Prices and sale details are reference information as of writing. Check the latest prices on each linked page.
To give the conclusion first, the main day of Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27.
The first thing a guitarist should aim at is the TONEX MAX + AmpliTube 5 MAX two-in-one bundle.
For the past two years in a row, there has been a sale where "buy one and get the other free."
Black Friday (BF below) is the time of year when DTM plugins get cheapest.
Discounts of 50 to over 80% are not rare.
But if you buy everything in sight just because it's cheap, you only add to your pile of unused plugins.
This page is a saved guide that puts BF strategy for home-recording guitarists on one page.
I update it with the latest information every year.
What you'll learn on this page
- The dates of BF 2026 and a guide to the sale period
- How the TONEX MAX and AmpliTube 5 MAX "two-in-one bundle" works
- Price drop patterns for UAD plugins
- How to use Plugin Boutique's perks (Virtual Cash, free gifts)
- A standard for buying without piling up unused plugins
- When is Black Friday 2026?
- The TONEX MAX + AmpliTube 5 MAX two-in-one bundle
- Price drop patterns for UAD plugins
- Making the most of Plugin Boutique
- A standard for buying at BF without failing
- What to aim for at BF, by type
- FAQ
The prices and discount rates in this article are based on actual results from 2024 to 2025. Confirmed 2026 information will be updated as it comes in after the sales start.
When Is Black Friday 2026?
The main day of BF in 2026 is Friday, November 27.
But the actual sale isn't only on that day.
The recent trend is for it to run for more than a month around it.
Guide to the sale period
- From early November: early sales and advance discounts start
- Around November 27: each company's main sale peaks
- December to the following January: often extended as holiday sales
That said, there are also limited-quantity and daily sales.
Decide your targets first.
Check when the sale starts.
This flow fails the least.
I put the whole picture of the yearly sale periods in this article.
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When Are DTM Plugin Sales? The Best Time to Buy Each Year (Saved Guide)
"I want to buy a plugin or virtual instrument, but I wonder if I'll regret buying now..." If you keep up with DTM, you will always run into this worry. The short answer: DTM plugins and virtual instruments have clear sale seasons. And buying at Black Friday in November every year is almost always the best value. This article is written by someone with guitar and home-recording experience. It puts together the yearly sale schedule and "when to buy what." Conclusion: Black Friday in November Is the Strongest Every Year Before the details, let me give you the conclusion. The ...
[Main Target] The TONEX MAX + AmpliTube 5 MAX Two-in-One Bundle
For a guitarist's BF, the first thing to check is IK Multimedia.
The reason is simple.
For the past two years in a row, it has run an out-of-this-world sale where "buy one and get the other free."
Results of the past two years
| Contents | Regular price (total) | BF price | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| TONEX MAX + AmpliTube 5 MAX v2 (both) | $599.98 | $99.99 | About 83% off |
| AmpliTube 5 + TONEX bundle | $399.99 | From $49.99 | Up to 88% off |
You buy either one for $99.99.
Then the other is added to your account for free.
In effect, you get both of the two giants of the amp sim world for about $100.
You can check the actual sound here.
This is a video playing TONEX MAX's drive presets as they are.
Check TONEX MAX's current price
Check AmpliTube 5 MAX v2's current price
Here are the detailed reviews of each.
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TONEX MAX Review | An Honest Take, Plus How It Differs from SE, Standard and the Free CS
"Aren't all amp simulators basically the same?" Honestly, I used to think so too. But after I started using TONEX MAX, that idea was completely turned upside down. In this article, I'll share my honest impressions after using TONEX MAX heavily for home guitar recording over the years. The short version: it is my favorite guitar plugin right now. What you'll learn in this article Why TONEX MAX has an "air" that others don't My honest impressions from using it in home recording What kind of guitarist it suits What Is TONEX MAX? The Basics, Quickly TONEX MAX is software ...
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AmpliTube 5 MAX v2 Review | Is It Enough for Band Home Recording? Differences from Free, SE and Standard
AmpliTube 5 MAX v2 in Three Lines AmpliTube 5 MAX v2 is the top edition of the guitar/bass amp simulator. It is a plugin IK Multimedia has developed for more than 20 years. It puts 435 gear models in one plugin. It includes officially licensed Fender, Mesa/Boogie and Marshall-type models. There are two biggest additions in v2. One is integration with the company's "TONEX," which brings in sound with AI machine modeling. The other is integration of "ToneNET," the preset sharing platform. AmpliTube 5 MAX v2 vs the Free CS, SE and Standard AmpliTube 5 comes in four grades. The ...
If you can't decide which to build around, see the comparison article too.
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TONEX vs AmpliTube 5 | Which Should a Home-Recording Guitarist Build Around? A Comparison from an Owner of Both
"For home guitar recording, I want to start with one amp simulator." When you think that, the first wall you hit is TONEX or AmpliTube 5: which one should you build around? Both are made by IK Multimedia. The names are similar, and honestly it is confusing. In this article, I'm ryo, with 13 years of guitar and 8 years of DTM. I'll compare them honestly as someone who owns and uses both. I won't just list specs. I'll focus on which one you can build around without regrets. Recommended for Anyone who can't quite tell TONEX and AmpliTube 5 ...
TONEX (the standard edition) on its own can sometimes drop to around $29.99 even outside BF. If you don't need the MAX edition, regular sales are an option too.
Price Drop Patterns for UAD Plugins
Next to check is UAD (Universal Audio).
It is strong in simulating vintage classics.
It lifts your home-recorded sound a level.
UAD's BF is characterized by starting "early"
UAD often starts its campaigns before the main BF.
An original event like "12 Days of UAD."
The targets change daily or weekly.
You need to check often.
Examples of past sale results
| Plugin | Regular price | Sale result |
|---|---|---|
| UAD Sound City Studios | $249 | $39 (about 84% off) |
| UAD Guitar Amp Bundle (4 plugins) | $299 | $99 (about 66% off) |
| UAD Studio Classics Bundle | — | Has been around $59 |
I think this video makes it clear how the sound changes ON and OFF.
The list price of $249 is honestly high.
*Plugin Boutique list prices (shown in yen on its Japan store) were checked in October 2026 and are consistent with the list prices above. Sale prices are past results and change.
But it has dropped to $39 in a sale.
At that price, it's worth aiming for.
My long-term review of Sound City Studios is here.
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UAD Sound City Studios Review — How This Plugin Fixed My "Disconnected
"My home-recorded guitar always sounds disconnected from the mix." That was a problem I dealt with for a long time. The tone itself wasn't bad. But next to real drums and bass, my guitar always sounded like it was recorded in a different room. One plugin fixed that "disconnected" feeling almost instantly: UAD Sound City Studios. I've been playing guitar for 13 years and producing music at home for 5. In this review, I'll share my honest, long-term experience with this plugin. For context, my own taste leans toward 90s alternative and grunge. Who this review is for Your home-recorded ...
I summarize which UAD plugin to buy overall here.
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Best UAD Plugins for Guitarists in 2026 | Start with Paradise Guitar Studio
"There are way too many UAD plugins…" "Which ones should I buy for home guitar recording?" I'm ryo — 13 years on guitar, 8 years in DTM — and I'll answer exactly that. Here's the short answer: if you're a home-recording guitarist buying your first UAD plugin, Paradise Guitar Studio is the one. It's an all-in-one: amps, cabs, mics, and effects, all in a single plugin. In this article, I'll pick out the UAD plugins that are truly worth buying for guitarists — based on gear I own and use every day. The Short Answer | Best UAD Plugins for ...
The composition and prices of UAD bundles change by year. The above are past results, and 2026 won't necessarily have the same terms.
Making the Most of Plugin Boutique
A store I recommend for buying sale items is Plugin Boutique.
It gathers each company's sales in one place.
And it adds its own perks.
3 perks that matter at BF
step
1Virtual Cash
Part of your purchase amount is returned as "Virtual Cash."
You can put it toward your next purchase.
It pairs well with bulk buying at BF.
step
2Free gifts
A campaign where you can choose one free plugin with your purchase is a standard.
In the past, well-known plugins have been eligible.
step
3Original bundles
During BF, Plugin Boutique's own super-cheap bundles also appear.
In the past there was an example where a total of $1,800 worth became $69.
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What Is Plugin Boutique? A Complete Guide to Signing Up, Buying and Virtual Cash
What you'll learn in this article How to sign up, buy and download at Plugin Boutique How Virtual Cash (5% back) works and how to use it How to get free gifts and Rewards+ tokens How to check your license code The refund policy and cautions before buying When buying plugins, have you ever had questions like these? Plugin Boutique is a shop that carries many plugins used by guitarists and home-recording players. But its own points system and free gift mechanism are hard to understand. I get the impression that many people lose out. This article explains everything from ...
A Standard for Buying at BF Without Failing
That's the sale information so far.
From here is the way of thinking for deciding "what to buy."
Pre-purchase checklist
- Does it solve something you're struggling with in your current production?
- Do you already own a plugin with similar features?
- Have you tried a demo or free version (if you can)?
- Would you still want it after the sale ends?
The first one is especially important.
It's not "buy because it's cheap."
It's "buy because it solves a problem."
Just keeping to this order almost eliminates wasted purchases.
What to Aim for at BF, by Type
If you're about to start home recording
First, the recording environment itself comes first.
Without an audio interface and a DAW, you can't use plugins.
For the whole flow, see the roadmap article.
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The Complete Roadmap for Guitarists Starting DTM | Gear, PC, DAW, Amp Sims and Budget Plans
Recommended for You want to start DTM but don't know what to gather first You want to be able to make band demos yourself You want to step up from GarageBand You want to know how to choose an amp sim To give the conclusion first, guitarists have an advantage in starting DTM. You know chords. You have an image of band sound. You have a sense of "I want it to sound like this." DTM is just a tool for giving shape to that sense. I myself started home recording with just an iPad and an iRig. Without thinking ...
How to choose an interface is here.
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What Is an Audio Interface? How a Guitarist Should Choose One Without Failing
You want to record guitar on your PC. When you think that, the first thing you need is an audio interface. But "I've heard the name, but I don't know what it does." Many people feel that way. This article explains the basics and how to choose from a guitarist's point of view. I've included my own mistakes and tried to make it as clear as I can. Recommended for Anyone who wants to know what an audio interface is in the first place Anyone who wants to record guitar or bass at home Anyone who wants to choose the ...
Then, if you're buying at BF, the TONEX + AmpliTube two-in-one bundle is the strongest candidate.
With this alone, sound design of amps and effects is almost complete.
If you want to lift your guitar sound another level
You have an amp sim.
But it somehow doesn't blend into the song.
For that, aim at studio-type and processing-type tools.
UAD Sound City Studios and Paradise Guitar Studio are candidates.
They work especially well for people who like 90s alternative and grunge.
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UAD Paradise Guitar Studio Review | An Honest Take After Heavy Use in Home Recording
"I load an amp sim, but my recorded sound never feels finished." UAD's Paradise Guitar Studio solved much of that problem for me. Released in December 2025, it is Universal Audio's first all-in-one guitar plugin. Amps, cabinets, mics, pedals and studio-style FX are all in one. What Is Paradise Guitar Studio? First, What's Inside In a word, it is "a plugin that puts the whole guitar recording chain on one plugin." You choose an amp. You choose a cabinet and mic. You add pedals and studio-style FX. That whole flow stays inside one screen. It is in UAD Native format, ...
If you want to finish band sound
Recording only guitar doesn't make a song.
A drum instrument is the next investment.
IK Multimedia's MODO DRUM is also likely to be part of BF.
You can aim for it at the same time as the two-in-one bundle.
I compare the difference between MODO DRUM and BFD3 here.
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MODO DRUM vs BFD3 | Which Suits Band Home Recording? A Comparison from an Owner of Both
Basic Spec Comparison of MODO DRUM and BFD3 First, let me sort out the differences in the basic specs. Item MODO DRUM BFD3 Developer IK Multimedia BFD (now inMusic) Sound generation Physical modeling (real-time calculation) Recorded sampling Number of kits 13 kits 7 core kits (expanded to 51 kits and 60 presets in BFD3.5) Free space needed Official minimum requirement is 20 GB or more About 55 GB (about 100 GB of free space needed during installation) CPU load Higher (because of real-time calculation) Relatively low MIDI patterns 1,400+ built in Includes groove patterns (real performance data) List price Check ...
FAQ
Is it okay to buy at list price before BF?
If you aren't in a hurry, I recommend waiting.
Especially for IK and UAD products, the BF price drop is simply too large.
But if you "need it for production right now," the time spent waiting is more of a waste.
Does UAD need dedicated hardware to use?
It used to.
Now more products run as software alone.
Many work on both Mac and Windows.
Just check the system requirements before buying.
Where should I check for sales?
Each company's official site and Plugin Boutique are the basics.
This page will also be updated as needed after the 2026 sales start.
Is a weak or strong exchange rate a loss?
Prices are in dollars, so exchange rates affect them.
Even so, the discounts are 50 to over 80%.
It's overwhelmingly better than buying at list price.
Black Friday or Cyber Monday: which is the better deal?
Many developers keep the same level of discount from BF through Cyber Monday.
You don't need to rush to buy on BF day itself.
But daily limited perks can be first come, first served or time-limited.
Please keep checking often.
I want to try for free first
Even with free amp simulators alone, home recording works well enough.
Until BF, try making sounds with these.
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7 Best Free Amp Simulators for Home Recording | How to Choose and Signal Chain Basics
"How far can you really go with free amp simulators?" Here is the short answer: today's free amp sims are fully at a professional working level. You can get usable sounds for a mix without buying a paid one. In this article, I introduce 7 free amp simulators that are truly usable, from the viewpoint of a home-recording guitarist. I also cover how to choose one and the basics of signal chain order. How Far Can Free Amp Simulators Go? Honestly, free amp sims used to be a "bonus." That is no longer true. There are two main reasons. The ...
Summary: Decide Your Targets, and Be Ready for BF
Finally, here are the key points of this article.
Summary of this article
- The main day of BF 2026 is November 27. Sales run from early November until after the New Year
- The guitarist's main target is the TONEX MAX + AmpliTube 5 MAX two-in-one (past result: $99.99)
- Watch for UAD's early campaigns. Sound City Studios has dropped to $39
- Plugin Boutique is even better value with Virtual Cash and free gifts
- Choosing by "does it solve a problem" prevents a pile of unused plugins
This page is updated each year to match BF.
Once the confirmed 2026 information comes out, I'll reflect the prices and dates.
