Overloud TH-U guitar amp simulator: features and spec-based rating

Overloud’s TH-U is guitar amp software that combines modeling, capture and Fluid IR processing. It has 253 premium models (89 amps, 4 bass amps, about 90 pedals and rack effects, and 18 microphones), SuperCabinet, which can use more than 42,000 Fluid IRs, and Rig Player, which plays captured rigs.

A guitar amp simulator recreates the sound of real guitar amps and effects pedals inside your computer. Even without an amp, you can shape a guitar sound and record.

In this article we compare TH-U with 18 guitar amp simulators and rate how well it serves its purpose on three criteria. The basis is official manufacturer information.

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Summary

Among the 18 guitar amp simulators, TH-U is rank A. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and A is second from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5, with the one criterion that matters most for the purpose counted double) gives 3.8.

Strengths

• Range of tones (4 points): there are many amps, cabinets and effects to choose from.
• Modeling technology (4 points): it uses its own technology that captures the response of real gear.
• Also usable for bass (5 points): it also includes gear for bass.

Things to keep in mind

• Recording and practice (2 points): it has few features that help with practice and recording.

Who it suits: people who want to use not only amp modeling but also rigs recorded from real gear and IRs in a wide variety of ways.

Main features of TH-U

Modeling, capture and IR in one

The manufacturer explains that TH-U brings amp modeling, capture (which records the sound of gear exactly) and Fluid IR processing for cabinets into one app. There are 253 premium models: 89 guitar amps, 4 bass amps, 50 guitar cabinets, 2 bass cabinets, about 90 pedals and rack effects, and 18 microphones.

SuperCabinet and more than 42,000 IRs

SuperCabinet is the cabinet processing section that uses Overloud’s proprietary Fluid IR technology. You can build the sound of a cabinet from more than 42,000 IRs. The manufacturer explains that the IRs record not only the frequency response of the speaker but also how it changes as it moves. You can also load your own ordinary IRs.

Add the feel of a room with AIR

AIR (Amp In Room) is a feature that brings the sound closer to the feeling of standing in front of the amp in a room, rather than a microphone placed right next to the speaker. It adds early reflections and room resonance. It was added in a free update (v2.0.9 or later).

Bass gear and parallel chains

It includes 4 bass amps, 2 cabinets and presets made for bass. You can also split the input into two chains, run each through its own amps and effects, and mix them at the output.

Video: “Overloud TH-U Rig Player explained” (official Overloud Audio Tools YouTube channel; narration in English) Watch on YouTube

Where it is useful

• Switching cabinets in SuperCabinet to look for a response that suits the song
• Adding AIR to get the feel of sound ringing in a room
• Shaping bass sound with the bass amps and presets

Rating by criterion

Range of tones: 4 / 5

We look at the choices of amps, cabinets, microphones and so on.

Besides the 253 premium models, there is a cabinet where you can place up to four microphones, and SuperCabinet, which can also load your own IRs.

Recording and practice: 2 / 5

We look at features that help with home recording and practice.

It has a tuner for guitar and bass. Because a looper and standalone use are not described, we gave a lower score.

If “recording and practice” matters most to you, AmpliTube 5 (5 points) is a better fit.

Modeling technology: 4 / 5

We look at the technology used to recreate real gear.

It reproduces amps and cabinets with its own Fluid Modeling and Fluid IR technology.

Also usable for bass: 5 / 5

We look at whether it includes bass amps and the like, so you can record bass with it too.

It includes 4 bass amps, 2 bass cabinets, a bass EQ and tuner, and a bass-only preset bank.

How we score (Guitar amp simulators)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Range of tones	Choices of amps, cabinets, microphones and so on	400 or more models, plus adjustment of microphone position, room and even your own IRs	Many amps and effects, plus loading your own IRs	Dozens of amps and effects can be combined	A small number of models (such as a free version)	—
Recording and practice	Features that help with home recording and practice	A recorder, a looper and a tuner are all included	Two or more, such as a looper and standalone use	Can be run as a standalone app	—	Not mentioned on the official page
Modeling technology	The technology used to recreate real gear	Has models made with machine learning or AI	Has its own IR (cabinet response) technology	Standard modeling	—	—
Also usable for bass	Whether it includes bass amps and the like, so you can record bass with it too	The official page states that it includes gear (amps and so on) for both guitar and bass	—	Stated to be usable for bass too (general-purpose processing)	—	No bass gear, or not mentioned

Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on how well the product serves one goal: recording guitar and bass through a line at home and making them sound like an amp. Scores follow the conditions in the table above, and the rank is based on an average in which "Range of tones" counts double. The basis is official manufacturer information. Sound quality and CPU load are not measured, so they are not scored; reviews from trade magazines are introduced in the articles for reference. Price is not part of the score. Features that cannot be confirmed from the manufacturer's or a retailer's description are scored as if absent. "Also usable for bass" is a criterion that answers the common search for "bass amp simulator". The "OBS (streaming)" column in the table shows whether the official page lists the VST2 format that the streaming software OBS Studio can use (○). OBS does not support the VST3 format. It is not part of the score.

TH-U system requirements and getting started

Operating system	Offered for computers and for smartphones (check the official page for detailed system requirements)
Plug-in formats	Plug-in
Standalone	Not stated
Trial	A trial version is available
OBS (streaming)	Not checked

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on October 17, 2026.

Compared with other guitar amp simulators

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

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