Bass parts serve as the glue between the drums and the rhythms of a song, and if you want to have a killer song, you cannot think of getting bass out of the equation. But what do you do if you don’t have a bass guitar at hand?
That’s when VSTs come in handy. These are just pieces of super useful software that allow you to record high-quality bass sounds without ever laying a finger on the bass guitar. Once you have a good idea of what you want the bass parts to sound like, you can then find a bass player to record these parts for you, or just use the sounds VST generated for you.
There are many choices- and whether you are looking for electric bass sounds or authentic-sounding bass parts, you are sure to find many options. If you are in a hurry, the Ample Bass is a fantastic choice.
I have put together a short list of my favorite bass VSTs you will love to have. Feel free to check reviews for each one on the list, and if you do like my suggestions, do leave a comment down below! I have also included a buying guide so you don’t get lost if you are a beginner and have very little experience with these things. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Best Bass Guitar VST Plugins
Ample Sound P Bass II Lite (Free)
Specifications
- Runs on 64-bit Windows and Mac systems 10.9 or more
- Consumes ~500MB of disk space
- Direct from Disk sampling
- Fingering noise, hammer on and pull off, sustain, Legato, poly, pitch, slide smoother
- Customized Parameters control allows you to control any knob with MIDI CC
- Stereo DI system
- Built-in tab player to load and play standard tab formats
- Export audio from tabs
What We Think
Ample Bass P Lite II is a lightweight and free solution to your bass VST needs. You get over 400 samples, and it comes with features like accents, hammer-ons, and pull-offs pre-bundled. The humble bass VST is inspired by the sounds of the Fender Precision Bass, and it works on both Windows and mac, you do need a 64-bit system which shouldn’t be an issue as it’s hard to find 32-bit systems these days.
The reason we have placed it near the top is that the free version of Ample Bass P Lite II is pretty good on its own- you don’t need anything else other than a MIDI hooked up to get clean bass sounds that sound just like the real thing.
Now, I know that not everybody plays bass- so if you would like to put in tabs and have the plugin play it for you, it can do that too! This is probably one of those features that can come in very handy to somebody who isn’t into playing instruments but into arranging and producing. Even if you do play bass, you will find that it’s precise and good for fast tempos.
The best thing about the Ample Sound P Bass II Lite is- you can use it standalone or as a plugin for a DAW!
4 Front Bass by George Yohng (Free)
Features
- Bundled as VSTi for Windows, and AudioUnit, VSTi and RTAS for Mac
- Intuitive
- Faithful bass sound reproduction
What We Think
If you don’t want to deal with a myriad of features, you can try the 4 Front Bass plugin by George Yohng. It’s a super simple bass synthesizer. The sound is a mix between a sampled and synthesized one as the developer has mentioned on the site, and I’ve found that it works like a charm.
The plugin also lends well to being a plug and play solution that just needs a MIDI controller to get the information on what notes you want played. If you aren’t technologically savvy, you may need to read the included Readme file. You just need a plugin hosting software and you are done!
What I like most about this plugin is the lightweight aspect- it doesn’t consume much CPU, so you can get your work done easy and fast.
The plugin is limited to single instrument sounds, but that should be okay if you just need bass sounds for your home recording. There is also a demo on the site if you would like to see how the synthesizer sounds.
Overall, I think the plugin is lightweight and easy to use, and though it doesn’t come with many features, it’s simple and free, and works if you’re in a pinch!
Toon track EZbass
Features
- Can be used to make chord progressions
- Pick, thump, slap and fingerstyle sounds
- Good for genres including jazz and pop
- Expressive legato, slides, groove, MIDI conversion, tuning out, arranging, composing, matching basslines
- Sub-bass and tuning presets
- Little configuration needed
- Over 300 presets in sample libraries- modern and vintage bass
- Real sounding bass
- Supports 64 bit Windows systems and 10.10+ Mac systems
- Vst/3, au, aax formats and Standalone versions
What We Think
With the Toon Track EZBass plugin, you get a two-bass sound. The sounds you get are high-quality and the software is super easy to use.
I find the EZbass VST plugin to be an upgrade from the 4 Front Bass by George Yohng but you do need to pay $179 for the full functionality. There is also a trial in case you just want to see if it would be worth paying for.
The Swedish product is actually good for production and many professionals are using EZbass for high-quality sounds in their tracks. You get two basses- vintage and modern; I find the modern samples work real well with jazz and progressive tracks.
What I like most about EZBass is- you get to make your own bass chord progressions. This is great as the sounds can get your creative juices flowing and dictate the direction of the track.
If you want to sound unique and get a wide variety of bass sounds, you will find the Toontrack EZbass a good option.
OMB1 by Samsara Cycle Audio (Free)
Features
- Works on 32-bit OS
- Slap, mute, pick, and fingerstyle tones
- Selectable fine tuner (machine head)and Octave switcher (5 octaves)
- 4 different styles
- Distortion, level, attack, decay, sustain and release effects
- Flexible controls for highly customizable sounds
What We Think
We know all the VST plugins we have listed above only work on 64-bit systems- the OMB1 Samsara Cycle Audio also works on 32-bit systems, which is great. 32-bit applications work on both 32-bit and 64-bit systems, so much like the VLC media player (which is available as a 32-bit application), this VST plugin will work with both types of OS architectures.
The Samsara Cycle OMB1 is also good for emulating various playing techniques on the bass guitar like a slap, mute, pick, and fingerstyle. There are 4 available styles, and you control the volume and tone with the provided controls. This can help you get varied sounds for your tracks.
What I like about the OMB1 is the provided effects like distortion, level, attack, decay, sustain and release. You can also make changes to the sound based on the pickup positions which is pretty cool.
While most plugins will let you use synthesizers and tab players so you don’t need to learn anything about bass, the OMB1 Samsara Cycle Audio will get you acquainted with the various parts of a bass guitar so in case you want to learn the instrument some day, you will have a head start!
IK Multimedia MODO Bass 2
Features
- 22 models- 8 new models plus the original 14 models
- Fretless jazz, Studio upright, horn bass and J-bass
- Good for anything from pop and country to jazz and blues
- 32 pickup models
- Can alter string gauge, age, scale and tuning
- Fingerstyle, slapping, picking, muting, and fretless sounds
- Can blend in piezo and movable mic effects
- 2 bass amps and 7 stompbox effects
- Distortion, chorus, octave, compressor, delay, and EQ effects
- Available on both Windows and macOS in VST, AAC, and AU formats
What We Think
What I like most about the MODO Bass 2 is the fact that you get access to tons of bass sounds including upright basses and fretless basses! You can also use custom strings and pickups you would like. It feels just like a real bass instrument thanks to the features and customizability.
The IK Multimedia MODO Bass 2 features modal synthesis technology which means that the sounds you hear aren’t sampled- in fact, they are created organically- just like an instrument would!
If you are serious about music production and want to get the best bass VST, I would recommend sticking to MODO Bass 2 VST plugin as it’s feature-rich, works fantastic for any mix and it’s one of the standards in the industry.
What I like most about the MODO Bass 2 plugin is the wide variety of effects including distortion, chorus, octave, compressor, delay, and EQ effects. You get access to 22 different models, 32 pickup models, piezo and movable mic effects, 7 stompbox effects, and full customization of strings, gauges, and things that might have an effect on the instrument’s sound. It’s pretty cool, almost like a real instrument with tons of options to choose from!
The price is good, it feels organic, and it works like a charm. MODO Bass 2 by IK Multimedia is definitely an excellent purchase if you need a professional solution to your mixing needs.
Heavyocity Scoring Bass
Features
- 5.7 GB uncompressed pack of sampled instruments and effects packs
- Advanced volume, pitch, and pan patterns
- Trigger FX for improved control
- Available in VST, AU, and AAX formats
- Over 300 motion presets and 8 pulse groove menus
- 10 complex pads, 30 ambient pad elements, and 30 short pad elements
- 48 core, and 48 fx rhythm pedals
- Works on Windows and macOS 10.12 +
What We Think
Looking for bass VST plugins that are good for arranging and film-scoring? The Heavyocity Scoring Bass will be just perfect for you!
You get 3 bass guitars and tons of effects including advanced volume, pan patterns, and pitch. There are also 10 complex pads and 60 pad elements you will find a great use for. I like to think that the Heavyocity is made to be extremely versatile for any genre you might come across.
If there’s one thing I don’t like about this plugin, it’s got to be the interface- it’s good enough for me, but some players may find it hard to navigate around.
If you are looking for a VST plugin that solves any problems you might have with your current plugin, you will find the Heavyocity Scoring Bass an excellent choice. For the price, it offers an excellent value, and you won’t be switching to any other VST plugin any time soon.
Trilian Bass Guitar VST
Features
- 60+ different kinds of 4, 5, 6, and 8-string electric bass sounds
- Plucked, tapped, slapped, muted, and picked sounds
- Fretless bass sounds
- Available in 64-bit architecture for windows and macOS users.
- Various effects including compressor, arpeggiator, filters, FM mods
- Can generate chord voicings
What We Think
The Trilian Bass Guitar VST is one of the best virtual basses in the market. You need to pay for it, but it does feature fantastic sounds for acoustic, electric, as well as synth basses.
You may be surprised to know that the Trilian Bass VST was used in Charlie Puth’s Attention. That’s surely got to have your attention now!
How’s the sound? I would say the plugin sounds bright, it’s pretty realistic sounding, and I don’t think anybody will be able to tell the bass parts weren’t played by an actual bassist. You also get unique dynamics which is also good for a mix.
Something that most bass simulators lack is the feel of strings being played with different techniques. With the Trilian Bass Guitar VST plugin, you can get sounds of strings fingered, plucked, slapped, tapped, picked, and muted, and there’s also the fretless sound if you ever grow bored of other styles of playing!
What I like most about the Trilian Bass VST plugin has got to be the arpeggiator and wonderful chord voicings you can get out of this. You can also get effects like compressors, mods, filters, and so on, and I know you will find them very handy when playing around with tracks.
I also like the seamless integration this plugin offers with DAWs, and if you know Omnisphere, you will find it very versatile with lots of features.
Overall, I would be happy to go into a store looking for a bass VST and walk away with the Trilian bass plugin. For the price, you get a fantastic plugin with heavy libraries and interesting instruments to choose from.
AcousticSamples B-5 Organ V3
Features
- 150 different organ models that can be switched with the tonewheel
- Available in VST, AAX and AU formats in both Windows and Mac
- Chorus, fuzz, delay, phaser and wah pedal that works as auto-wah
- Reverb variation (Spring, plate and real room reverb)
- Faithful sound reproduction
- 91 frequencies based on Hammond organs
- Real Key contact modeling thanks to 9 electric contacts
What We Think
The AcousticSamples B-5 Organ V3 may sound like an intimidating name, but the AcousticSamples is just a brand, and you are looking at a set of 91 frequencies that are inspired by actual Hammond organs featuring tonewheel samples. It actually works like a real mechanical Hammond organ which is pretty cool.
What I like most about the B-5 Organ V3 is the integration of features like rotary speaker simulation and a dedicated effects panel that works like a charm. Provided are the 122, 147, and a 3300 Leslie model which is good for pop as well as rock. I also found the ability to alter angles and mic positions rather interesting.
I don’t think it would have sounded as authentic without the bleed and distortion simulations the B-5 Organ V3 provides.
Apart from the clean interface, I also like the faithful tonal reproduction of things like tonewheels, vibrato scanner, and drawbars. You’ve even got the knobs and controls that were on the actual instrument.
The expertise of Kon Zissis shines throughout the plugin, and you get a bunch of tones that sound vintage and just like the real thing.
Of course, no bass instrument would be complete without effects like overdrive and reverb. The AcousticSamples B-5 has those effects and some more- you get the chorus, fuzz, delay, phaser, and even a wah pedal. With these effects, you can certainly replicate your favorite icons on this rig.
If you are trying to get as close to the authentic instrument, this is certainly one way to achieve that. For the price, the AcousticSamples VST plugin definitely delivers what’s expected and more.
Waves Bass Slapper
Features
- Hammer-ons, pull-offs, legato, mutes, thump, tap, pop, and many playing styles
- Slap Bass sample library
- 11 interactive positions
- 5-string bass simulations with articulations -vibrato, hammer on, pull-offs, slides, and more
- Fantastic MIDI controls
- Studio-grade stompbox effects and 4-band EQ, sub-octave, and low boost
- Clean DI and amp tones
- Can be used as a plugin or a standalone bass instrument
What We Think
Looking for a slap bass plugin on the cheaper side? You cannot go wrong with the $59.98 (at the time this is being written) Waves Bass Slapper that does a fantastic job at simulating slap bass sounds on a 5-string bass with a bunch of effects and articulations.
Slap is certainly one of the techniques that makes a pro bassist sound way better than an amateur. If you’ve got slap sounds in a mix, that’s a sure way to elevate the composition.
You can also get sounds of mute, pop, tap, thump and many playing styles. There are also studio-grade stompbox effects on this you will love to try out.
What’s more, you can also find sweet deals on the product if you wait for a few days.
If you’re on a budget and just need a bass VST plugin that is good at many genres and has a convincing slap bass sound, you will love the Waves Bass Slapper!
Solemn Tones The Loki Bass 2
Features
- Tunes down to double drop c
- 5 mix-ready tones and pre-processed presets
- No third-party sampler needed
- Provided 20 articulations including slaps, mute, harmonics, up, down and alternate picking, fingerstyle, open plucks, bends, slides, and many more.
- Can also make your own ones with clean DI
- Enforce mode for clean bass boost
- Human Error Menu to make it sound less robotic and more organic
- Available in Windows 7 or above, and MacOS 10.9 or more
What We Think
Whether you’re thinking about writing your own bass parts on a MIDI or replacing something your bassist played just for fun, the Solemn Tones The Loki Bass 2 is a fantastic pick. These guys have also nailed the color down, so that’s a plus too!
For $87, you will find the VST plugin offers 5 preprocessed presets, and the best part (at least for me)- you can get sounds as low as drop C. Now, that’s something you can use in metal tracks to make chuggier mixes.
I love the cool interface, but aside from that, I also love the authentic reproduction of Dingwall NG2 bass samples. You also get easy access to over 20 articulations including a slap, thump, tap, and other techniques. If you feel like it, you can also make your own tones thanks to the included clean DI.
I am also a fan of the human error feature. Most gadgets tend to disregard the human element in favor of precise timings, but if you play around with the human error options, you will be able to make your sounds more organic and realistic.
If you’re a metal person and like super low bass sounds, you will find that you can play in drop D or drop C, all the way down to double drop C. That’s something you may not have realized you actually wanted! Sadly, there isn’t a demo version, but trust me, you will love the effects, articulations, clean bass boost, and convenient access to everything you need in a professional production environment.
Overall, it’s a fantastic choice, and though it’s the last one on our list, it’s by no means inferior to the other VST plugins out there. There are many things the Solemn Tones The Loki Bass 2 does great, it’s not just the aesthetics!
Final Thoughts
Thus, we just took a quick look at 10 of the very best VST bass plugins out there that will help you get a professional low-end on your tracks. Whether you’re just getting started with arranging tracks or have decades of experience behind you, the quality of audio tracks, heard through bass headphones, plays a huge role in how the final mix turns.
You cannot expect to have a great-sounding mix with a thin bassline that sounds like a guitar was used instead of the bass for recording the parts! The VST plugins we’ve listed here, like the MODO Bass2 and Waves Bass Slapper are actually fantastic tools professionals use every day in their workflow.
We hope you found this article helpful, and that some plugins up there interest you. We look forward to you making a fabulous mix using one of the VST plugins listed in the post above!
- Best For Studio Needs – IK Multimedia MODO Bass 2
- Best Free Bass VST Plugin – 4 Front Bass by George Yohng
- Best For Film Scoring – Heavyocity Scoring Bass
- Best Overall – OMB1 By Samsara Cycle Audio
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Also, check out the best effects pedals for bass and our easy guide to choosing the best bass preamp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Bass VST?
Bass Virtual studio technology (or VST), is a plugin software that features deep bass sounds to incorporate into any style of music. This digital interface standard is used to add software audio effects and change the tracks with ease.
Is VST the same as a DAW?
Virtual Studio Technology (VST) is a type of plugin that doesn’t do much alone but when added to a DAW adds some feature like compression or EQ or reverb or synth or something else, while Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is an extensive music production software with advanced capabilities and with support for both plugins and VSTs.
What is the difference between VST and VST3?
VST is the earlier standard that was set in 1996 and is one of the widely used standards in the music industry. VST3 builds on the VST standard and offers open-source capabilities for developers as well. Both of these standards are well-supported and you don’t need to choose one over the other. All DAWs including Cubase, Sonar, and Ableton support both VST3 and VST.
Do all plugins work with all DAWs?
Plugins only work with DAWs they are compatible with, so if you are thinking about purchasing a plugin pack, you should check with the DAW to see if the plugins are supported.