GuitarDTM

: TONEX vs AmpliTube 5 | Which Should a Home-Recording Guitarist Build Around? A Comparison from an Owner of Both

2026/10/5

"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 ...

Amp Simulators

: TONEX MAX Review | An Honest Take, Plus How It Differs from SE, Standard and the Free CS

2026/10/5

"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 ...

Amp Simulators

: 10 Best Free Plugins for Band Recording | Only the Essentials That Actually Work

2026/10/5

"Can I really record a band using only free plugins?" Plenty of people have wondered the same thing. Here is the short answer. Today's free plugins are good enough to produce real band sound. This article covers 10 free plugins that work for guitar, bass, drums and mix finishing. Together, they cover every role a band recording needs. How to Choose Free Plugins for Band Recording [3 Points] There are so many free plugins that it is hard to know where to start. Only these three points matter. 1. Pick plugins whose roles do not overlapInstalling several plugins of the ...

Plugins & UAD

: How to Use AmpliTube 5: Setup, Amps, VIR Cabinets & MIDI Explained Step by Step

2026/10/7

What Is AmpliTube 5? The Big Picture First AmpliTube 5 is an amp simulator for guitar and bass, developed by IK Multimedia. It runs as a standalone app, and also as a plugin inside DAWs like Logic Pro. Here are the main features. Over 400 amp and effect models Realistic cabinet simulation powered by VIR™ (Volumetric Impulse Response) The same signal flow as a real rig: stomps → amp → cab → rack A studio mixer section for detailed mic placement and room settings DAW integration and MIDI support for recording and live use Initial Setup: Getting Your First Sound ...

Amp Simulators

: How to Use TONEX: Setup, ToneNET, Tone Shaping & Troubleshooting

2026/10/7

"I bought TONEX, but I don't know where to start." "It's installed, but I can't figure out how to dial in a good tone." This guide is for you. TONEX is powerful, and that means the interface can feel overwhelming at first. But the features you'll actually use every day are simple. I've been playing guitar for 13 years and home recording for 5. TONEX has been my main amp plugin in Logic Pro for a long time. This guide is based on that experience. One note before we start: this article covers TONEX as a plugin. Capturing your own ...

Amp Simulators

: BFD3 Review: Honest Long-Term Thoughts from a Home-Recording Guitarist

2026/10/7

When you record a band sound at home, drums are the first wall you hit. For many guitarists, it's the hardest part of the whole process. I (ryo) own BFD3. I also own MODO DRUM by IK Multimedia, and I switch between them depending on the track. In this review, I'll be honest about who should buy BFD3 — and who shouldn't. What Is BFD3? A Quick Overview BFD3 is a software drum instrument developed by BFD (now under inMusic). It first launched in 2013. Today, buying BFD3 installs BFD3.5. In one sentence: BFD3 is a realism-first drum instrument built ...

Drum Plugins

: MODO DRUM Review | Can Physical Modeling Drums Work for Guitarists' Home Recording?

2026/10/7

What Is MODO DRUM? How Physical Modeling Works MODO DRUM is a drum plugin developed by IK Multimedia. Its defining feature is "physical modeling" (modal synthesis). A typical drum plugin plays back pre-recorded audio. MODO DRUM doesn't. It calculates the drum's material, size, tension, and more in real time — generating the sound from physics. Aspect Sample-Based Plugins MODO DRUM Sound generation Plays back recorded waveforms Real-time synthesis from physics Storage Tens to hundreds of GB About 11.5GB Playing realism Switching between recorded hits Infinite gradation by hit position and dynamics Customization Choose samples Build the sound with parameters My ...

Drum Plugins

: Best UAD Plugins for Guitarists in 2026 | Start with Paradise Guitar Studio

2026/10/7

"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 ...

Plugins & UAD

: Total Studio 5 MAX V2 Explained: What Changed from 4 MAX, MAXgrade and Prices

2026/10/7

"What actually changed in Total Studio 5 MAX V2? If I already own 4 MAX, should I upgrade?" If you use IK's bundles, you've probably wondered about this at least once. What you'll learn in this article What's in Total Studio 5 MAX V2 (the headliners: TONEX, AmpliTube, MODO DRUM) What changed from 4 MAX Standard vs. upgrade vs. MAXgrade, and prices Whether 4 MAX owners should upgrade The Short Answer: 4 MAX Owners Don't Need to Rush TONEX, AmpliTube and MODO DRUM, the core of a home-recording guitarist's setup, are already in 4 MAX. So if you own 4 ...

Plugins & UAD

: UAD Sound City Studios Review — How This Plugin Fixed My "Disconnected

2026/10/7

"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 ...

Plugins & UAD