Free Bass Amp Simulators are really hard to find. There are some, but most of them are terrible. So, in order to save you some time, since I already did some research on the topic, I’m going to share the ones I found that I think are worth trying. I will also be including a Best Free Bass Amp VST/AU Plugins that actually sound Great!
In our How to Mix Music guide we talked about why mixing dynamic sounds is a tough egg to crack. Vocals are super dynamic so they’re trickier to mix.
But you don’t have to pull your hair out every time you hit the mixing board to get the perfect vocal.
There’s a dizzying amount of audio effects plugins out there. That’s why we did the digging so you don’t have to.
Here’s 9 plugins that will help you get your vocals and beats fitting together like peas and carrots.
1. Vladg and Tokyo Dawn Proximity
Ever recorded an entire vocal only to realize you had the mic in the wrong spot? No sweat.
The Vladg and Tokyo Dawn Proximity lets you change the mic placement AFTER you record. Pretty useful and pretty cool.
2. Acon Digital Multiply Chorus
Vocals need some color. That’s where a chorus plugin comes in.
Acon Digital’s Multiply Chorus will thicken up your sound. It’s a whole bunch of tiny delays (we’re talking milliseconds) that fill out your vocals to liven them up a bit.
3. Melda MAutoPitch Auto-Tune
Auto-tune’s origins are pretty strange. But there’s no denying that it’s an invaluable tool for producers dealing with vocals.
Auto-tune is the vocal mixer’s secret weapon. MAutoPitch is one of the best auto-tune plugins around. It fixes pitch, corrects sour notes, and even gives you that iconic T-pain/Cher effect if you want it.
This one comes in a free plugin bundle with all sorts of fun mixing toys.
4. Voxengo OldSkoolVerb
Reverb for vocals is essential. Reverb takes your vocals out of the room you recorded them in, and allows you to make your own sound space.
OldSkoolVerb has got you covered no matter what your needs are. From huge halls to a tiny closet, it gives you all the options to create the perfect sonic space in your mix.
5. Klanghelm DC1A
The DC1A is a nifty little character compressor by Klanghelm. It uses sophisticated compression settings and an easy 2 knob setup that has you covered “from smooth levelling to heavy pumping.”
Be sure to check out their absolutely EPIC demo video.
6. Alex Hilton A1 Trigger Gate
If you’re wondering how far you can push your vocal track this plugin will do a great job letting you know.
Using a step-style sequencer the A1 Trigger Gate packs in a boat load of cool effects. It’s good for all sorts of stuff. So grab it and start experimenting.
7. Glitch Machines Hysteresis
Just like any other part of a mix, vocals are a great place to experiment. The effects on Hysteresis definitely deliver a whole bundle of experimentation.
This delay plugin creates “robotic artifacts and abstract music malfunctions.” Count me in.
8. Acustica Ochre EQ
All good mixing needs a keen sense of EQ early on. Vocals are no exception.
Does alicia keys use auto tune. That’s why the Ochre from Acustica is so useful. It’s perfect for sculpting out the best vocals you can.
9. Fine Cut Bodies La Petite Excite
Exciter plugins add subtle harmonics to your vocal track for some extra sonic-excitement in the high range.
The free La Petite Excite from Fine Cut Bodies (you just have to signup to get it) is a great plug to try out.
Throw it on your vocal and enhance it to your liking with some subtle harmonic distortion.
Go make that perfect vocal
Vocals are tricky to mix. But with these handy plugin tools it doesn’t have to be so tough. Grab ’em all, hit the studio and get cracking on that perfect vocal track.
And don’t forget to let us know your favourite plugins for mixing and mastering vocals. We wanna know all your tips and tricks too. :)
Get all of the LANDR-approved free VST plugin collection:
Guitarists are known for being picky about their tone — and for good reason. Some bands have built entire legacies on their guitar tones. *cough-VanHalen-cough*
Years ago, when record labels had robust budgets and bands blocked out recording studios for weeks at a time, it was common to experiment with dozens of different amp, cab, microphone and effect combinations to find the perfect tone.
Unfortunately, that’s not always feasible for most modern producers and engineers.
Guitar amp simulators allow you to audition countless guitar rigs based on the hardware behind some of the most iconic guitar tones of all time. Take a look at some of the most popular modern amp simulators and what makes them stand out.
Mercuriall
Mercuriall Audio is a small Russian company known for creating accurate, yet affordable plugins modeled after analog devices. Over the last few years, Mercuriall has become a big hit in the metal scene for their high-quality, high-gain amp emulations.
The Mercurial SS-11X is an official model of the AMT SS-11, a stomp-box style preamp beloved for its classic tube-driven over-saturated guitar tone. Every tube in the original circuit is modeled using next-gen Neural Hybrid Engine to deliver everything from crystal-clear cleans to thick, viscous leads. In addition to recreating every parameter of the original pedal, the SS-11X introduces a number of new features including a noise gate, an additional saturation circuit, and cabinet and reverb impulses.
Mercurial ReAxis is the only official modeled MESA/Boogie Triaxis simulation. ReAxis nails the classic digital interface of the original Triaxis, including the legendary preamp circuits. ReAxis also includes an array of classic stompbox effects, a robust cab simulator, and easy-to-use mixing tools.
Mercuriall Spark offers meticulously modeled versions of four classic Marshall amps: AFD, JCM 800, JMP Super Lead and JMP Super Bass with Master Mod. As with every Mercuriall amp sim, this plug-in includes a number of popular guitar pedal and cab emulations for an extremely realistic tone.
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The Tube Amp U530 is one of Mercuriall’s first plug-ins, and emulates the Engl E530 preamp, also known as the “heart of modern rock.” With multiple tube options and countless cab combinations, the U530 serves up everything from soft cleans to dirty leads.
In addition to the four amp sims covered above, Mercuriall also offers a hand iPad amp simulator and an array of free plug-ins, including a cabinet simulation and a variety of classic stompboxes and preamps.
Neural DSP
Neural DSP Technologies is a plug-in manufacturer dedicated to designing creative tools for the future. They currently offer three amp sims that are causing a buzz in the hard rock and heavy metal circles.
To create Archetype: Plini, Neural DSP worked alongside the world-renowned guitarist Plini to create his dream amplifiers. With a crystal-clear Clean, a tight and articulate Rhythm, and a powerful and defined Lead, Archetype: Plini is one of the most versatile, original amp sims available. Throw in an assortment of dynamic, tone shaping, and time-based effects and an adaptive cabinet simulation featuring six virtual microphones and it’s easy to see why so many people are talking about Archetype: Plini.
For the metalheads of the world, Neural DSP offers the Fortin NTS, modeled after the blisteringly high-gain Fortin Natas tube amp. Neural DSP worked with Fortin to perfectly model of one of metal’s most coveted amplifiers. With its famous two-channel design and frequency-selective 6irth, 6rind and 6ain controls, Fortin NTS offers surprisingly flexible tone-shaping options, even at high levels. And if that’s not good enough, Fortin NTS also includes emulations of some of Fortin’s most popular pedals: Grind, Zuul and Hexdrive.
The Fortin Nameless Suite was also created with the help metal-master Mike Fortin to perfectly recreate his custom Meshuggah signature amp. The Nameless amp features simple controls for quickly dialing in complex dual-channel tones. Fine-tune your tone with Fortin’s Grind, Zuul and Hexdrive effects pedals and Neural DSP’s advanced tone-shaping tools.
Ignite Amps
Ignite Amps specialize in designing custom guitar amps, all of which include an amp simulator plugin modeled after your own unique design. Ignite is known for working with heavy metal royalty — some of their most popular plugins are actually emulations of amps designed for major artists.
The Emissary is a digital emulation of a custom dual-channel guitar tube amplifier built for Ryan Huthnance of Emissary Studios.
NRR-1 is a digital emulation of a three-channel tube preamplifier for guitar, built for Fleshgod Apocalypse guitarist Cristiano Trionfera. SHB-1 is based on the SHB-1 Extreme Bass Head built for Federico Fulceri of Subhuman, featuring six triode stages and a 1300W Class D power amp. Anvil is a digital emulation of a three-channel tube preamplifier for guitar, featuring Clean, Rhythm and Lead channels. The Clean channel is inspired by the classic Californian circuits and the Rhythm channel has a hot-rodded British character, while the Lead channel is a custom algorithm designed for very high-gain settings.
IK Multimedia AmpliTube 4
Amplitube was originally released in 2002, but it’s come a long way since then. Amplitube 4 is an incredibly robust guitar rig simulator featuring 33 stompboxes, 25 amps, 29 cabs, 12 mics and 15 rack effects units designed to produce hyper-realistic tones.
In addition to a variety of proprietary designs, Amplitube also features emulations of the iconic amps from Fender, Marshall, Vox, Mesa/Boogie and Roland. Their advanced cab room emulator allows you to select different cabs as well as the individual speakers within them to find the sweetest of sweet spots — not to mention room selection, mic selection/placement and a mixer section for fine-tuning your perfect tone.
JST Toneforge
While most amp simulators strive to recreate physical hardware, Joey Sturgis has created a line of all-new virtual amps with Toneforge — many of which were created in conjunction with major artists. Toneforge includes unique algorithms for a variety of pedals, amps, cabs, mics and post-processors.
In addition to the stock Menace amp, the Guilty Pleasure expansion pack introduced even more options — and now Toneforge has designed a number of processors with artists like Ben Bruce of Asking Alexandria and Jason Richardson.
Kazrog Thermionik
Designed to “achieve sonic results equal to or beyond those possible in a professional, large-scale recording studio,” Thermionik is a full-blown amp modeling suite featuring 30 legendary guitar amplifiers, 20+ cabinet and five effects pedals.
Thermionik is known for its identical recreations of legendary amplifiers — every channel, knob and switch is emulated. Each model is designed as its own dedicated plugin, allowing you to create your ideal signal chain from dozens of unique pieces of gear. In addition to classic Fender, Marshall, Mesa/Boogie and Vox amps, Thermionik also features emulations of boutique amps from ENGL, Diesel, Bogner, Orange, Soldano and Supro.
Line 6 Helix Native
Line 6 has been releasing digital modeling amplifiers since 1996. While Line 6 are well known for their Spider amps and Pod amp modelers, their new Helix series is quickly becoming a favorite of many professional guitarists. Offering a massive collection of emulations spanning 72 amps, 194 pedals, 37 cabs and 16 mics, Helix is designed to inspire.
Helix features an intuitive interface that will immediately feel familiar for guitarists. And the best part is Helix Native can be used to transfer tones to the rack effect and pedalboard units in the Helix family, making it easy to transfer your tone to the studio or the stage.
Native Instruments Guitar Rig Pro 5
Native Instruments originally released Guitar Rig in 2004, featuring three tube amp emulations. But over the years Guitar Rig has grown and evolved. With the most recent release, Guitar Rig 5 offers 17 amps, 27 cabinets and 54 effects. Their award-winning Dynamic Tube Response Technology puts legendary tones at your fingertips in seconds, Native Instruments also offers a free version of Guitar Rig called Guitar Rig 5 Player with a single amp model, 17 cab emulations and 13 effects.
Overloud TH3
TH3 offers an impressive list of hardware emulations, including authorized models of boutique amps from Randall, DVmark, Brunetti and THD. Featuring 72 amps, 37 cabs, 75 pedals and rack edicts and 18 microphone models with up to four mics on each cabinet — TH3 is one of the most robust amp simulators available.
Overloud TH-U FULL
Overloud have taken tone-tweaking to a new level with their latest amp sim. TH-U Full is the world’s largest collection of amp simulation software. Craft the perfect tone using over 90 guitar and bass amplifiers, 50 cabinets and 75 pedals and rack effects. Capture authentic analog tone with authorized models for Randall, DVmark, Brunetti and THD gear. Dial in your sound using 18 microphone models, with up to four mics on each cabinet.
Get started quickly with over 1,000 presets from industry pros or create your own custom settings — with so many customizable settings, the possibilities are limitless. Overloud’s innovative new Amp Tweak technology lets you mod each amp by chaining the pre and power tubes models for maximum tonal flexibility. And the new Rig Player feature enables you to reproduce the response of an entire rig — every single link in the signal chain including the amp, cab, mic, preamp and even the room tone. TH-U Full includes presets for 29 classic British rigs to get you started.
Positive Grid BIAS Amp 2
As you may be able to tell from the name, BIAS Amp from Positive Grid is all about tweaking the tiniest technical details. BIAS AMP 2 is designed to authentically recreate the sound of real tube amps and allows you to mix and match components to create your ideal tone.
Positive Grid partnered with amp legends Celestian Drivers to develop their component emulation technology, which allows you to select almost every component of BIAS AMP’s signal chain, including preamps, power amps, tubes, transformers, tone stacks, filters, mics and of course, a variety of Celestian Drivers.
In addition to the original standard, glassy, crunch and insane setting, BIAS AMP 2 features new Blues and Bass amp packs for all of your tonal needs.
Positive Grid BIAS FX 2
BIAS FX 2 isn’t just an amp simulator — it simulates pretty much every other component in the signal chain too.
As any guitarist worth their salt will tell you, even the world’s greatest amp can’t save a cheap-sounding guitar. With BIAS FX 2’s hyper-realistic Guitar Match technology, you can make any guitar sound like a vintage Strat, a custom Les Paul, a modded Gretsch and more.
Create your own pedalboards using thousands of authentic analog-modeled pedals — from classic distortions and delays to far-out fuzz effects and harmonizers.
Choose from over 100 of the most popular amp models, including vintage British stacks, classic tweeds, and modern hi-gain madness. Positive Grid has partnered with legendary driver manufacturers Celestion to provide an array of guitar cab impulse responses for incredibly realistic tones.
Throw in a studio’s worth of vintage microphones and high-quality analog signal processors, and you’ve got everything you need to dial in legendary guitar tones.
The full Elite package offers 100 new amplifiers, 100 new effects, and 200 factory presets to get you started. Not to mention full access to ToneCloud, a worldwide social network of players, engineers and producers creating and sharing custom tones.
Scuffham Amps S-Gear
Scuffham Amps has been releasing boutique tube amp emulations since 2008. The Custom ’57 is inspired by the famous Tweed Amps of the late 50’s. The Duke was inspired by Robben Ford’s guitar tone. The Wayfarer brings together elements from multiple classic American amp designs with three channels and several tone-shaping switches, making this a very versatile amp. The Jackal is Schuffham’s take on a high-gain amp from the 80’s, inspired by Mike Soldano. The Stealer is another highly versatile amp — inspired in part by the memory of an old red Park 75 head Michael Scuffham had during his time at Marshall.
S-Gear includes access to all five amps and can be purchased directly from Scuffham or as part of Slate Digital’s Everything Bundle.
Softube Amp Room
Over the years, Softube has worked with some of the biggest names in the music business like Marshall, Fender, Abbey Road and Universal Audio. In that time, they’ve developed their own bundle of powerful amp emulations, bringing together the best features of a number of classic amps.
Softube’s Vintage Amp Room features the White Amp based on the Marshall JCM800, the Brown Amp based on the Fender Twin and the Green Amp based on the Vox AC30.
Their Metal Amp Room was co-developed with Patrik Jensen (The Haunted) and tailored to his needs. Metal Amp Room features upgraded microphone emulations, allowing for stereo mics and adjustable panning. The cabinets were measured in the In Flames studio (previously known as Studio Fredman). Check out the presets for some of the studio engineers’ personal favorites.
Massive Vst Free Download
Softube’s Bass Amp Room features an emulation of a Hiwatt DR103 amp, an Amp SVT cab as well as a few proprietary options.
Universal Audio
Metal Amp Vst free. download full Version
It would be impossible to do an amp sim roundup without talking about UAD.
Over the years they’ve developed some of the most accurate signal processor emulations available — and their amp sims are no exception. With over 16 painstakingly modeled plugins, the UAD amp collection offers everything from vintage analog tube warmth to modern high-gain madness to thundering bass amps.
Honorable Mentions
While these plugins may not include the same robust feature set as those above, they each offer unique guitar tones that are worth noting:
Now that you’ve got a wall of sound at your disposal the hardest part will be deciding which amp to use. I guess things haven’t changed that much since the 70’s after all.
Check out these amp sims for some free trials and create a guitar tone worth being picky about!
Free Metal Amp Vst
Learn more about getting great amp simulator tones.
Amp Vst Plugin
Free Video on Mixing Low End
Metal Amp Vst Free Download Pc
Download a FREE 40-minute tutorial from Matthew Weiss on mixing low end.