IK Multimedia Amplitube 5 Review

It is one of the most famous and oldest guitar amp simulators that make you play and sound better

Sound Quality	9
Value For Money	8
User Interface	8
Features	9
Overall	8.5

The most popular amp simulator plugin, IK Multimedia’s AmpliTube was released decades ago with its first version. Although it was a groundbreaking project as it allowed guitarists to play with the digital versions of the most iconic amps without having to pay thousands of bucks, a few of us could imagine where the sound quality and features of this plugin could reach to. Today with the 5th version, IK Multimedia Amplitube 5, the software is a full-fledged sound design suite with a huge collection of amp models, offering highly realistic and versatile tools for sound crafting.

Sound Quality

For me, the most important thing to consider in an amp simulator is, of course, the sound quality. And that is where the AmpliTube 5 shines. The plugin has the so-called Dynamic Interaction Modeling, which is a technology that simulates not just the individual components of an amp or effect but also how these components interact within the entire system. This way it replicates the sounds in a super authentic and responsive way. You can see its success as it is endorsed by world-famous brands like Orange, Mesa Boogie, and Fender, as well as world-famous artists like Brian May and Slash.

AmlitTube 5 also has an extensive effects library with many options covering everything you would want. From compressors to overdrives and delays and reverbs, the selection is huge. Also, the plugin does not stop there as it constantly adds new gear to the table. 

Value For Money

Perhaps the only thing I would complain about AmpliTube 5 would be the price. But, considering what you get for the money, it is more than acceptable. AmpliTube 5 comes in four different versions for different needs and budgets.

AmpliTube CS (Custom Shop): FREE – This is the free version of the plugin. It comes with a basic introduction set of 42 amps and effects to try out the plugin.

AmpliTube 5 Standard: ~$200 (Sometimes on sale for ~$50) – For guitarists who want more selection on the table, the Standard version offers over 170 amps and effects to create almost any tone you like.

AmpliTube MAX: ~$300 (Sometimes on sale for ~$100) – The premium full version is for those who want it all. It features more than 400 gear models, with 11 brand-artist collections. It is for the most demanding guitarists.

Each version shares the same core functionality, with the main difference being the quantity of available gear.

While Amplitube 5 is one of the best amp simulators in the price category, certainly it is not the cheapest. There are other amp simulator software on the market today which are much cheaper and the sound quality difference does not reflect the price difference with those amp simulators, in my opinion.

User Interface

The first thing I check when using a new plugin is the UI and ease of use. I like to work with simple interfaces without getting things complicated. Amplitube 5’s interface is one of its standout features which I enjoy.  You can use it with a DAW or as a standalone app. In both cases, it is easy to use and works seamlessly. 

The UI design is quite intuitive. There is a hyper-realistic design as the amps and effects look almost like their real counterparts. The attention to detail and realism increase the usability as the plugin feels familiar and inviting. This is especially a good feature for guitarists who are just stepping into the digital world from the physical world.

The creation of a signal path is also pretty straightforward. I enjoyed that it resembles the real-world setup with amps and effects being connected with cables. You simply drag and drop items to the desired positions to change the order or add and remove an amp or effect. With a click on the amp of effect, you reach the control panel of the chosen component.

While the main user interface is pretty user-friendly, many musicians had problems with the downloading process. First, you need to download the IK Multimedia Manager, then you need to find Amplitube 5 from there and install it on your computer. The problem is the app comes in pieces that are supposed to combine into one Max product app. Later you must register all of your software with the manager. This is a long and tiring process that causes many bugs if you do anything in the wrong way.

Features

AmpliTube 5 is quite a feature-packed plugin without making things extra complicated. It features advanced routing options for allowing users to create the signal path they desire. This option makes the plugin stand out as this complex routing would be almost impossible in the real world. For example, it has parallel and split paths, stereo effects, and DI routing for additional layers. This way it allows users to explore different sonic approaches.

Another great feature is IK Multimedia’s Volumetric Impulse Response (VIR) technology, which features 600 IRs per speaker. This way you can place mics in precise 3D locations to play with sonic nuances between speakers, cabs, and the environment as you like. In total, there are a crazy number of nuances, with 143.000 IRs covering 100 cabs. You can also upload custom IRs if this unseen amount of nuances is not enough for you.

Furthermore, I like that they added additional tools like a built-in DAW-like recorder and mixer, an eight-track looper, and extensive MIDI and automation support for using the app as a standalone production gear.

Overall

To summarize, IK Multimedia Amplitube 5 is an excellent plugin with outstanding sound quality, many features and combinations to explore, and a vast sound effect library that can respond to the needs of even the most demanding guitarists. If you have the budget, I would recommend that all guitarists have this plugin under their hands!