If you aren’t an accomplished bassist or simply wish to experiment with different bass sounds for your track, a VST bass guitar could be an ideal solution. Examples include Ample Bass P Lite II by IK Multimedia and their MODO Bass 2 for physically-modeled bass sounds.
Synth-Based
If you need an unusual bassline to fill out an otherwise guitar-focused track, or want something different from what the guitar can provide, synth-based solutions might be your answer. Synth bass plugins use digital waveforms to recreate bass guitar sounds while often providing more variety than their real world counterparts could provide.
Some VSTs rely on digital waves similar to what a computer uses for its operating system; others utilize more advanced techniques. One such emulation method, multi-sampling, allows VSTs to produce bass sounds by recording bass guitarists playing the same notes repeatedly with different techniques in order to capture an array of expression. These samples are then stored into an internal sample library of your VST so you can play back a note whenever it hits on keyboard or piano keyboard.
Some of the best bass VSTs are modeled on classic hardware, making them an excellent option for producers looking for simplicity or to achieve bass tones that may be hard to attain through traditional instruments. Trilian offers producers plenty of choices by combining sampled and synth bass sounds and provides endless customization for their music projects.
FabFilter Twin 2, one of the most popular VSTs available and included as part of Native Instrument’s Komplete 10 bundle, provides an alternative choice with its blend of analogue and modern synthesizer models with classic filters for creating an array of bass tones.
Ample Sound’s P Bass is one of the most sought-after free bass VSTs. As a sample-based plugin with sustain, hammer-ons/pull-offs, accents, and much more; its footprint weighs only 500MB with 443 samples included.
For those who prefer classic VST bass sounds, the legendary Rickenbacker 4003 provides gritty and distorted basses – it’s a KONTAKT plugin, so a compatible player must be present in order to use it.
Multi-Sampled
Multisampled instruments are an excellent way of adding weight and solidity to real instrument parts, for instance by duplicating guitar parts to produce bass sounds with more punch and power than one could produce alone. Layering different sounds together also works well, creating new signatures like mixing clean sounds with more distorted or compressed ones for an authentic drum part or song feel.
Ample Bass P is an extremely flexible sample-based bass synth with an extensive variety of tonal options. Modeled on the classic Fender Precision bass, its developers have done an outstanding job of accurately simulating its distinctive tone – making this synth an excellent choice for all genres of music, including techno, trance and house.
Layering multisampled bass with other instruments or acoustic sources is another great use for multisampled bass, giving the part a more authentic and organic sound when mixed with acoustic drums or vocals. Furthermore, this technique gives users the opportunity to experiment with various articulation options including multiple note-on/off releases as well as long decay times for natural-sounding sustain.
Mix automation can be invaluable when pairing real instruments with VST basses, helping to even out any dynamic differences between them. This may involve manually controlling faders or creating envelopes using vector automation features found within most MIDI + Audio sequencers.
Addition of a click track is another effective way of creating more natural sounds with virtual synths, and is essential when recording an instrumental part to an already established drum pattern. Bass guitar players in particular often benefit from using click tracks with their recordings as it ensures they stay in time with the programmed backing track and stay within its boundaries.
Compression gives sampled instruments their power and solidity, whether from an effect vst or at source. This gives them punch and weight that real instruments simply cannot match – which could prove problematic when trying to match sampled sounds with programmed drums that have also been compressed at source, or with real instruments recorded live performances that already feature compression effects.
Amp Simulator
There are a few bass guitar VSTs that take an amp simulator approach, enabling users to access virtual amps and cabinets to achieve their desired tone. These plugins can be used both standalone as software instruments, or integrated into digital audio workstations for live performances and recordings. They often offer highly customizable settings including amp models, cabinets and effects which are frequently updated.
Some amp simulations even closely simulate the EQ and dynamics of real amplifiers, enabling you to achieve different tones and styles–from clean crunchiness to heavy distortion–without additional microphones or complex setups in small spaces or on stage. These plugins may also come in handy as an easy solution when it comes to eliminating complex setups for recording in smaller environments or during live performances.
An amp simulator can create a realistic sound suitable for many genres of music. These plugins are typically easy to use and feature an assortment of presets and effects; additionally, they can be tailored specifically to meet your requirements – giving you plenty of opportunities to experiment until finding one that works with your sound.
Amp simulators have another major advantage over hardware interfaces in that they can be run directly on a computer without needing any external support, making them perfect for recording in studios or while on the road. Some even support multiple formats including high-resolution WAV and MP3 files – making them great tools for creating demos of songs in development or as works-in-progress.
When selecting a bass amp simulator, look for one with high-quality sound and realistic response. In addition, make sure the plugin allows you to easily adjust tone, volume, velocity handling and velocity response so as to prevent flat or uninspiring sounds from emerging from its strings. EQ settings and cabinet customization should also be customizable according to personal taste.
Customization
When searching for a VST bass guitar plugin, customization should be top of mind. Some plugins offer numerous customizable options that range from various amplifier styles and studio effects, to string type/tuning customization and more – giving you complete freedom over creating your ideal sound! Furthermore, single or multi-sampled instruments may offer more realistic sounds; though multi-sampled instruments tend to cost more due to being sampled multiple times.
Finding bass guitar virtual instruments or plug-ins that work as standalone virtual instruments (VSTs) or plug-ins for other DAW programs can be challenging, so VSTs offer producers who lack access to all physical gear an alternative solution – ideal if recording in small studio environments without access to all equipment needed for recording music. They’re also easy to use; anyone familiar with playing keyboard or guitar should find VSTs simple enough for use.
Some bass guitar vsts use multi-sampled guitar samples for realistic bass tones, while others synthesize digital waveforms to synthesize their sound. Some of the most renowned are Omnisphere by Spectrasonics; Trilian by IK Multimedia; and BASiS by Waves – with Omnisphere featuring multiple articulations as well as an extensive arpeggiator featuring pitch slides, step dividers and MIDI capture capabilities – making it perfect for use with acoustic guitars, electric basses and synth basses alike!
BASiS is an easy and versatile bass guitar VST that works seamlessly with any DAW. It offers an intuitive user interface with multiple layers of customization ranging from playing style to built-in studio effects. BASiS can be used both as a plug-in and standalone instrument and is compatible with Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol and Maschine; its advanced sampled bass sounds can be played clean or dirty and multiple distortion styles are available to choose from.
Ample Bass P Lite II is another impressive bass guitar virtual synthesizer (vst). Featuring 443 Fender Precision bass samples with various articulations such as hammer-ons, pull-offs and sustain, its finger noise adds realism while its capo logistics allow unique fingering techniques. In addition, its dedicated tab player allows you to load, display and playback common guitarbass tablature file formats while its user-friendly interface lets you customize its parameters easily by hovering your cursor over its settings.