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Buy the latest Computer Music (August) and you'll get Guitar Rig LE on the DVD for free! I looked inside the mag and the LE is surprisingly loaded with what I personally consider essentials (compressor, overdrive, distortion, chorus, and others). I have the full version, myself, but I think I'd probably be plenty happy with just the LE. The mag's only $15. It may be one of the best freebies they've ever had.

Two other sites I don't think were mentioned that you might want to check out:

http://www.acmebargig.com/
http://www.auraplug.com/




+1 for this recommendation for the Guitar Rig LE.

A couple things make me suggest this for you - which you have commented on. As long as you are getting the signal into your computer properly (see Mac's recommendations), the software is what you are interested in needs to be simple to get to the usable tone you are looking for.

1. You stated you didn't need a myriad of options. These LE versions are exactly that.
2. You stated you are not a guitar player. You don't have a built-in opinion of what kind of signal chains etc. are 'best' for getting your tone. Just use some of the presets on this thing and you are going to be amazed.

You get Guitar Rig LE and it's going to be light on your CPU - that's a key for listening to what the tone sounds like WHILE YOU PLAY. That is critical for amp simulation. You can't deal with the CPU getting bogged down with calculations to give you feedback.

If you were a regular guitar player, then you would have some idea of how to connect up compressor, EQ, pre-amp, amp, cabinet selection, EQ, delay, chorus, reverb, etc.

You are going to get access to this at minimum: Enjoy amp emulations of the Marshall JCM800, Fender Twin Reverb and Ampeg VT-40, along with 12 speaker cabinets, 12 effects, and more!

That's going to be more than enough for you to go with. In fact, I'm stopping at B&N on the way home today to get my copy.