I have a few amp sims including HeadCase, TH2, GR4, and I like them for bluesy and/or clean and/or ambient sounds, but I've never found one that measures up when it comes to a heavy distortion.  HeadCase probably comes the closest imho, but the interface is a little overwheming.

For distortion, I use my POD 2.0 most of the time, but the famous pod 'buzz' wears on me at times. 

Having said that, I'm generally happy with the tone I can get recording direct (shameless plug: check out the solo at 02:03 @ http://soundcloud.com/quibb/my-mind-16-bit). Guess I'm just ready for a change.

Problem is, I'm not an amp/cab tweaker...I'm more of a preset kind of guy, which made the pod nice.  So what amp sims do you guys use for heavier distortion (and not just lead, but rhythm/chunky/muted etc.)?  I'm talking Alice in Chains, Queens of the Stone Age...that sort of thing.

I'm currently leaning heavily towards upgrading to the Pod HD (black bean, non-pedal version of the HD500), but I'd love to come across something else, software or hardware, that knocks my socks off out of the box.

Vernon

  If you are, "a bit of a preset guy," and you do not mind hardware..  I've got two really great choices for you. 

( btw, if you like to tweak settings, "even a little bit," than these two choices go up a level from great to, "amazing." )

The only reason I am mentioning hardware is:  "There is definitely less latency.  and you already have all the sims, as far as I can tell.

#1: http://www.digitech.com/en-US/products/gsp1101

This is so on my list to purchase in 2013.  I saw it during xmas for $345..  I should've sprung for it.  But I was busy buying other things.  The street price right now is, "close to $450."

Failing the digitech because you either, "do not want a rack, or its a bit expensive."

#2: http://www.zoom.co.jp/products/g5


There is also a Boss GT100, ( or 1000?? ) but I'm not linking it cause, "I simply have not checked it out in person yet."

Finally, "I saw the floorboard pod hd500 @ guitarcenter a few weeks ago."  I checked em out and everything..   "I was less than impressed."

Really, "The digitech or the zoom, or the ones I think would compliment the already huge amp sims available on the vst/plugin/in the box spec."

My favourites are ReValver and Scuffham....

ReValver has a great "feel" to it and the ability to tweak everything at component level is great !

Also - being able to drop my favourite VST's into the rack is a real bonus 

I have an HD500 also, and have tried many amp sims.  I've become pretty comfortable with the Amplitube, cause I bought Amp2 when they had a group buy special along with Amp Metal and SVX for bass.  You'd prob like the Amp Fender guitars in it.  I guess I just go to the Amp 3 program cause I always find the tone I want  for the song I'm working on.  I'm not crazy on the TH2, the UAD amp sim or most other amp sims, some I haven't used much or tried.  

Linear Phase


  If you are, "a bit of a preset guy," and you do not mind hardware..  I've got two really great choices for you. 

( btw, if you like to tweak settings, "even a little bit," than these two choices go up a level from great to, "amazing." )

The only reason I am mentioning hardware is:  "There is definitely less latency.  and you already have all the sims, as far as I can tell.

#1: http://www.digitech.com/en-US/products/gsp1101

This is so on my list to purchase in 2013.  I saw it during xmas for $345..  I should've sprung for it.  But I was busy buying other things.  The street price right now is, "close to $450."

Failing the digitech because you either, "do not want a rack, or its a bit expensive."

#2: http://www.zoom.co.jp/products/g5


There is also a Boss GT100, ( or 1000?? ) but I'm not linking it cause, "I simply have not checked it out in person yet."

Finally, "I saw the floorboard pod hd500 @ guitarcenter a few weeks ago."  I checked em out and everything..   "I was less than impressed."

Really, "The digitech or the zoom, or the ones I think would compliment the already huge amp sims available on the vst/plugin/in the box spec."

I've used the G5 by Zoom...and it is STELLAR and intuitive.  The effects are top notch...great piece of kit...
I also had an HD500.  I liked it.  I could get some killer tone out of it, but not as impressive or as intuitive as the G5.
I was quite literally shocked at how nice the G5 was...

Not fond of the Roland stuff...had a G8....ok...not great.

Amp Sims...I like 'em all in one way or another...(and have them too )
But if I had to pick ONE it would be Guitar Rig...I just seem to get better sound
overall out of it.

But then again...that's just my opinion...and you know what they say about that!