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1 BUNDLE UP

Tight on bucks? See what's bundied. Apple Logic includes several amp models and guitar processors. MOTU Digital Performer went ga-ga on guitars in version 7 (Fig. 1) by adding a sweet amp model, live room, and several excellent effects. Cubase introduced new amps in Version 6, Cakewalk Sonar comes with a lite (and upgradeable) version of Native Instruments Guitar Rig, and Sonar Home Studio bundles the full version of Studio Devil's VGA+. Mixcraft Acoustica, Magix Samplitude, Pro Tools, and PreSonus Studio One Pro (both Artist and Professional versions) also include amp models (Fig. 2), and Ableton Live offers an optional-at-extra-cost amp sim from Softube. While these "extras" aren't necessarily designed to compete with full versions of Guitar Rig, IK Multimedia AmpliTube, Waves G|T|R, Line 6 POD Farm, Peavey ReValver, and so on, they're definitely an added value.

2 CHECK FORSPECIAL ACCESSORIES

Avid offers the Eleven Rack processor/audio interface, which integrates tightly with Pro Tools, and also can serve as a multieffects unit onstage. It's a great box if you have the bucks. Cakewalk's VS-20 includes onboard, hardware BOSS COSM guitar effects--as well as audio interfacing and faders--that work with all Cakewalk DAWs. Apple Logic can team with Apogee's GiO audio interface/footswitch--great for laptop jockeys using Logic in live performance.

3 DOWNLOAD DEMOS, DUDE

Most programs have downloadable demos so you can get a feel for whether the program is right for you. …