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A free software that converts your home computer into a guitar amp with support for lead and bass guitars

A free software that converts your home computer into a guitar amp with support for lead and bass guitars

Vote: (178 votes)

Program license: Trial version

Developer: Native Instruments

Version: 5.2.2

Works under: Windows

Also available for Mac

Vote:

Program license

(178 votes)

Trial version

Developer

Version

Native Instruments

5.2.2

Works under:

Also available for

Windows

Mac

Pros

  • Easy to install and use
  • Hundreds of professional effects
  • Standalone version available for live use

Cons

  • Requires a powerful computer
  • Updates are not free

Guitar Rig by developer Native Instruments is software for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X, that allows musicians and producers to have a wide variety of professional recording studio effects at their disposal, without the expense and hassle of managing physical gear. While its use is mainly aimed at guitar and bass players, the popular amplifier modeling software is useful for any type of instrumentalist or vocalist who wants to add quality effects to their music projects without breaking the bank.

For those who want to add effects like reverb, delay and distortion to music that has already been recorded, you can easily load the software in your digital audio workstation to make your desired changes. Because it is possible to insert effects and processes to your tracks without changing the original recordings, you can try out many different sounds and configurations without altering the original. In the past, it was necessary to record any effects live, meaning that once they were laid to tape, you could not make adjustments. This is no longer the case with Guitar Rig!

Musicians who perform live will also find the standalone version of the software to be helpful in managing their sound on the fly. By integrating Guitar Rig with a physical pedal such as RigKontrol, it is possible to replace entire racks of effects and processors. Settings for specific songs can be saved and loaded up instantly, eliminating the need to make adjustments in the middle of a concert.

Guitar Rig has the ability to accurately model and emulate many types of well known amplifiers, microphones, effects pedals and control room setups. Included are 54 effects processors, 27 cabinets, and 17 amplifiers that are fine tuned to sound as authentic as possible. Even though every amp has a matching corresponding cabinet, the ability to mix and match means that you’ll finally be able to recreate your rig from high school, or just create a new combo all together!

Each component can also be customized just like their real life counterparts, making it easy to create your own unique sounds. If you are unsure of where to start, there are hundreds of presets included that recreate the sounds of popular musicians and their songs. Even the individual racks have presets, which can be a good jumping off point when you are feeling uninspired.

For those who do not have the thousands of dollars it would take to buy all the equipment represented in this software, you will now have access to the same sounds and techniques only available in expensive recording studios. In addition to the included features, Guitar Rig is also compatible with other packages such as Tractor’s 12, Reflector and Rammfire.

Pros

  • Easy to install and use
  • Hundreds of professional effects
  • Standalone version available for live use

Cons

  • Requires a powerful computer
  • Updates are not free