8 Bass Amp VST

Not every producer or bassist has the budget for an expensive amplifier rig. Luckily, there are some great free and inexpensive software bass amps that you can use to get started with your music production. These VSTs will make it easy to get a satisfying sound without breaking the bank and nowadays they sound just as good as a real amplifier.

When choosing a bass instrument plugin, it’s important to think about how much control you’ll have over the sound of your instruments. Different amp models will imprint a different character and tone to your bassline.

In our list, we included some of the most popular bass amp VST on the market. These bass amp simulation plugins offer a lot of different features and emulate several famous amplifiers. This article will help you choose the best one for your particular use case.

Related: Best VST Plugins

Image and Product

We Tested 8 Products and found the Native Instruments Guitar Rig 6 to be the Best Bass Amp VST

The BIAS AMP 2 was our Runner-Up

8 Bass AMP VST Reviewed in Detail

Table of Contents

1. IK Multimedia Amplitube 5
2. Native Instruments Guitar Rig 6
3. BIAS AMP 2
4. TSE BOD
5. Overloud Mark Studio 2
6. Plugin Alliance Ampeg B-15N
7. Softube Amp Room
8. Brainworx bx_bassdude

1. IK Multimedia Amplitube 5

The first bass amp VST we’re going to talk about is Amplitube 5 by IK Multimedia. This plugin offers a lot of great features and comes with the price point as an added bonus. You can choose from several different amps and cabinet types to get the perfect sound for your track. It also includes a built-in noise gate, compressor, and EQ to help you shape your sound even more.

Product Specifications

• Drag and Drop Signal Chain with Support to up to 57 Simultaneous Models
• Several Amplifier Models Available
• Several Stompboxes Available
• Customizable Cabinet with Several Microphones
• Custom IR Loader
• Amp/DI Signal Mixer
• Custom Shop Compatible
• Free Version Available
• Standalone and Plugin Versions
• Price: $179

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• The Amplitube 5 is also available as a free version which offers one bass amp model.
• Similarly, it is compatible with the IK Multimedia Custom Shop. You can choose which amp models and stompboxes you want to buy separately.
• The amount of equipment present in the full package is extremely high. These range from bass amps to stompboxes.
• The free version of Amplitube is the best free bass amp vst available.
• You can load custom IR files.
• You can customize the cabinet emulator extensively and even choose which speakers to use.
• Amp models for both guitar and bass.

Cons

• High price.

Conclusion

The Amplitube 5 is one of the most popular bass amp sims in the industry and that’s for a reason. The amount of customization present in the software is outstanding, and there are several amp choices and stompboxes on the full package to give you the best bass tone possible.

Furthermore, the plugin is also compatible with the IK Multimedia Custom Shop, meaning you can buy equipment separately without the need to purchase the full package. There is also a free version of the plugin that comes with one bass amp which we recommend everyone to try out.

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2. Native Instruments Guitar Rig 6

Guitar Rig 6 is a great plugin that will help you get a great sound for your bassline. It offers a huge set of effects and amp models to choose from. Guitar Rig 6 also comes with a built-in tuner which is great if you want to tune on the fly. The user interface of Guitar Rig 6 is really intuitive and easy to use.

Product Specifications

• Several Amp Models to Choose From
• Several Stompboxes
• Several Effect Units
• Customizable Cabinet and Control Room with Several Microphones
• Native’s Intelligent Circuit Modeling Technology
• Free Version Available
• Price: $199

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• The user interface looks extremely good and is very easy to use, with a drag-and-drop system.
• 21 guitar and bass amplifiers to choose from. You can also mix and match amplifiers and cabinets.
• The control room is easier to use than on IK Multimedia Amplitube 5, but it has fewer customization options.
• Up to 16 microphones to choose from.
• Additional effect units and tools such as split mix, crossover, and split M/S.
• There is a free version available with the Kontakt Factory Selection.
• There are also guitar amps present in the plugin, great if you also play guitar.

Cons

• Fewer customization options than IK Multimedia Amplitube 5.
• No option to buy the amps and stompboxes separately.

Conclusion

Recording bass with the Guitar Rig 6 is extremely easy. The user interface is easy to use and is one of the main points of this plugin. Furthermore, there are 21 options of amps to choose from. The Guitar Rig 6 is a direct competitor to the IK Multimedia Amplitube 5 as they are the most popular bass amp plugins on the market, and it does a pretty good job.

There is a free version of the Guitar Rig 6 available on the Kontakt Factory Selection. Make sure to try it out before you buy any plugin.

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3. BIAS AMP 2

BIAS AMP 2 is an excellent bass amp simulator plugin with focus on customization. The customization options with this software are endless, you can even choose the type of tubes in your amp and adjust their Bias settings.

Product Specifications

• Several Amp Models
• Celestion Licensed Cabinets
• Full-Customization Options
• Separate Sections for Preamp, Power Amp, Transformer, and Cab
• ToneCloud Feature
• Amp Match Feature
• Expansion Packs Available
• Price: $299

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• The customization options on the BIAS AMP 2 are extremely surprising. You can choose everything, from the tube amp head model on the bass preamp to the power amp and transformer to achieve the perfect bass tone.
• The ToneCloud feature lets you browse through thousands of presets created by other users.
• Similarly, the Amp Match and the Track Match feature lets you sample your tone directly from a bass recording or audio track.
• There are several expansion packs available for sale to further enhance the possibilities of this amp sim.

Cons

• Expensive.

Conclusion

The BIAS AMP 2 sounds realistic to the extreme and the customizable features inside this plugin are amazing. This is the best choice for those who are meticulous about their bass sounds and like to craft their tone to the maximum.

The only drawback is the expensive price: $299. While the plugin is great for those who favor customization, there are cheaper options and free plugins on the market that will give you excellent bass tones.

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4. TSE BOD

The TSE BOD is one of the most popular free plugins. This free plugin is very simple and is an emulation of the famous Sansamp stompbox. While there aren’t as many features and customization options as other plugins on the list, the TSE BOD can give you a pretty good bass sound for cheap.

Product Specifications

• Sansamp Stompbox Emulation
• Built-In Overdrive
• 2-Band EQ
• Blend Knob
• Presence Knob
• Price: Free

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• There is no plugin as simple to use as the TSE BOD. You simply plug in your bass guitar into your audio interface, tweak a few knobs and start playing right away.
• There is a built-in overdrive on the plugin that sounds very good.
• You can easily blend the DI and processed signal with the Blend knob.
• The plugin sounds good not only on bass guitar but also on other instruments such as synthesizers.
• The EQ controls are easy and direct to the point. There are only two knobs to control the high and bass frequencies.
• For a free plugin, the quality of the TSE BOD is extremely good.

Cons

• Not as many options and customizations as other options on the list.

Conclusion

Of course, the TSE BOD is a simple plugin and may not have all of the features present on paid software such as Guitar Rig 6, but as a free solution, it still does a pretty good job for your bass signal. You can even match it with another bass amp simulator to get the benefits of the pleasant-sounding overdrive.

The BSE BOD is free to download so, even if you plan on buying another bass amp sim plugin, we recommend that you still download it anyway since it could be a great addition to your collection.

Related: Best Drum VST

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5. Overloud Mark Studio 2

Overloud is one of the most popular software companies that specialize in amp simulation. Their Mark Studio 2 plugin was designed to sound like a tube bass head and offers many features that will help you find the perfect sound for your project.

Product Specifications

• 6 Markbass Heads
• 9 Markbass Cabinets
• Full Pedalboard Including Octave, Envelope Filter, Bass Chorus, Distortion, and Compressor
• 6 Microphones plus a Preset Combination of 2 Microphones
• Full MIDI Support
• Flexible Signal Path
• DI Mixer
• Price: $129

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• 6 Markbass heads and 9 Markbass cabinets that can be easily mixed and matched.
• Full pedalboard with several built-in effects.
• 6 microphones to choose from on the cabinet section plus a preset combination of 2 microphones.
• Simplified signal chain that makes it easier to blend the amp and DI signals, as well as create effect loops.
• Full MIDI support and fully automatable controls.
• Very low CPU usage, significantly lower than most other options on the list.
• Low latency.

Cons

• Fewer amp models than other options on the list.

Conclusion

An excellent choice if you’re a bass player that likes boutique bass amps while praising for an easy-to-use experience and straightforward interface. The Overloud Mark Studio 2 offers several features to create the perfect signal chain for your bass tones, as well as several stompboxes.

The only downside is that it is not as versatile as other options on the list as this plugin is focused on offering the Markbass amps only. If versatility and customization are your preference, we would recommend Guitar Rig 6 or Amplitube 5.

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6. Plugin Alliance Ampeg B-15N

If you’re looking for a bass amplifier plugin, Plugin Alliance Ampeg B-15N is a great choice. This VST will emulate the sound of the Ampeg B-15N amplifier and it features all of its dials and controls. On top of that, you’ll be able to use this plugin in either amp mode or cabinet mode.

Product Specifications

• Ampeg B-15N Emulation
• Fully Controllable Amp Parameters
• 2 Channels  with Distinct Preamp Circuits to Choose From
• Several Ampeg Cabinets with 42 Recording Chains to Choose From
• Amp Mode and Cabinet Mode
• Built-In FX Rack
• Price: $149

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• The Ampeg B-15N is one of the most sought-after bass amps in the music industry. This tube bass amp is known for its smooth and punchy tone.
• There are several knobs and parameters to control the character and tone of the amp, including threshold, range, tight and smooth.
• Power soak knob.
• 42 recording chains to choose from.
• Built-in FX rack with noise gate and selectable HP and LP filters.
• Baxandall bass and treble.
• Extremely realistic and faithful to the original Ampeg B-15N emulation.
• Turning up the gain knob, you get an extremely pleasant saturation on your tone.

Cons

• Only one bass amp option.

Conclusion

While this plugin is dedicated to emulating only one bass amp, the Ampeg B-15N, it is extremely realistic and faithful to the smooth and punchy characteristic of the sought-after amp. If you’re a fan of this type of tone, this is the best option.

If you would like more versatility in your sound, however, we recommend you buy a plugin with more bass amps to choose from and more customization features.

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7. Softube Amp Room

Softube Amp Room is a VST plugin that can be used to shape your bass sound. Softube Amp Room comes with several bass amps that are perfect for bass players looking for a vintage tone. The interface is easy to use and the 300 factory presets offer a good starting place for creating your own tone.

Product Specifications

• 9 Amp Models
• 16 Cabinets
• 3 Studio FX
• 16 Effect Pedals
• 8 Utilities
• 300 Factory Presets
• Customizable Signal Chain
• Price: $149

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• There are 9 amp models and 16 cabinets to mix and match. Apart from bass amps, there are also options for guitar players.
• 300 factory presets to choose from for easily dialing in your tone.
• 3 studio FX based on real analog EQs and channel strips.
• You can load pro audio plugins as models inside the Softube Amp Room.
• 16 effect pedals are also included on the plugin.
• The signal chain is highly customizable. You can tweak parameters such as the balance between the DI signal and the processed signal.

Cons

• Fewer microphone possibilities than other plugins on the list.

Conclusion

Softube is a household name in the music industry and the Amp Room sounds extremely great. This bass amp simulation software is easy to use and you can usually find it on sale for a great price, so we recommend you keep an eye on it if you’re planning to buy it.

The only drawback we found is that there are fewer microphone possibilities with this plugin, which can be a problem for those who like to deeply customize their rigs. Still, it is very easy to use.

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8. Brainworx bx_bassdude

The Brainworx bx_bassdude is based on the Fender Bassman, a highly sought-after tube bass amp. If you like vintage tones this plugin is for you. There aren’t many other parameters and knobs apart from the tube amp itself, so it is extremely easy to use.

Product Specifications

• Fender Bassman Emulation
• 2 Channels: Bass Instrument and Normal
• 2-Band EQ with Presence Knob
• Tube Overdrive
• 35 Recording Chains Available
• Price: $149

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• The brainworx bx_bassdude sounds extremely faithful to the Fender Bassman. It is particularly based on the blonde unit.
• Turning up the volume knob, the Brainworx bx_bassdude delivers a pleasant overdriven sound.
• There are 35 recording chains available. Each of them offers a different microphone setup.
• There are 2 channels to choose from: bass instrument and normal. Both deliver different tones. It is worth noting that the Brainworx bx_bassdude also sounds great with guitars.
• Includes a noise-gate, high/low pass filters, a lo-fi delay effect a newly developed power amp simulation including on-board power soak.

Cons

• Only one bass amp model available.

Conclusion

Delivering a fat sound and roaring bass tones, the Brainworx bx_bassdude sounds great and is a no-brainer. All the functions present on the original Fender Bassman are there, as well as some modern additions such as a noise-gate and high/low pass filters. This is definitely a gem for fans of this classic.

Related: Best Garageband Plugins

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Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

In our best Bass Amp Plugins list, we included several options, each one with its own features and pros and cons. Some plugins, like the IK Multimedia Amplitube 5, focus on offering a wide range of amp and effect models; Others, like the brainworx bx_bassdude, prefers to focus on only one model so that the software is easier to use.

Make sure you take these differences into account when considering which bass plugin is the best for your particular use case. Without further ado, let’s see our top picks.

Native Instruments Guitar Rig 6 – Best Bass Amp VST

The Native Instruments Guitar Rig 6 is a complete plugin with everything you need to record great-sounding bass and guitar tracks. We choose the plugin as our top pick due to its wide range of amp and effect models, as well as the clean, easy-to-use interface.

BIAS AMP 2 – Runner-Up

The customization possibilities on the BIAS AMP 2 are amazing. You can select everything, from the model of the tubes on the preamp to the power amp and transformer. This is a complete solution for those who want to craft their tone to the core.

How to Buy

You can find the link to each plugin on their respective titles on the list. We recommend that you try the demos before purchasing any of them. Feel free to contact us if you want to discuss the subject or have any questions!