Best Guitar VST Plugins 2024
Some of the best guitar VST plugins around these days can really transform the whole sound of our track. “But we don’t play guitar, why would we need these?” I hear you cry, but that doesnt matter as the best guitar VSTs can be used in a ton of different ways in any genre you can think of.
In this blog we are going to drop our list of the best guitar VSTs available to use today!
In this article
- Who needs guitar VST plugins?
- How do they help in creating music?
- Our list of the best guitar plugins:
- What other plugins might you need when creating music?
- And lets not forget our own award winning plugins
- Conclusion
Who needs guitar VST plugins?
Guitar VST plugins are essential for musicians and producers of all genres. They are especially valuable for those who don’t have access to physical guitars or want to experiment with different sounds.
For EDM producers, the best guitar focussed virtual instruments can offer a way to add real world vibes to electronic tracks. By using guitar VSTs, EDM producers can incorporate guitar sounds and effects, such as distortion and delay, typically achieved with physical pedals.
It’s just another tool for the belt, ready to be utilized at any point in your productions.
How do they help in creating music?
The best guitar VST instruments are invaluable for EDM producers, with tons of effects and sounds that can give any track that much needed edge to get it noticed by labels. They can be used for a wide range of ways from creating realistic guitar tones right through to creative effected loops.
So getting to grips with how the best guitar VSTs work, can really help you create that balance between electronic sounds and organic guitar sounds.
Before we dive into our list of the best free guitar VSTs and best paid for guitar VSTs, you might want to head over to the main site and check out some of our amazing guitar focussed courses, like this one from Sonic head honcho Phil Johnston on how to sound like indie giants M83.
Our list of the best guitar plugins:
So here we go with our list of what we think are the best guitar VSTs on the market right now, and a couple of the best free guitar VSTs if you’re a bit strapped for cash.
IK Multimedia Amplitube 5
AmpliTube 5 by IK Multimedia is one of the best electric guitar plugins available. It features over 400 gear models, including amps, cabinets, pedals, and rack effects. Its realistic sound and flexible customization make it a favorite among producers across a ton of different genres.
Its powerful effects and extensive gear library allow for endless creative possibilities, making it an essential tool in any music producer. It is one of the more expensive VSTs coming in at just under £200.
If that sounds too much, you can also check out the AmpliTube 4 Free, which is one of the best free guitar plugins out there. If you’re looking for an alternative check out Blue Cat’s Free Amp, which is also one of the best free guitar plugins, if you’re on a super tight budget.
Positive Grid BIAS Amp 2 Elite
This one is for anyone looking to digitally recreate some of the best amplifiers throughout the history of guitar music. BIAS 2 is one of the most comprehensive custom amplifier-building tools on the market.
Lauded as one of the best metal guitar VSTs, but it can handle so much more, so whether you’re into rock, funk, soul, jazz or you just want to try out firing your percussion loops through a Marshall style amp, this is the one for you.
Native Instrument’s Guitar Rig
Native Instruments’ Guitar Rig is one of the best electric guitar VST plugins out there, and has been the go-to guitar plugin for producers of any genre for years now. It comes packed with a variety of amps, cabinets, and effects, giving you endless options to create your sound.
For EDM producers, this plugin offers high-quality amp modeling, versatile routing options, and an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. The built-in tuner, metronome, and multiple preset options make it easy to use and perfect for adding unique guitar tones and effects to your tracks, making it a go-to tool for bringing your music to life.
It’s simply one of the best guitar effects plugins of all time.
Softube Amp Room
Softube Amp Room is one of the best acoustic guitar VST plugins out there. It offers super realistic amp simulations with a range of vintage and modern amps, cabinets, and effects. It has a modern modular design, allowing for various signal chain setups.
Amp Room includes features like room simulation, advanced mic placement options, and a variety of pedal effects. Softube are already highly regarded producers of virtual versions of classic hardware, and Amp Room doesn’t let the side down when it comes to matching that quality.
So check out all their plugins, as they don;t just make one of the best guitar VSTs, but some of the best VSTs full stop.
ML Sound Lab Amped
ML Sound Lab Amped is among the best guitar VST plugins, offering high-quality amp simulations that can fit into a wide range of styles. It features brilliantly modeled amps, including modern high-gain and vintage classics.
Amped also provides a user-friendly interface with detailed controls for tweaking gain, EQ, and other parameters. For EDM producers, the built-in cabinet impulse responses and flexible routing options make it easy to integrate some huge guitar vibes into your tracks.
Neural DSP Archetype
Neural DSP Archetype stands out as one of the best guitar VSTs, offering a suite of high-quality amp simulations and effects. It features multiple amp models, cab simulations, and a range of effects like overdrive, delay, and reverb.
The intuitive interface allows for easy tweaking of tones, making it perfect for producers looking to add realistic guitar sounds to their club banger. With its advanced modeling technology, Archetype provides rich, detailed tones that enhance any music production.
They have also partnered with futurist guitar players like Tim Henson, who are helping to blur the boundaries between rock and electronica.
Waves CLA Guitars
Waves CLA Guitars has been around for a while, but is still among the best guitar plugins available, designed to deliver studio-quality guitar tones. It features presets crafted by legendary producer Chris Lord-Alge, covering a range of styles from clean to heavily distorted.
The plugin includes built-in effects like reverb, delay, and chorus, making it versatile and user-friendly. Many types of producers will find it easy to add polished guitar sounds to their tracks, enhancing the overall mix with professional-grade tones and effects.
It’s also on the cheaper side of things too, coming in around £30. Also it’s one of the best bass guitar plugins, with a ton of presets for bass players too.
What other plugins might you need when creating music?
Besides the best guitar VST plugins, there are several other essential plugins for creating music. Synthesizer VSTs like Serum or Massive are crucial for crafting unique sounds and basslines. Drum VSTs such as Superior Drummer or EZdrummer provide realistic drum tracks.
Reverb and delay plugins, like ValhallaRoom and EchoBoy, add depth and space to your mixes. For mixing and mastering, tools like iZotope Ozone and FabFilter Pro-Q are invaluable.
Combining these with the best guitar VST plugins ensures a well-rounded and professional music production setup, enabling you to create diverse and polished tracks.
And lets not forget our own award winning plugins
At Sonic Academy, we pride ourselves on offering a suite of plugins that elevate your music production to new heights. Our ANA 2 synthesizer is a fan favorite, known for its powerful sound engine and intuitive interface.
Kick 2 is another essential tool, providing precise control over your kick drum sounds. For vocal processing, our SA76 plugin delivers top-notch compression and saturation effects.
And if you are using guitars, whether that be live, recorded, or through one of the above VSTs, you have to check out our JUNO-60 Chorus emulation - the JU-60 which will add width, and warmth to your sound.
Whether you’re an EDM producer or a guitarist, our plugins are designed to inspire creativity and enhance your workflow, ensuring your music stands out from the crowd.
Conclusion
Finding the best guitar VST plugins can greatly enhance your music production, whether you’re an EDM producer or a guitarist. Plugins like AmpliTube 5, BIAS Amp 2 Elite, Guitar Rig, and others offer a wide range of tones and effects, providing endless creative possibilities.
So don’t think that the best guitar VSTs are just for guitarists, try running that vocal through a couple of delay and reverb pedals to see what you get, you may end up giving you that extra level you’ve been looking for!
