all studio recording and experimenting needs.

The full paid versions of Amplitube 4 can cover the full spectrum of genres but this program has been lauded with its sonics and true dynamics when it comes to clean guitar sounds.

Amplitube 4 Clean Sounds

Amplitube 4 uses some of the best emulation technology to capture and produce dynamics and response similar to a real tube amp for your DI guitars.

This software boasts hyper-realistic tones as tone studio creator providing the guitar player with an infinite amount of options for sound.
All of these can give you lush boutique cleans sounds, or ambient, and spacey tones to darker clean tones for the heavier genres. There is no limit to the sounds you can create and tweak.

Amplitube 4 includes classic amplifiers from Fender, Marshall, Hi-Watt, Soldano, Orange, Mesa Boogie, etc, combined with a large selection of stompbox and rackmount effects to play with.

When it comes to effects you have a choice of compressors, EQ, reverbs, delays, tape echos, overdrives and many more for dialing in your perfect clean sound.

The Cab Room

Vst strings for free. The ‘Cab Room’ allows you to customize microphones, cabinets and microphone placement.

Even the recording ambiance can be altered overall offering an immersive experience when sculpting a palate of perfect guitar tones for recording or practicing.

The ‘Cab Room’ successfully adds an extra dimension of realism and allows you to fine tweak your perfect guitar tones.

Official Fender Amp Packs

Another hefty reason why Amplitube 4 is seen as one of the best amp sim plugins for clean tones, is largely down to the Official Fender amp pack collection.
This official amp bundle provides some of the best-emulated Fender clean tones from any amp simulator on the market today.
This ultimate pack contains the simulated versions of Fenders ‘golden gems’ including the 59 Bassman, 65 Twin Reverb, the 65 Deluxe Reverb, Pro Junior, and 64 Vibroverb to name a few.
The tones are some of the most vibrant and dynamic clean guitar sounds perfect for any country, blues, jazz, rock or ambient player.

2. BIAS FX 2 (Positive Grid)

• Price: $299
• Standalone: yes
• Win/Mac
• Demo version: yes

BIAS FX 2 from Positive Grid is a premium amp simulator suite and another heavy-weight within the guitar plugin community.

BIAS FX 2 includes a huge library of amps, cabinets, effects, microphones all fully customizable with a simple drag and drop system. All aspects of your desired rig are fully customizable within your virtual signal chain for creating an army full of guitar tones.
BIAS FX 2 boasts a huge selection of sounds, ranging from vintage cleans, dirty distortions and modern metal.

BIAS FX 2 Clean Tones

BIAS FX 2 uses a refined DSP engine for delivering the best emulation technology offering sonic realism and genuine amp tones from the major players in the amp and effect industry. Hence why it makes this list when it comes to amp and effect realism.

This popular VST plugin offers a range of clean sounds ranging from lush Fender cleans, vintage tones, modern tones or custom amp combinations. Clean tones are responsive and dynamic providing a wide tonal spectrum of sounds depending on your tastes and level of experimentation.

BIAS FX 2 offers all you could want from a premium amp sim plugin for an infinite palate and possibilities for clean sounds.

BIAS FX2 – Guitar Match

‘Guitar Match’ is a new and innovative feature unique to any amp sim software plugin. ‘Guitar Match’ essentially analyses the output and pickups of your guitar and emulates the sound of a host of different guitars ranging from classic and modern guitars.

Meaning your Les Paul guitar with humbuckers can be altered to a piercing and sparkly tone similar to a Telecaster or Stratocaster with single-coil pickups. Guitar match essentially emulates different guitar pickups and certain guitar characteristics.

This feature can certainly lend itself useful for clean sounds as if you lack a guitar with single coils, humbuckers or P90s. This software can fill in the gap of a pickup that you do not have in your collection of guitars. A nice feature to have!

3. Helix Native (Line 6)

• Price: $399 (Elite version)
• Standalone: no
• Win/Mac
• Demo version: yes

Line 6 are no strangers to digital effect modeling with Helix Native being the amp sim plugin for a complete tonal library bursting with features.

Helix Native boasts the most amp and effect presets on this list but does come out as the most expensive option featuring…

• 62 amplifiers
• 37 cabinets
• 104 effects
• 16 microphones

The software features a responsive and realistic catalog of amps emulated from Fender, Bogner, Soldano, Orange, Marshall and many more.

The range goes all the way from vintage boutique amplifiers to metal high gain monsters which can be fully tweaked and customized.

For clean sounds especially, users will like the number of effects and dynamic effects to go with the large list of vintage and boutique sounding amps for creating awesome John Mayer and Eric Johnson tones. Another plus is that the Helix accepts custom IR’s for more custom sounds allowing more versatility.

The interface adopting sliders may not be as visually appealing than other premium sims. Yet, this can be seen as more efficient and less distracting on the eye and gets straight to the point of creating and tweaking tones easily without any hassle or distractions.

4. Scuffham S-Gear

• Price $129
• Standalone: yes
• Win/Mac
• Free demo: yes (15-day trial)

Scuffham S-Gear is a budget-friendly amp simulator and a worthy contender on this list. S-Gear offers tons value including a handful of amps and features for the price compared to the other premium amp sims.

S-Gear offers 5 presets simulating a range of Mesa Boogie, Marshall, Soldano, and Fender amps.

Guitarists placed in the blues, country, rock and ambient category will enjoy the ‘Custom 57’ which is modeled from a classic Fender Twin Reverb. Producing vintage and crisp cleans all the way to warm and silky overdrive sounds.

The ‘Wayfarer’ is a versatile amp also modeled and voiced to sound like classic American sounding amp with a twist. This amp has lots of headroom for dialing in sweet clean sounds and can be tweaked sound more modern tones.

Adding ambiance and space to your presets is as easy as dropping in delays, reverb, and modulation for adding the cherry on the top to your clean tones. all wrapped together with a simple to use interface.

S-Gear may not be loaded full of presets and features compared to the big boy sims such as Amplitube 4 and Bias FX 2. However, for a fraction of the price, you can get enough tones and sounds for a range of genres for professional recording and experimenting needs.

5. Kuassa Amplifikation Vermilion

• Price: $39+VAT
• Standalone: yes
• Win/Mac
• Demo version: yes

Vermilion is a solitary amp perfectly voiced for clean and low to mid-gain tones. Although this plugin can do many tones (including high gain.)

It has to be said that Vermillion shines the most for vintage Fender style clean tones suitable for blues, country, ambient, rock, funk, jazz and many more.

Features

• 3 amp voicings (vintage, vintage, modern)
• Clean and an overdrive channel
• 5 different matching cabinets
• Tremolo
• Reverb
• 4 microphones (condenser, dynamic)
• Customize microphone placement
• Noise gate

Presets can be loaded and custom ones can be created with a simple interface for quickly creating and loading up pre-made and custom tones.

Clean sounds are warm, lush and can do a range of sparkly American tones perfect for the players in the softer genres.

Use the gain to push the amp into crunch, overdrive moving towards the rock territory. There are different amp voicing to change the sonics from a vintage tone to a modern voicing depending on your tastes.
When it comes to value, this software is excellent for dipping your toe in the amp sim world before splashing out on a premium software.

This sim can do high gain metal tones but not the best. However, if you are more concerned about clean, crunch and overdrive sounds then Vermillion is a great choice.

Other Mentions

Here are some other worthy choices that sadly did not make the cut!

Guitar Rig 5 Pro

Guitar Rig 5 Pro is another amp sim suite supplying accurate and authentic tones emulated from amps from Fender, Hi-Watt, Marshall, Roland, Orange, Mesa Boogie, etc. Including lots of rack effects, distortion, reverb, delay, etc.
I remember using Guitar Rig 4 religiously before I switched to other sims. However, Native Instruments have stopped all software support to Guitar Rig products.

So I cannot fully recommend a product that is not fully supported. But that’s not to say the program is not a reliable, functional, and great-sounding amp sim plugin.

Softube Vintage Amp Room

Says exactly what it is on the tin! Softube provides a handful of emulated vintage amps offering a great range of throwback guitar tones from the 60s and 70s. The plugin is affordable and is best served for vintage amp enthusiasts who want boutique guitar sounds in stripped-down plugin.
Vintage Amp Room also has a pleasing interface allowing users to customize microphone positions and for the price offers great classic guitar tones. For vintage clean tones especially this software is a great option.
Recording a physical amp can be more of a hindrance as you need to set-up microphones, understand microphone placement and have a suitable environment without annoying other people.

You are also limited to the capabilities of your amp. However, keep in mind, there is no right or wrong option it all boils down to personal preference which method you prefer.

Amp Sim Clean Tone Top Tips!

Ensure that you properly set the levels ie gain staging to avoid clipping and a dirty signal when trying to achieve a pristine clean guitar tone when recording DI guitars.

Use a DI box connected to your Audio interface which will lessen the output signal to your interface helping it sound smoother and less digital.

Keep the gain low on the virtual amp for clearer clean tones and get your volume from somewhere else. Either the interface gain, an external compressor or a virtual compressor within your rig.

Pickups that provide a hot output can cause clipping and a hotter signal so be wary of what pickups you are using and adjust accordingly. Some interfaces have a ‘PAD’ button to take the edge off.

A hot signal causes break-up and pushes the tone into a slight overdrive when you dig into the strings which are undesired for pristine and transparent lush clean guitar sounds.

Thanks for Reading

Hopefully, you found this list helpful will take your guitar recording, experimenting, and clean tone requirements to the next level. See you soon!

Before you go….

Do you play bass? If so, you need to read my next post…”9 Best Amp Simulators for Bass Guitar.” It’s my comprehensive round-up of the best amp sims for the bass players featuring the best amps, effects aimed for the bass players out there.

With the explosion of popularity with amp simulator plugins in 2019, there’s a virtual sea of choice when it comes to choosing an amp sim for your recording, practicing, and jamming needs.

For recording metal especially, amp sim plugins are as popular as ever with guitar players in the heavy genres.

Why Amp Sims Are So Popular

The reason being the convenience, tonal versatility and palette of heavy tones on offer without racks of expensive gear.

Even the die-hard tube amp purists out there are beginning to switch over to virtual rigs for their recordings.
With all this choice in the modern-day plugin and VST world, which amp simulator plugins are best for metal players?

What This Post is About

In this post, I have taken the time to round up a selection of the best amp simulators which are best for metal players, including high-gain and killer sounding modern amps and effects.

How I Choose Them

• Most metal presets – which software provides enough modern tones in one package
• Best sound – the most authentic and realistic guitar tones for recording and practicing
• Features -depth of customization, amount of presets and effects
• Most value – for the price which offers the most ‘bang for your buck’
• Key features – standalone version, free demo, unique innovative features

Always Try The Free Demo

The best amp simulator plugin is the one that sounds best to your ears and tailors to your requirements the most as a recording guitarist.

So I always recommend giving the free demo version a spin before opening your wallet for a potential purchase.

So without further ado, here’s a selection of popular amp simulators in 2019 for getting a modern and selection of killer high gain metal tones.

Let’s get into it in no particular order….

#1- AmpliTube 4

• Price: €299.99 (Max version)
• Standalone: yes
• Win/Mac (64-bit only)
• Demo version: yes

Amplitube 4 has long been a heavy favorite within the amp sim community especially with metal players. It is regarded as a premium software with hyper-realistic guitar tones, bundles of features, and the ability to modify all components of your rig for ultimate tone tweaking.

Main Features

• Accurately emulated amplifiers and stompbox effects
• ‘Cab Room’ – in-depth cab, microphone, and room ambiance customization
• Rack effects
• Built-in recorder and DAW
• Easy to use interface
• Save and modify presets
• Downloadable content via the ‘IK Custom Shop’
• Hardware Support for MIDI foot controllers

With all these great features, Amplitube 4 is the top option for a sweet metal amp plugin for genuine metal tones and unlimited amounts of tone sculpting customization for professional recording in any DAW.

Which Version is Best

Each version includes all the standard features mentioned above. The differences with each version are the number of amps, effects and presets that are available for dropping into your custom rig.
Amplitube 4 offers a handy free demo for road testing a few amps and effects for getting a feel for things.

If you become convinced there is the option to upgrade to the premium versions later or purchase and download additional amp packs and effects to your rig via the IK Custom Shop.

The Base Version (€49.99)

The Base version is the most affordable version out the pick. The problem is, when it comes to modern metal amps, high gain stompboxes and effects the choices are very light.

There is enough to get you started with a handful of unofficial Marshall type British amplifiers. But when it comes to metal amps, there is only one modern metal amp (although it is based on a Mesa Boogie.)

If you are new to amp sims then this is a great program to dip your toe and get you going.

Deluxe Version (€299)

The Deluxe version is the next step up offering 140 pieces of gear with a large range of amps, cabinets, microphones, stompboxes, and effects.

All this gear is Amplitubes unofficial presets so no official skins, unfortunately. However, the presets sound authentic which are emulated versions of popular amps, cabs, effects, and microphones.

Again only a few metal amps to choose with most of the selection of amps being American vintage amps with a few modern high gain amps. Which brings us to the last version…

Best Option: Amplitube 4 ‘Max’ (€299)

The Max version, in my opinion, is the best bundle containing 300 pieces of gear although it is the most expensive investment.(See Max version full list here)

The ‘Max’ version contains the Deluxe version and all the awesome official amp packs including the sick sounding official Mesa Boogie pack (list below.)

• Official Mesa Boogie Pack – (6 official Mesa Boogie Amps)
• Amplitube Metal – Amplitubes unofficial high-gain amps and cabs
• Orange amps bundle – Official Orange amp bundle
• Slash – Official Slash Marshall amps and effects
• Jimmi Hendrix Pack – Collection of historic Fender Amps
• Official Ampeg bass pack – Ampeg amp and bass cabs

This version offers the most and valuable presets that will satisfy the metal players with a line of amps from Mesa Boogie, ENGL, Soldano, Orange, etc.

AmpliTube 4 – Official Mesa Boogie Pack

Conclusion

AmpliTube 4 is an ‘all in one’ amp sim for taking care of your metal recording needs. You will have to invest a fair bit for all the additional metal content through the IK Custom Shop or the ‘Max’ version. However, Amplitube 4 focuses on authenticity, aesthetics, and sonic realism ideal for metal tone purists. Hence why it is regarded as one of the best amp simulators money can buy.

#2 – BIAS FX 2

• Price: = $299
• Standalone: yes
• Win/Mac
• Free Demo: yes

BIAS FX 2 is an updated complete guitar tone studio VST plugin equipped for complete tonal customization.

The original BIAS FX was a popular amp sim within the metal recording community for an endless selection of options for creating any players virtual dream metal rig.

Features

• Genuine sounding emulated amps and effects
• A grand total of 200 presets
• 100 amplifiers and cabs (34 high gain amps)
• 100 effects total
• Tone Studio – create and download custom rigs from the online community
• ‘Guitar Match’ – Alters your guitars core sound to vintage single coils or humbuckers
• Recorder
• Looper

BIAS FX 2 is the new incarceration packing tons of high gain amplifiers modeled from popular amp brands such as Mesa Boogie, Engl, Diezel, Soldano, Bogner, and many more.
When it comes to choice, the software features 100 amps (34 high gain modern amps) with 100 effects allowing all the possible tone any metal player could need.
Screaming leads, heavy rhythm, ambient cleans, experimental effects the possibilities are endless with the amount of customization on offer with this package.

Guitar Match

‘Guitar Match’ is a new innovation feature unique to any amp sim. How it works is Guitar Match ‘samples’ your pickups then altering your core tone to a selection of 17 classic guitars to choose from.
For example, can alter your warm EMG humbuckers to a classic clean Telecaster single coil pickup for a brighter and more ambient clean tone adding some sparkle to your sound.

Bias FX does not just emulate amps… it can now emulate guitars! What a time to be alive!

Conclusion

BIAS FX2 is a premium amp simulator with tons of editing and tonal customization. This software directly rivals Amplitube 4 in terms of realism and having the ultimate platform for building your dream rig.

#3 – BIAS AMP 2

• Price: $269 (Elite version)
• Standalone: yes
• Win/Mac
• Free Demo: yes

For technical amplifier purists out there, BIAS Amp 2 takes amplifier tinkering and tweaking to a whole new level.

This amp sim plugin stands out from other programs as you have the ability to build your custom dream amplifier from the ground up. Everything in close detail!

For example, you can modify intricate components such as the pre and power tubes, transformers, biasing, EQ shelf-frequencies, etc all impacting on the overall tone and performance of your dream amp.

Features

• Intricate and deep tone sculpting
• ‘Amp Match’ – upload an mp3 file to create a custom amp to that tone
• Tonecloud – download and upload presets to and to the online community
• Standalone version
• 100 amp match features
• Official Celecestion speaker impulses

Keep in mind, this program is not a ‘build your dream rig’ plugin as there are no masses of effects and stompboxes.

Although it features a good selection of reverbs from small ambiance to long lush reverbs.
It’s more of a ‘build your dream amp’ sim as a stepping off point which you can either load another amp sim plugins alongside for adding effects and additional details around your dream amp.

Integration with BIAS FX

For ultimate tone customization, you could import your dream custom amp from BIAS AMP 2 into any version of BIAS FX.

Meaning you can add your dream amp into BIAS FX for adding the effects and ‘icing on the cake’ details to your dream rig which are lacking in BIAS AMP 2.

Conclusion

BIAS AMP 2 is perfect for tube amp lovers who want an immerse editing experience for creating a custom core amplifier from the ground up. It is not for users looking for the all in one tone library VST plugin like BIAS FX, Amplitube 4, Helix Native, etc. However, is an excellent software for crafting that perfect tube amp tone for jamming and recording.

#4 – Helix Native (Line 6)

• Price: $399 (Elite version)
• Standalone: no
• Win/Mac
• Demo version: yes

The Helix Native by Line 6 features 60 amps, 30 cabinets, and 100+ effects. Offering plenty of core presets for endless amounts of metal tones for your dream virtual rig. /free-guitar-simulator-vst.html.
All the presets are Line 6 reincarnated versions of popular amp companies… Mesa Boogie, Peavey, Engl, Bogner, Soldano, Orange, and many more.
The tones I must say are notably responsive and genuine to their modeled counterparts. You can create an army of metal presets that sound genuine as any other amp sim on the market today.

Features

• 60 amps, 30 cabs, 100+ effects
• Upload Impulse Responses (IR)
• Realistic amp emulations
• Versatile in sounds

Another good feature is you can upload custom impulse responses to improve on the current selection of sounds if they are not to your taste adding more flexibility.
The Helix has a logical and notably low-key interface which makes dragging dropping presets easy and customizing is a breeze with the movable sliders making customizing a simple process.

The Pricing

As great as the Helix is and deserves a spot on this list, I would say the $400 price tag is a little too steep in my personal opinion. I would say a price range of $150 – $250 would be somewhere more appropriate.
However, for a complete tone studio library, the Helix is a fantastic option and offers tons of value for the high price tag and is up there with the best amp sim plugins on offer.

Conclusion

Helix Native is ideal metal players looking for an ultimate guitar tone library plugin. Although the interface and visuals are not on par with other sims, however, the authenticity and depth of customization and quantity of presets make it a strong contender.

#5 – Overloud TH3

• Price: $269
• Win/Mac
• Standalone: yes
• Demo version: yes (15-day trial)

Overloud TH3 may not be at the same level as popularity as Amplitube or Bias FX in the amp sim community.

However, this is software has stepped up its game from the previous version boasting the most presets of any of the choices on this list. And with this comes a wide variety of sounds and tones.

Overloud TH3 features accurate versions of classic metal amps from Mesa Boogie, Peavey, Engl, Diezel, Randall, etc for massive metal variety.

All emulated to a high level of realism and tonal responsiveness for easily creating a legendary custom metal rig.

Features

• Tons of amps and dynamic effects
• Genuine amp and effect tones
• Online community for important and exporting presets
• Support for MIDI foot controllers
• Live option for playing live
• Standalone version for quick jamming

The interface has been redesigned and uncluttered all unnecessary distractions for easily dragging and dropping presets into your rig without any navigation problems.

There are tons of loaded features straight out of the box. This sim also does not sell you any additional content unlike other sims and is slightly more affordable than other larger sims on this list.

Presets

• 1000 custom presets
• 89 amps
• 50 cabinets
• 77 pedals and rack effects
• 18 microphones

Conclusion

Overloud TH3 Is ideal users looking for a reliable and premium amp sim for a variety of metal tones with simple navigation and tons of presets. It may not be the most popular sim compared to other premium software. However, It is very worthy of having a spot on this list.

#6 – Emissary (Ignite Amps)

• Price: Free
• Standalone: No
• Win/Mac

The Emissary was released in 2014 and to this day is still a very popular metal plugin continuing to receive praise from the online guitar recording community.

The Emissary plugin is a single emulated modern high gain amp head fully equipped for sculpting any style of metal.

Sound

The amps core tone is known for emulating the sound of a ballsy and aggressive tube amp perfect for enabling with any style of metal.

Although it sounds just as good with rock, clean and milder tones the plugin is really at home when used for aggressive metal tones.

Besides the great versatility of sounds on offer, let’s not forget this plugin is completely free for download and use on your tracks right away.

This software is not meant to be a tonal library like other programs, It’s simply to deliver one great sounding and versatile amp with the beauty of no cost up front.

Need a Cab Sim?

Keep in mind, you will need a cabinet simulator for pairing with the amp head plugin in order to get the best sound.

For this, I recommend the NadIR cab simulator which is another popular choice for a solid cabinet sim for pairing with your amp head plugins.

Conclusion

This software is a fantastic and popular free amp sim plugin within the metal recording community. Simply drop it in your DAW as a plugin for brutal tones without paying top dollar. This option is great if you are new to the world of amp simulators to test the sound and how to configure them which can lead to a paid program down the line.

#7 – The Nameless Suite & NTS Suite

• Price: $99 each
• Standalone: yes
• Win/Mac
• Free demo: yes (each offer 14-day trial)

For this selection, I couldn’t decide which plugin to choose between both of these metal monsters, so as a Brucie bonus, I included them both!

The Fortin amp sim series brings forward two epic and brutal sounding amp simulators covering virtual amp purists perfectly for the genres of rock, heavy rock and of course metal.

Both amps are aggressive, high gain, modern voiced, versatile and drapped in metal tones. Both versions also include virtual pedals being an overdrive, noise gate and boost for further tone shaping control.

The Nameless suite and the NTS are two separate plugins costing $99 a piece integrated with a handy standalone version for using the software independently outside of a DAW.

But what are the differences and which one to choose? Let’s discuss them both…

The Nameless Suite

The Nameless suite to this day is a popular metal plugin for unleashing a saturated modern tone on your tracks.

When it comes to tone, the nameless suite to my ears is modeled to sound like the classic ‘Peavey 5150’ with a beefy sounding 4×12 cabinet.
The Nameless has been regarded by the amp sim community as the ‘tighter’ and more ‘controlled’ version perfect for lower tunings for chugging, djent, and metalcore.

The amps sound is certainly tighter across all frequency ranges and is more at home with modern and heavier detuned versions of metal.

The NTS Suite

The NTS Suite is the newer alternative choice featuring the benefit of a second channel for sparkling clean tones and a different tonal personality compared to the original Nameless amp.

The NTS suite is modeled to sound like a ‘Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier’ and has a noticeably trebley top-end and a more saturated tone lending itself well to more extreme styles of metal such as thrash and death metal for example.

Which to Choose?

Both amps are awesome sounding high gain tube amp plugins perfect for sculpting any metal tone. Your choice ultimately comes down to personal preference and which tones you prefer.

Conclusion

Both options are affordable amp simulators for amazing heavy tones without paying the price for a premium amp simulator plugin. Although their price is small the sounds you can create can be huge.

Soldano Vst Plugins

#8 – Peavey Revalver 4

• Price: $99
• Standalone: yes
• Win/Mac
• Free demo: yes

Peavey amp fans and enthusiasts look no further! Here I bring to you the catalog of official Peavey amplifiers in simulated form for your enjoyment.

Peavey has historically produced some of the best metal amps over their existence, providing the heaviest and brutal guitar tones to the masses.
Well, as you expect from Peavey Revalver 4, some of the classics included in this package are the: 6505, Valveking, 5150 and many more classic Peavey beasts.
You also get unofficial amp brands modeled from classic models from Vox, Marshall, Diezel, and, Mesa Boogie which is unexpected but nice to have.

Features

• Large selection of amps, cabs, and effects
• Realistic ReValver engine
• Microphone selection, positioning, and ambiance controls
• Upload impulse responses
• Standalone version
• Modify your guitars core tone to sound like a different guitar
• Rack effects
• Slick interface
• Schematic designer

Conclusion

Peavey Revalver 4 is an honest and great value software with tons of features and presets without paying $300+. This is a great option for beginners getting into amp emulation and for the advanced users alike.

#9 – Scuffham S-Gear

• Price $129
• Standalone: yes
• Win/Mac
• Free demo: yes (15-day trial)

Scuffham S-Gear is another popular software placed in the affordable bracket on this list.

Concerning the metal players, the software boasts emulated amps sounding similar to a Mesa Boogie, Soldano, Marshall and a vintage Fender amp offering a nice palette of tones.

Features

• 5 versatile pro studio amps
• Rackmount effects (reverb, delay, modulation)
• Load your own impulse responses
• Includes a cab simulator
• Versatile option of tones

The stand out amp from the bunch is the ‘Wayferer.’ This amp can go from heavy chugging to crystal clear tones cleans and vintage crunch all from the one amp.

The new version of Scuffham S-gear includes rackmount effects (modulation, reverb, and delay) all integrated into a simple and easy to use interface.

I must admit, This is not the most flashy option on the list but for the price, the value is definitely there for an affordable virtual amp for playing metal. The best thing to do is give the demo a try and let it convince you.

Conclusion

S-Gear has been praised for its professional sound at an affordable price. It has been used by beginners learning the ropes or advanced users wanting to try something different.

Do You Play Bass?

Now we have come to the end of the list, as a guitar player do you play a bit of bass on the side? Then you must read my post…

Soldano Vst Plugin

I round-up the best and most valuable amp simulators if you are a recording bass player. These amp sim plugins are the best choices for any bass player who wants great DI bass tones.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there’s a lot of choice for acquiring an amp sim for a great sounding, saturated high-gain goodness and a variety of heavy tones.

Soldano Vst Plugin

I have always loved the convenience, versatility, and sound of amp sims from the first time I tried Guitar 4 Pro.

But not with the sea of virtual amp simulators due to their rise in popularity, there’s now almost too much choice on offer.

So with that, the take-home point again is to always try the demo version to see which software meets your tonal and recording needs out of all these options I have mentioned.

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