AMPS SIM DEVELOPERS
The big
list!
This is a list is a result of a community effort on our comapnion Facebook group. A huge thanks to the members who contributed!
So this is a big unfiltered list of all amp sim developers we know of. It’s intended as a source of inspiration and a help to find developers you might not have encountered yet. We have not thoroughly tested all products so tread carefully. Also some of these are old now so might not be compatible with the latest operating systems or DAWs. Try at your own risk but let us know if any issues arise – we will do our best to take note and update. Enjoy responsibly!
If you find some developer that should be on the list please make a comment on the FB group.
Acme Bar Gig
Acme Bar Gig is definitely a worthy contender for being at the top of this list – one of the old school developers with many great older amp sims. Windows 32-bit only. RIP Ken McLaren.
Links: https://www.facebook.com/groups/127609580628372
https://plugins4free.com/dev/529/ http://www.grebz.com/simulator_freeamp_acmebargig_eng.php
Amp / sim list: Too many too list.
Aegean Music
Link: https://aegeanmusic.com/amp-vision
Short description: Paid multi amp suite
Amp/ sim list: Amp Vision
Analog Obsession
Donationware plugins modeled after analog gear. Some guitar amps, but also a few pedals and a large number of effects.
Link: https://www.patreon.com/analogobsession / https://www.sknoteaudio.com/
Amps/sim list: Amper, Jamp, BlackVibe, BlackShow
Aradaz
Short Description: Aradaz’s old plugins, which I believe then later went on to become Kuassa
Link: https://aradaz.blogspot.com/
Amp/sims: AradazAmp Crunch / White / Green and a Laximiser plugin
Arboreal Audio
Short Description: new developer (2021) with one amp sim
Link: https://arborealaudio.com/
Amp/sims: STR-X
Audified
Developer from the Czech Republic offering both guitar and bass amps and also a multi-fx pedal sim.
Link: https://shop.audified.com/
Amps/sim list: Amplion2 Rock Essentials, Linda Rockstack, Sphene Pro (bass), Peridot Pro (bass), GK Amplification 2 pro (bass)
Audio Assault
Affordable high gain metal amps plus effects from Mexico
Link: https://www.audio-assault.com/
Amps/sim list: ReAmp Studio, RVXX, Hellbeast, Sigma, AHM 5050, Duality Bass Studio,Grind Machine I & II, Klank (bass preamp)
Audiority
Italian developer of audio software plugins. For guitar they have focused on re-creating some of the classic solid-state amps. Also don’t miss their pedal plugins.
Link: https://www.audiority.com/
Amps/sim list: L12X (Free), Solidus VS8100, Solidus Randy 250
Audio Rammer / Aura Plug
Link: http://www.audiorammer.com/site/ / https://plugins4free.com/dev/201/
Short Description:
Amps/sim list: free set of guitar distortions, whammy drive, and amp sim available .
Ampfire (not sure available anymore, although a demo is on the website)
Freetortion Series:Volume I – Red Skull Distortion, Volume II – Fuzz-Stone Distortion
Volume III – Fuzz-Stone[Ge] Distortion, Volume IV – Whamdrive Distortion, Volume V – California Sun Distortion, Volume VI – EddieVsHeaven
Aurora DSP
Behind Aurora DSP is a team of sound engineers, producers and developers from Poland. Guitar and bass software.
Link: https://auroradsp.com/
Amps/sim list: Mammoth (bass), Rhino
AXP/Softamp
Short description: One-man company freeware. Not updated in a long time but 64-bit version are available.
Link: https://www.soft-amp.com/
Amps/sim list: Softamp PSA preamp, Softamp 30D preamp, Softamp GT, Softamp FM25, Flextron DC14
Black Rooster Audio
German developers of audio plugins. In their range you find one free emulation of an Orange Tiny Terror.
Link: https://blackroosteraudio.com/
Amps/sim list: Cypress TT-15
Blob Audio
Notable for their very characteristic GUIs and diverse guitar amp and fx suites, Blob Audio are a relatively new french company. Their first offering was Fat Blob – a most excellent debut. Look out for Blobnarok next!
Link: https://blobaudio.com/
Amps/sim list: Fat Blob, Blobnarok
Blue Cat Audio
French developer doing things a bit differently. Big range of audio plugins. Their Axiom/Destructor is a take on amp sim modeling you don’t see anywhere else.
Link: https://www.bluecataudio.com/
Amps/sim list: Axiom, Destructor, Blue Cat’s Free Amp, Re-Guitar
Brainworx
Doing high quality amp sim modeling for a long time. Earlier their products were locked to the Universal Audio platform, but now almost all of them are available in a universal format.
Link: https://www.brainworx.audio/
Amps/sim list: B-15N, SVT-3PRO, SVT-VR, SVT-VR Classic, V-4B, bx_bassdude, bx_megadual,
bx_megasingle, bx_rockergain100, bx_rockrack V3, bx_rockrack V3 Player, GAV19T, Herbert,
VH4, E646 VS, E765 RT, Savage 120, BE-100, DS-40, Overdrive Supreme 50, Train II, 800RB
BTE Audio
Free Indonesian plugins
Link: https://plugins4free.com/dev/165/
Amps/sim list: Juicy 77
Cornflower Audio
Cartoon-style sim from Russia. Windows only.
Link: https://cornfloweraudio.github.io/
Amps/sim list: Redcurrant amp
Cytomic
Few plugins inc screamer
Link: https://cytomic.com/
Amps/sim list: No ampsims currently available.
Damy Fx
Link: http://damyfx.altervista.org/ / https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2811/
Short Description: set of older windows vst 32bit plugins
Amp/sim List: Dr Gain, Dr Crunch, Dr Bass, Dirty fuzz, Octave Dirty Fuzz, Mr Cab Load
DDMF
Link: https://ddmf.eu/ / https://ddmf.eu/phi-L-Audio-Tube-Preamp/
Short Description: Some great plugins as well as an amp sim
Amp/sims list: phi-L Audio Tube Preamp (by Phillip Bulling)
Deplike
Basic suite with add-on purchases
Link: https://deplike.com/
Amps/sim list: Deplike Guitar fx
Dibiquadro
Detailed models of preamps. You can tweak values of components in the schematic. VST3 only.
Link: https://dibiquadroaudio.com/
Amps/sim list: MercuryRec, SaturnLo
Distorque
Some modeled effects pedals including a model of a Dallas Rangemaster and an Orange Squeezer compressor. Not updated in a long time but 64-bit versions are available.
Link: https://dibiquadroaudio.com/
Amps/sim list: Face Bender, Plusdistortion, Rangebastard, Vitamin C
EXE Consulting
Freeware amps by Dave Clark who was also involved with the classic ACME Bar Gig amps.
Link: https://www.execonsultingtx.com/
Amps/sim list: TinyF, ClassicFone, ClassicThirty, ClassicMone,ClassicBone, ClassicEone, Classic45one, ClBass
Fewtube
Has a big number of guitar and bass amps, demos available but unclear on how to buy them.
Link: https://fewtubefx.blogspot.com/
Amps/sim list:
Florida Music Co
Link: https://plugins4free.com/plugin/576/
Short Description: Windows 32 bit Vst
Amp/sims list: Brackenbury Tube Amplifier
Frankenline Productions
Link: https://frankenlineproductions.blogspot.com/
Short Description: various free ampsims, pedals, synths – as far as I’m aware just 32bit VSTs
Amp/sims list: P.T.S.D amp, Magma amp,Ripper, Omnifier, Mr Kill Bass amp, Plu-Tone Bass Amp, Planetary Gain (2 amps in one package) , EngraveD, Buzz HM2 Helvetica Metal, Instant Buzzsaw, Mini Mono synth, Einherjer Synth, Workhorse , Workhorse 2
Fretted Synth
Bunch of old 32 bit vsts, Guitar and Bass amps, distortion, synths and fx, amongst other stuff.
Link: https://plugins4free.com/dev/72/
Amp/sim list: Chimp Guitar Amp, Free Amp 3, GuitSynth, GCBS4 Guitar (Controlled Bass Synth), Helian Bass Amp, Drive 5 Guitar Preamp and lots more.
Fuse Audio Labs
Developer with background at Brainworx and Black Rooster Audio makes audio plugins amongst them an excellent model of a Fender Tweed.
Link: https://fuseaudiolabs.com/
Amps/sim list: F59
Guitar ML
Link: https://github.com/GuitarML / https://guitarml.com/
Short Description: New amp sim developer. Not sure how functional it is yet seemed a little underperforming my end on Reaper / Win10 – developments are seemingly on going so I shall keep an eye out.
Heeb
Link: https://plugins4free.com/plugin/577/ / http://www.heebcomponents.net/
Short Description: 1 amp sim available, only in win vst 32bit
Amp/sims list: Crunch Dude amp sim
Heptode
French company that makes real amps too
Link: https://www.heptode.com/
Amps/sim list:Amplosion
Hotone Audio
V Stomp suite from budget pedal company
Link: https://vstomp.hotoneaudio.com/
Amps/sim list: V Stomp Amp
Ignite Amps
Amps, pre- and power-amps with drive pedals, impulse response loaders and EQ plugins. Mostly free. For their recent work check STL Tones.
Link: https://www.igniteamps.com/
Amps/sim list: Emissary, NRR-1, The Anvil, SHB-1,
IK Multimedia
Amplitube is a classic full amp sim suite. Now in its 5th version. Also note there is a free version called CS.
Link: https://www.ikmultimedia.com/
Amps/sim list: Amplitube 5
JST – Joey Sturgis Tones
A number of artist endorsed amp sims, mainly focused on high gain tones.
Link: https://joeysturgistones.com/
Amps/sim list: Toneforge series: Jeff Loomis, Misha Mansoor Ultimate, Jason Richardson, Ben Bruce, Guilty Pleasure, Menace.
Bassforge series: Hellraiser, Rex Brown
Kazrog
Kazrog did the classic and very populat Thermionik suite of guitar amps and effects. This is now discontinued and the new product AmpCraft is announced.
Link: https://kazrog.com/
Amps/sim list: Ampcraft coming soon
Kiive Audio
Short description: Plugin company
Link: https://www.kiiveaudio.com/
Amps/sim list: Lunchbox suite
Klevgrand
Short description: Klevgrand is an audio plugin company and creative studio based in Stockholm (Sweden)
Link: https://klevgrand.se/products/stark
Amps/sim list: Stark guitar amp / fx
Kuassa
This Indonesian company offers a range of ampsims, pedals and plugins at a nice price-point.
Link: https://www.kuassa.com/
Amps/sim list: Amplifikation 360, Clarent, Matchlock, Vermilion, Creme, Caliburn, Cerberus bass, Amplifikation lite (free)
Line 6
The Yamaha owned company basically needs no introduction
Link: https://line6.com/
Amps/sim list: Helix native, Amp farm 4, Pod farm 2.5
LostIn70s
Mostly free amps and some effects
Link: https://www.lostin70s.com/plugins
Amps/sim list: Bass deluxe, Modern Deluxe, Tone Deluxe 2, Bull Deluxe
Magix
Link: https://www.magix.com/ https://www.magix.com/gb/music/vandal/
Short description: Software Suite
Amps/sim list: Vandal suite
Matthieu Brucher
Link: http://www.audio-tk.com/ / https://plugins4free.com/dev/459/ / https://github.com/mbrucher
Short Description: Preamps for guitar and bass, Overdrive and Distortion, Fx and other production plugins
Amp/sim list: Atk Guitar Preamp , Atk Bass Preamp
Mercuriall Audio
Link: https://mercuriall.com/
Short description: Rock and metal amp sims. Free pedal, preamp and cabinet plugins
Amps/sim list: ReAxis, Spark, Euphoria, SS-11X, Tube Amp U530, Amp ONE
ML Sound Lab
Link: https://ml-sound-lab.com/
Short description: mostly high gain amps and IR bundles from Finland
Amps/sim list: Amped Stevie T, Amped Roots, ML5, ML800, Amped Super Duper, Amped Ark, Amped Burger, ML Plexi, Amped CB4, Amped Roots free and Amped Stevie T free
ModSound
Link: https://modsound.co/tubular
Short Description: Brilliant Multi-Amp Suite with classic and rare boutique amp models, pre and post-fx options.
Amp Sim List: Tubular, also ‘More Distortion’ plugin and ‘Velvet Verb’ reverb plugin.
Music Box Plugins
Link: https://plugins4free.com/dev/665/
Short Description:
Amp/sims list: MDL-1 Amp sim, Gentleman EQ
Musical Entropy
Link: https://www.musicalentropy.com/ / https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2107/
Short Description: Guitar Gadgets is a compilation of “false” analog pedal models, doing strange, weird, ugly but fun sounds.
Amp/sims list: Guitar Gadgets , The Great Escape (dynamic tremolo) Spaceship Delay, Inspiration plugin.
Nalex
Link: https://nalexsoft.blogspot.com/
Short description: Donationware
Amps/sim list:Amplex, Bass Amp, Powerbox, J800 pre, Pectifier, Ninja, Crunchman, Uber, Gerbert, Rectifier pre, TwinTriode pre, OneTriode pre, Valver pre
Native Instruments
Link: https://www.native-instruments.com/
Short description: Big software suite for guitar amps and effects etc
Amps/sim list: Guitar Rig 6 Player / Guitar Rig 6 Pro
Ndzeit Audio
Link: https://plugins4free.com/plugin/578/ / http://www.ndzeit.org/guitar/tubebaby.html
Short Description: Older win vst 32bit only
Amp/sims list: Dirthead Amp Sim, The Tube Baby
Nembrini Audio
Link: https://www.nembriniaudio.com/
Short description: Pedals,plugins and classic rock amps like Marshall, Vox and Fender
Amps/sim list: 8180, Black ice beta gamma bass, Bst100 v1 &2, Cali dual, Cali reverb, Mrh159 brown sound,Crunck (free), Mrh810 v1&2, Soundmaster custom, Voice dc30
Neural DSP
Link: https://neuraldsp.com/
Short description: High end sims
Amps/sim list: Soldano SLO-100, Fortin Cali, Omega Ampworks, Granophyre, Fortin NTS, Fortin Nameless, Archetype Cory Wong, Archetype Abasi, Archetype Nolly, Archetype Plini, Archetype Gojira, Parallax bass, Darkglass Ultra bass preamps
Nick Crow Lab
Link: https://nickcrowlab.blogspot.com/ / https://plugins4free.com/dev/203/
Short Description: Well known several years back for developing a handful of really good amp sims
Amp/sims list: 8505, 7170 , TubeDriver, Wagner Sharp
NSP Vst
Link: http://www.nsp-vst.ru/
Short Description:
Amp/sims list: Over Drive Rack Pro, WahMan , Black Booster, OD820
Overloud
Link: https://www.overloud.com/
Short description: Complete suite, very feature rich with many add ons
Amps/sim list: TH-U
Peavey / Audio Media Research
Link: https://www.audiomediaresearch.com/
Short description: Free suite with paid upgrades
Amps/sim list: Revalver 4
Plektron
Link: https://plugins4free.com/dev/260/
Short Description: Older set of windows Vst 32 bit plugins
Amp/sims list: Guitar Amp 2 Fe, Ir Cab, Compression, Vinylizer, WTComp,
Positive Grid
Link: https://www.positivegrid.com/
Short description: All-in-one suite (Bias fx), amp maker (amp2) and pedal maker (pedal)
Amps/sim list: Bias fx2, Bias amp2, PEDAL
Poulin
Link: https://plugins4free.com/dev/258/ (P4F archive)
https://www.osirisguitar.com/lepou/ (unofficial host/ mirror)
Short description:
Amps/sim list: Hybrit head, Hybrit series, Le456, LeCto, LeGion, LeXTAC, SoloC head
Resonant DSP
Short description:
Link: https://www.resonantdsp.com/
Amps/sim list: Swanky Amp Free / Swanky Amp Pro (Beta 0.61
Plektron
Link: https://plugins4free.com/dev/260/
Short Description: Older set of windows Vst 32 bit plugins
Amp/sims list: Guitar Amp 2 Fe, Ir Cab, Compression, Vinylizer, WTComp,
Scuffham Amps
One of the first “next gen” amp suites. Still a favourite by many for vintage tones. Five amps, reverb, delay and modulation
Link: https://www.scuffhamamps.com/
Amps/sim list: S-Gear
Shameless Plugs
Link: http://www.shamelessplugs.net / Shameless Plugs YouTube
Short Description: New developer with a Free EQ and a Free Purple Distortion. No full amp / cab sims as of yet but watch this space.
Amp/sims list: Tilde~Q (EQ) , The Dom (Drive / Distortion / Preamp)
Shattered Glass Audio
Short description:
Link: http://www.shatteredglassaudio.com/
Amps/sim list: Ace (donationware)
Simul Analog
A real classic that probably brings some fond memories from some of you! These were among the first amp sims out there. 32-bit only and the original version of the plugins has no GUI.
Links: Download SimulAnalog Guitar Suite
Amp / Sim list: Simulanalog
Sknote
Italian developer of audio plugins, sims and pedals. The Fender-style amps are considered by many to be great.
Link: www.sknoteaudio.com
Amps/sim list: DualR, TwinR, R200, Deluxe1
Smart Electronix
Links: http://antti.smartelectronix.com/ / https://www.kvraudio.com/product/saro_by_smart_electronix
Short Description:
Amp/Sims list: Saro Amp, Taurus (beta 4) Bass pedal, Phase 90, ASynth
Softube
Short description: Classic Marshall-endorsed amps and bass featuring detailed modeling
Link: Softube: Music production software and hardware
Amps/sim list: Amproom, Marshall bluesbreaker 62, Marshall JMP 2203, Marshall silver Jubilee 2555, Marshall Plexi Superlead 1959, Kerry King signature, Eden Wt800, Amp room : Marshall Edition
STL Tones
Short description: Sims plus preset packs for Tonehub, Kemper and Axefx
Link: STL Tones Official Producer Plug-Ins, Kemper Profile & Axe FX Preset
Amps/sim list: Amphub, Tonehub (preset player), Tonality Will Putney, Tonality Andy james, Tonality Howard Benson,
Studio Devil
Short description:
Link: Studio Devil Virtual Tube Amplification – Home Page
Amps/sim list: Virtual Guitar amp 2, British Valve Custom (free), Amp Modeler pro, Virtual Bass amp, Virtual Bass amp pro, Virtual Tube preamp
Three-Body Technology
Although no amp sim releases yet, TBT are famed for their Virtual Instruments and plugins, notably Heavier 7 String, Kirchoff EQ, and most recently, Cabinetron – an awesome IR loader. Definitely check them out.
Link: https://www.threebodytech.com/
Amp/sim list: Cabinetron
Tonelib
Short description:
Link: ToneLib – Complete guitar studio in your computer
Amps/sim list: Tonelib GFX, Tonelib Metal, etc.
Toontrack
Short description:
Link: Toontrack
Amps/sim list: EZmix 2, EzBass, EzDrummer, Superior Drummer etc.
TSE Audio
Short description: Some well regarded free and paid guitar and bass plugins
Link: TSE Audio – Home
Amps/sim list: TSE X50 suite plus some free pedals
Ugritone
Famed for their metal oriented studio drum software and midi packs, Ugritone also have a few other tricks up their sleeves. An IR loader, a reverb plugin, and most recently an amp sim. Check out Ampenstein and the rest of them in all their glory!
Link: https://ugritone.com/products/ampenstein-daim100
Amps/sim list: Ampenstein: DAIM100
United Plugins
New developer with an all-in-one style guitar suite called Electrum, and some other interesting plugins for Gtr & Bass
Link: https://unitedplugins.com/Electrum/
Amps/sim list: Electrum , Quick Ag, Quick Bass, DIFIX
Viator DSP
Link: https://www.patreon.com/ViatorDSP / https://plugins4free.com/dev/742/
Short Description: New developer with guitar and production plugins
Amp/Sim List: (Ignorant) Diode Amp, OverDrive, Auto-Gainstager, Reverb, Marauder Bit Crusher, LV50A eq and LV60 eq (analog hardware inspired eq)
Viper ITB
Links: https://plugins4free.com/dev/506/
Short Description: 32 bit VST windows only / various colourful guitar, bass, studio plugins
Amp/sims list: VeeGuitar Amp , Vee Bass Amp etc
VOX
Short description: JamVOX III suite
Link: https://www.jamvox-online.com/
Amps/sim list: JamVoxIII
VTarAmps
Free and low-cost amps made by Vadim Taranov, a Russian developer. Mostly oriented to high gain & rock.
Link: https://vtaramps.blogspot.com/
Amps/sim list:
Waves
The giant plugin company also makes some amp sims and guitar oriented pedals
Link: Waves Audio | Mixing, Mastering & Music Production Tools
Amps/sim list: GTR3 suite, PRS amp collection
2021-06-16: first version of the list. Hooray!!
2021-06-21: added developer United Plugins