Guitarists: Amp Modeling, What Are You Using? Options

[the clash]

Just wanted to ask what you guys are using.
I cant really crank my valve amp up and mic that up at home as I need to keep my family & the neighbours happy and there is no line out on it so I need to get some kind of amp modeling fx for recording at home.
I tried the Pod XT yesterday and thought it was OK and have yet to try out the Vox Tonelab and others.
Anyone heard anything about the new Boss GT Pro?
What are you guys using and what others can you recommend to try out?
Thanks.

[rcross73]

Yes, GarageBand and Logic (Express 7.2 or Pro 7.2) have some decent sounds for guitar.

But if you're really interested in shredding it up, with an insane amount of tonal possibilities and versatility, you really should check out the various computer amp modeling programs out there. Here are some of the best, in ascending order of price. All of them have INCREDIBLE, PRO sound quality:

1) Line 6 TonePort UX1 or UX2 ($129 or $199)
From the makers of the PodXT, with all the sounds from it, with a nice USB 2.0 computer interface, which also has direct line-outs to plug straight into a PA or whatever. Amazing sounds, great value, major expandibility, XLR and 1/4" inputs, bass amps and vocal preamps too, and very processor-friendly (5% of my MacBook Pro C2D's 200% CPU power at any given time). Now the fabulous software that this comes with/runs (GearBox) is also available in a couple of different configurations as a plug-in as well as the standalone version.
http://line6.com/toneport/

2) IK Multimedia's Amplitube 2.0 (around $329 - though academic discounts are available)
Visually mesmerizing interface, even better overall sound than the Line 6 option (read: fantastic-er ), though More CPU-intensive (15%-25% of my 200%), very detailed and accurate tuner, two simultaneous guitar rigs with numerous interchangeable possibilities, can go up to 96 MHz sample rate. Is both a standalone and plug-in at once. Foot controller/computer interface will be released soon (the Stomp IO) - probably January.
http://www.amplitube.com/

3) Native Instruments Guitar Rig 2.0 ($499 - though academic discounts are also available, as is a software-only version [sans foot-controller] that will save you some cash if absolutely necessary)
Similar quality to Amplitube 2, but comes with very nice foot controller/computer interface. A very slight bit more flexibility than its competitor, for that .001% who want to be able to line up MORE than Amplitube's at-one-time restriction of 10 stompbox effects, 2 amps, 2 cabinets, and 8 rack effects. And it is by far the most CPU-intensive of the three, though it may be the most versatile live option at this point.
http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=guitarrig2_us

I have the first two, but have opted not to get the third. Go to their websites, try them out. All three of these options are infinitely better than the guitar sound possibilities in GarageBand, Logic Express, and Logic Pro, and they can be used with all three of these programs (and any other DAW or recording software you have). All can be used to perform with at a pro level, as well. You just have to find out how best you want to do it. For other options, there is also the Waves GTR, but all of my research and review-reading tells me that it is not as flexible or comprehensive as either Amplitube 2.0 or Guitar Rig 2.0, and its sound quality is about the same.

Whichever way you go here, I guarantee that you won't be disappointed.

[monkeyboy23]

Good write up. I'll just add the Bomb Factory Sansamp plug in to the list for Pro Tools. It's the older than the other modelers you've listed, but I find it to be easy to use and gets a good sound, distorted or clean. The "American Woman" preset is aces!