IK Multimedia Total Studio 5 MAX Review: TONEX, AmpliTube & MODO DRUM Highlights (66% Off)

"Which plugin bundle should I actually buy?"

Every guitarist who starts home recording asks this question at some point.

ryo

Honestly, I've been using this bundle heavily since the previous version, "4 MAX." When you're pulling a full band mix together on your own, you really do need this much coverage.

Today I'm covering IK Multimedia's flagship bundle: Total Studio 5 MAX.

It covers everything from writing to mixing to mastering in one package. Basically, it's home recording's "all-in-one."

"All-in-one" sounds expensive. Is it actually worth it?

読者

ryo

That's a fair reaction — buying everything separately would run close to $15,000. Bundled, the math changes completely. I've been using it since 4 MAX, and it's been a huge help for putting full band mixes together on my own.

And right now it's 66% off (until July 31).

Buy on Plugin Boutique

In this article, I'll walk through what's included and which plugins are the real highlights.

What Is Total Studio 5 MAX?

Total Studio 5 MAX is IK Multimedia's all-in-one plugin bundle.

It covers an enormous range of production needs.

Composing, drums, bass, guitar, mixing, mastering, and room correction — all managed from one piece of software.

It includes 170+ titles.

Here are the main brands included:

ryo

TONEX and AmpliTube handle guitar, MODO DRUM handles drums — I genuinely use each one for its own part. When you're building a full band sound solo, that kind of coverage is a lifesaver.

The Real Highlights: TONEX, AmpliTube, and MODO DRUM

There are 170+ products in this bundle, but honestly, three of them are the real stars.

That's because they cover the core of any band's sound: guitar, bass, and drums.

TONEX

An amp simulator that uses AI Machine Modeling to capture the exact tone of real amps.

ryo

I've used TONEX as my main amp sim for years now, and it's the closest thing to actually playing through a real amp that I've found. The pick-attack response in particular is a step above other simulators.

The MAX edition includes TONEX itself plus the Signature Collections covered below.

Here's what it actually sounds like:

AmpliTube

A long-standing, industry-standard amp simulator.

Amps, cabinets, and stompboxes — everything you need to shape your tone is here.

ryo

I split duties between TONEX and AmpliTube: TONEX when I want an exact amp match, AmpliTube when I want to stack a wider range of effects and shape the tone more from scratch.

Even a Nirvana "Come As You Are"-style tone is achievable with AmpliTube 5 alone.

MODO DRUM

A physically modeled drum instrument, not sample-based.

That means none of the "machine-gun effect" you get from repeated samples — just natural, breathing drum tone.

ryo

I actually run the full version of MODO DRUM, and the range of models you get access to makes a real difference. Drum tone shapes the whole feel of a band mix, so this isn't a spot I'm willing to compromise on.

It's great for grunge-style production, too.

Honestly, having these three plugins in one bundle is reason enough to consider Total Studio 5 MAX.

What Else Is Included

Beyond TONEX, AmpliTube, and MODO DRUM, here's what else you get:

• Pianoverse: a modern piano instrument with 9 modeled pianos
• TONEX Signature Collections: 9 collections added, including MESA/Boogie
• AmpliTube Morley Collection: includes an oil-can delay great for shoegaze tones
• T-RackS 6: mixing processor count expanded to 60+
• ARC 4: room correction for your home studio monitoring

That's a lot to learn. Can I actually use all of it?

読者

ryo

Start with TONEX, AmpliTube, and MODO DRUM — that alone covers most of what you'll need day to day. The rest you can pick up as you go.

Standard vs. Pro vs. MAX: What's the Difference?

Total Studio 5 comes in three editions.

The lower tiers ship with "SE" (feature-limited) versions of the key plugins, which matters more than it might seem.

Are MODO BASS and MODO DRUM both limited outside of MAX?

読者

ryo

If you're serious about building full band mixes, going with MAX for both is the version you won't regret down the line.

On Sale Now: Current Pricing

Given how much content is packed in here, the regular price isn't cheap.

But right now it's 66% off (until July 31), with a coupon code available for extra savings on top.

Here's an example checkout screen showing the coupon applied (pricing shown in JPY, but the same code works across regions):

Buy on Plugin Boutique

Is this sale always running?

読者

ryo

No, it's limited-time. If you've been on the fence, now's a good time to check the product page before it ends.

What About the Standard Total Studio 5?

The standard Total Studio 5 is also on sale right now ($39.99, down from $199.99, 80% off, until July 31).

But both TONEX and AmpliTube are limited to their SE versions there.

ryo

The price on the standard edition is tempting on its own, but if you want TONEX and AmpliTube without limitations, MAX is still the one I'd recommend.

A Few Things to Know Before Buying

It's not all upside, so let's cover the trade-offs honestly.

Storage Space

A full install needs 840GB or more.

SampleTank and Pianoverse alone take up a huge amount of space.

Plan on a 1–2TB external SSD if you're installing everything.

Learning Curve

With this many products, it takes time to learn everything.

ryo

Honestly, I wasn't sure I'd ever use everything either. But after working with it session after session, I naturally gravitated toward the tools I actually needed.

Starting with TONEX's free version (CS) is a good way to get familiar with the workflow before diving in.

Why It's Especially Good for Home Recording Guitarists

This bundle is versatile, but it's a particularly great fit for guitarists.

Here's why: TONEX, AmpliTube, and MODO DRUM alone let you handle guitar, bass, and drum tone in one environment.

ryo

I run TONEX, AmpliTube, and MODO DRUM together for full band productions, and not having to switch tools between parts makes a real difference. Having these three alone speeds up how fast I get a song finished.

Summary

Total Studio 5 MAX covers nearly everything you need for home recording.

• The real highlights are TONEX, AmpliTube, and MODO DRUM
• Guitar, bass, and drum tone all come together in one environment
• 66% off right now, with a coupon code for extra savings on top

As long as you've got the storage sorted, you can level up your production setup right away.

Should I wait for a better sale, or buy now?

読者

ryo

This sale runs through July 31, so waiting doesn't necessarily mean a better price. If you want TONEX, AmpliTube, and MODO DRUM, this is a good window to buy in.

If you're new to Plugin Boutique, here's a guide to how purchasing, rewards, and Virtual Cash work.

Buy on Plugin Boutique