Best Bass VSTs: 10 Top Synths and Guitar Plugins (including free ones) The world of plugins has a huge collection of creativity to offer. With software developers all over the world bringing their passion for music to you and your DAW, the average producer now has access to a collection of instruments that would have made synth and guitar.

Makers of the TSE X50 amp sim, TSE Audio has updated their TSE BOD bass plugin to version 3.0.

The TSE BOD is a SansAmp Bass Driver DI pedal simulation.

The free plugin is available in VST, AU, and AAX formats for Mac and Windows, with support for 64 and 32 bit systems.

VST and similar technologies allow the replacement of traditional recording studio hardware with software counterparts. VST plug-ins are software modules that can take the form of real-time instruments or effects. Thousands of plugins exist, making VST the most widespread audio plugin architecture.
I do a lot of DI recording. I've tried out Softube bass room, it's just barely usable. My favorite plugin for guitar is Sparks (Marshall emulation), and since bass sounds killer through a JCM irl I've been using that.

The new version has an updated UI and they added stereo processing support and oversampling options.

Version 3.0 also has a different sound than version 2. The new version sounds clearer, fuller and louder. It’s quite a big improvement actually (they could charge a few bucks for this and it would be worth buying).

New in version 3.0:

Stereo processing support.
Extra oversampling options.
Re-modeled circuits of the entire pedal.
Updated GUI.
Fixed broken AAX support.

Recording directly is as popular as ever nowadays. Loading up an amp sim is great for conveniently jamming, practicing, and recording bass without having to assemble a ton of gear.

With this ongoing trend, there is a vast virtual sea of amp simulators on the market to choose from (free and paid!)

Unfortunately, the majority of amp sims today are heavily tailored towards the six-string guitarists, while the bass players only get a fraction of bass amps and presets to choose from.

About This Post

From my experience learning bass and my love of amps sims. I have taken the time to construct this roundup post of the best amps simulators that are more tailored towards the bass players in 2019.

Jargon Busting

Plugin: (A programme application that can open within a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to enhance audio-related functionality.)

Standalone version: (A software that can open independently within the desktop without requiring to open inside a DAW to make use of its features)

#1 – Amplitube 4

Price: €149 (base version)
Bass amps: 1
Standalone version: Yes
Demo version: Yes
Plugin: Yes
Win/Mac
64-bit only

Created by IK Multimedia, Amplitube 4 is one of the top dogs when it comes to amp simulators. Amplitube 4 includes the most detail and depth when it comes to tone sculpting and the most realistic sounding selection of bass amplifiers on the market.

In my opinion, this software is one of the best-paid amp simulators, offering players iconic and infinite amounts of tone creation with an impressive level of detail and sonic realism.

The interface also looks visually appealing and very easy to navigate for creating an arsenal of bass presets at will.

The level of customization in Amplitube 4 is insane, everything from…

Iconic modeled amps (guitar and bass)
Effects (stompboxes, distortion, reverb, modulation, delay etc)
Room ambiance simulation
Microphone selection and placement
Cabinet customization
Rack effects
Power tube customization
Built-in recording suite
Impressive visuals and interface
Tuner

I could go on for days about how detailed this programme is when it comes to tone sculpting. There is so much in this programme that will satisfy most tone freaks including the bass players.

The interface is easy to set up your ideal rig which can run in both standalone for practicing and jamming or a plug-in to record within your selected DAW.

The Base Version

When it comes to usability for bass players presets, the Base version only offers a single solid-state bass amp.

With that said, the level of customization with all aspects of your rig will be enough to keep you going and offer a lot of tone-sculpting options.

However, when you want to expand in tones with the likes of more bass amps, effects and presets here’s where the problem begins.

The negative with this sim is not the features and tones because they are spot on, the problem with Amplitube 4 is its pricing structure! Let me explain…

Pricing Structure

The negative with Amplitube 4 is as detailed, real, and accurate the presets sound. To get the full experience with a satisfactory amount of bass amps, cabinets, effects, and bass presets. You have to be willing to shell out a small fortune.

Either in the form of buying the ‘deluxe version’ which is not cheap at €299. Or buying the base version and paying for the official ‘Ampeg expansion packs’ or paying for individual amps and effects via the ‘IK Custom Shop.’

(The ‘IK Custom Shop’ is an online store to purchase and download extra packs or separate amps to your rig.)

Most Affordable Option

The Deluxe version includes a ton of regular guitar amps but when it comes to the bass players, the deluxe version only includes a grand total of 3 bass amps (they do sound great though.)

The cheaper option would be to buy the ‘Base version’ at €149 and purchase the separate bass amps/packs and or any patches or effects you want from the IK Custom Shop.

The IK Custom Shop good for hand picking the amps, effects or whatever you want in your custom rig.

The problem is however, this can rack up a big bill fast as separate patches do not come cheap when purchased independently which quickly turns this amp sim into an endless money pit.

Why Amplitube 4?

Amplitube 4 is the option for bass players who want to invest a fair bit of money into a solid, usable, and fantastic sounding amp sim with tons of tone customization.

It is true that you pay for what you get in life and this is definitely the case with this software.

This option It is a little pricey but you will be rewarded with the investment of a solid amp sim to use for years to come with a crazy amount of tone customization and great sounding bass tones.

Which Version?

The version you go for depends on how far you want to invest for all of the bass presets.

Having the full programme would be ideal if you play guitar on the side or an avid recording bassist who wants the full palate of tones at their disposal.

In this case, Amplitube 4 is one of the most popular and overall best amp sim to give you an infinite amount of tones for your bass recording and jamming requirements.

Pros

Amazing sounding guitar and bass presets
Endless tone customization
Tons of features
Easy to create presets and your ideal rig
Use as standalone version or plugin
Ultimate all in one amp sim

Cons

Expensive investment
Have to invest money to get additional bass amps
Only supports 64-bit systems
Cheaper alternatives

2# – Bias Amp 2

Price: $299 (Elite version)
Bass amps: 4
Demo version: Yes
Standalone version: Yes
Plugin: Yes
32 & 64-bit systems
Win/Mac

Bias Amp 2 is somewhat different from most amp simulators. Most sims give you a selection of amps to twiddle and tweak the EQ parameters or even a few boost options.

However, Bias Amp 2 essentially allows players to build and design your own ‘custom bass amp’… literally from the ground up.

Players have the option to tweak the smallest details that go into amp design such as transformers, power tubes, preamp tubes, biasing, power supply and shelf frequencies.

And all these small details will affect the overall tone of the amp. For example, the way you tweak the transformers will affect the sound of the upper midrange.

This is a single example of how amazingly detailed this amp sim can be for sculpturing and creating your perfect core bass tone which will please all the tube amp players out there.

Features

The programme includes 4 bass amps presets which as mentioned, can be heavily tweaked and customized to your personal pre

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