Guitar modelling revelation, Sans Amp plug in

I hate guitar modeling software, it is basically S*** IMHO. I've done everything I can with Guitar Rig and POD farm, and believe me I'm no stranger using stuff like this.
I used to coax good sounds years ago from a Digitech 2120 Artist pre amp / processor (which had a tube pre amp section). Lots of people said it was no good but they didn't know how to work it right.
 
So, I haven't had much time the last year to work with PT8, but this morning I opened it up and started using the Sans Amp plug in. OH.. MY.. GOD... within the first minute I was blown away. It actually sounds and almost plays like a real amp. Clean sounds with most software are always 'OK', but it's the overdrive / high gain stuff that I just can't live with. On high gain (classic rock or full on metal distortion) Sans Amp actually comes close to felling like you are playing through a real amp. I haven't yet been able to quite get the pick dynamics to feel real (perhaps never will) but it sounds great and is a real joy to play through. I HIGHLY recommend it.
Just like a real amp, it's simple, effective and the most real I've heard yet (just add dab of reverb on the side if desired).
 
Also, there is something about Pro Tools' audio engine that just sounds 'nice', however Guitar Rig 3 in PT8 still sounded horrible (grainy, fuzzy and just flat out nasty).
 
 

Hi Sven

I've heard good things about the Peavey stuff. I just played with the Sams Amp some more, loaded up a little spring reverb, light compression and 'Maxim' and it reacts well to pick dynamics and volume roll back.. the works.
Is Sans Amp only RTAS, I guess it may be?

I'm just going to dump Line 6 and Guitar Rig off my computer all together. I just ordered a Blackstar HS 5 combo (with emulated out) and a Digitech GSP1101 so I'll be using that stuff DI'd into Sonar for recording. 

Really though... even Dimension Pro seems to sound better (perhaps just different) in PT to my ears (;

I have used Sans Amp (first model) when it first came out, got good use from it until it died 4 years later (it did take a lot of battering and assault but no charges were laid)!

I was in the studio setup with a friend who had a Vox Amp and Boss OverDrive pedal, I had the same except I used the Sans-Amp DI and the sound was just as good, different but good, definitely less hiss/noise compared to the Vox. We we're both surprised of the results (Sans-Amp)!

I say go for it, nothing wrong with hardware Amp-Sims, and I guess the newer Sans-Amps had plenty of time to improve on an already fairly decent unit.   * (to add)... with patience, careful tweaking I'm sure you will find good use for it, and paired with a good distortion/overdrive such as the classic Boss OverDrive I think you'll be happy with the results.

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