IK Multimedia released Modo Bass 2 (€299.99), the successor to their popular bass guitar virtual instrument. They are also offering the completely free Modo Bass 2 CS edition, containing a single bass guitar model.
The free Modo Bass 2 plugin includes the ’60s P-Bass bass guitar and doesn’t offer the fretless play capability found in the paid edition of Modo Bass 2. It also contains a reduced number of bass patterns.
However, it’s important to note that Modo Bass 2 CS is an incredibly versatile bass guitar plugin, despite these limitations. It is based on the same physical modeling engine as the brand new Modo Bass 2, and IK Multimedia kept most of the customization features unlocked.
The users can edit various aspects of the provided ’60s P-Bass bass guitar model, including the playing style (fingered, picked, or slapped), string mute, string number (four, five, or six), string properties, pickup properties, and more. The plugin also features a Studio menu where the user can access the amp and stompbox settings.
Thanks to its versatile physical modeling engine and authentic sound, the free Modo Bass 2 CS is easily the best free bass guitar plugin on the market right now. If you’re looking for a versatile bass guitar instrument that can match various music styles, look no further.
I tested Modo Bass 2 CS in some of my ongoing projects, and the seamless transition between the different playing styles blew me away. I loved the ability to customize the strings, fine-tune the pickups, and be as picky as possible about the sound until it perfectly matched the mix.
And let’s not forget the free Modo Drum CS, which offers all of these benefits but in the form of an acoustic drum kit plugin.
If you like Modo Bass 2 CS, you can always upgrade to one of the paid editions to unlock additional features.
Modo Bass 2 SE costs €149.99 and includes four bass guitar models: ’60s P-Bass, ’70s P-Bass, ’70s J-Bass, and Punk Bass. All sound engines are fully unlocked. The complete edition of Modo Bass 2 costs €299.99 and includes all 22 bass guitar models.
“MODO BASS 2 is the expanded edition of IK’s industry-first physically modeled bass virtual instrument, adding 8 new basses, including new fretless and upright options, a new patterns section with tons of new grooves, advanced performance controls, and more ways to enter the MODO BASS world.”
IK Multimedia highlights the ability to make any included bass guitar a fretless model (not available in Modo Bass 2 CS). The option is available in the String panel, and it instantly changes the playing vibe and feel of the instrument.
And if you’re not a fan of playing your bass guitar riffs via MIDI, you’ll be happy to hear that IK Multimedia included a wide range of patterns to get you started. The included patterns cover a variety of music styles and can be edited to match your tune.
To add Modo Drum 2 CS to your DAW, download the IK Product Manager app and install Modo Bass 2 from the Software panel.
Download: Modo Drum 2 CS
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13 Comments
Numanoid
onThanks for the info :-)
Audiolatry free release Mel-LoFi (sampled Mellotron with some extra fx layers), for Win and Mac
audiolatry.com/mel-lofi/
Bob
onThanks Numanoid, that’s brilliant, I can finally retire Tapeworm and MellowSound
Brilliant free 64bit Mellotron
Rox Roll
onOne of the best free bass guitar plugin,it’s by IK though:(
Michal Ochedowski
onThe link above directed to Modo Bass 2 is named “Modo Drum 2 CS”.
Wing Yee
onIf you don’t already have an account create one, download and open their latest IK Product Manager you’re good to go.
Michal Ochedowski
onIt was a message to author of this article about wrong name of the link.
samuel
onwas waiting for this since this was anounced in march. have been using the CS version and love how costumizable it is, and mainly how it sounds. the free ample bass should never be recommended again, for those looking for a free realistic sounding bass
since it’s even possible to add 6 strings to the bass, one can get some guitar like tones (with eq) when playing the higher notes
Tomasz
onBEWARE! I made the jump from Amplitube 4 to AT5 CS after it was literally promised that all the gear would work. Turns out that’s not the case! Here is what I got as an answer: “it is because your AmpliTube 4 presets require a multi-signal chain, in which that function is only available with a purchased version of AmpliTube 5, AmpliTube 5 SE, or AmpliTube 5 MAX.” My guess is that it will be the same with Modo Bass. As an owner of MB1 I will not buy into MB2, in fact I got screwed several times by IK that I will never buy any plugin from them again. If there is any alternative for you, invest in an alternative.
Ric
onActually, as it says on the IK Multimedia website (and Fender), this is modeled on an electric bass, not a guitar.
The paid version has more models including upright bass versions, definitely not guitars.
“Bass guitar” is common vernacular, but it is not the correct name for the instrument.
Gordon
onUnable to install the product manager. I really can’t stand 1k. They are the worst.
Raven
onBut modobass is the best! so clean. so light. so easy…. if you can get your i lock account going and the ik product downloader! Wasnt THAT hard. And worth the plugin i promise!! The free amplitube is also nice. Very usable and i nice “direct” sound…. not so thick and sophisticated… but honest and mechanical… unique.
Modobass is simple and light. You’ll like it. It has almost all articulations but no fret noise and bass slides (you can slide but not like a classic pop and slide).
That said its all there: tone dynamics and realism… and did i mention that it was light?
Michal Ochedowski
onSince this is an IK Multimedia topic, has anyone experienced blurry interface in Syntronik 2? I’ve just launched version 1 and it’s super sharp, no problems. Version 2 however is difficult to look at. Oxa, Memory-V both are heavily affected, including fonts.
Raven
onTHE best freeware instrument this year!! Totally essential for serious top end work.