Universal Audio launches UAD Showtime ’64 Tube Amp as a FREE plugin

Universal Audio has released UAD Showtime ’64 Tube Amp, a free native amp simulation plugin for macOS and Windows (no UAD hardware required). The plugin is available for free download via the UA Connect app from October 1 through October 31, 2025.

Showtime ’64 is a faithful recreation of a 100-watt Fender Showman amp that shaped the sound of surf, rock, R&B, and early pop music. With sparkling cleans and lush vibrato, the iconic original has been used by everyone from Dick Dale and The Beach Boys to Jack White and Nels Cline.

For me, the sound instantly brings back memories of one of my favorite movie soundtracks: the Pulp Fiction soundtrack. As a kid, I listened to it on repeat on cassette, and those surfy riffs and vibrato tones have stuck with me forever.

Dick Dale was famously associated with the Fender Showman, which was originally developed for him. It was one of the first high-powered amps built specifically for loud surf guitar.

And now, thanks to UA’s end-to-end modeling approach, the amp is fully in-the-box and ready for your DAW. And even better, you can get it for free and keep it forever if you do so before October 31st.

I had the chance to test Showtime ’64 shortly before launch. While I’m not really a guitarist apart from playing a few basic riffs and solos, I’ve worked with a lot of amp sims over the years, often reamping sessions from other players.

So take my first impressions with a grain of salt, as it’s more from the perspective of a producer than someone who knows their way around a guitar.

I like it both for cleans and the more distorted tones. The clean tones are solid, and the crunch is perfect for anything from indie rock to classic hard rock.

The interface is nice and simple, but it packs a few cool surprises. My favorite feature is the Room control, which lets you quickly position the amp in your mix. It’s incredibly helpful when mixing, especially if you want to get your guitar sitting right before adding reverb or other spatial effects.

The mic selection is another strong point. The ability to switch between virtual mic adds plenty of versatility to the tone and makes it suitable for various genres beyond surf rock. I think this could also shine on folk, blues, and modern indie.

You also get a built-in vibrato circuit modeled after the original amp’s tube-driven design, which adds a vintage vibe that I really liked. So yeah, Showtime ’64 covers a lot of ground, and I love that it’s not another amp aimed at high-gain tones.

Also, you don’t need to be a UAD hardware user to take advantage of this freebie. Showtime ’64 runs natively in all major DAWs and is part of UA’s Spark plugin lineup. You can download it for free via the UA Connect app until October 31, 2025.

UAD Showtime ’64 is available in VST3, AU, and AAX formats for macOS and Windows.

Get the freebie: UAD Showtime ’64 (FREE until October 31st)

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Last Updated on October 1, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.