French pro audio software publisher Blue Cat Audio (bluecataudio.com) has a well-stocked catalog of high quality paying plugins, but it also has free versions that are real nuggets. Such is the case with Free Amp (link to download page), a free plugin offering three guitar amps with all the classic settings.
Here is a demo recorded on MacOS.
Disclaimer: I'm great friends with Guillaume Jeulin, head programmer at Blue Cat Audio.
Free Amp Blue Cat Audio demo
Configuration
- Guitar: Super Strat HSH Manson
- Audio interfac: UAC-232 Zoom
- Plugin: Free Amp Blue Cat Audio
- DAW: GarageBand
- Reverb & Delay: GarageBand
- Audio routing: Loopback Amoeba
Conclusion
In the short video above, I'm using just one of the three available amps, the Classic Drive. The amp settings were left unchanged throughout the test. You can clearly hear how well Free Amp reacts to playing dynamics and changes in pickup selector positions.
At the heart of Free Amp is Destructor, the same simulation engine found in Axiom, the big brother. So it's hardly surprising that you'll find the great playing feeling.
The plugin is super-easy to set up: you adjust it just like an amp, so the guitarist trying his hand at playing through a computer won't be lost.
In fact, the only problem with Free Amp is that it will probably make you want to try out Axiom, its paying big brother, which offers an almost infinite number of amps and all the effects you could wish for (and more).
If you'd like to try your hand at making (beautiful) guitar sound on your computer via your audio interface, and you're a little scared by the confusing possibilities of other plugins, give Free Amp a try!
Until the next gear review or interview, keep on playing the guitar,
Pierre Journel.
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