Best Guitar VST & Plugin Bundles To Amplify Your Sound

Last updated on September 6th, 2021

Being a producer and engineer, you want to be as diverse as possible and able to make as many sounds as you can. To do this accurately, you need to have so much equipment, that takes a lot of money and a lot of space. The solution to BOTH of these problems is a guitar VST. 

The Best Guitar VSTs Highlighted

• PRS Supermodels – All Tones
• The Anvil – Metal
• AmpliTube MAX (Bundle) – All Tones
• GTR3 Amps – Rock, Alternative, Mellow
• AmpliTube 4 – Rock
• Guitar Rig 5 Pro – Modern and Classic Rock
• Toneforge Misha Mansoor – Metal and Heavier Tones

Now VST stands for “Virtual Studio Technology.” So technically almost any plugin could be considered a VST like reverb, delay, and eq. But for this article, we are looking at VST’s shaped specifically for guitars. 

Table Of Contents

• What To Look For When Choosing a Guitar VST
  • Pricing — Gear Vs Plugins
  • Compatibility – System Requirements
  • DAW Compatibility
  • Frequency of Use
  • AMP Features & Tone
  • Skill Level
• Best Guitar VST Software Today
  • PRS Supermodels
  • The Anvil
  • AmpliTube MAX (Bundle)
  • GTR3 Amps
  • AmpliTube 4
  • Guitar Rig 5 Pro
  • Toneforge Misha Mansoor
• Learn More
• Compare Guitar VST Software Prices

What To Look For When Choosing a Guitar VST

In our list here, we are looking at some of the best amp emulators out there from the best companies. But if you decide to look further into it on your own, here are some components to consider whenever you look into a guitar VST. 

Pricing — Gear Vs Plugins

The pricing on the packages of amps is, of course, going to be much higher than any single one. With that in mind, each company usually has sales regularly that you can look to take advantage of. 

It’s key to also look at pricing compared to the real thing. Buying a single quality amp can easily run you over $1,000. Plugins offer a comparable sound, that can be used anywhere, and typically at a fraction of the price.

Compatibility – System Requirements

You want to make sure that your computer has the capabilities to handle the processing those plugins need. With that in combination with your DAW, you will need to make sure you have enough RAM to keep up.

DAW Compatibility

For your DAW, always look into if the plugin will work with it or not. Generally, if the companies do not make their plugins compatible with as many DAW’s as possible, it is their own downfall. However, there will be times where you cannot get it on your preferred workstation. 

Frequency of Use

A great guitar VST will be one you pull from over and over again. These aren’t plugins that you’ll want to use just once. If you dial in a tone you’re in love with, you will use it constantly. 

AMP Features & Tone

With many of these amps and emulators, they go for a specific sound.They’ll have a unique distortion/overdrive, customizable mic placement, or something of that caliber.  There are some out there that have multiple amps and sounds available in the plugin, but many will state that at the front for you. 

Skill Level

A lot of expertise with any amp, comes with practice. These VST’s take some practice to get the hang of, and there are many tutorials on how to use them.

Before purchasing any, I would suggest checking out tutorials provided by their companies to see if it matches your workflow. 

7 Best Guitar VST Software Today

All of these VST’s are listed in no specific order from some of our favorite companies.

1. PRS Supermodels

Waves partnered up with PRS and absolutely knocked it out of the park with this one. I have heard nothing but good things about these plugins even since they were in pre-production. 

• Who’s it for? Experienced Guitarists
• Tone: Any Tone
• Price: $129
• DAW Support: All popular DAWs supported, good for Logic.

System Requirements: 

	Mac	Windows
Memory	8 GB RAM8 GB free disk space on the system drive	8 GB RAM8 GB free disk space on the system drive
Operating System	10.12.6-10.15	Windows 10 64 bit

2. The Anvil

I had to narrow it down to just one from this company, however, The Anvil packs a heavy PUNCH.

Ignite Amps offers a multitude of fantastic amps and emulators for free so when you have the chance please donate to help them keep everything up to date. 

This plugin easily can compete with some of the paid versions, and has low learning curve. Use this as a starting point if you are new to plugins.

• Who’s it for? Intermediate and above
• Tone: Metal
• Price: FREE
• DAW Support: All popular DAWs supported, good for Reason.

System Requirements: 

	Mac	Windows
Memory	8 GB RAM	8 GB RAM
Operating System	n/a	n/a

3. AmpliTube MAX (Bundle)

With the AmpliTube MAX from IK Multimedia, you have access to some of the most famous amplifiers and cabinets in history.

There are over 300 gear substitutes in this one bundle. This includes amps from fender, wah pedals, and even those Orange amps we’ve all sat down and played at Guitar Center.

On top of amps, it also has a vast array of effects, and can also be used with or without a DAW. 

• Who’s it for? Intermediate and above
• Tone: Any
• Price: $500 – Currently 50% off
• DAW Support: All popular DAWs supported, good for Pro Tools. 

System Requirements: 

	Mac	Windows
Memory	8 GB RAM	8 GB RAM
Operating System	Any that can run a native DAW	Any that can run a native DAW

4. GTR3 Amps

This could be considered Waves’ all in one package that comes with its amp emulations of famous amps from Marshall, Fender, Vox, and more. It also has a host of pedals and other tools for you to play with to forge your ideal sound. 

• Who’s it for? Experienced Engineers
• Tone: From Rock to Mellow
• Price: $129
• DAW Support: All popular DAWs supported, good for FL Studio.

System Requirements: 

	Mac	Windows
Memory	8 GB RAM8 GB free disk space on the system drive	8 GB RAM8 GB free disk space on the system drive
Operating System	10.12.6-10.15	Windows 10 64 bit

5. AmpliTube 4

This is the next step down and a much more affordable option compared to the AmpliTube MAX.

It still has many customizable options that you can use to shape your tone to a natural-sounding masterpiece with multiple amps all being based on amazing amplifiers. 

Some key features include custom mic placement, room selection, and even speaker selection.

• Who’s it for? Beginners and above.
• Tone: Rocking 
• Price: $149.99
• DAW Support: All popular DAWs supported, good for Ableton Live.

System Requirements: 

	Mac	Windows
Memory	8 GB RAM	8 GB RAM
Operating System	Any that can run a native DAW	Any that can run a native DAW

6. Guitar Rig 5 Pro

Native Instruments put together a fantastic combination of amps and effects in one plugin. The combination of all of these builds a unique tone with every turn of the knobs.

Easily save and go back to preferred sounds and settings to use again.

• Who’s it for? Intermediate
• Tone: Modern and Classic Rock
• Price: $199
• DAW Support: All popular DAWs supported, good for Cubase.

System Requirements: 

	Mac	Windows
Memory	4 GB RAM	2 GB RAM
Operating System	OS 10.12 through latest update	Windows 7, 8, or 10

7. Toneforge Misha Mansoor

With JST you can go after the tone of Misha Mansoor, guitarist for Periphery. This has a beefy crisp tone also taking advantage of the virtual Horizon Devices Precision Drive Pedal, which is also a staple piece of gear used by Mish himself.

• Who’s it for? Beginners welcome, intermediate and above
• Tone: Metal and Heavier Tones
• Price: $149
• DAW Support: All popular DAWs supported, good for Studio One. 

System Requirements: 

	Mac	Windows
Memory	8 GB RAM	8 GB RAM
Operating System	OS X 10.6.8 and above	Windows 7 and above

Amps for Amateurs to Professionals

All of these emulators can teach you how to better work with guitarists and their recordings. Many of the guitars that you can hear today are recorded on just these plugins. Always take advantage of any presets to use as a base for your own creations or even as the tone itself. There’s never anything wrong with using a preset as long as it actually works for your tracks.

These in combination with any effects you may have could create a totally new and groundbreaking tone for your next song. If you want to learn more about some great effects to try out, check out what we have here. 

Learn More

Compare Guitar VST Software Prices

Plugin	Manufacturer	Type	Price
PRS Supermodels	Waves	Single Plugin	$129
The Anvil	Ignite Amps	Single Plugin	Free
AmpliTube MAX (Bundle)	IK Multimedia	Plugin Bundle	$500
GTR3 Amps	Waves	Plugin Bundle	$129
AmpliTube 4	IK Multimedia	Plugin Bundle	$149
Guitar Rig 5 Pro	Native Instruments	Plugin Bundle	$199
Toneforge Misha Mansoor	Solid State Logic	Single Plugin	$149