AIDA-X vs AmpForge

AIDA-X is a free AI amp model player for loading and playing music-gear models, primarily for high-fidelity amplifier simulations. Signal chains can combine amp and cabinet models with distortion, drive, fuzz, boost, and EQ. The desktop plugin supports CLAP, LV2, VST2, and VST3, and a standalone version is available. Its cabinet simulator follows the amp model and accepts WAV or FLAC impulse-response files. Controls include input and output meters, bypass, input level, EQ tone controls, and output level. Desktop installers are provided for macOS and Windows, with Linux binary tarballs. The experimental browser version runs in WebAssembly-capable browsers and lets users load their own amp models and cabinet IRs, but it uses preselected guitar loops instead of audio input. The standalone app connects to the system-default audio device and does not offer another input or output selection. Desktop builds are unsigned and may trigger untrusted-developer warnings. AIDA-X is licensed under GPL-3.0-or-later.

AmpForge is a free, open-source guitar amp simulator plugin that also includes vocal effects. Its pedalboard has 19 internal modules that can be reordered while the plugin is running. The NAM module loads Neural Amp Modeler capture files supplied by the user. Vocal tools include autotune pitch correction and a de-esser for sibilance. AmpForge is available as VST3, LV2, and CLAP plugins, plus a standalone app on supported platforms. It can run in compatible hosts such as Reaper, Carla, and Bitwig. Users can save, update, delete, import, and export custom presets, alongside the included factory presets. Hosts can automate every parameter, including pedal positions. An IR loader is included, but users need to provide cabinet impulse responses and NAM captures. AmpForge supports Linux, macOS, and Windows. The Windows installer offers VST3, CLAP, and LV2, but no standalone executable. The macOS build is not signed or notarized; the README describes a Gatekeeper workaround for installation.