Good distortion with Cubase LE & VST... help!

[Headstrong]

Hey all, I'm kind of new with Cubase. I find that I can get great guitar sounds/distortion by plugging into my interface directly and putting the distortion on the track using VST effects through the sends (so, there are no actual amps used). Problem is, they get really loud when I put them through the effects and when I pull down the fader the intensity/awesomeness of the distortion disappears (because the distortion unit is getting less input). Any ideas for a workaround short of mic'ing an amp?

Thanks,

Headstrong

[Aris_T]

Try Native Instruments Guitar Rig or IK Multimedia Amplitube. They are modeling amp pluggins and you can get great presets