Hi folks
Now I know that nothing can realistically compete with miked up guitar and valve amp, but I'm looking at investing in some guitar/bass simulation software. I'm about to move house soon and space will be at a premium so this is my best option. 

I'm currently using X2 but will be upgrading to X3 Producer soon. I know that TH2 (or a stripped version of it) is included with the software but I note on the www.overloud.com website, they're offering a TH2+Mark Studio 2 bundle for £217. Seems reasonable.
 
So a couple of questions if I may: would you recommend the Overloud bundle or are there any other products on the market that you consider to be better? Also, what restrictions does the TH2 software bundled with X3 have compared to the full product?
 
Thanks for your help.
YC 

I am not a guitarist, I only "dabble", I'm pianist by profession so keep that in mind for my comments. I think every ampsim has its own strengths. The extra Randall and Brunetti cabs and heads that you get with TH2 are quite good I would say, probably better than what's originally included. On the whole I'm more comfortable with higher gain sounds on TH2 than "bluesy overdrives". The split stereo is well done and logically implemented. My personal favorite is Scuffham S-Gear 2, although it has limited options and doesn't really try to emulate specific cabs per se. It just sounds and feels the best, to me. Guitar Rig has a bunch of useful fx/stomp boxes. I really like Amplitube Fender. Haven't done much with Waves GR3 and I only have a basic version of Revalver that I haven't looked at.

Depending on your needs I'd at least check out Scuffham S-Gear 2, you can freely demo it for two weeks at least and it's not that expensive to begin with.

Also, Cakewalk sometimes offers TH2 upgrades with a discount (which is when I jumped in) so don't go for that bundle just yet.

Thanks. Been hearing quite a lot about the Scuffham S-Gear of late. Must be a decent product. I think what appeals most about Overloud is the fact that the package includes products for guitar and bass in a convenient bundle.  
 
I'll keep my options open for now. May even stick with my trusty old Behringer V-Amp2 bass and guitar units :-)

I use and like Guitar Rig 5, and the TH2 has some good sounds as well.  There are some decent stock sounds, but there are also a bunch that I couldn't imagine in a million years choosing to use.  Fortunately, they can all be tweaked as needed.  NI also has a Guitar Rig user forum, and that has tons of banks of sounds built and freely shared by that community.
 
Nothing beats a real amp, though my neighbors would surely disagree.
 
Bob Bone
 

I have a V-Amp Pro but I rarely use it anymore.  I have had very satisfying results with Amplitude 3.  Amplitude 3 comes with some very nice amps, cabinets, and effects but when there was a sale I purchased the Fender and Ampeg amp add ons for it.  Now I have everything covered for almost any style that I want to play.

Like it already has been said each amp emulation product has it pluses and misses so be sure to check out the demos and free products.

I think what's emerging here is the fact that there's no clear winner. Everyone seems to have their favourites!
 
Bob I'm in the same boat - I don't have the room that I once had and I don't want to annoy the neighbours. Plus buying a decent small valve amp and effects would be pretty expensive. I'm really looking for a self-contained, compact solution. 
YC

Exactly :)
So try out a lot!

For the past few years I've used Flying Haggis from dB Audioware
http://www.db-audioware.com/flying-haggis
 
Works well as a stand alone and in Sonar.
 
 

I hate amp sims. They all sound equally as bad or good as you can make them. Some will disagree with me here but looking at your soundcard, you probably won't like them either. I did a remix for someone on this forum and he used GR5 and I changed them to Amplitube 3 and got good results. I am left with several thoughts on it though.
 
1. How the guitar is input is very crucial.
2. Active pick ups don't sound as good as passive.
 
I think a AI with a dedicated instrument input would do better than a mic/line input. My Octa-Capture doesn't seem to give me good results, or I'm just to spoiled by valves. I guess I just don't like them. Though I do use Ampeg SVX within Amplitube 3. I mix it with the direct input though I would love a good bass amp.
 
There is another option. I use a Blackstar HT-5 and it has an emulated output. I use that and get better results than an amp sim. There is a HT 1. I got the 5 because of the effects loop. You can use the send, from the effects loop, and input that signal as well as the emulated line out. There is software called "Torpedo", or something like that, where you can use the signal from the send and just use cab sims which are impulses rather than models. Impulses are convolution so they use more CPU. I haven't tried it with Torpedo but I have Pod Farm as well and you can use just the cabs with Pod Farm. It did pretty well.
 
HTH

Scuffham for Guitar Amplitubes Ampeg svx for bass gets my vote. About £100 for both combined.(I also like softube bass amp room).
I like guitar rig 5 pro for their effects, not keen on amplitube for guitars apart from Fender. TH2 not worth the money IMO.
 
Someone somewhere coined it quite nicely by saying 'All amp sims are great, All amp sims Suck'.
 
Depends what you want. Guitar isn't my first instrument, but for me Scuffham is the only one that responds to every touch and makes me feel like I am actually playing a guitar through an amp. Its also has way way more lovers than haters compared to the others which seem to have a real divided opinion. I spent ages looking/researching for just the same thing as you are.
 
Best bet it just demo as many as possible and see which one makes you feel alive when you are playing it.
 
Happy Hunting
 
Bibs