I've been testing the tube pre this morning with the HD500X. I used Mautodynamiceq to do some freq analysis with it. In the FX loop it adds some low end and mids. Post cab it seems to add low end and cut the mids. Overall to my ear the HD500X sounds better without it.
Next up, I'll test it with S-Gear. 

That doesn't surprise me Clint. The pod has a buffered input and is a piece of hardware so this is why it reacts so much better and actually sounds muddy or not quite right when you use the tube preamp. It's probably going to sound good when you use it with S Gear, but sometimes preamps actually affect guitar sims in a bad way. Try using a stomp box into a guitar sim like some of the stuff I mentioned above and I bet you you'll get some pretty good results that way. Or a tube compressor....they really do a nice job too but most people don't have a Drawer or equivalent laying around. Lol!
 
-Danny

Yeah, I suspect it may sound better with S-Gear too. It adds low end which the HD500X suffers from already. I have to use the deep cab parameters to roll off the lows. The pre just adds them back in.
As I said I like them already...so this is just a little test I can afford to do at $25, and it may sound good with my cheap mic I use for vocals.
Did you watch the Helix demo Pete Thorn did? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQUmE0TfC4I
It looks like a nice piece, but for the money I would rather have the Fractal AX8.
 

michaelhanson
Herb,
 
One of the things to watch for on the Sims is your input signal.  Make sure that your getting a strong signal but not clipping.  That seems to very from amp model to amp model; how strong your pickups are and adjustment to the input on your sound card.  
 
Switching guitars, with totally different pickups, can change your tone quite a bit as well.  A high out humbucker is going to drive the Sim differently than a lower output humbucker.  If you are picking up the same guitar, same input level on your sound card and using the same preset, your tone shouldn't really change much, though.
 
I have kind of figured out 3-4 amp models that I like and use most of the time.  Then I have learned to dial them in to the song I am recording.  One of the biggest issues for me is that there are SO many choices with Sims, that I could spend all day tweaking them.  Just sticking with a couple of amp models seams to make me more productive.   
 
Eventually, you kind of learn to tweak the Sim like you would an amp....though I think a real amp/hardware, is still simpler to tweak your tone out of.  
 
 

You and Danny make a lot of sense.
With most (all but one) amps I always put a pedal in front. Usually a couple, a Tech21 Comp-tortion. It has a 21db clean boost and if you add just a little of the compression side, it makes a huge difference. Also the SD Pickup Booster but you have less control with it. The Boss Bass EQ pedal works wonders with the low end on Fender type amps and has a boost, just keep everything flat and boost a little, I usually use some combination of those three and a Jordan J-700. Usually only two pedals though.
It makes sense that running through them into my interface, into TH3 or Amplitude would make a good difference too, I just never thought of it. Plugins have a way of making you think they are all you need. (At least in my case, lol). This is a very helpful thread, thanks to all.
I have the C-T and the PB pedals out to try this afternoon.
 
Julien

+1, I have taken to dropping a compression/EQ set in place prior to an amp sim. It tends to give more consistency for what is feeding into the amp sim than trying to tailor it for each amp sim preset (which turns into more overhead than necessary).

MJUC is a good VST comp to use with a sim I think. It has some of that analog mojo that helps a bit.

double post. 

Danny, Herb, anyone... sorry to bring back a three week old thread but It's been on my mind. So...
 
I got out my old Alesis NanoCompressor (and NonoVerb). I'm wondering if the NanoCompressor will fill the bill to push the Amp Sims a little, in a good way or if I should just use a clean boost. (I have that on several guitar pedals.) I don't have a DI box. I know not the NanoVerb but since I got one out, I got them both out. I read the manual for the NC and am thinking it might do nicely but am not sure. In any case, I should use these more. I don't have much hardware.... and I DO NOT need to get started on 500s, lol.
Thanks,
Julien

don't use the nano...
that is a bottom of the barrel device at best,
old technology,
what you want is the cleanest of boost.
 

batsbrew
don't use the nano...
that is a bottom of the barrel device at best,
old technology,
what you want is the cleanest of boost.
 

Thanks. Advice taken.
It's been a closet dweller for quite a while, lol. I'll use a clean boost from one of my guitar pedals, that is easier too!
 
J