A
mp simulation software is one
of the technological marvels
of the modern world, in my
opinion. Having a collection
of realistic virtual amplifiers, cabinets,
and effects at one’s fingertips is a dream
that the 15-year-old me, just starting
out on guitar a couple of decades ago,
could have never imagined would come
true. Needless to say, present-day-me
couldn’t be more delighted by these
developments. So it is with a bit of
reluctance that I must point out that, as
wonderous as amp sims are, they are
not perfect, and there are a few hurdles
one must overcome when using them.
For example, the feel of a software
amp can often seem rather sterile and
unresponsive, even if the sound is good,
and the process of dialing in a good
tone typically takes much longer than
dialing in a similar tone from a real amp,
especially when using an unfamiliar
program. Also, amp sims often have a
propensity for fizzy high-end frequencies
that can be a challenge to eliminate.
Fortunately, none of these obstacles to
quality amp sim tone are deal-breakers.
They can all be overcome with some
attention to one’s signal path, as well as
a few simple workarounds using basic
tools that most of us already have on
hand. Here are a few tips for making the
most of amp simulators:
START AT THE SOURCE: As with all things
audio, good sound starts at the source.
This means that the guitar needs to
be properly set up,