Amp sim plugins let you record convincing electric guitar and bass tones without a loud amp, a mic or a treated room. Modern amp sim plugins model the amp, cabinet, microphone and room together, so a DI guitar straight into your interface can sound like a fully mic’d rig. Here are the ones worth your time, from free to premium.
Violet Recording is reader-supported — we may earn a commission from links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Quick answer: best amp sims by need
- Best free: Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) and Ignite Amps Emissary.
- Best all-rounder: Neural DSP Archetype series and STL Tones AmpHub.
- Best for variety: IK Multimedia AmpliTube and Positive Grid BIAS FX.
- Best for tone-tweakers: Native Instruments Guitar Rig.
What makes a good amp sim plugin
The realism of amp sim plugins comes from three things: the amp model, the cabinet simulation (usually impulse responses, or IRs) and how the two interact with your DI signal. Capturing a clean DI matters as much as the plugin you pick — get your levels right first using our guide to gain staging, and see how to capture a clean signal in recording electric guitar at home.
Best free amp sims
Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) is an open-source plugin that loads community “captures” of real amps. The model quality is excellent and the library of free captures is huge, so it punches well above its price (free). Pair it with a free IR loader and cabinet IRs.
Ignite Amps Emissary and NadIR (a free IR loader, also from Ignite) make a complete free rig. Emissary is a high-gain-capable two-channel amp that sounds great for rock and metal, and NadIR handles the cab.
Best premium amp sim plugins
Neural DSP Archetype plugins are artist-focused suites (each modelled around a specific player’s rig) that include amps, cabs and a full effects chain. They are CPU-friendly and sound studio-ready out of the box.
STL Tones AmpHub is a subscription suite with a large rotating library of amps and tones, good if you want lots of options without buying individual packs.
IK Multimedia AmpliTube and Positive Grid BIAS FX are deep, long-running suites with huge gear collections, pedalboards and presets — strong choices if you want one plugin to cover everything from clean jazz to modern metal.
Native Instruments Guitar Rig is a flexible, modular rig builder with quality amps and a deep effects rack, and it integrates neatly if you already use Komplete.
Do not forget the cabinet and IRs
The cabinet stage shapes more of your final tone than most players expect. Many amp sims include cab modelling, but loading third-party impulse responses (from makers such as Celestion or various free packs) can transform a so-so tone into a great one. If your amp sim has an IR slot, experiment there before blaming the amp model.
How to choose the right one for you
- On a budget: start with NAM plus free captures and a free IR loader.
- Want one polished tone fast: a Neural DSP Archetype in your style.
- Want endless options: AmpliTube, BIAS FX or AmpHub.
- Recording bass: look for sims with dedicated bass amps and a clean blend control.
Whatever you choose, monitor through accurate speakers or headphones so you judge the tone fairly — see monitors vs headphones for mixing. For more plugin and mixing guides, visit the mixing and mastering hub.
Frequently asked questions
Are amp sim plugins as good as a real amp?
For recording, the best modern amp sims are good enough that many released records use them. A real amp in a great room still has its place, but for home recording a quality sim is usually the more practical and consistent choice.
Do I need a special interface or DI box for amp sims?
You need an instrument-level (Hi-Z) input, which most audio interfaces have. Plug your guitar into that input, record the clean DI, then run it through the amp sim. No amp or mic required.
What is an impulse response (IR)?
An IR is a snapshot of how a specific speaker cabinet and microphone sound together. Loading an IR in your amp sim replaces or supplements the built-in cab model and is often the single biggest tone improvement you can make.
Leave a Reply