Lots of people are obsessed with the ‘warmth’ of analog studio gear. Sure—it sounds fuller, more human, more present.
This guitar amp simulator VST Plugin also offers a wide variety of free online virtual electric guitar amps, cabinets and microphones, being another of the best freeware on the market. Download page Voxengo Boogex guitar amp requirements / compatible with Windows 64 and 32 bit, VST / VST3 / AU / AAX. Shattered Glass Audio Ace.
But these days, modeling technology has become really good at simulating the effects of analog circuitry. Our computers and DAW apps are powerful enough to handle these VST workhorses.
So forget about spending tons of money on analog gear.
Here’s 7 VSTs (for both PC and Mac) that will give you that sweet analog warmth.
- SGA1566 Tube Preamp
- TDR Slick EQ
- Ace Amp
- Molot Compressor
- Voxengo Tube Amp
- MJUC jr. Compressor
- Softube Saturation Knob
What’s all the analog fuss about?
Ok, so what does analog circuitry do to your sound? What’s everyone so obsessed about?
What people like about analog sound are the quirks and imperfections.
So when people talk about ‘warm analog sound’ they’re referring to:
- Subtle distortion and drive
- Harmonic distortion
- Tape Saturation
- Vacuum tubes
- Preamps
What these processes do to your sound is often hardly noticeable. That’s what the magic’s about—you won’t hear them, but they’ll make a huge difference in how your track sounds and feels.
The cumulative effect of analog processes is what people are gushing about.
1. SGA1566 Tube Preamp
Shattered Glass Audio’s SGA 1566 gives you a single channel vintage tube preamp. The whole circuit is simulated in real time to get you that authentic analog sound.
Use the SGA 1566 as a saturation compressor to boost the warmth of your track. Or add a bit of grit with the tube overdrive.
The newest version is also lighter on your CPU––so no computer freak outs!!
Download the SGA 1566 for free here.
2. TDR Slick EQ
“This little guy sounds amazing” –Dave Pensado
The TDR Slick EQ is a sleek easy-to-use three-band EQ that gives you amazing sound—like all Tokyo Dawn Records plugins.
Warm up your sound by choosing a non-linear option under Output Stage. That’ll add subtle harmonic distortion and texture.
Download the TDR SlickEQ for free here.
3. Ace Amp
Ace Amp—another Shattered Glass Audio creation—is based on classic 1950s style tube amps.
Control the input, volume, feedback, output. Choose between three resampling options.
This amp plugin has simple controls and doesn’t eat up your CPU.
Hot Tip: Try it on vocals for a cool aesthetic effect.
Download the Ace for free here.
4. Molot Compressor
Vladg’s Molot is a compressor with character. Even the vintage Soviet look is on point.
Molot will give your sound interesting color. I recommend reading the manual to learn how to tune it properly—it’s worth the read.
Download Molot for free here.
5. Voxengo Tube Amp
Voxengo’s Tube Amp gives you warm overdrive, fuzzy distortion and everything in between.
It imitates tube overdrive in the style of single-tube mic preamps.
Hot Tip: Use the low-pass filter to imitate the texture of lower-quality tubes.
Download Voxengo’s Tube Amp for free here.
6. MJUC jr. Compressor
Klanghelm’s MJUC jr. compressor is simple and elegant.
Use it for smooth compression or a heavier pumping effect. MJUC jr. is based on vintage compressors of the 1960s––it even looks like one.
Flip the ‘Time Constants’ switch to choose between slow, fast and auto. This changes the attack and release time. It affects other parts of the circuitry too, giving you interesting analog-style saturation.
Download the MJUC jr. for free here.
7. Softube Saturation Knob
This Saturation Knob is one the best free analog emulation plugins out there. Even Dave Pensado gives it two thumbs up!
Use it anywhere to add some character and distortion. Drag it on your vocal track to add shimmer.
The great thing about this one is how simple it is: literally one knob and a switch. Change the switch setting to choose between the kind of distortion you’ll get.
Download the Softube Saturation Knob for free here.
Fake It Till Ya Make It
These effects are the missing ingredient in your digital sound.
The key with analog emulation is to avoid overdoing it. Bring in the effect until you hear it, then dial it back a notch. It’ll still make a huge difference. Your sound will be fuller and warmer.
Use these plugins and people will be asking for your studio secrets in no time.
Make sure to grab the whole LANDR-approved free VST plugin collection:
Tube Amp Ultra 530
VST/AU/AAX plug-in for PC/MacIntroduction
Tube Amp Ultra 530 VST/AU/AAX plug-in (briefly U530) based on the popular sound studio preamp ENGL® E530, having a wide range of tone. On this basis, you can customize the sound of the powerful hi-gain to bright crunch and crystal clean tone. We hope that many musicians will use U530 in their arsenal.
Tube Amp Ultra 530 | Tube Amp Ultra 530 Demo | |
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Price |
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Restrictions | No restrictions |
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Updates | ||
Buy Now | Download |
Modeling
No waveshapers, and EQ. We use only clean solution of nonlinear differential equations for the most realistic simulation. Tube Amp Ultra 530 (U530) is full circuit simulation of E530 preamp. Furthermore, the U530 has additional features. Simulation of three 12ax7 dual triode models. From old RCA triode to fresh RSD. Allowed processing samplerates at 44.1 48 88.2 96 Khz. Two computing engines make same things but in different way. Fast computing engine based on usage Artificial Neural Networks to approximate nonlinearity of solution nonlinear differential equations. Precision computing engine - for just-in-time solution of nonlinear differential equation at circuit simulation.
Topology of E530 Lead Hi channel
Preamplifier section is modeled so accurately that it is impossible to distinguish the sound of U530 and E530. Here are the reasons under which the U530 is better than the E530:E530 | U530 |
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It occupies a place in the rack and require proper wire connection to the analog audio interface. | No loss of quality due to analog-digital conversion when re-amping. |
To record multiple tracks you need more than one E530. | You can use more than one instance of U530 at same time. Allowed number of U530 instances depends on your CPU performance. |
Transistor poweramp section without controlling. | Class A poweramp section with Precence and Master controls. Master control can be used for extra warm up your sound. |
Two-positional contour switch | Three-positional contour switch. Added position for modeling tonestack of tube toner E430. |
Coarse cabinet simulation by filtering. No position control and cabinet changing. | Four different cabinets. 2-D Microphone positioning. Poweramp takes into account the different properties of the cabinet resonance. |
It is not possible to quickly change the tubes. | You can quickly switch to one of the 3 models of tube. |
The level of the signal coming from the guitar is insufficient to unleash the potential of the Clean Lo channel. | To unlock the potential of the Clean Lo channel has a boost mode (Lo Clean Boost switch) that raises the level of the input signal in 2 times (only for Clean Lo channel). |
Product Details
Supported platforms and formats: | Mac: VST2 x64, VST3 x64, AU x64, AAX x64 (Pro Tools 11 and newer) PC: VST2 x64, VST3 x64, AAX x64 (Pro Tools 11 and newer) |
Preamp section: |
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Amp section: |
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Cab section: |
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FX section: |
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Additional settings: |
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Additional features
Additional modes for clean and lead channels: Lo Clean Boost increase input signal level twice for Clean Low mode to better warm up tube stages. E430 turn Lead channel tonestack to tonestack of E430 floor preamp. Stereo chorus for stereo widening adds more character to the clean sound. All sections can be switched off separately. It provide you possibility make plugin chain and insert another plug-in inside U530 processing pipeline.Minimal System Requirements
Free Guitar Tube Amp Vst Amp
PC | Mac | |
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CPU | Intel or AMD with SSE2 support | Intel Core 2 or newer |
OS | Windows Vista or later | OS X 10.11 or later |
DAW | VST 2.4 compatible or Pro Tools 11 | AU or VST 2.4 or AAX64 compatible |
RAM | 2 Gb | 2 Gb |
Disk Space | 44 Mb | 83 Mb |