I basically think all amp sims sound awful - until you tweak them properly, and then they sound great. The TH2 is no exception. I've often talked about using a parametric at an amp sim's output to notch out "annoying frequencies," but Sonar has another particularly useful option.
 
With the ProChannel pre-FX bin and TH2 inserted in the FX bin, engage the ProChannel EQ's low pass filter and set the slope to 48dB/octave (steepest possible). Then, lower the frequency to where the TH2 sounds smooth, and the harshness is gone. This will often be in the 5kHz range, but as always, it's a matter of taste.
 
This is the same basic principle as rolling back a guitar's tone control for a smoother distortion sound, but is more effective at preventing high frequencies (which don't distort all that elegantly) from entering the TH2.
 
If the sound isn't bright enough for you, then add an EQ after the TH2 (Nomad, Sonitus, whatever) and start boosting at around 4kHz (again, according to taste). The sound will still be sweeter because you'll be boosting a smoother, more organic sound instead of one that's harsh and has too many harmonics.
 
Remember that in the real world of guitar amps, most cabinets have very little energy above 5kHz or so. The cabinet acts as a low-pass filter that removes a lot of the harmonics generated by a tube preamp/amp section. Although you could always just filter out the highs after an amp sim to replicate this effect, preventing the highs from entering an amp sim in the first place is a more effective way of dealing with the digital world.
 
For this reason, another useful option that can either complement or replace using the ProChannel lowpass filter is using a de-esser in front of the amp sim to make sure highs don't go into the sim when the guitar is generating high levels.  I use the VC-64 for this and place it in the FX bin, before the amp sim.

Thanks, Craig.  I play a Strat, and I'm sure this will be particularly helpful.  BTW, I still have your 1979 book "Recording For Musicians" which taught me how to use my Tascam 80-8 studio.  Thanks for that, too.

Thanks for the tip. This is similar to some of the tips that are in the videos you did for X1 which I purchased and looked at many times. IMHO cutting frequencies around 5k or a little above take away a lot of harshness and make most amp sims sound better. Again.....Thanks for the tip
 
By the way It would be cool to see you do some videos for X3 as well.

Marcus Curtis
Thanks for the tip. This is similar to some of the tips that are in the videos you did for X1 which I purchased and looked at many times. IMHO cutting frequencies around 5k or a little above take away a lot of harshness and make most amp sims sound better. Again.....Thanks for the tip
 
By the way It would be cool to see you do some videos for X3 as well.

I don't think I've ever mentioned using the ProChannel lowpass before an amp sim, but if I did, it's still worth repeating
 
As to videos, stay tuned...it's under discussion.

I usually import a track of pink noise that I loop play. Turn down the volume of my audio interface a tad .
Bring up a spectrum analyzer. I start by moving the cabinet mic(s) slowly side to side up and down while listening for changes and try to find the sweet spot . You get surprised how much you can change the sound just by moving the mic (s) Then I start with the amp Bass , Mid and Treble turn the knobs listen and observe where in the spectrum changes take place . And if there are any offending frequency just kill them with eq :-)

This is just my way of working with TH2 :-))

All the best
Jan

Anderton

Marcus Curtis
Thanks for the tip. This is similar to some of the tips that are in the videos you did for X1 which I purchased and looked at many times. IMHO cutting frequencies around 5k or a little above take away a lot of harshness and make most amp sims sound better. Again.....Thanks for the tip
 
By the way It would be cool to see you do some videos for X3 as well.

I don't think I've ever mentioned using the ProChannel lowpass before an amp sim, but if I did, it's still worth repeating
 
As to videos, stay tuned...it's under discussion.

As I remember the videos I was referring to the tip about cutting around 5k. You had different approaches to doing this. This is the first time you mentioned the pro channel Low pass and using it with the amp sim.
 
I look forward to any new videos you produce on behalf of cakewalk. The information in the other two videos you did for the x series was really helpful. I especially liked your tip about using two sonitus reverb units and using phase cancellation to capture the very end of a reverb trail. I used that a few times on nylon string guitars. It made them sound incredible.
 
Maybe in the new video you can demonstrate this using breverb.
 
Sign me up for your new video when it is released

Ha! I've been doing exactly this on my current adventure. I do the low pass (and hi pass), a hi mid notch then bring back some clarity/definition in the bus. Makes a big difference.
 
Also something for the hi gain seekers... try setting the sim to not have as much distortion and clone it. Having the sim working twice with lower gain/distortion settings seems to reign in the squishy squashies (Danny hates when I call them that... lol) but fills out the distortion more.
 
Works for me anyway.
 
And as far as TH2... don't forget about the Varifire knob. That thing is like golden sauce.

This is a great technique. I read your book for guitarist and have been using this method ever since. Although, I combine the amp sim track with an amped track. I like how fat the amped track is but adding the amp sim track brings in more clarity.
 
I think all amp sims are the same. I use Pod Farm 2 and even by itself, it's just as good as any other. Even just using the stock amp sim from Cakewal, as you described in your book, can give you good results.

Beepster
 
 
And as far as TH2... don't forget about the Varifire knob. That thing is like golden sauce.

The varifire knob is one of my favorite features. awesome goldeness

Thanks for the tip. 
Definitely something to check out next time I wrestle with my amp sims.
 
Possible tip:
Don't know if this applies to other amp sims but with Line6 Pod Farm you have to watch your input levels (level going into VST).
When using their DI (GearBox DI Gold) I thought that the recorded levels were a bit on the low side. When I used another DI to record at hotter levels the plug-in had problems i.e. tone went to crap. Same thing if I dropped an effect in the FX bin in front of Pod Farm that boosted the gain.
 
Line 6 has had several updates since the last time I ran into this problem so possibly it's a non-issue at this point. But something to keep in mind if your amp sims seem to be fighting you.
 
Another tip:
With Humbuckers you can sometimes get better definition by rolling off some of the low end before the plug-in (or amp).
 
From ToneFiend http://tonefiend.com/guitar/whats-favorite-mod/
(cool site for Guitar as well as DYI mods)

ToneFiend
It seems especially relevant for drop-tuned and 7-string metal players who realize you must sometimes cut a little bass to keep the lowest register tight and articulate.