Black Friday plugin deals 2022: You can still make massive Black Friday music software savings - these deals are still live

Black Friday plugin deals
(Image credit: Future)

Some might tell you that that yesterday was Black Friday plugin deals day, but judging by the mega offers that are still live today, Black Friday is clearly not isolated to just a single day! This is your page to find still-live discounts on music software from the big brands, including Plugin Boutique, Waves and Native Instruments. If you’re still on the hunt for a new compressor, you want to update your DAW, load up on soft synths or get stuck into the latest music-making apps, you'll find some amazing Black Friday plugin offers right here. Of course, if you still want more, then w're keeping tabs on the Cyber Monday plugin deals, too!

BEST BLACK FRIDAY PLUGIN DEALS 2022

If you want to get straight to the best Black Friday plugin deals that are still up for grabs, a couple of places we'd recommend heading while there's still time are Waves, where their official Black Friday sale has plugins starting from as little as $5.99 (opens in new tab), plus massive discounts on bundles. Sweetwater's official Black Friday sale is still live too, with up to 80% off big software brands (opens in new tab).

Stock of physical products has been a little unpredictable over the last few years, so we believe software is the way to go if you're looking to get your music gear fix this around Black Friday. There's no drama with software. Spotted something you like? Download it straight away and start creating – no waiting for a delivery driver to drop it at your door!

Are you Looking for more new gear to boost your home recording rig? Take a look at our round-up of more Black Friday music deals.

Black Friday plugin deals: Quick links

Below you'll find all the best Black Friday plugin sales that you can still check out:

Black Friday plugin deals: Subscription deals

Loopcloud Artist Subscription: $5.99/month (opens in new tab)

Loopcloud Artist Subscription: $5.99/month, $1/month (opens in new tab)
A Loopcloud Artist Subscription gives you 1GB of quality Loopmasters samples, 5GB of cloud storage, 10 free sounds a day and 100 points a month to spend on more. Upgrade at any time to Loopcloud Studio or Professional for additional sounds, storage and credits to spend. This Loopcloud Artist deal lets you enjoy all of the benefits that Loopcloud has to offer - auditioning sounds in real time and key with your music, fantastic plugins and creative editing - and all for just $1 a month for the first two months.

Antares Auto-Tune Unlimited annual subscription: $353.99 (opens in new tab)

Antares Auto-Tune Unlimited annual subscription: $353.99, now $125 (opens in new tab)
The Antares Auto-Tune Unlimited subscription gives you exclusive access to every plugin on Antares' impressive roster of effects. First up, you get every edition of Auto-Tune. That's nine plugins ranging from AutoKey, which automatically detects your key and scale, right up to Auto-Tune Pro X, with its professional grade tuning and an incredible display which lets you get to the heart of your vocal processing. On top of the Auto-Tune suite, Auto-Tune Unlimited gives you an additional 12 effects including Punch, Mutator and Warm to get creative with your vocals in completely new and exciting ways. That's 75% off over 20 pro plugins for a year!

Free plugin of your choice: Was $179, now $FREE (opens in new tab)

Free plugin of your choice: Was $179, now $FREE (opens in new tab)
As if that discount is not enough, Antares is throwing in another sweetener with its subscription deal: a free perpetual plugin of your choice worth $179. Choose from one of three Auto-Tune plugins and keep it forever, even after your subscription period ends. You can pick either Auto-Tune Slice (a hybrid synth and sampler), Auto-Tune Vocal EQ (an EQ designed specifically for singers), or Auto-Tune Vocodist (for that Daft Punk/Kraftwerk vocoder effect). Choose one, pay nothing and keep it forever, even after your annual subscription (at 65% off) ends.

Pro Tools Artist annual subscription: $99 (opens in new tab)

Pro Tools Artist annual subscription: $99, $74.99 (opens in new tab)
Pro Tools is the music creation platform used by countless professionals the world over, and with 25% off the Artist annual subscription, now could be time for you to find out why so many producers choose it. Pro Tools Artist has over 100 plugins and instruments, the ability to record up to 16 inputs simultaneously, plus 32 audio and 64 MIDI tracks. With perpetual updates and support, Artist is the cost effective Pro Tools choice, and even more so with this year's Black Friday subscription discount.

Avid Pro Tools Studio annual subscription: $299 (opens in new tab)

Avid Pro Tools Studio annual subscription: $299, $199 (opens in new tab)
Where Pro Tools Artist gives you the essential tools for music production, a Pro Tools Studio annual subscription delivers the complete set. You get over 120 instruments and plugins, a massive 512 and 1024 tracks of audio and MIDI tracks, and up to 64 simultaneous inputs from which to record. With surround mixing and extra interfacing options, Studio is a great choice for project and professional studio owners and producers, especially so with a third off the annual fee.

Black Friday plugin deals: Bundle & collection deals

Waves Horizon Bundle: Was $3,999 (opens in new tab)

Waves Horizon Bundle: Was $3,999, now $274.99 (opens in new tab)
You can save a whopping 93% on the list price of one of Waves' most sought-after bundles. With 83 plugins, it's a complete processing suite containing everything you need to add sparkle to your productions.

Waves Platinum: Was $1,999 (opens in new tab)

Waves Platinum: Was $1,999, now $199.99 (opens in new tab)
Ok, so you were probably never going to spend full whack on this package, but right now Platinum is at an amazing price. Get your hands on 60 killer plugins for less than $200, which works out at $3.33 apiece. To get your hands on those plugins individually would cost the earth, so strike now while they’re criminally cheap.

Waves Vocal Production bundle: $1,350 (opens in new tab)

Waves Vocal Production bundle: $1,350, now $229.99 (opens in new tab)
Bring your vocal A-game with 84% off Waves' fully-loaded Vocal Production package. Roll out the 15 essential tools in this bundle and your vocals will go from zero to hero.

Chris Lord-Alge Signature Series: $399, now $64.99 (opens in new tab)

Chris Lord-Alge Signature Series: $399, now $64.99 (opens in new tab)
Six easy-to-use audio plugins for mixing vocals, guitars, bass, drums and more, created with Grammy Award-winning mixing engineer Chris Lord-Alge (Green Day, U2).

Arturia V-Collection 9: $599 (opens in new tab)

Arturia V-Collection 9: $599, now $299 (opens in new tab)
Arturia certainly knows its emulations and V-Collection recreates just about every vintage keyboard and synth out there - that's 33 different instruments, to be precise. You get software versions of famous synths like Prophet-5 V, ARP 2600 V and Jup-8 V alongside other classic keyboards including Mellotron V, Wurli V and VOX Continental V. There are 9,000 sounds and 14 exclusive sound banks - it's basically every keyboard you could wish for, ready to play, on your hard drive. A virtual synth museum, if you like, with half price entry so now is the time to take the tour! Read our full Arturia V-Collection 9 review.

Arturia FX Collection 3: $399 (opens in new tab)

Arturia FX Collection 3: $399, now $199 (opens in new tab)
FX Collection contains all of Arturia's sets of three 'effects you will actually use', so you get 26 legendary and all new processors covering distortion, compression, filtering, mix bus, delay, reverb, modulation, and preamps. There are legendary tape delays, iconic preamps, classic reverbs and all-new creative filters, flangers and chorus devices. If it's not in FX Collection it's not worth having, but now at half price, FX Collection is definitely worth having! Read our full Arturia FX Collection 3 review.

Arturia Pigments 3: $199 (opens in new tab)

Arturia Pigments 3: $199, now $99 (opens in new tab)
Where V-Collection mostly focuses on classic keyboards and synths, the award-winning Pigments is very much a new synth for 21st century producers. It combines cutting-edge wavetable and virtual analogue engines, all behind an incredibly intuitive interface. Add fantastic modulation flexibility and quality effects and you can create some of the most wide-ranging and dynamic sounds; or just dip into hundreds of amazing presets. Like the Arturia bundles above, Pigments is half price at Plugin Boutique. Great synth, great price. Read our full Arturia Pigments 3 review.

Up to 35% off FabFilter plugins (opens in new tab)

Up to 35% off FabFilter plugins (opens in new tab)
We're long-time fans of FabFilter's plugins, so we recommend you check out their reduced range of dynamic processing, effects, including some compelling bundles, and the award-winning EQ plugin: Pro-Q 3.

Up to 91% reduction on Solid State Logic SSL plugins (opens in new tab)

Up to 91% reduction on Solid State Logic SSL plugins (opens in new tab)
Audio pioneers SSL have a growing plugin range, and three prime cuts are on offer here. Fully-featured pro reverb FlexVerb, Guitarstrip, a versatile electric, acoustic, and bass guitar processor, and the Band Bundle of Vocalstrip, Drumstrip and Guitarstrip are all reduced here.

Soundtoys galore - up to 77% off this weekend (opens in new tab)

Soundtoys galore - up to 77% off this weekend (opens in new tab)
We love Soundtoys work, and we reckon you will too. Save up to 75% on 15 of their goodies, including Decapitator, Little Alterboy, Effect Rack, and the bucketloads-of-fun Soundtoys 5 Bundle.

iZotope Music Production Suite 5 Universal Edition: $999 (opens in new tab)

iZotope Music Production Suite 5 Universal Edition: $999, $499 (plus crossgrade deals) (opens in new tab)
Want the best of iZotope and a lot more in one bundle? Music Production Suite 5 includes Ozone 10 Advanced, RX 10 Standard and Neutron 4. Add Stratus 3D and Symphony 3D by Exponential Audio, and six effects from Brainworx and this has to be one of the finest music production software bundles going. And with 50% off at Plugin Boutique's pre Black Friday sale, you couldn't really ask for more, for less.

Classic Native Instruments software: Up to 75% off (opens in new tab)

Classic Native Instruments software: Up to 75% off (opens in new tab)
Native Instruments has produced some iconic software over the years including huge instruments, effects and DJ titles. If you haven't experienced these famous names, then now is the time to jump on board. Classic synths like Massive, Massive X and Reaktor have been reduced by up to an incredible $100 each, or pick up the legendary Traktor Pro DJ software for just $49.50. Then there are iconic effects like Guitar Rig 6 Pro that delivers everything guitar… on your computer. At just $99.50, that's a saving of nearly $100 - it's time to plug right in!

Amazing iZotope deals: up to $1,999, now up to $999 (opens in new tab)

Amazing iZotope deals: up to $1,999, now up to $999 (opens in new tab)
iZotope makes software for every aspect of mixing and mastering, employing the latest AI technology to make each process as simple as a mouse click. Get better mixes and mastered tracks in no time with titles like Ozone 10 (pro mastering for $299, was $499), Neutron 3 (incredible auto mixing for $199, was $399) and RX10 Advanced (ultimate audio repair for $799, was $1199). Pick up everything iZotope for up to 75% off!

iZotope RX 10 Advanced: $1,199 (opens in new tab)

iZotope RX 10 Advanced: $1,199, $799 (plus Standard, elements and Post Production Suite and crossgrade deals) (opens in new tab)
iZotope's RX is the renowned audio repair suite for restoring, cleaning, and improving recordings in post-production, music production, and content creation. It helps you clean up spoken words, remove noise, delete glitches, improve mixes and turn many a bad recording into pristine audio. Plugin Boutique features several deals from this Advanced version down to RX Elements for basic repair and noise reduction. Plus there are several crossgrade deals with up to 75% off. RXellent!

Native Instruments Komplete Instruments: $49/$199 (opens in new tab)

Native Instruments Komplete Instruments:
$49/$199, now $24.50/$99.50 (opens in new tab)
It's also time to consider bigging up your Native Instruments library with some of the best software titles (less) money can buy. Cyber Season sees a range of Komplete Instruments slashed to half price. You can now get software packs like Ignition Keys (to kickstart your pop hits), Lores (organic textures and eclectic layers), and Playbox (chord generation and random idea creation) for 50% off!

Native Instruments Komplete Effects: From $49 (opens in new tab)

Native Instruments Komplete Effects:
From $49, now $24.50 (opens in new tab)
Native Instruments' range of effects covers just about every creative corner of studio recording, and now you can pick up some amazingly inspirational titles for half price. Raum (ambient, twisting reverb), Molekular (modular effects), and Transient Master (for adding punch and dynamics) are just three exciting effects in the Cyber Season sale. Meanwhile bigger bundles like Vintage Compressors deliver more effects for an even bigger saving of up to $100!

Native Instruments Expansions: From $49 (opens in new tab)

Native Instruments Expansions:
From $49, now $24.50 (opens in new tab)
These sound packs are a great way to home in on a particular style, artist and genre, each delivering drum kits, samples, loops for NI instruments, presets, and more. Kino and Wake, for example, both have around 150 amazing presets for Massive X and are currently half price at just $14.50. System Clash and Concrete Sun provide classic hip-hop, dancehall and reggae flavours alongside modern hip-hop for just $24.50 each. Artist packs include DJ Khalil and The Stereotypes - all half price too - are also among an incredible 100+ Expansions up for grabs!

Black Friday plugin deals: Sounds & samples

EZX Expansions for EZdrummer: Was $89 (opens in new tab)

EZX Expansions for EZdrummer: Was $89, now $53 (opens in new tab)
EZdrummer is Toontrack's core beat making platform that enables you to create incredible drums with ease, and across any genre. It features sequencing, 15GB of sounds, a huge MIDI file library plus features like Tap2Find and Bandmate which turn your simple drum ideas into fully-fledged drum tracks in no time. The EZX sound expansion packs take the software into different genres, exploring areas like metal, Latin, jazz, electronic and a lot more. With 40% off, now is the time to take your EZdrummer ambitions up a level. With titles like Dream Pop, Hop-Hop, Metal Machine and Drumkit From Hell, you know that Toontrack has your stylistic ambitions covered, whatever they may be. Simply choose your genre and save $36 per title!

SDX Expansions for Superior: Was $179 (opens in new tab)

SDX Expansions for Superior: Was $179, now $107 (opens in new tab)
Superior Drummer is Toontrack's high-end beat making platform, essentially a full DAW designed for creative, detailed and exceptional drum production. It features seven kits, over 230GB of audio, effects and a vast MIDI library, with all recordings overseen by production maestro George Massenburg. The SDX expansions for Superior Drummer feature additional drum kits recorded in iconic studios like Blackbird in Nashville and The Hit Factory in New York. Now you can expand your virtual drum kits without costly studio time or air fares for an amazing 40% off. Titles like The Rock Warehouse and Custom & Vintage will take you to studios across the world and deliver the best recordings of the most iconic drum kits without you lifting a drumstick. Grab $72 off each expansion pack now!

EZmix 2: Was $149 (opens in new tab)

EZmix 2: Was $149, now $39 (opens in new tab)
EZmix 2 is your easy route to perfect mixing and mastering. It allows you to create great vocal, guitar and drum tracks with preset channel configurations to try out and tweak to perfection. You can even apply mastering settings to entire mixes to lift them to a pro standard in an instant. EZmix 2 is currently discounted by an incredible $110 so you can achieve top notch, professional mixes and mastered tracks for minimal outlay. And once you've mastered EZmix 2, there are plenty of expansion options, all heavily discounted as well. The EZmix Packs offer different guitar tones, vocal presets, mastering settings or general mix tools. You get specific mix settings for different genres - ambient, rock, blues and much more - plus the favoured mix and master settings of famous engineers and producers like Al Schmitt, Andy Sneap and Bob Rock. The EZmix packs are your easy route to instant, professional mixes, whatever your music style and with 30% off each title, there's never been a better time to mix!

EZkeys: Was $149 (opens in new tab)

EZkeys: Was $149, now $97 (opens in new tab)
Think of EZkeys as your virtual keyboard player. You can now pick up the original EZkeys software, with tailored sounds across a wide range of instruments - grand pianos to pads, Mellotron to electric piano - for an incredible 35% off. And once you have entered the EZkeys world, it's EZ (sorry) to expand EZkeys Expansion Packs which then deliver the same variety of other keyboard and instrument sounds, for much less outlay. Each title has been discounted by 40% so you can take your keyboard sounds into completely new realms - Cinematic Pads, Electronic Pop, String Machine and many more - for an amazing $30 off per title.

Black Friday plugin deals: Individual plugins

Get Cableguys' ShaperBox 3.1 for just $89/€89 (opens in new tab)

Get Cableguys' ShaperBox 3.1 for just $89/€89 (opens in new tab)
The nine plugins contained in Shaperbox 3.1 would regularly retail for a combined total of $301/€301, but you can currently get them for just $89/€89.

Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain: $199 (opens in new tab)

Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain: $199, $29.99 (opens in new tab)
Now is your chance to get hold of five independent mixing and mastering modules, modelled after the EMI TG12410 Transfer Console used in all Abbey Road's mastering suites since the early '70s to this day.

Waves REDDD: $249 (opens in new tab)

Waves REDDD: $249, now $27.99 (opens in new tab)
Another Abbey Road Studio icon can be yours for just a mere snip of its original price. Based on the legendary REDD.17, REDD.37 and REDD.51 consoles, Waves REDD plugin delivers the classic British sound of the 1960s.

Waves API 2500: $299 (opens in new tab)

Waves API 2500: $299, now just $24.99 (opens in new tab)
Modelled on API's vintage compressor, the 2500 boasts a wide range of incredibly musical parameters which have made it a favourite of engineers the world over.

Applied Acoustics Systems plugins: up to £199 (opens in new tab)

Applied Acoustics Systems plugins:
up to £199, now from £27 (opens in new tab)
Applied Acoustics Systems develops plugins for all aspects of music production, including fantastic instrument emulations, great synths and flexible effects. Thomann has a number of AAS plugins in its Black Friday bonanza including the Chromaphone 3 synth for £72 (normally £199), the Lounge Lizard EP-4 electric piano for just £72 (normally £199), and the Multiphonics CV-1 modular system for £35 (normal price £99). That's over 60% off a great set of plugins that will cover all your instrument and effects needs.

Soundtoys plugins: up to $749 (opens in new tab)

Soundtoys plugins: up to $749, now up to $81 (opens in new tab)
Soundtoys develops some of the most highly-regarded and creative plugins, and now you can get them for much less in the Thomann Cyberweek sale. Decapitator is a saturator that emulates five devices, which you can now buy for just £44 (from £199). The fantastic Alter Boy vocal tuning effect is yours for £35, discounted from £99, while FilterFreak is just £27, reduced from £149. You won't find better deals on these particular toys!

iZotope Ozone 10 Advanced: $499 (opens in new tab)

iZotope Ozone 10 Advanced: $499, $299 (plus Standard and crossgrade deals) (opens in new tab)
Lifting your final mixes to a professionally-mastered level used to mean getting the experts in. Now, just get Ozone 10. With features like its Master Assistant and the Stabalizer and Impact Modules, you can instantly add punch, loudness and a pro sheen to your mixes using the best AI technology. Plugin Boutique's deals cover the Standard (20% off) and Advanced editions (40% off) plus crossgrade options from any iZotope purchase (up to 70% off). Get a pro sound for less. Easy!

iZotope Neutron 4: $399 (opens in new tab)

iZotope Neutron 4: $399, $199 (plus crossgrade deals) (opens in new tab)
What Ozone does for mastering, Neutron does for mixing, with its AI Assistant suggesting all sorts of tweaks to transform dull and lifeless mixes into dynamic pieces of music in no time. Increase punch, add width and even match your material to professionally mixed audio. And now you can do it for half price in this pre Black Friday sale at Plugin Boutique, with crossgrade offers from any iZotope product at up to 70% off!

iZotope Neoverb 4: $99 (opens in new tab)

iZotope Neoverb 4: $99, now $25 (opens in new tab)
In Neoverb, iZotope uses its AI Assistant technology to help you create amazing reverbs for any instrument. It employs Exponential Audio’s reverb engines for added realism and iZotope's intuitive interface makes coming up with bespoke reverbs that won't muddy your mix easy. Or choose from dozens of incredible presets to add lush and shimmering sounds. With 75% off, there's never been a better time to enjoy one of the most creative reverbs out there.

Line 6 Helix Native Guitar Amp and Effects Plug-in (50% off) (opens in new tab)

Line 6 Helix Native Guitar Amp and Effects Plug-in (50% off) (opens in new tab)
50% amounts to a chunky $200 saving on the Helix native motherlode - 60 electric guitar and bass amplifier models and more than 100 different effects, plus 30-plus speaker cabinet models for $199 this weekend.

Line 6 Metallurgy Collection Amplifier and Effects Plug-in (50% off) (opens in new tab)

Line 6 Metallurgy Collection Amplifier and Effects Plug-in (50% off) (opens in new tab)
The Line 6 Metallurgy collection combines the Thrash, Doom, and Modern Metallurgy plug-ins to offer a whopping 10 legendary amplifier model replications, with a pair of fresh Line 6 amp designs.

Line 6 Echo Farm 3 Plug-in (50% off) (opens in new tab)

Line 6 Echo Farm 3 Plug-in (50% off) (opens in new tab)
With models based on classic processors like the Maestro Echoplex, EHX Memory Man, T.C. Electronic 2290, and many others, Echo Farm 3 delivers the sound of tubes, tape, and vintage electronics. 

Black Friday plugin deals: DAW deals

Pro Tools Artist annual subscription: $99 (opens in new tab)

Pro Tools Artist annual subscription: $99, $74.99 (opens in new tab)
Pro Tools is the music creation platform used by countless professionals the world over, and with 25% off the Artist annual subscription, now could be time for you to find out why so many producers choose it. Pro Tools Artist has over 100 plugins and instruments, the ability to record up to 16 inputs simultaneously, plus 32 audio and 64 MIDI tracks. With perpetual updates and support, Artist is the cost effective Pro Tools choice, and even more so with this year's Black Friday subscription discount.

Avid Pro Tools Studio annual subscription: $299 (opens in new tab)

Avid Pro Tools Studio annual subscription: $299, $199 (opens in new tab)
Where Pro Tools Artist gives you the essential tools for music production, a Pro Tools Studio annual subscription delivers the complete set. You get over 120 instruments and plugins, a massive 512 and 1024 tracks of audio and MIDI tracks, and up to 64 simultaneous inputs from which to record. With surround mixing and extra interfacing options, Studio is a great choice for project and professional studio owners and producers, especially so with a third off the annual fee.

Ableton Live various versions: up to £749 (opens in new tab)

Ableton Live various versions: up to £749, now £422 (opens in new tab)
Thomann is offering just about every version of Ableton Live - one of the most popular DAWs for creating music - for as much as 45% off, plus big discounts on upgrade paths. You can pick up the Intro version of Live for just £55 (normal price around £99); the Standard edition for £249 (normally £449); and the full Live 11 Suite for just £425, normally £749, so a full 45% off retail. It's rare to have such big discounts on every version of Live, and the ideal way to step into the Ableton world and discover why it's such a big music production hit.

When do the Black Friday plugin deals start?

Black Friday isn't 'officially' until Friday 25 November, but last year Waves actually kicked off their Black Friday plugins bonanza at the start of October by offering up a sneak peak at the deals they planned on launching in November. 

That preview ended late in October and was replaced by their Early Bird Black Friday plugin deals (which they've just launched for 2022). Discounts applied to a mixture of Waves classics, sought-after analogue outboard emulations as well as signature plugins from some of the world’s biggest producers, including Chris Lorde Alge, Joseph Jack Puig, Butch Vig and Andrew Scheps to name just a few.

Will we see more Black Friday plugin deals sooner than the day itself in 2022? If previous years are anything to go by, that answer is a resounding 'yes'. We'll be reporting all the latest news right here.

You can also expect the deals to continue through the weekend after Black Friday before transforming into Cyber Monday plugin deals three days after Black Friday.

Black Friday plugin deals: What to expect

Loads of plugin and music software sites will be taking part in the Black Friday plugins bonanza, so we'd recommend signing up to mailing lists of your favourite retailers now to get the jump on the best deals.

Of course, if you can’t be bothered with the stress of searching through the latest deals yourself, our experts will be pulling all-nighters across the event to uncover the very best Black Friday plugin deals and publishing them right here on this page.

We’d recommend bookmarking this page - as well as our main Black Friday music deals hub page - while you remember.

Seeing as plugins are downloads rather than physical products, they won’t sell out. A more realistic consideration is that some of these deals might be time-limited to just a day or two, or perhaps only a few hours, so we’d recommend you don’t ponder a purchase for too long.

Discounts can range from a few $/£ off a cool sample pack to massive percentage discounts off huge swathes of music production software.

Last year, Waves knocked up to 93% off some of its most popular products, while Sweetwater offered a massive 70% off select software from iZotope, Eventide, Reason, Toontrack, Baby Audio and loads more. 

Whichever deals you go for, you can guarantee there will be silly savings up for grabs, so if you’re planning on updating your studio or adding to your collection to boost your music production set-up, it’s well worth marking your diary for this year's Black Friday plugin deals.

Can I get free VSTs over Cyber Weekend?

Yes! Many sites offer a free plugin for Black Friday, with Waves offering up the Waves Lil Tube free of charge (opens in new tab). Lil Tube is one of those use-it-on-everything plugins that you'll find yourself dropping into almost every channel strip. Packing satisfying analogue warmth, tone-boosting presence and rich, ear-pleasing saturation into a single, one-knob wonder, this is one of the best free plugins we've seen given away on Black Friday.

Auto-Tune masters, Antares, are giving you multiple plugins to choose from without spending a dime (opens in new tab). Choose from one of three Auto-Tune plugins and keep it forever, even after your subscription period ends. You can pick either Auto-Tune Slice (a hybrid synth and sampler), Auto-Tune Vocal EQ (an EQ designed specifically for singers), or Auto-Tune Vocodist (for that Daft Punk/Kraftwerk vocoder effect). Choose one, pay nothing and keep it forever, even after your annual subscription ends.

Black Friday plugin deals: Free plugins?

Yep, you read that right. While the Black Friday plugins bonanza is a great opportunity to bag big-name software at reduced prices, it's not uncommon to land software for free, too. Last year, Waves gave away the epic Waves LoFi Space, reverb plugin absolutely free. All you had to do was head to the Waves website and register your interest. 

Elsewhere, Slate Digital released a brand new plugin, Fresh Air specifically for Black Friday, and gave it away for free. You can still pick it up for nothing today (opens in new tab)

We'll be reporting on any free Black Friday plugin giveaways for 2022 right here.

Black Friday plugin deals: How to prepare

Our biggest tip is to start your wishlist now! The most sensible way to take advantage of the best Black Friday plugin deals is to know in advance what you’re looking for. This will make searching much easier, rather than having to trawl through loads of deals you don’t want to find the ones you do.

Check out your favourite brands, see what you need and will genuinely use – don’t waste your cash and fill your basket with stuff you'll never load. Has there been a raft of new software launches lately? If so, perhaps the old version will be massively discounted for Black Friday? You could start by checking out our guide to the best Waves plugins

What are your music production goals for the next 12 months? Is there software that will help you achieve them? Or do you have an unfinished track that needs some extra sauce? Now could be the time to invest.

Something else you should consider ahead of time is whether you have enough space on your machine to account for all these additional downloads! Get rid of any unnecessary bloat on your laptop or PC now, or you might want to consider picking up one of the best external hard drives in our guide.

The best Black Friday plugin deals last year

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iZotope Gold Package: $1,342, now $49, save $1,293
Last year you could grab everything you needed to bring professional levels of craftsmanship and creativity to your production all while saving $1,293! 

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Download Waves' free new plugin, Lofi Space
This was the Black Friday deal that didn't cost you a penny or a dime. Last year you could bag this all-new delay/reverb for nothing, but only for one day.

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Waves Black Friday sale: Save $$$ & get free plugins
You could find everything from reverbs and delays, to compressors and virtual instruments in last year's epic Black Friday sale. 

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Soundtoys plugins and bundles: up to 70% off
(opens in new tab)Soundtoys offers a range of plugins that will serve as go-to effects in your DAW, and last year you could save 70% off the price! There was everything from mic preamp emulations to delays, reverbs, dynamics, modulation, filtering, vocal effects and more! 

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H-Reverb Hybrid Reverb: Was $349, now $29.99
Want richer, deeper reverb tails that sit beautifully in the mix while breathing crisp air into your tracks? H-Reverb is the plugin for you - and last year it was only $29.99.

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CLA MixHub: was $199, now $29.99
Last year you could get Chris Lorde Alge's SSL 4000 mixer channels in your DAW for a measly $29.99. There's mic pres, filtering, EQ, dynamics and metering on tap, and it really is like having a 64-channel SSL inside your computer. 

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Steven Slate Drums SSD5: Was $119, now $99
Who wouldn’t want better-sounding drums for only $99?Last year you could build your tracks on solid foundations with SSD5 at an unbeatable price. You’ll have access to hundreds of precisely sampled sounds from some of the biggest names in drum gear, as well as 1,000 preset grooves. 

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BIAS FX 2 Elite: was $299, now $149
BIAS FX 2 enables you to create and endlessly tweak your entire dream rig using an extremely intuitive signal path GUI - and it was only $149 last year.

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Ableton Live 11 Suite: was £509, now £379
Last year you could save £130 on the download version of Ableton's flagship Live 11 bundle at Thomann. 

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Guitar Center: 15% off FL Studio
Last year Guitar Center  offered 15% off products worth $199 or more, and that included software-  meaning you could pick up FL Studio Signature or Studio editions for only $170.

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Pro Tools and Pro Tools Ultimate: up to 50% off
For studio professionals and mix engineers, there's no more powerful tool than Pro Tools. This DAW is an essential for anybody working with audio - it's no coincidence that it can be found in professional recording studios the world over, and is considered the industry standard by producers big and small - and last year you could save a mammoth 50% off a subscription. 

Find more epic deals on a range of music gear below

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Chris Barnes

I'm MusicRadar's eCommerce Editor. It's my job to manage the buyer's guides on MusicRadar and help musicians find the right gear and the best prices. I'm a guitarist and a drummer and I've worked in the music gear industry for 18 years, including 7 years as Editor of the UK's best-selling drum magazine Rhythm, and 5 years as a freelance writer working with many of the world's biggest musical instrument brands including the likes of Roland, Boss, MusicRadar and Natal.

With contributions from