Amp sims into DAWs?

[mrjamiam]

Well, I'm standing on the precipice of the rabbit hole.  I found a used Mac to dedicate to audio stuff, and got an audio interface connected and feeding GarageBand with only a moderate amount of swearing.  Maybe because I'm guitar-centric, I find that the other instruments in GarageBand sound better than its amp sims that I'm feeding my guitar into.  There are other amplifier simulations out there that undoubtedly allow more control, and probably have better-quality models.  For that matter, there are other instrument models; Native Instruments has lots.

Is anyone running a guitar into some other amp sim and then into GarageBand?  For the moment I'm trying to limit the insanity of unlimited options by sticking with GarageBand; it's supposed to be a decent DAW, and it came with the Mac.

[alantig]

Not GarageBand - I'm running into Logic and ProTools.  I have two amp sims (outside of what comes in those) that I use - AmpliTube 3 and S-Gear.  I prefer S-Gear for a couple reasons - a tad more realistic, a bit more flexible, but the one drawback to AmpliTube (for me - YMMV) is that it shows all its presets even if you haven't purchased all the components (amp, cab, effects) that go into it.  So you can find a preset that sounds like it's going to be close to what you want, only to find you don't actually have the stuff that makes it work.

[mathman]

I use Amplitube in garageband and logic. Works well in both.  The issue Atlantig mentions is a problem but after years of using it and years of getting stuff on sale I have almost all of the amps, pedals, and extras.  There is a free version that comes with a few amps, pedals and cabinets.  They are also having a 20th anniversary sale so there are some discounts and free stuff.   http://www.ikmultimedia.com/20/cs.php

It works great for recording in garageband once you learn how to control the input volumes.

 

Their newest version 4 with some extras is on sale but not cheap.  $230.

http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/amplitube4deluxe/

They always have something on sale.

 

[Michael_B]

I recently tried S-Gear, BIAS AMP and Overloud TH3.  I didn't try Amplitube 4, because I was already overwhelmed by those three choices.  S-Gear sounded best and required the least fussing.  BIAS AMP's gimmick of deep amp tinkering was the most fun.  TH3 was the most full-featured, but consistently sounded too dark.  I ended up buying both S-Gear and BIAS AMP.

I'm happy with both the products.  I recognize that there are trade-offs and that processors don't perfectly emulate tube response or the originals, but the trade-off for a wider array of tones at my finger tips (and with headphones on!) is worth it to me.  Lately, I've been downloading backing tracks from YouTube via youtube-to-mp3, dragging the tracks to GB and recording myself.  It's been... ahh... illuminating.

[alantig]

4 hours ago, Michael_B said:

Lately, I've been downloading backing tracks from YouTube via youtube-to-mp3, dragging the tracks to GB and recording myself.  It's been... ahh... illuminating.

Isn't it, though?  I haven't even been recording this stuff, and sometimes it makes me shake my head...

FWIW, this is something I did a while ago just to see how well doing it all in the box would work, and whether I could live with it.  I decided I could.  I still mostly use my amps, but I didn't think this was too bad.

 

[mathman]

Amp sims are great for recording at home.  Having so many different amps available makes it easier to emulate a particular sound.  Using backing tracks from youtube or even better the multitrack .mogg files you can have lots of fun.   I used Amplitube 3 for the guitar sounds on this remake of Bye Bye Love by the cars.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/88221982/byebye%20love%20cars%20-final%20cover.mp3

[Jakeboy]

I have not found any that sound good....but I am not looking hard. When I wanna record, it is a mic on a cab into the AI every time. Some low wattage amps help as done my attenuator on the not-so-low- wattage amps.

[scottcald]

For what it's worth, I've read that Malcolm Young used Amplitube for his parts on a couple of tracks on Black Ice, Big Jack and Anything Goes.  I think one of the big things people do that you shouldn't with those is try to set it up exactly as you had your own Marshall, Fender etc set up.  Tweak the EQ and gain to get the sound you want.  And try all the amps it has.  It may be that their Boogie simulation has the sound you want rather than the Marshall amp or whatever you're trying to recreate.