Amplitube 5 Review

Home recording can be very challenging, especially for people who have never tried it before. As well as setting up the microphone and practicing your instrument enough to get a clean recording, you will also have to learn how to use a DAW.

A DAW or digital audio workstation is a computer program that is used for capturing and editing recordings.

You can enhance these workstations with a range of other programs called plugins, which can be used to add extra functions. 

If you play the guitar and are having trouble getting clear recordings of your riffs and chord progressions, then Amplitube 5 could be just the thing for you.

This program acts as a virtual amp which allows you to plug your guitar straight into your digital audio interface and capture clean samples.

You can tweak your virtual amp to capture any classic  guitar sounds you want, from roaring distortion to sci-fi style flangers. In this review, we will be taking you through what Amplitube 5 is and how it can help you to enhance your home recordings. 

What is Amplitube 5?

Amplitube 5 is a plugin developed by IK Multimedia for creating a virtual guitar amp on your computer. As a matter of fact, it was one of the first such plugins which aimed to not only create a virtual amp, but also emulate pedals and speakers as well.

The first iteration of this program only had ten choices of amp to choose from, and it has come a very long way since then. The latest version now boasts 2 new pedals, 5 new amps, and 19 new effects racks among other exciting new features. 

Pros: 

• Very realistic recreations of classic amps and effects pedals. 
• Versatile program that can be used to create a whole range of different sounds. 
• Selection of virtual rooms to bring a different acoustic to your recording. 
• CS version is free to use 
• Inbuilt 8-track DAW and looper function. 

Cons: 

• Difficult to use for complete beginners. 
• The MAX version is very expensive  

How Does it Work? 

This software can be used as a standalone program or as a plugin for your DAW. Either way, you will need to have a digital audio interface for plugging your guitar into. This will take the analog signal from your guitar and convert it into a digital one, which can then be run through Amplitube.

The software will take this signal and pass it through any virtual amp of your choice, which will help you to record electric guitar riffs without the hassle of recording up your own amp. As well as amplifiers, you can also emulate the entire recording chain from effects rack, to pedals, to speakers. 

While you are setting up a virtual rig, you can alter the recording levels and place virtual microphones to have even more control over the sound you produce.

The standalone version of this software includes a looper function that you can use to produce layered tracks with up to two different looping channels. It also has a rudimentary inbuilt 8-track DAW for controlling levels and equalizing your recording to make it sound just right. 

Features

There are 4 different versions of amplitube 5 and the main difference between them is the selection of amps, cabinets and pedals that you have available to you.

If you want the full program with all the bells and whistles, then you may want to choose Amplitube 5 Max. However, if you are content with fewer features, the free CS version will more than suffice. 

As well as a wide selection of amps, pedals and cabinets for constructing a virtual rig, Amplitube also offers virtual rooms for placing your equipment in. This will allow you to emulate the acoustic effects of a subway station from your home studio.

All of the cabinets have been redesigned to use IK’s new VIR technology, which provides an accurate recreation of the dynamic between microphone and speaker. With this feature, you can adjust the position of your virtual mic in relation to your cab, producing a wide variety of awesome effects. 

The GUI is very interactive, and you can resize all the different windows as needed to focus on the specific function you are currently working on.

With the ability to drag any items you want out of the gear browser into the signal chain, you can place pedals and other effects anywhere you want them to be.

The inbuilt 8-track DAW won’t rival any of the major names out there, but it is surprisingly intuitive and simple to use for complete beginners. 

Is it Easy to Use? 

Amplitube 5 is a very complex and in-depth program, so don’t expect to learn everything at once, especially if you are relatively new to recording. That said, many of the different functions have been streamlined and made more user-friendly.

For a start, the signal chain is quite easy to set up, as all you need to do is drag the amps and pedals of your choice into it from the gear browser.

As we said above, the 8-track DAW is very intuitive and may be a good starting point for those intimidated by the bigger DAWs such as Reaper or Pro Tools. 

However, many users may struggle with fully mastering this program, especially when it comes to microphone placement relative to speakers.

Sure, it is easy enough to create a passable recording, but those looking to achieve a specific sound will need a lot of practice to fully get to grips with this program.

With so many options and functions to choose from, it is natural to be a bit overwhelmed at first if you aren’t already familiar with plugins and recording software.

The most important thing for anyone trying to learn how to use Amplitube 5 is to take things one step at a time and focus on learning the basics before tackling the more difficult processes. 

Is It Worth It? 

If you used and enjoyed Amplitube 4, then the new version offers a substantial update, with all the old amps being revisited to offer an even better sound.

The new GUI is relatively easy to use, and you can use this program to get the exact sound that you want with its versatile array of features.

So if you are looking for a new plugin to help with recording your guitar, and you are already familiar with DAWs and plugins, then Amplitube 5 is a very worthy investment. 

That said, if you don’t have a lot of recording experience under your belt, then you may struggle to make the most of this software. Many first-time users may be overwhelmed by the plethora of different features this program has to offer.

As such, it may be better to try one of the free plugins for emulating guitar amps first before diving into Amplitube 5 or download the CS version. 

On that note, you can get Ampitube 5 Custom Shop for free, which gives you a chance to experiment with it before making a purchase.

Naturally, this demo version doesn’t include all the amps and features present in the full release, but you will still have access to 400 gear models and 42 iconic pedals.

If you are in any way uncertain about whether Amplitube 5 is the plugin for you, then consider downloading the CS version first. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Plug my Guitar into my Computer? 

In order to use Amplitube 5 or any other guitar plugin, you will need to be able to plug your electric guitar into your computer. The easiest way to do this is with a digital audio interface such as the Scarlett Focusrite or other equivalent brands.

These devices have jack and XLR inputs for plugging in microphones and instruments such as guitars and basses. They take the analog signal from your instrument and convert it into a digital signal that you can manipulate and edit in the DAW on your computer.

With a digital audio interface, you can plug your guitar into your computer and run it through a virtual rig in Amplitube 5. 

Conclusion

IK media have done it again with this incredibly versatile plugin that will allow you to recreate any classic guitar sound you want.

With this program, you can build your dream rig and place it in any room you want, from a bathroom to a subway station. The possibilities are truly endless, and the best part is that you can use this program by itself as well as alongside a DAW.   

While it may be very intimidating for complete beginners, once you learn the basics you will be well on your way to recording the perfect riff.

Since many of the bells and whistles are optional, or only required for creating very specific sounds, don't feel like you need to learn it all at once.

If you are a guitar player struggling to get the right sound while recording your instrument, then Amplitube 5 is a powerful tool that can take your music to the next level.