When it comes to bass guitars, there's nowhere near as much free software as there is for regular guitars. So today I have put together a list of 9 free bass effects and 2 free virtual bass guitars worth having in your arsenal. Nine out of the eleven plugins work on mac computers so don't feel too left out mac users. If you're interested in free guitar overdrives check out a previous post here.
Effects
TSE BOD
TSE BOD is a digital emulation of a Sansamp overdrive. A few users who own a Sansamp pedal say the plugin holds up quite well to the real thing. You can get a variety of tones out of this beast if you have the patience. But if you want to get heavy... put the BOD before an amplifier and create the dirtiest bass tone your ears can handle.
Download the plugin at https://www.tseaudio.com/software/tseBOD?msclkid=3f63273bb36111ec97d4829dd81ba183
Compatibility: Mac, Windows 64bit and 32bit
Format: VST, AAX and AU
Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:
Bassprofessor MarkII
Bassprofessor MarkII is a great tool for enhancing your bass tone. It offers processing, EQ and a dirt slider. You can use this plugin to shape the signal before an amp sim or you can adjust the settings to make the plugin sound like an amplifier sim.
Download the plugin at https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2590/
Compatibility: Windows 64bit and 32bit
Format: VST
Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:
Bass Landscapes
Bass Landscapes is a unique booster pedal. To get a vintage sound switch the tube setting on.
Download the plugin at https://plugins4free.com/plugin/1147/
Compatibility: Windows 32bit
Format: VST
Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:
Bazz
Bazz is a virtual pedal based on a Bazz Fuss unit. This plugin is very in your face and I personally don't know how to use it, so get creative.
Download the plugin at https://nalexsoft2.blogspot.com/2019/04/bazz.html
Compatibility: Mac, Windows 64bit and 32bit
Format: VST and AU
Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:
Amplifiers
SHB-1
SHB-1 is a digital emulation of the real life tube amplifier built for Thrash/Death Metal band Subhuman's bassist Federico Fulceri. This plug-in is also made by the same company that built the real life amplifier, Ignite Amps.
Download the plugin at https://plugins4free.com/plugin/1132/
Compatibility: Mac, Windows 64bit and 32bit
Format: VST and AU
Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:
Amplitude 5 Custom Shop
Amplitude 5 Custom shop is the free entry subscription to Amplitude 5. You will have to sign up to IK Multi Media site in order to download this plugin. You will receive three positional mics but only the one bass head and cab which are being used in the demo. I highly recommend putting the BOD in front of this plugin in the DAWs signal chain if you don't like the overdrive provided by Amplitude.
Download the plugin at https://www.ikmultimedia.com/demodownload/?a=amplitube-5-cs
Compatibility: Mac and Windows
Format: VST via IK Multi Media installer
Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:
Bass Deluxe
Bass Deluxe is a versatile amp sim made by lostin70s. My FL Studio had trouble recognising this plugin as a vst3 file so if you run into the same issue I did just download the vst option instead and use the .dll file.
Download the plugin at https://plugins4free.com/plugin/3187/ or https://www.lostin70s.com/plugins/BassDeluxe
Compatibility: Mac 64bit, Windows 64bit and 32bit
Format: VST, VST3
Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:
Bass Grinder Free
Bass Grinder Free is made by the talented people at audio assault. With this plugin you get 2 amp heads and 3 cabs. Put the BOD in front of one of this in the signal chain and thank me later.
Download the plugin at https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2082/
Compatibility: Mac, Windows 64bit and 32bit
Format: VST, AU and RTAS
Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:
Bass - Amp by NaLex
Bass - Amp is a bass guitar tube amp head made by the talented NaLex. NaLex is known for making some of the best free guitar amp sims out there so its no surprise when they release a bass amp it sounds great. Unlike the other amp sims on this list the Bass - Amp does not include a cab sim so you will have to use your own IR and IR loader. I personally recommend NadIR or LeCab2. In this demonstration I am running a DARKGLASS TONES Satan Tone IR by Panda Sound through NadIR by STLTONES and Ignite Amps.
Compatibility: Mac, Windows 64bit and 32bit
Format: VST and AU
Download the plugin at: https://nalexsoft.blogspot.com/2021/06/bass-amp.html
IR being used in demo: https://panda-sound.com/product/panda-cabs-free-pack/
Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:
Virtual instruments
Ample Bass P Lite
Ample Bass P Lite is a realistic sounding emulation of a Precision Bass. Play notes ranging from E1-F4. You can import Guitar Pro and Tux Guitar files into the tab section to have the bass play your tab. The bass comes with ‘articulations’ including palm mute, slap and legato slide. Great for E standard metal and rock.
Download the plugin at https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2505/
Compatibility: Mac 64bit, Windows 64bit and 32bit
Format: VST, VST3, AU and AAX
4FrontBass
4FrontBass is another some what realistic sounding emulation of a Bass. This time you can play as low as G#0. Perfect for playing alongside guitars in drop tunings. The first demonstration is the plugin by itself and the second demonstration is running the 4FrontBass through Bass Grinder Free Dragon.
Download the plugin at https://plugins4free.com/plugin/190/
Compatibility: Mac, Windows 64bit and 32bit
Format: VST
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