Simulated Guitar: Best Free Plugins for Mac Creators in 2025
Bring guitar tones to your mix — without touching a single string.
In the world of modern music production, not everyone has access to a high-end guitar, a great amp, and a recording setup. That’s where simulated guitar plugins come in — offering a convincing alternative that works perfectly inside your DAW. Whether you’re into indie rock, ambient scores, trap beats, or experimental textures, a well-designed guitar simulation can bring warmth, groove, and character to your track.
What is a Simulated Guitar?
A simulated guitar plugin is a virtual instrument that replicates the sound and behavior of an acoustic or electric guitar. These plugins fall into two main categories:
• Sample-based, using real recorded guitar samples.
• Modeled, generating guitar tones via synthesis and algorithms.
With a good simulated guitar, you can achieve chordal strumming, fingerpicking, palm muting, or ambient textures — without ever touching a string.
Best Free Simulated Guitar Plugins for Mac (AU Compatible)
Ample Guitar M Lite II
Sampled from a Martin D-41, this is one of the most realistic free acoustic guitars available.
https://www.amplesound.net/en/pro-pd.asp?id=7
Spitfire LABS – Peel Guitar
Lo-fi and cinematic. Offers mellow, saturated tones ideal for soundscapes.
https://labs.spitfireaudio.com/peel-guitar
DSK Dynamic Guitars
Nylon, steel, and acoustic options in one plugin. Great for sketching.
https://plugins4free.com/plugin/1723/
Monster Guitar
Electric guitar for rock and metal. Includes distortion, power chords, and palm mutes.
https://monstersdaw.com/monster-guitar-vst/
Haunted Guitar Lite – Electronik Sound Lab
Atmospheric guitar layers with built-in effects. Ideal for ambient compositions.
https://electroniksoundlab.com/product/haunted-guitar-lite/
AudioFusion Guitar
Open-source, basic electric guitar emulation.
https://github.com/AudioFusion/Guitar
4Front Guitar
A minimal acoustic sound generator with very low CPU usage.
https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2002/
LABS – Guitar Harmonics
Bell-like harmonics with incredible clarity for ambient tracks.
https://labs.spitfireaudio.com/guitar-harmonics
Guitar ML Plugins
Machine learning amp modeling and tone-matching. Ideal for realistic guitar coloring.
https://guitarml.com/
Tips for Creative Use
• Add variation in MIDI note timing and velocity for realism.
• Combine clean and textured guitars to build cinematic layers.
• Route dry signals through amp simulators.
• Use pitch bend and automation for expressive playing.
ONE Instrument® and Simulated Guitar Libraries
If you’re looking to experiment with guitar libraries in a clean and unified environment, ONE Instrument® offers a smart solution. In addition to supporting third-party AU plugins, ONE Instrument® allows you to:
• Play and preview guitar patches instantly
• Create layered performances using multiple instruments
• Organize your collection of guitar sounds and free plugins
• Record riffs and progressions with the built-in recorder
• Avoid clutter by managing everything from a single interface
It’s especially useful if you want to integrate guitar tones into broader soundscapes, pairing them with pads, pianos, or modular synths.
Thanks to the power of simulated instruments, it’s now easier than ever to produce rich guitar tracks without owning or recording a guitar. With tools like these — and creative platforms like ONE Instrument® — you can explore endless sonic landscapes, expand your workflow, and stay inspired.