🎸 UAD Showtime ’64: My Take on This Legendary Tube Amp Plugin
As someone who spends a lot of time testing and reviewing plugins, I have to say the UAD Showtime ’64 immediately caught my attention. This tube amp plugin brings the classic American stage sound right into your DAW, and it does it with authenticity that’s hard to find elsewhere.
The first thing I noticed is how versatile it is. From sparkling cleans to aggressive crunch, the dynamics feel incredibly real — like you’re playing an actual tube amp. The entire classic circuit has been faithfully modeled, and you can really hear the difference when you tweak the gain or volume.
One of my favorite features is the vintage tube vibrato. I’ve tested plenty of plugins, but this one nails the subtle movement and character you hear on countless surf, rock, and pop recordings. It’s the kind of detail that makes a plugin inspiring to use, not just functional.
The plugin also includes classic cabinet and mic setups, which I find super handy. Instead of spending ages dialing in your mic placement, the presets give you instant usable tones — though you can dive in and tweak everything for a more personal touch. Speaking of presets, the ones included are crafted by pros and cover a wide range of styles, from clean surf tones to gritty rock crunch.
In my experience, Showtime ’64 feels alive in a mix. It responds to picking dynamics naturally, and you can almost feel the amp breathing under your fingers. Whether you’re tracking guitars for a rock record, ambient textures, or cinematic scores, this plugin delivers that warm, expressive tube sound that’s been sought after for decades.
I’m not the only one who thinks so. Here’s what some other professionals are saying:
- “A clean guitar amp plugin with plenty of headroom, perfect for pedals. I love the UAD Showtime ’64 tube amp.”— Curt Chambers (Alicia Keys, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z)
- “This gives me exactly the same feel as the original amp. The UAD Showtime ’64 tube amp is a stunning reproduction.” — Chris Zane (Santa Lucia, Boâ, The Walkmen)
- “I produce a lot of clean and mid-drive guitar stuff. It’s hard to get amp breakup that sounds great in the mix. This is the best I’ve ever heard.” — Brian Robert Jones (Paramore, Vampire Weekend)
For me personally, Showtime ’64 responds to picking dynamics naturally, and you can really feel the amp breathing under your fingers. Whether you’re working on rock, ambient textures, or cinematic guitar tones, this plugin delivers the warm, expressive tube sound that’s been sought after for decades.
FAQ I get asked often:
- You don’t need UAD hardware — this is available in native UADx format.
- It works seamlessly with all major DAWs like Logic, Ableton, Pro Tools, Cubase, and Studio One.
- Presets are ready to go, but the real fun comes from experimenting with the amp, cab, and FX controls.
All in all, UAD Showtime ’64 is one of those plugins that makes me want to open a new DAW session just to play. If you’re after authentic tube tones with modern flexibility, this one’s a must-try.
🎵 Songs That Capture the Showtime ’64 Tube Tone
The UAD Showtime ’64 is inspired by the classic American tube amp sound heard on countless legendary recordings. Here are some songs and artists that helped define this tone:
- Dick Dale – “Misirlou”
Iconic surf guitar tone, vibrant and crystalline, featuring the tube vibrato that this plugin faithfully replicates. - The Rolling Stones – “Start Me Up” (Keith Richards)
Mid-drive crunch with dynamic response, perfect for rock riffs and punchy rhythm parts. - Jack White – “Lazaretto”
Organic, punchy overdrive with a natural saturation that reacts to your playing dynamics. - Nels Cline – “The Intercontinentals”
Experimental textures and wide sonic depth, showcasing the expressive potential of a classic tube amp.
These examples demonstrate the versatility of this tone: from sparkling cleans and surf tones, to gritty rock crunch, and even atmospheric, cinematic textures. With Showtime ’64, you can achieve the same expressive guitar tones directly in your DAW, without ever bringing a physical amp into the studio.