Aethis, a new project from Agastya Jindal and billed as the “end-all, be-all guitar plugin,” is now in free alpha for macOS and Windows.
The project is basically a one-stop shop for classic and unique guitar tones.
The plugin includes amp models, built-in FX, and an interesting Multivoicer.
You’ve got everything you need to shape your tone or craft complex harmonies, from the input to the amp output, without the need for additional plugins.
Aethis is free to download in AU, VST3, and Standalone formats for macOS and Windows.
The current release is Alpha v0.2.2, and it will remain free while in this stage, but the final product will be a paid plugin.
Aethis features five neural amp models trained on real tube amps using Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) technology. The five models are spread across three amps: Noctis, Vesper, and Lumina.
Noctis is a two-channel, modern high-gain amp that’s ideal for heavy metal. The second channel is more aggressive than the first, but neither gets too muddy, which is perfect when transitioning into heavier hooks.
You can also check out Tamazight Metal Amp by Saint Mike DSP if you’re looking for a heavier tone.
Vesper is the next step down; it’s another two-channel amp, but this time it’s not so heavy. It reacts well to your feel and articulation, which is great when you want tactile control over the grit in your tone.
The last amp, Lumina, is the cleanest when voicings matter more than attitude.
The built-in FX include Boost, Compressor, Overdrive, Gate, Chorus, Delay, Reverb, and a nine-band EQ.
As a non-guitarist who typically calls every guitarist I know before picking one up myself, the Multivoicer feature really interests me.
You have four independent voices with a +/- 15 semitone range, which you can stack to trigger dense harmonies from a single note, or use for more basic doubling.
It’s not so much the dense harmonies that appeal to me (as cool as that sounds), it’s just adding a third or fifth on top of simple melody lines. It’s something a lot of great organists do, and it transforms a melody when it’s not overused.
So, I really like that Aethis has this sort of Harmonic Mode available. You can also lock to a particular scale for more musical results.
It’s early days for Aethis, and while the alpha release is free, the developer welcomes any feedback or donations.
Download: Aethis (FREE alpha)
Last Updated on March 2, 2026 by Tomislav Zlatic.
