r/audioplugindeals Founder Reflects on the Community’s First Ten Years
As Black Friday approaches, we’re spotlighting a dedicated audio community for its contributions: r/audioproductiondeals is a go-to destination for discovering plugin discounts, gear savings, and honest discussions about music production tools. We caught up with the founder, Batwaffel, to talk about how the APD began, how it’s grown, and what keeps their 100,000+ members coming back year after year.
What is r/audioproductiondeals and how did it get started?
“It actually started for a few different reasons. I’ve worked in the audio industry for decades and made a lot of friends who were struggling with piracy and the challenges it created. I wanted to do my part to help reduce that by getting legitimate plugin deals in front of people to show there are affordable ways to get the tools you need.”
“I was also a bit tired of the over-the-top marketing language that can overwhelm people. So I wanted to create a space where deals could be presented clearly and simply – without fluff – just what you need to know. We even limit our post titles to keep them concise and easy to read.”
“When I launched the subreddit, I honestly thought maybe a few hundred like-minded people would join. Now we’re heading into our 10th year with a thriving global community, which has grown beyond anything I could have imagined.”
What's the best thing about APD?
“The community itself is what makes it special. We encourage people to talk about what they like (and don’t like) about products in a constructive way. Discussions around brands like Soundtoys, FabFilter, and Universal Audio are always lively, especially when sales drop.”
“And I’ll admit, I like to have a bit of fun with certain titles – especially when companies like Plugin Alliance do their famously complex sales. It’s part humor, part commentary, and it usually gets people talking – which ultimately helps drive attention to those products and sales.”
What's next for r/audioproductiondeals?
“We’re planning to collaborate with some companies to bring exclusive deals to our community – the kind you won’t find anywhere else and might never see again. Those 'once in a lifetime' offers are always the most exciting.”
“And I have to give a huge shout-out to Supernova, who does so much behind the scenes to keep everything running. I joke that I make his life hell, but he takes it all with a smile – the community honestly wouldn’t function without him.”
Any advice for producers heading into Black Friday this year?
“See what really inspires you – be smart about what you buy, and know what tools actually fit your workflow. And, of course, keep an eye on r/audioproductiondeals – we’ll be highlighting the best finds from across the web all year.”
You can follow Audio Production Deals on Reddit at r/audioproductiondeals
