When it comes to guitar amp simulators, the question always used to be “which one sounds the best?”. But like with all things, technological advances in software and amp modelling techniques means that amp sims have come a long way in the last decade to the point where there are so many great sounding virtual guitar amp options.
Why Speed Matters More Than Ever for Amp Sims
This means that, for me at least, the question now should be “which one is going to give me results the fastest?”.
While virtual amps are still a much quicker and more practical option than physically mic’ing up an amp in a room — particularly for those working in small home studios — it can still be fiddly to navigate and time consuming to scroll through the endless menus and options to get a sound which actually sounds like a real amp.
That’s exactly where THU v2 proves its value.
I’ve never been in doubt about the sound of THU. Ever since I first tried it I was struck by how great it sounds and the vast options on offer to hone in on a guitar sound but what’s so great about the new, improved V2 is the speed at which you can find the tone you’re looking for.
Smart Search and Built-In Tools That Save Time
The ability to just type ‘Fender’ in the search bar when I’m looking for a Twin Reverb-esque tone and immediately see all the Fender-inspired options is such a time saver. Couple this with the new great features like the built-in doubler which instantly produces a convincing sounding doubled-guitar-track-style tone are even more reason to upgrade.
A Streamlined Interface That Fits Real-World Use
The workflow is super clean too. THU v2’s new multi-row model means that I’m no longer trying to play guitar while also trying to scroll across a screen with my mouse in order to add some more gain to an amp. Everything fits nicely in one window so even complex chains can be viewed all at once on the screen.
Premium Tone Without the Compromise
But practicality isn’t the only thing worth having THU v2 for. It still stands out to me as one of the best sounding guitar amp simulators on the market. I particularly love the ‘Tweed Deluxe’ for indie-pop stuff and it really does rival my beloved Fender Pro Junior for tone.
The Fluid IRs also sound amazing and give incredible realism to the cabinet options. So much so that I’ve actually taken to running a separate feed from my Blackstar tube head directly into THU v2 and using just the cabinet emulations to create an incredible guitar sound with much more versatility than having to use an actual cabinet with an actual microphone.
Final Thoughts
In short, I think it’s going to be hard to beat THU v2 for both sound quality and speed of workflow when it comes to guitar amp simulations. You might just want to sell your vintage tube amp and spend the money on the amazing range of expansion packs for THU!
Written by Guy Britton
Guy Britton is a seasoned music producer, mixer, and mastering engineer from the UK, with a focus on pop and indie genres. Guy has helped independent artists achieve breakthrough success, with his work being featured on radio and TV in the UK and Europe, as well as major Spotify editorial playlists. His expertise lies in delivering a unique and commercially appealing sound, with a passion for combining modern and retro elements to create deep, exciting tracks.
