Whether you're looking to kickstart your music career or you're just exploring a hobby, you'll need top-quality gear, be it for recording your audio or tuning it.
It goes without saying that a guitar amp is an essential component of any guitarist's rig. Whether you're jamming in your bedroom or taking to the stage, the best guitar amp will significantly help in amplifying your guitar's sound, whilst keeping it pristine.
However if there's one thing this past year has taught us, it's that we may not always be able to do our daily commute, be in crowded spaces or get into a recording studio. And if you're trying to maximise your living space, then you don't want to constantly be tripping over gear - trust me, I live with a guitarist and it's annoying!
What is a guitar amp simulator?
This is where a guitar amp simulator (also known as an amp sim) comes in handy. The amp sim allows you to virtually amplify your guitar sound from anywhere you are, meaning you're no longer limited to certain spaces.
It's a program that imitates the sound of a guitar amp, giving you hundreds of guitar tones to get creative with, while freeing up space in your home.
And if you're worried about budget, we've included a wide range of prices in our guitar amp simulator roundup, including a free amp simulator for good measure.
We've compiled a list of our favourite picks below:
The best guitar amp simulators in 2021
www.positivegrid.com
Without a doubt, this is the best guitar amp simulator available on the market right now. This has got tons of amps and effects and can be used as a DAW (digital audio workstation) or as a standalone amp. According to guitarist Sam Roche, from Sightline Guitar, "BIAS FX 2 gives me all the virtual amps and effects I need, all housed in-the-box. For everyday use, I honestly prefer it over an actual amp. You can also often craft a guitar tone that's better than one you can capture with a mic."
Compatible with: Mac/PC
Best guitar amp simulator for professionals
www.ikmultimedia.com
This amp simulator gives you an incredible range of tones, plenty of flexibility, and truly crisp audio. The latest update has been by far the most significant update on this amp simulator range, it now boasts live and looper modes, an eight-track recorder function, as well as over 400 gear models! This luxury comes with a more hefty price tag, so we'd recommend it for professionals, or anyone with a more flexible budget.
Compatibility with: Mac/PC
Recommended
www.ikmultimedia.com
Another excellent amp simulator, this product may not be as easy to navigate or boast as many features as the Amplitube 5, but it sounds exactly just like an actual, physical amp. According to IK Multimedia, it has a "hyper-realistic tone" and we can confirm it absolutely does. It's also cheaper than the Amplitube 5.
Compatible with: Mac/PC
www.native-instruments.com
With an incredibly easy-to-use interface, delivering pristine and clear guitar audio, there's very little to dislike with this guitar amp simulator. As it's super straightforward to navigate, we think it's best for beginners, even though it carries a more premium price tag. It's additionally easily integrated with DAWs.
Compatible with: Mac/PC
Best for heavier music
www.stltones.com
Whoever said you need to overspend to get a great guitar amp simulator was, in a word, wrong, and with this product, you don't need to spend at all. This is excellent for anyone writing heavier music as it works wonders with guitar distortions and has great tube saturation too.
Compatibility with: Mac/PC
FAQs
Are virtual guitar amps good?
Definitely! They can sound just as realistic as an actual physical pedal, whilst allowing you to use them in any location. Of course, you won't be able to use it for any gigs, but it's a handy tool to use from home.
What is a DAW?
A DAW, otherwise known as a Digital Audio Workstation, is like a digital recording studio. It's got everything you would need in a recording studio all on your computer.
What to read next:
Isabel Martins is a Commercial Content Writer for What's The Best, specialising in technology.
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