The Best FREE Neural Amp Modeler Profiles Sick Metal Tones

Nail The Mix Staff

Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) has completely changed the game. For the first time, we have a free, open-source tool that uses deep learning to create captures that are not just “competitive with the paid options”, but in many cases, are sonically superior and feel more realistic.

But here’s the challenge: the main library for NAM captures, TONE3000 (formerly ToneHunt), is a fantastic community resource, but it’s a “wild west”. It’s flooded with thousands of profiles, and the quality can range from “so-so” to “unbelievably great”.

As a metal producer, you don’t have time to sift through 50 different 5150 captures to find the one that doesn’t fizz out in a mix.

We did the work for you. Here is the definitive list of the 10 “must-have” free NAM profiles that will give you a mix-ready metal tone, today.

The “Holy Trinity” of Metal: 5150s & 6505s

You can’t make a modern metal record without one. The 5150/6505 is the undisputed king of high-gain, and its aggressive, midrange-forward “chug” is the sound of the genre.

1. The 6505 (2004, USA) by Arlington Audio

This is it. If you only download one Neural Amp Modeler pack, this is the one. Arlington Audio is a trusted name in the NAM community, and this capture of a 2004 USA-made Peavey 6505 is flawless. It provides captures for the Clean, Crunch, and (most importantly) the Red high-gain channels. It’s tight, articulate, and takes a boost perfectly.

2. The EVH 5150 III (Blue Channel) by Obi-Juan

The modern EVH 5150 III has a slightly different, often tighter character than the original Peaveys. This capture of the Blue (crunch/high-gain) channel, complete with a TC Electronic Spark Booster, is pure modern metal perfection. It’s aggressive and mix-ready right out of the box.

3. The 5150 mkII by sinmix

Another legendary variation of the 5150, this capture from sinmix is raw, brutal, and perfect for heavy rhythm guitars.

Mesa Boogie Captures

For that classic 90s/00s alternative metal sound, or for rhythm tracks that need massive low-end and a scooped, aggressive midrange, nothing beats a Rectifier.

4. The Dual Rectifier RevF (Red Essentials) by cosmiccrucible

The “RevF” is one of the most sought-after versions of the Mesa Dual Rectifier, known for its raw and aggressive red channel. This “Red Essentials” pack gives you exactly what you need. It’s the sound of 90s metal, perfectly captured.

5. The Mesa Boogie JP-2C by Emil Rohbe / Paul Jacovino

The John Petrucci signature JP-2C is a modern, hyper-versatile monster based on the classic IIC+ circuit. It’s famous for its searing lead channel and an incredibly tight, articulate rhythm tone that cuts through a dense mix. Both Emil Rohbe and Paul Jacovino have fantastic free captures of this amp.

The Modern Boutique Monsters

For tones that go beyond the classics, these captures of modern boutique amps provide new flavors of high-gain devastation.

6. The Revv Generator 120 MK III by noamp

The Revv Generator is a staple of the modern metalcore and prog scene, famous for its tight, saturated, and “polished” distortion. This capture gives you that “finished” modern sound instantly.

7. The ENGL Savage 120 MKII (Boosted) by PrimalNerd

ENGL amps are the sound of European metal—defined by a precise, cutting high-end and brutal gain. This capture of a Savage 120 (already a monster) comes pre-boosted for maximum annihilation.

8. The Bogner Uberschall by Emil Rohbe

The Uberschall is a legendary high-gain amp known for its massive, subsonic low-end and saturated gain. Emil Rohbe is one of the most trusted creators in the NAM community, and this capture is a testament to his skill.

The Artist Signature Packs (Must-Haves)

When a metal icon gives you their tone for free, you take it. These two captures from Ola Englund are essential.

9. The Randall Satan 50 by Ola Englund

Ola Englund, one of metal’s most trusted tone-chasers, captured his own signature Randall Satan 50 amplifier and gave it to the community for free. It’s an incredibly aggressive, tight, and articulate amp designed specifically for modern metal.

10. The “CHUG” NAM Model by Ola Englund

This isn’t just an amp—it’s a capture of Ola’s signature Solar “CHUG” pedal. This profile is the sound of his famous “Will it Chug?” series. It’s a boost/preamp designed for one thing: creating the tightest, most brutal “chug” tone possible. Put this before another amp capture (like the 6505) to tighten it up, or use it on its own for a unique, gritty distortion.

How to Actually Use These Profiles

You can’t just load a NAM profile on your DI track and expect it to sound good. The stock Neural Amp Modeler plugin is just a loader—it’s not an all-in-one suite. To get a professional tone, you MUST build a proper signal chain.

  1. The Boost (Before NAM):
    Modern metal tone is all about a tight low-end. 99% of these tones were created with a boost pedal before the amp. Place a Tube Screamer-style plugin (like a free TSE808) before your NAM instance. Set the Drive to 0, Level to 10, and Tone to taste. This cuts the flab and tightens the “chug”.
  2. The IR (After NAM):
    This is the most important step. Most of these captures are “Amp Head Only” models, which is what you want. This means they don’t include a speaker cabinet. You MUST load a high-quality, professional Impulse Response (IR) after the Neural Amp Modeler plugin. The built-in IR loader in Neural Amp Modeler is fine, but for best results, use your dedicated IR loader (like ML Sound Lab’s MIKKO, Bogren Digital IRs, or York Audio). Your IR is 50% of your tone.
  3. The Workflow Upgrade (NAM Universal):
    Loading 3 separate plugins (Boost, NAM, IR Loader) is clunky. The community solved this. Download the free NAM Universal plugin by Wavemind. It’s a “shell” plugin that hosts NAM files but gives you the all-in-one “Archetype” style workflow you’re used to. It includes slots for a pedal capture and an amp capture, a pro-level IR loader, and built-in post-processing tools like “Tight” and “Smooth” to shape your tone for the mix. This is the professional workflow.

Go download these captures, build your chain, and get to tracking!

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