And by amp, I mean VST. Anways, I've got it down to a 5150 or an Engl for the rhythm guitars. Similar sounding, but I can't decide, so I was hoping to get some opinions here. Same song recorded twice, with different amps on the rhythm guitars:

The 5150: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/72840986/a%20da ... 205150.mp3

The Engl: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/72840986/a%20da ... 20engl.mp3

Not an easy choice. They sound too similar to my ears (via shitty computer speakers). I think the 5150 sounds slightly better, but the Engl is slightly clearer. I dunno.

That's indeed very similar. Good thrashy tone, which I'm guessing is what you aimed for.

As a fellow VST-fanatic: what should I understand by "5150" and "Engl"? The TSE X30 for the latter?
Any additional EQ or effects?

The 5150 is the Poulin Legion(5150 clone), and the LeCab 2, with very minor EQ (just a bass cut at about 120Hz). The Engl is a Simulanalog tubescreamer, Poulin Le456 (Engl clone), and the same LeCab 2 and minor EQ. All plugins are free. I tried the TSE X30, but didn't much care for it. I probably just needed to put it through a better cabinet simulator or something.

If you haven't used LePou plugins before, I highly recommend them. Some of the amp heads need a tubescreamer in front of them to tame the bass (especially when tuning down), but they all sound incredible, and they're free.
http://lepouplugins.blogspot.com/

I would agree with the 5150 sounding slightly better, I think because it sounds like there is a little more in the low end? I am the kind of person that wouldn't notice a difference though unless I was listening to them side by side.

Yeah, I've got all of Lepou's plugins, but I always forget which amp simulates which. -_-
It's just that I had some great results with the X30 lately (great for my level, at least). Sometimes tighter-sounding than Lepou's.

Also, are you telling me that a TS rolls off the lows? Dammit, learning something daily.

Yeah, the simulanalog TS is excellent for getting rid of the "boominess" that some of those VST heads have, without completely neutering it. There will still be a good chunkiness on the low end, but not an excessive amount. I think the only VST head I use without the simulanalog TS in front is LePous LeGion - the 5150 sim.

Sounds exactly the same

The difference it's so small that I think both will behave exactly the same in a mix/master situation. The Engl sounds slightly less bassy, but the tone it's really similar.

At louder volumes the differences are more apparent, but basically it boils down to slightly more clear versus a slightly thicker low end. I'm going to use the Engl, and for the album after that I'll use the 5150. I appreciate all your opinions.

I'd suggest the 5150, it just has more guts to it. But if you've made your mind up, good job, let's hear some songs soon.

Or you could use both and pan each one to each side, just a suggestion.

Could try doing 4 tracks, where 2 of those tracks are just the same left/right guitar track but with the other effect chain on them, then blend, might give the best of both.