If I were gigging or recording with a band in a studio I'd get some amps.
Home recording?....I don't have one reason other than I like them and that wasn't
enough to stop me from selling them and moving on.
 
 

My main three are Amp3, GR5 and S-Gear (and occasionally WAVES GTR, no foolin).  I like all of them, especially S-Gear.  But I tend to use Amp3 just because I find the GUI easiest to use and I'm a lazy sum****.  But the more I hear of the Kemper profiler the more in lust I am.  It may be time for a massive ebay sell-off;-)
 

Makeshift, I demo'd it when it first came out. I will have to try it again. The V3 amp sim in Amplitube is actually the V3m (micro). It doesn't have the master EQ section, which I rely on with the bigger V3. Also the output tubes of the V3m are EL84s vs V3 uses EL34/6l6. I am not sure how much all that really makes a difference but... Well, I will try it again. I just have not been excited by using the sims. They certainly are convenient though.
 
Yorolpal, why do you like the Kemper over the AxeFx? They are about the same price. Have you played either of them? I have played neither and they both look appealing.

I don't know anything about the AxeFx...but I will now check it out.  The things I like about the Kemper are: 1] It's dead easy to use, sounds fabulous and (now) is available in a live use format and 2] You can easily...and cheaply...get profiles of tons of hard to find or too expensive to buy rare and boutique amps from www.theampfactory.com
Of course what I don't like about it is the price because I'm such a tightwad.
 

As a drummer, I picked up playing guitar on songs late in my career.  I have used GR4 and now GR5 since it came out.  I agree 100% that it is a huge resource hog.  So, once I get it where I want and finish the track, I freeze it.  
 
For my simple work that may only use a couple of electric guitars in a song, GR5 is terrific for me.  I love the freedom to select different chains at will and I have a few good presets I customized.  So from a songwriter and practical use, it's great.  If I were recording a group's CD, I would most likely mic an amp to get their sound.
 
Interesting thread.  
 
Rimshot

yorolpal
I don't know anything about the AxeFx...but I will now check it out.  The things I like about the Kemper are: 1] It's dead easy to use, sounds fabulous and (now) is available in a live use format and 2] You can easily...and cheaply...get profiles of tons of hard to find or too expensive to buy rare and boutique amps from www.theampfactory.com
Of course what I don't like about it is the price because I'm such a tightwad.

Well, if you don't like the price of the Kemper, wait until you see the price of the AxeFX II!

Yeah, the price of those guys cures me of wanting either.
 
While a lot of people whose opinions I really respect rave about them, the cost is just too high for me. I can already make pleasing* noises with the gear I have.
 
*Some would debate this, but I wouldn't blame the gear.

I like the GTR3 too myolpal but I've never been able to get it to work with Sonar.
It was my first and only trip with ilok... so far.
So I spent a good chunk for something that I can use without having to open
a project up. Not a complete waste I guess.
 
Guitar Rig and GTR3 seem to be good no matter what pups I'm using. Maybe it's just
me, I don't know.
If there is any truth in it then it may matter to equipment like the Kemper. I can kinda reason
that single coils are probably better with it....but I could be full of it.
 
 
 

I've got a long time friend from Scotland who is one of the best blues and rock guitarists I know.  He plays a stock inexpensive Jay Turser strat which we gifted him when we were dealers in the 90s through a solid state Peavey amp (not a Bandit...but some model close to that).  He doesn't use any pedals save a possible tube screamer and chorus that I know of.  And yet he has consistently one of the best tones and sound of all my guitar buddies.  I still think it's mostly in the hands.  

yorolpal
I still think [tone is] mostly in the hands.  

It certainly is for THIS guy!