You record your guitar at home, but you struggle to find a good amp simulator that gives you the sound you dream of?
It’s true that there are many plugins available, but some (including paid ones…) really don’t measure up when it comes to serious music production.
So I’ve combined this list of about fifteen completely free amp simulators for you.
As you will see, many are rather oriented towards hard rock/metal, as that is what is most easily found. However, I made sure to also select less aggressive plugins inspired by amplifiers like Marshall or Fender.
Don’t forget to pair them with a solid guitar cabinet simulation to truly enjoy their sound.
Get your guitars ready! 😉
LePou – HyBrit
Developer : LePou Plugins
Formats : VST (32 and 64 bits), AU
Inspiration : Marshall JCM800, Marshall Plexi Super Lead 100
LePou, a French developer, is clearly one of the reference brands when it comes to guitar amp simulation.
With HyBrit, you have two amplifiers in one:
- A Marshall JCM800 — a lot of gain available, ranging from crunch to metal
- A Marshall Plexi Super Lead 100 a bit hybrid as it combines the “normal” and “treble” channels — more for crunch sounds
All of this, as one might expect, with a strong “British” character and excellent sound quality. Definitely one to keep on hand.
Click here to download HyBrit (via Plugins4Free)
Mercuriall – JCM800 Hot Preamp
Developer : Mercuriall
Formats : VST (32 and 64 bits), AU
Inspiration : Marshall JCM800
Well, it’s true, the interface isn’t exceptional. But the sound is very good!
This is another emulation of the JCM800, a bit different from the one from LePou presented earlier.
Indeed, it is a slightly “supercharged” version of the famous Marshall amp, so with more gain and a slightly more modern sound. You also have the option to choose between two dynamic tube models, namely ECC83 or 12AX7.
A very good effect!
Click here to download JCM800 Hot Preamp
Mercuriall – Harlequin Preamp
Developer : Mercuriall
Formats : VST (32 and 64 bits), AU
Inspiration : Cornford Amp Harlequin MK1
You may have noticed, the interface is almost identical to that of the JCM800 Hot just above. This is normal, as it is part of Mercuriall’s free plugins which, although excellent, have a rather basic but functional GUI.
The main strength of this plugin is that it simulates a “boutique” guitar amp, the Harlequin MK1 launched in 1999 by Cornford Amplification. It is a 6-watt combo rather oriented towards rock/blues/jazz.
Harlequin Preamp thus gives you the opportunity to easily access clean or crunch sounds with character for your home studio recordings.
In the end, a rather unique plugin as this kind of amp is rarely modeled.
Click here to download Harlequin Preamp
Shattered Glass Audio – Ace
Developer : Shattered Glass Audio
Formats : VST (32 and 64 bits), AU (32 and 64 bits)
Inspiration : Fender Champ
Ace is not the most well-known plugin, but it is undoubtedly a very high-quality emulation of a 50s Fender amp.
We are here in a particularly vintage sound, which will work very well for blues or old-school rock. There isn’t a huge amount of gain available, of course, but it is possible to generate several different tones ranging from clean to crunch.
If you want more gain, nothing prevents you from adding an overdrive in front…
Note the mode A / mode B switch that allows simulating the addition of resistors at the tube level to modify the character of the saturation.
A must-try!
LEPOU – LeCto
Developer : LePou Plugins
Formats : VST (32 and 64 bits), AU
Inspiration : Mesa Boogie Rectifier
You will have understood: LePou is a true reference for free guitar amplifier simulation plugins. And especially for everything related to heavy hard rock / metal sounds — this is where these effects shine the most.
With LeCto, you have a relatively versatile simulation of a Mesa Boogie Rectifier amp head with two channels (orange and red) for each of which three modes are included:
- Raw — for crunch sounds;
- Vintage — for a big old-school distortion;
- Modern — for the most modern metal.
A good plugin with quite a few sound options…
Click here to download LeCto (via Plugins4Free)
LEPOU – LeXtac
Developer : LePou Plugins
Formats : VST (32 and 64 bits), AU
Inspiration : Bogner Ecstasy XTC
Yes, again LePou! I couldn’t help it; otherwise, the list wouldn’t be comprehensive enough…
…especially since here, it’s another “boutique” amp head that is modeled, namely the Bogner Ecstasy XTC.
With LeXtac, you have access to a whole range of sounds, from lighter to heavier, thanks to three channels (yellow, blue, and red) and three equalization modes (normal, bright, and brighter).
Take the time to play around a bit: you will realize that it is possible to obtain both vintage and modern sounds depending on the settings chosen. Note particularly the characterful mids of the “blue” channel and the influence of the equalization mode on the sound.
Click here to download LeXtac (via Plugins4Free)
NICK CROW LAB – 7170
Developer : Nick Crow Lab
Formats : VST (32 and 64 bits), AU (32 and 64 bits)
Inspiration : Peavey 5150
Now let’s move on to Peavey guitar amp simulations, with the 7170 from Nick Crow, which is none other than a renamed 5150.
Of course, although of good quality, there’s no question of clean or crunch sounds with this amp: we are definitely dealing with an effect dedicated to metal!
As always with this kind of beast, don’t hesitate to add an overdrive in front for more gain and especially a more controlled sound.
Click here to download the 7170
NICK CROW LAB – 8505
Developer : Nick Crow Lab
Formats : VST (32 and 64 bits), AU (32 and 64 bits)
Inspiration : Peavey 6505
In the same genre, here is a rather convincing simulation of the 6505, also dedicated to metal and high-gain distortions.
However, unlike the previous plugin, it is possible to achieve crunch sounds or even clean sounds, although they may not necessarily be the most interesting.
To keep on hand…
Click here to download the 8505
Ignite Amps – Emissary
Developer : Ignite Amps
Formats : VST (32 and 64 bits), AU (32 and 64 bits)
Inspiration : Ignite Amps Emissary (custom amp)
For me, it is by far one of the best guitar amp simulations you can find.
Apart from a beautiful design, Emissary is an extremely versatile plugin, simulating a real custom-built amp head from 2014 for Ryan Huthnance (The Seer / Gaped / Chrome Bison / Emissary Studios).
With an openly modern sound signature, you will have access to both particularly clear cleans and monstrous distortions ideal for playing metal/metalcore.
How can such a plugin be free? I don’t know, but let’s take advantage of it: it is excellent.
Bonus: feel free to check out the official video of the plugin 😉
Click here to download Emissary (on KVR as the Ignite Amps site is currently having some issues)
IGNITE AMPS – The Anvil
Developer : Ignite Amps
Formats : VST (32 and 64 bits), AU (32 and 64 bits)
Inspiration : Ignite Amps The Anvil (custom amp)
The Anvil is another high-quality creation from Ignite Amps.
Three channels are available for maximum versatility:
- Clean — US-typed crystalline sounds;
- Rhythm — for crunch or heavy distortion, more British-typed;
- Lead — high gain, modern and precise.
Additionally, many controls allow you to shape your sound as desired.
Click here to download The Anvil (on KVR as the Ignite Amps site is currently having some issues)
IGNITE AMPS – NRR-1
Developer : Ignite Amps
Formats : VST (32 and 64 bits), AU (32 and 64 bits)
Inspiration : Ignite Amps NRR-1 (custom amp)
The NRR-1 is also modeled after a customized amp for guitarist Cristiano Trionfera of the famous death metal band Fleshgod Apocalypse, and is seemingly based on a Soldano X-88R.
At first glance, one might think it is not very suitable for pop-rock, but the two channels “clean” and “rhythm” provide access to a whole range of rather modern sound textures that are compatible with many musical genres.
On the other hand, the “lead” mode is much more aggressive, although also quite adaptable thanks to equalization settings that strongly influence the sound.
A very good simulator!
Click here to download NRR-1 (on KVR as the Ignite Amps site is currently having some issues)
LEPOU – LeGion
Developer : LePou Plugins
Formats : VST (32 and 64 bits), AU
Inspiration : Pure creation
LeGion is not based on any existing amp, and that is what makes it unique. The idea seems to have been to create an amp with very high gain that does not require placing an overdrive in front to achieve a solid and coherent sound.
No clean or crunch sounds here: only extreme distortion but well thought out, as the different notes remain audible and precise.
To be tested if you love heavy sound…
Click here to download LeGion (via the Plugins4Free site)
LEPOU – Le456
Developer : LePou Plugins
Formats : VST (32 and 64 bits), AU
Inspiration : ENGL E645 PowerBall
Promise, this is the last LePou plugin on this list — but I told you, he is truly an essential plugin creator.
The LE456 is, as its name indicates, based on a famous amp from the German brand ENGL.
As you can see in the image above, two channels (A and B) are present, each with two gain levels (one slight and one more substantial). This offers a great number of sound possibilities, along with additional options that can be activated via switches located on the right side of the plugin.
And as usual with LePou, the sound is excellent. Download it without hesitation 😉
Click here to download Le456 (via the Plugins4Free site)
TSE Audio – X30
Developer : TSE Audio
Formats : VST (32 bits only)
Inspiration : ENGL E530
Again an ENGL amp simulation, this time with a rather minimalist interface but having the advantage of getting to the point.
A big positive point of this plugin is that it is very lightweight (750 KB) but offers a convincing and effective sound, very oriented towards metal.
IK Multimedia – AmpliTube Custom Shop
Developer : IK Multimedia
Formats : VST, AU, AAX (64 bits only)
Inspiration : Fender Super Reverb, Fender DeLuxe Reverb 65, Marshall JCM800
AmpliTube 4, the famous guitar effects suite, is not free in itself. However, if you download the basic version, you will get 4 amplifiers for free, including two Fenders and one Marshall.
The quality of the simulations is very good, which is not really surprising since it is the brand IK Multimedia that designed this plugin. It can also be used in standalone mode, which is convenient if you want to play quickly without having to launch your DAW.
It is worth noting that this software is only available in 64 bits, which can be quite limiting depending on your setup.
Click here to download AmpliTube
For an even better sound
Now that you have everything you need in terms of amp simulation, don’t forget to pair them with quality cabinet impulses to get the best out of them! 🙂