When the music industry shifted from analog tape to digital software platforms around the turn of the millennium, the reliance on physical hardware for music production began to decrease. While hardware hasn’t disappeared entirely, the rise of software plugins has led to a gradual decline in the need for studio outboard gear, as these plugins can replicate real-world equipment with impressive accuracy.
Over the past two decades, plugins have empowered musicians to record and produce music using just their laptops, often achieving excellent results. Guitarists, in particular, have benefitted from this technological shift. Plugins don’t just emulate traditional studio gear like compressors, equalizers, and reverbs—they can also simulate guitar amplifiers.
Whereas the early 2000s offered only a few decent-sounding guitar plugins, today’s market boasts a wide variety of amp and effects plugins designed specifically for guitarists. Let’s explore how these plugins work and highlight some of the major players.
What Are Guitar Plugins?
Guitar plugins are often referred to as VST plugins, which stands for Virtual Studio Technology. These audio plugins use digital signal processing to simulate hardware. The technology has advanced significantly, and now there’s a VST plugin for nearly every musical need.
From legendary microphone simulations to prized SSL preamps, accessing the sounds of coveted musical equipment has never been easier. One of the major advantages of VST plugins is their cost-effectiveness, making recording more accessible by offering high-quality emulations at a fraction of the price of the real gear.
How Do You Record With Guitar Plugins?
To use plugins, you’ll need a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) like Logic, Cubase, or Pro Tools. These DAWs can host plugins that you can apply to virtual channel strips. Most guitar plugins are compatible with these popular DAWs, as they support third-party products.
You’ll also need an audio interface, which connects to your computer via USB or Thunderbolt. This interface allows you to plug in your guitar with a standard jack-to-jack cable and set the input level. You can also connect a pair of studio monitors to most standard audio interfaces.
What Can Guitar Plugins Do?
Most guitar-specific plugins are designed to replicate the tonal characteristics of famous amplifiers. Many of these amps are prohibitively expensive in real life, but plugins offer access to a wide range of sounds. These plugins are incredibly versatile, with numerous additional features.
For example, you can compare different virtual guitar cabinets with your favorite amp head to find the perfect tone. More advanced plugins even allow you to swap out virtual microphones and adjust their placement for precise sound customization.
Many of these VST plugins also come with libraries of emulated guitar pedals. Whether you want to add chorus to a clean tone or create a heavy fuzz sound, these virtual stompboxes can be used alongside your chosen amp emulation, allowing you to build your own custom signal chain.
What Are the Best Guitar Plugins Available?
While only a few guitar plugins were available a few years ago, the market is now flooded with options. Some of these can even be downloaded for free or offer free trials of flagship software. Here are a few of the top contenders:
- IK Multimedia Amplitube: Released in 2002, Amplitube was the first guitar amp plugin to gain widespread attention. Now in its fourth version, it models a variety of amplifiers, cabinets, speakers, and effects, allowing you to build an entire signal chain from instrument to recording device. Amplitube also offers licensed amp models from major brands like Fender, Orange, and Mesa/Boogie. Its user-friendly interface and detailed customization options make it a favorite among guitarists.
- Positive Grid BIAS: Known for its appeal to metal players, Positive Grid’s BIAS Amp and FX plugins provide a vast library of amp, cabinet, and pedal models. The standout feature of BIAS Amp is its ‘Amp Match’ technology, which allows users to capture and emulate the sound of a real amplifier or a recorded guitar tone. BIAS FX also includes a ‘Guitar Match’ feature, which can make your guitar sound like a different model, such as a Les Paul or a Strat.
- Native Instruments Guitar Rig: Another long-standing favorite, Native Instruments’ Guitar Rig offers a slightly smaller library of emulations but is praised for its authenticity. Its modular system interface mimics a traditional guitar rack, making it less intimidating for users who want great tones straight out of the box. The ‘Control Room’ feature allows for precise microphone placement and multi-mic setups for achieving personalized sounds.
Pros of Guitar Plugins
- They allow you to record with just a computer and an audio interface, making it easy to get creative without the need for extensive studio setups.
- An entire library of guitar sounds can be stored on your computer, with patches that can be easily saved and recalled.
- Plugins sound great at any volume, unlike tube amps that typically need to be cranked up to sound their best.
- Guitar plugins are more affordable and versatile than real amps.
- In a full song mix, it’s often difficult to distinguish between real amps and their emulated counterparts.
- Plugins offer endless possibilities for experimentation, letting you mix and match virtual amps, cabs, and pedals to create unique sounds.
- Rearranging elements in a virtual signal chain is much easier than reorganizing a physical rig.
- Post-production is simpler, as you can tweak settings or add effects without re-recording, unlike with a real amp.
- Online communities allow users to share and download patches.
- Guitar plugins require no maintenance, unlike real amps that need regular upkeep.
- They continue to improve over time, with regular software updates and support from developers.
- Expansion packs can be purchased to broaden the selection of available amp, cab, and pedal models.
Cons of Guitar Plugins
- They may not sound as realistic as real tube amps. If the “feel” of playing through a tube amp is important to you, virtual plugins may not fully satisfy.
- Real pedals typically don’t work well with guitar VST plugins when plugged directly into audio interfaces.
- Some niche amp models may not be available as emulations.
- Not all plugins are advanced enough to simulate room sounds, which can be achieved by recording real amps in studio environments.
- Latency can be an issue when playing through your computer. A high-quality audio interface and a fast processor are essential to minimize latency.
Conclusion
While amps can be bulky, loud, and expensive, guitar plugins offer versatile and affordable software solutions with a wide range of amp, cab, and stompbox emulations. These plugins make it easier than ever for guitarists to experiment with different tones for recording, eliminating the need to hire studio space.
Of course, many guitarists still love the organic feel and sound of analog tube amps, especially for live performances. If you can afford a high-quality amp that captures your signature sound, recording with it makes perfect sense. There’s a place for both real amps and virtual plugins, but if you haven’t yet explored the world of guitar plugins, now is a great time to dive in.
