UAD Showtime ’64 Tube Amp: A Classic for Your DAW – Now Available as Freeware!
Legendary Tube Sound in a Plugin Format
UAD Showtime '64 Tube Amp: A Classic for Your DAW - Now Available as Freeware! · Source: Universal Audio
The new UAD Showtime ’64 Tube Amp plugin from Universal Audio brings a sound to the digital world that has been considered the epitome of American amplifier history for decades. It is based on a legendary 100-watt tube amplifier that played an important role in the early years of surf, blues, R&B and rock music. Musicians such as Dick Dale and the Beach Boys used this model to create their unique sound. With this software amp, which is free until the end of October, you can access this classic sound directly in your DAW without any Universal Audio hardware.
Pure Surf and Blues Sound: Download the UAD Showtime ’64 Tube Amp Plugin for Free Now!
The UAD Showtime ’64 Tube Amp plugin offers impressive versatility. The emulated tube circuitry delivers clear, open clean sounds with the typical ‘scooped’ midrange, as well as the characteristic, slightly compressed crunch behaviour when the virtual volume control is turned up. The plugin replicates not only the original sound, but also the dynamics for which these tube amplifiers are famous. The ability to switch between crystal-clear chords and a warm, powerful ‘distorted’ sound makes this amp a flexible tool for many musical genres.
Another highlight is the integrated vibrato, generated in the analogue model by a real tube circuit. This oscillation, faithfully reproduced in the plugin, adds lively depth to the signal, ranging from subtle movements to striking modulations. In combination with reverb or delay plugins, it creates soundscapes reminiscent of big stage sounds that can be produced right in your home studio. The ability to choose different virtual microphone placements and speaker configurations enables further customisation of the sound, eliminating the need for a complex recording setup.
Vintage Meets Digital – Legendary Tube Sound for Cool Guitar Tones!
In practice, the UAD Showtime ’64 Tube Amp is interesting not only for classic guitar riffs or surf lines. Modern music productions also benefit from the organic nuances that can be achieved with this emulation. Whether used as the basis for effect chains or as a standalone amplifier in a session, the combination of direct playability, presets and freely selectable settings enables you to quickly achieve authentic-sounding results. This makes the plugin a sonically inspiring addition to your DAW, as well as a replacement for the physical amplifier.
Until the end of October, the UAD Showtime ’64 Tube Amp is available as a free download, offering an exciting opportunity to incorporate legendary tube sounds into your productions. It offers guitarists, producers and sound designers the chance to integrate a piece of amplifier history directly into their modern working environments. Universal Audio’s provision of a fully native solution further highlights its dedication to making premium emulations accessible to all users, regardless of their existing hardware.
Download and Specifications
The Universal Audio UAD Showtime ’64 Tube Amp is available free of charge on the manufacturer’s website until 31 October 2025. To install and authorise the plugin, you will need UA’s installation app and a UA account. The plugin runs natively on macOS (including Apple Silicon support) and Windows as VST3, AAX or AU in 64-bit. Several presets are included with the package.
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