Yeah, tube amps sound great… but in 2023, guitar amp sims get the job done! As a home recording musician, you have the opportunity of a whole arsenal of amps to create professional-quality guitar tones right from the comfort of your own home.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about using guitar amp sims to unlock amazing tones. Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate musician, this guide will help you take your recordings to the next level. Let’s dive in and discover how to use guitar amp sims effectively and make them sound even better!
I. Understanding Guitar Amp Sims
Guitar amp sims, short for amplifier simulations, are software or plugins that replicate the sound and characteristics of real amplifiers.
They provide an array of benefits, such as:
- Convenience – No more lugging a 50+ lbs 4×12 cabinet around.
- Versatility – No more having to acquire an array of amps to suit that next riff in your head.
- Cost-effectiveness – In most cases, buying an amp sim (software or hardware) will be a less expensive alternative than buying a tube amp that would be considered studio quality. Not to mention all the savings on mics and preamps to capture the tones from physical amplifiers.
Let’s explore how to get started with guitar amp sims and maximize their potential.
II. Getting Started with Guitar Amp Sims
Choosing the Right Amp Sim Software
To begin your guitar amp sim journey, it’s essential to select the right software that suits your needs, budget, and workflow. There are a lot of options with varying levels of customizations and features. We’ll explore popular options and their key features, helping you make an informed decision.
Key Features:
1. Amp Models and Variations – Look for software that offers a diverse range of amp models and variations. This allows you to experiment with different tones and genres, from clean and crunchy to high-gain and saturated sounds. The more options available, the better suited the software will be for different musical styles. If you find one amp you truly love, check out sims that focus specifically on that amp and any tones you can’t get elsewhere in a multi amp module simulation.
Pro Tip: If you are new to “amp culture” and don’t know what tones you like, don’t fret… or join in on any online debates. I always recommend to start with something versatile with good, clean, crunch, and high-gain distortion tones (there is a metalhead in all of us some days, right?).
2. Customization and Flexibility – Opt for amp sim software that provides a high level of customization and flexibility. This includes the ability to adjust parameters like gain, EQ, tone controls, and effects. The more control you have over these settings, the more tailored your tones can be to your specific preferences.
🔊 Pro Tip: Check the Presets – Always a divisive word, but plugin presets are designed to sound good. I always recommend starting your tone search by flipping through the presets to find something you like. Then tweak and make it your own from there.
3. Realism and Authenticity – Consider software that strives for realism and authenticity in replicating the characteristics of physical amplifiers. Look for features that emulate the nuances of tube saturation, speaker response, and dynamic response to achieve a more lifelike and organic sound.
🔊 Pro Tip: Don’t anguish too much about this one. Most big name software options will do the job just fine nowadays, especially when it comes to them sounding good in a fully mixed song with vocals, drums, or any other instruments.
4. Effects Integration – Check if the software integrates various effects like reverb, delay, modulation, and more. Having built-in effects can save you time and allow for easy experimentation and tweaking within the amp sim environment. Look for quality effects that complement the amp models and enhance your overall sound.
🔊 Pro Tip: When assessing available effects in a sim, I like to focus first on overdrive/distortions, those will be crucial to helping optimize your guitar tone. Most DAWs already have solid reverb and delay options. Next I would focus on any other effects you can’t replicate in your DAW, like that 60s Tremolo or that exact Flanger effect from that one song [insert artist here].
5. User-Friendly Interface and Workflow – A user-friendly interface and workflow can greatly enhance your experience with amp sim software. Consider software that is intuitive, visually appealing, and provides an efficient workflow. Look for features like drag-and-drop functionality, presets management, and easy signal chain routing to streamline your creative process.
🔊 Pro Tip: Make sure the amp sim you chose fits into your creative and technical workflow. Personally, I am a big fan of STL ToneHub because of its clean interphase (no distracting visuals to get me sidetracked) and how straightforward it is to find a great tone through presets.
Remember, these are just a few essential features to consider when choosing amp sim software. Depending on your specific requirements and preferences, there may be additional factors to evaluate, such as CPU efficiency, compatibility with your recording setup, and support for third-party plugins. Take the time to research and try out different software options to find the one that best suits your needs and helps you achieve the desired professional sounds in your home recordings.
My top “all in one” amp sim recommendations:
The Plugin Alliance and Universal Audio guitar and bass amp plugins are also great options, though they often only include 1 amp per product.
Setting Up Your Guitar and Audio Interface
Before diving into amp sims, ensure your guitar is properly connected to your computer or audio interface.
If you are new to audio interfaces, here are a couple good videos to walk you through the basic setup. If you don’t have an audio interface, I recommend the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 as a great one to start with.
On Mac:
On PC:
III. Tips for Using Guitar Amp Sims Effectively
Exploring Different Amp Models and Presets
Take the time to experiment with various amp models and presets to find the tones that resonate with your music style. Discover the possibilities and flexibility offered by amp sims.
Adjusting Parameters and Signal Chain
Dive deeper into the world of amp sims by understanding and tweaking parameters like gain, tone, EQ, and effects. Learn how to create custom sounds and arrange your signal chain for maximum impact.
🔊 Pro Tip: Try a Top-Down workflow for dialing in the tone.
- Find a preset you like that fits your song, riff, and playing style.
- If applicable, adjust the speaker to adjust the overall sound and how much space and air are in the sound – more about this in the “Enhancing the Sound Quality of Amp Sims section below.”
- Adjust the power amp gain to adjust the saturation of the signal. This will sound more subtle than adjusting the main gain knob, but will change the volume. This may also appear as the amps volume in the amp sim software, but is likely not the output volume knob.
- Adjust the gain to set the level of distortion, crunch of saturation in your tone. If there are any gain pedals prior to the amp, you may want to play around with those settings at this time.
- Adjust EQ – Start with the mids to get the amp pushing right and bringing the tone forward (or backwards) in the song. Next adjust the presence and high knobs to brighten or darken the amp sound, relative to the other instruments. Lastly, adjust the bass to fill out the tone or clean up some mudiness.
IV. Enhancing the Sound Quality of Amp Sims
Improving Tone and Realism
Want your amp sims to sound more authentic and organic? Start with the speaker!
🔊 Pro Tip: If you are able to adjust the mic on the speaker in the amp sim, try moving the mic away from the speaker. This will bring in more room tone and give the sound more space to “play well” with vocals and other instruments in the song. Also try moving the mic around on the speaker, typically closer to the center speaker cone will bring in more highs moving it to the outer area of the speaker will bring in more bass.
Don’t forget to try different mic options if your amp simulator has that option. You can never go wrong with an SM57.
If you use impulse responses (often referred to as IRs) you can use this strategy to experiment with different speaker impulses since many impulse response packs will include multiple options with varying mic and speaker placements.
Adding Effects and Post-processing
Amp sims can be enhanced further by incorporating additional effects and post-processing plugins. Discover how to take your guitar tones to new heights by harnessing the power of creative effects.
🔊 Pro Tip: When adding effects, be mindful of how they interact with your amp sim and the overall mix. Less is often more, and subtle adjustments can have a significant impact on the final sound. Overdrive, delay, and reverb are always a great place to start if you are trying to make a dry guitar tone sound more exciting.
V. Troubleshooting and Common Issues
Latency and Monitoring
Latency can be a common issue when using amp sims. To minimize latency, consider the following tips:
- Use a low-latency audio interface (with ASIO drivers if you are on a PC).
- Optimize your computer’s performance by closing unnecessary background applications.
- Reduce buffer size in your DAW settings, and active low latency mode (if available), but be cautious not to overload your CPU.
For efficient monitoring:
- Use direct monitoring on your audio interface to bypass the DAW’s processing or watch your meter to ensure your direct (non-affected) guitar signal is not clipping. Simple put this means don’t let it hit the red and make any digital clipping sounds. I recommend aiming for -6db on your audio interface’s input metering.
- Tracking is always easier through headphones. This allows you to focus in on that sound and also ensure no additional sound is being picked up or any interference is included in your guitar signal.
DAW Integration and Compatibility
Integrating amp sims with your digital audio workstation (DAW) can be challenging if you are not up to date on a current version. Ensure a smooth integration by following these steps:
- Update your DAW and amp sim software to the latest versions.
- Check for any software conflicts or compatibility issues with third-party plugins.
- Refer to the software’s user manual or online forums for troubleshooting guidance.
In Conclusion
Congratulations! You have reached the final chord in your journey to mastering guitar amp sims. By now, you are equipped with the knowledge and tools to unlock professional-quality guitar tones right from the comfort of your own home. Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate musician, I hope this comprehensive guide has provided you with the essential insights to take your recordings to the next level.
As you embark on your amp sim adventure, remember to keep these key points in mind:
- Choose the Right Amp Sim Software: Select software that aligns with your needs, budget, and creative workflow. Look for amp sims that offer diverse amp models and variations, customization options, realistic sound emulation, and seamless integration with effects.
- Explore and Experiment: Don’t be afraid to explore different amp models, presets, and effects to discover the perfect tones that match your musical style. Embrace the flexibility and possibilities offered by amp sims, and let your creativity flow.
- Focus on Tone and Realism: Pay attention to speaker and microphone placement to achieve a more authentic and organic sound. Fine-tune your signal chain and experiment with various settings to create unique and compelling guitar tones.
- Optimize Latency and Monitoring: Minimize latency issues by using a low-latency audio interface and optimizing your computer’s performance. Utilize direct monitoring and tracking through headphones for efficient recording sessions.
- Embrace DAW Integration: Keep your DAW and amp sim software up to date to ensure smooth integration. Troubleshoot any potential conflicts or compatibility issues to maintain a seamless recording and mixing experience.
As you continue to refine your skills with amp sims, don’t forget to practice, experiment, and let your creativity soar. Unlocking professional sounds with guitar amp sims is a journey of continuous learning and improvement.
Once your songs are ready to shine, take the next step in your musical journey and elevate your sound to new heights by getting your songs professionally mixed and mastered. At Electrifying Audio, our professional mixing services will bring your music to its full potential.
Remember, there are no strict rules when it comes to tone and creativity. Each musician’s journey is unique, and amp sims provide a world of possibilities to sculpt your signature sound. Keep exploring, keep playing, and most importantly, have fun creating your own musical masterpieces with the power of guitar amp sims. Rock on! 
