SWANKY AMP
Truly dynamic tube amplification

Swanky Amp is a tube amplifier emulation plug-in which is based on detailed simulations of tube amplification. Discover new tones effortlessly with intuitive controls, harnessing the coveted sounds of dynamic tube amplification.

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SWANKY AMP PRO

If you enjoy Swanky Amp, be sure to have a look at the pro version. Everything that makes Swanky Amp great plus: a collection of essential guitar pedal effects, an advanced cabinet seciton, an improved workflow and UI, and more!

  Try the Demo     Product Info

  Get It Free     View on GitHub   Try the Demo     Learn More
Swanky Amp Swanky Amp Pro

Detailed tube dynamics

Swanky AMP's underlying tube model provides highly detailed dynamics. And you can control those dynamics to create a unique tube sound tailored to your playing style.

A tube amp model with note bloom and compressive sag? Yes please.

Fine grained control

Get that clear crisp sound or crunchy distortion with intuitive controls that affect the underlying tube characteristics.

Explore sounds ranging from vintage crunch tones to high gain metal, all in one seamless workflow.

Simplified gain / drive / volume controls

Dial in the exact tube distortion profile you want with independent control of the pre amp distortion and power amp distortion.

Set the input level until you reach the reference mark for the pickup you are using. Drive the pre-amp or the power amp independentaly, and without affecting the overall volume. Then, simply chose the desired output level.

TECHNOLOGY

Swanky AMP is powered by a state-of-the-art tube amplifier model. The model is based on detailed simulations of real tube amplifier circuits, and is built using a variety of modern digital signal processing techniques.

Measurements were taken of the response of the full amplifier circuitry. In this way, the subtle interplay of the various sections of an amplifier were captured.

Sag isn't just voltage starvation, it is the coordinated response of a variety of electrical components to this voltage drop. Note bloom isn't just the compression of notes near breakup, it is the balance of the onset of distortion with the release time of the distortion ceiling.

By capturing these nuances, and exposing them as intuitive controls, Swanky AMP offers endless sonic possibilities.

Read more about the work that went into this technology in this blog post.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Best free plug-ins this week: Swanky Amp …
gearnews.com
That sounds like an amp modeler worth trying … A great freebie, all around!
bedroomproducersblog.com
It sounds alive [… and] positively invites dial twirling and experimentation. Definitely a keeper.
Spitfire31 @ KVR
A very useful amp sim with unique character. […] Unashamedly modelling tube signal response.
prodigal_sounds @ KVR
I rate it right up there with my Neural DSP and Mercuriall amp sims - and Swanky Amp is free.
jbraner @ KVR
I've been looking for a way to get tweed-like dynamics at any volume for decades now, and Swanky Amp is it.
guitarzan @ KVR

More reviews at the KVR Audio product page.

DEMO

DOWNLOADS

By downloading any of the software listed below, you accept the terms of the GNU Public License v3.0.

Version 1.4.0 (latest)

  VST3 installer     VST3 file     VST3 DMG     AU DMG

Windows installation

Download the VST3 installer, run it, follow the prompts. Alternatively you can directly download the VST3 file and move it into C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3.

macOS installation

For the VST3 plugin format: download and open the VST3 DMG disk image. Drag and drop the SwankyAmp.vst3 package into the VST3 folder.

For the AU (audio unit) plugin format: download and open the VST3 AU disk image. Drag and drop the SwankyAmp.component package into the AU folder.

Updating presets

When installing a new version of Swanky Amp, your preset directory will be left untouched. In order to update to the latest presets, you can download them here.

To install the presets, open the plug-in, click the "open" icon in the preset bar, extract the downloaded zip file into that directory.