Guitar amp modeling in Ableton: How to get better sounds

[mgunthe]

I'm not very impressed with the amp model sounds in Ableton compared with Logic.

Do people have suggestions for good plugins to get better sounds?

I can actually record guitar direct input into Logic and fool people (professional studio audio engineers) with Logic , but no such luck with Ableton.

Thanks

[Tarekith]

Make sure you use the Cabinet plug in too, I find I get much better results when I combine the two versus using them solo.

[moonpie]

Ive a tip - does ableton amp have a separate distortion/cabinet setting?

Anyways - its a well worn fact that, although many many techs can make great guitar software - they suck or overlook quality guitar cabinet impulses. Even Guitar rig for example. (all guitar cab emulation is convolution based - based on files called "impulses")

Try this - get a freeware convolution reverb plugin (LA convoluter on mac - I know theres a famous windows one but cant think of it) - the download some free guitar cabinet impulses. (google them)

What youre meant to do is - use the distortion/fx stage of whatever plugin youve got (there are a couple free ones in case you dont have any) - and then place the convolution verb after them, using the higher quality guitar cab impulses available on the net.

I think there's a pack called Xperimental something. Anyways - have a search/experiment and youll get much better results!!

Oh and last tip (if you make it this far) - be aware that in ableton, it generally runs stereo plugins hwen available, so make sure to scale the guitar + convolution back down to mono (or use either L or R) to get a tighter control on the mix and the effect.

[misa]

For third-party plug-ins, I've liked the sounds from Amplitube. I was able to dial in good sounds faster than with GuitarRig. Also have Waves GTR, but haven't spent much time with it. Other good options out there, but I think most will agree that Ableton's built-in amps and cabs leave much to be desired. I've used Ableton's effects more as creative saturation/distortion than as modelers.

[nebulae]

Consider using the following chain:
1. Compressor (healthy threshold, high ratio, semi-fast attack, long release)
2. Saturator - analog should be fine...crank it
3. Amp - dirty settings
4. Cabinet - use the 4x12 for bigger sounds
5. Compressor (gentle threshold, low ratio, slow attack, medium release)
6. Reverb - just get a little air in the sound

That should get you a decent sound. If you want to Edge out, add 12-17 delays in sequence afterwards, and you should be good to go.

[rap masta rj]

I'm personally a fan of Pod Farm. I use the 50$ version not the upgraded one and i still get nice tones, I mainly use it for metal stuff. For clean tones and bass, Guitar Rig 5 is the way to go. I haven't tried the Ableton guitar plugins, all I know is that I don't need anything else besides those two programs for guitar.

[H20nly]

Make sure you use the Cabinet plug in too, I find I get much better results when I combine the two versus using them solo.

this, for sure.

i don't know whey they separate them. if you don't know to look for Cabinet then you would miss out on this. it seems like it should be a sub-folder of Amp IMO.

[awesomesauce]

Guitar rig 5 is pretty awesome. I also recommend using it on synths for some unique sounds

[3dot...]

check out the 'guitar processing' presets in 'audio effect rack' for some neat examples...
some of these racks are really great..
(my guitar player played through while I switched racks..and he was liking it too !)

opening these racks up and studying them will also let you understand better how to make your own ...
(you can get infinitely great stuff using Live FX exclusively...)

[3dot...]

x2 post

[XSIMan]

Get Amplitube Free it has some free models and it comes with a custom shop to buy just the bits you want from the full version. AC\DC used it on their last album.

[nebulae]

Oh it ACDC used it, then I HAVE TO GET IT!!!!!!!!

/end sarcasm

[Madureira]

After trying them all, for me nothing beats these:

http://lepouplugins.blogspot.ca/

Best part...they're free!!!

Especially the impulse loader is just awesome.

[booksofbokonon]

What Madureira said.

His amps are amazing. The powerball emulator is pretty damn close to my actual powerball!

[regretfullySaid]

Anyone mention an actual amp yet?
Just sayin', it's an option.