I used STL AmpHub for a year or so, I’ve had Helix Native for a long time (I got it with my Helix unit). I have STL ToneHub, I used to have the THU Slate Edition, I have a Plugin Alliance subscription which includes the BX amp sims. I’ve tried Mercuriall, Nembrini and a couple of the Neural ones.
Here are my thoughts:
AmpHub is cool but the tones seem to be a little lost in a mix.
Helix I am actually using this on a project where my FM9 just doesn’t seem to be getting the tones I want. Helix still doesn’t get to FAS modeling quality. I also use Native a lot for effects on other instruments in my DAW. There is something in how the amp breakup/distortion is modeled that I don’t like. Also it feels like Helix gets lost in a mix at times also.
Tonehub was my go to for a while, I liked the limited frequencies, I feel like the guitars sat where they should in a mix. The distortion is the same through out each pack regardless of the “amp” modeled or captured. Controls don’t behave like an amp and you can’t change cabs.
THU… moving on (same with Amplitube)
BX not impressive like I wanted them to be, especially the Herbert.
Neural I don’t get the hype. It worth the price of admission.
Mercurial & Nembrini I like most of what they offer and plugin wise I think they are in the conversation for the best options out there, especially when on sale.
I’ve said this many, many times and I know we’ll never see it but a FAS plugin would be incredible. It would blow competition away. I know pirating and reverse engineering is a concern for Cliff, maybe there are ways around, maybe you have to have a hardware unit as a dongle, I can’t code so I don’t know. I do know that even with as easy as reamping is with FAS units these days, still just having a plugin is so much more convenient.