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GuitarML (Proteus plugin) Review

GuitarML (Proteus plugin) is a free and open-source AI-powered tool designed for guitarists and producers to create and utilize neural models of their own amplifiers and effects pedals.

shipped Jul 8, 2026free
Domain rating22Monthly visits123/mo
GuitarML (Proteus plugin) — product screenshot

Why it matters

1Proteus functions as a free and open-source VST3, AU, AAX, and LV2 plugin.
2The project was founded in 2020 by engineer Keith Bloemer.
3It supports both 'knob captures' for full parameter range and 'snapshot captures' for single settings.
4Version 1.2 introduced a 3-Band EQ and a built-in default Impulse Response.

Specs

GitHub

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overview

What is GuitarML (Proteus plugin)?

GuitarML (Proteus plugin) is a neural network emulation tool developed by GuitarML that enables guitarists and producers to create and utilize neural models of their own amplifiers and effects pedals. It functions as a VST3, AU, AAX, and LV2 plugin, allowing users to capture the unique tone of their physical gear.

features

Key Features of GuitarML (Proteus plugin)

GuitarML (Proteus plugin) provides a suite of features centered around AI-powered guitar gear emulation and community-driven content.

  • Neural network emulation of guitar amps and pedals from recordings.
  • Open-source software plugins including Proteus, Epoch Amp, The Prince, TS-M1N3, Chameleon, SmartAmp, and SmartPedal.
  • DIY hardware plans for NeuralPi, enabling Raspberry Pi 4 based pedal emulation.
  • Amp/pedal capture utility for creating custom digital models of physical gear.
  • Access to a community-shared Tone Library for downloading pre-made models.
  • Support for 'Knob captures' to model the full parameter range of controls like gain.
  • Support for 'Snapshot models' to capture a device at a single setting.
  • Compatibility of Proteus Knob and Snapshot models with the Two notes GENOME plugin.
  • Built-in default Impulse Response (IR) with options for custom IRs (e.g., in Epoch Amp).
  • Optimized network architectures for decreased CPU usage, particularly in Proteus and Chameleon.

use cases

Who Should Use GuitarML (Proteus plugin)?

GuitarML (Proteus plugin) caters to a diverse audience ranging from musicians to developers, leveraging its AI capabilities for various audio applications.

  • Guitarists and producers for AI amp and pedal modeling, enabling the capture of unique tones from their physical gear.
  • Studio professionals seeking low-latency and low-CPU access to a vast library of tones without physical hardware.
  • Live performers integrating digital audio workstations (DAWs) or deploying models on DIY hardware like the NeuralPi pedal.
  • Tone experimenters looking to explore different amp and pedal tones, including those from popular and rare gear in the GuitarML Tone Library.
  • Developers, hobbyists, and AI researchers interested in open-source AI audio processing and building custom guitar effects or learning music technology.

how to use

How to Use GuitarML (Proteus plugin)

Utilizing GuitarML (Proteus plugin) involves downloading the software, integrating it into a digital audio workstation, and optionally engaging with its capture capabilities or DIY hardware.

  • 1Download the free Proteus plugin and associated utilities from the official GuitarML website.
  • 2Install the VST3, AU, AAX, or LV2 plugin into a compatible Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) on your operating system.
  • 3Load existing neural models from the GuitarML Tone Library into the Proteus plugin to access various amp and pedal emulations.
  • 4Utilize the provided capture utility to create personalized digital models of your own physical amplifiers and effects pedals.
  • 5Integrate Proteus into your studio production workflow for recording or into a live performance setup for real-time processing.
  • 6For hardware enthusiasts, follow the DIY plans to build a NeuralPi unit using a Raspberry Pi 4 for standalone pedal emulation.

pricing

GuitarML (Proteus plugin) Pricing & Plans

GuitarML (Proteus plugin) operates on a completely free and open-source model, making all its core functionalities accessible without cost. The project sustains its development through community support.

  • All Plugins & Hardware: Free (Includes access to all GuitarML plugins like Proteus, Epoch Amp, The Prince, TS-M1N3, Chameleon, SmartAmp, SmartPedal, DIY NeuralPi hardware plans and software, Amp/pedal capture utilities, and the Tone Library. Funding is supported by Patreon and GitHub Sponsors.)

Pros

  • +Free and open-source, democratizing access to AI amp and pedal modeling technology.
  • +Ability to create personalized 'Knob captures' and 'Snapshot models' of physical guitar gear.
  • +Offers low latency and low CPU usage for efficient real-time processing in DAWs.
  • +Provides access to a growing, community-shared Tone Library of diverse amp and pedal models.
  • +Supports multiple plugin formats including VST3, AU, AAX, and LV2 for broad compatibility.
  • +Benefits from ongoing development and optimization by GuitarML, founded by engineer Keith Bloemer in 2020.

Cons

  • −Some users have suggested that alternatives like Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) might offer superior emulation for certain guitar amp tones.
  • −Creating custom models via the capture utility may require a degree of technical proficiency and specific recording setups.
  • −The quality and consistency of community-contributed models in the Tone Library can vary.
  • −Initial installers have occasionally triggered false positive virus alerts, as noted by some users.
  • −Relies on community contributions for model diversity, which may not cover all niche or specific gear.

Similar Tools

GuitarML (Proteus plugin) vs Competitors

GuitarML (Proteus plugin) positions itself within the AI-powered guitar gear emulation market as a free and open-source alternative to both commercial and other open-source solutions.

1
Neural Amp Modeler (NAM)On Stork

NAM is a free and open-source AI technology that allows users to capture and share hyper-realistic digital models of analog music equipment.

Like GuitarML, NAM is open-source and free, focusing on community-driven model sharing and AI-powered emulation of amps and pedals, with both offering plugins for use in DAWs.

2
AIDA-X↗

AIDA-X is a free, universal AI amp modeler and neural effect player that supports various plugin formats and evolved from Arduino-based audio shields.

Similar to GuitarML's Proteus, AIDA-X is a free VST plugin utilizing neural networks for amp and pedal emulation. Both are free, but AIDA-X emphasizes its universal model player capabilities across multiple plugin formats.

3
ML Sound Lab (Amped series)↗

ML Sound Lab uses an innovative hybrid amp simulation combining analog component emulation with 'amp learning' to mimic the sonic character of real amps.

While GuitarML focuses on open-source neural network captures, ML Sound Lab offers commercial plugins with a hybrid AI approach and often includes free versions of their Amped series. Both provide high-quality amp and pedal emulations in plugin format.

4
IK Multimedia TONEXOn Stork

TONEX utilizes AI Machine Modeling to create 'Tone Models' from recordings of real amps, cabinets, and pedals, offering a vast library of user-created and official models.

TONEX, like GuitarML, focuses on AI-powered capture and emulation of physical gear. While GuitarML is open-source and free, TONEX offers a commercial product with a free entry-level version (AmpliTube 5 CS with TONEX integration) and a paid ecosystem for models and features.

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GitHubgithub.com/GuitarML/Proteus/releases/download/v1.2/Proteus-Win-1.2.0.exe