The Best Electric Bass VST Plugins for Beatmakers
Bass. A four-letter word if there ever was one. She annoys your neighbors, she drives your friends wild. When you hear her groovy thump flowing out of the trunk of a tuner car, you stop on the sidewalk, lower your sunglasses, and mouth the words, “Who is she?” If you’re a beatmaker, she rules your life, but she eludes you at every turn. Who am I talking about? I’m talking about bass—oh wait, I already said that. That sort of defeats the purpose of the tone I’m writing in right now. Maybe I should stop… But bass is making me do naughty things. This bit is kinda played out though… Anyway, this is a post about the best electric bass VST plugins. Check it out.
The Best Electric Bass VST Plugins for Beatmakers
MODO BASS 2 | IK Multimedia
Scarbee Bass - Rickenbacker Bass | Native Instruments
Session Bassist - Prime Bass | Native Instruments
Virtual Bassist Royal 2 | UJAM
Trillian | Spectrasonics
Evolution Flatwound Bass | Orange Tree Samples
Ample Bass P Lite | Ample Sound [FREE]
LABS Bass Guitar | Spitfire Audio [FREE]
MODO BASS 2 | IK Multimedia
One of the defining characteristics that separates a synth bass from the true tone of an electric bass is the organic nuances that give the sound its human touch. While a hardware synthesizer might produce the exact same note every time you press a key, an electric bass is alive—it breathes and moves with the player, never giving you the same sound twice. It's these subtle differences, the tiny imperfections, that make a bassline feel real and give it soul.
That’s where MODO BASS 2 comes into play. This VST is a game-changer. Physically modeled after a range of iconic basses, from vintage Fenders to weird 80s jazz fusion monstrosities, it captures every quirk and idiosyncrasy that makes each model unique. It doesn’t just sample the sound; it simulates the actual playing experience, right down to the variations in tone that come from details like where you pluck the strings, or how high the action is. Nuances that experienced bassists know how to level to their advantage.
IK Multimedia didn’t just stop at the basics. They’ve packed MODO BASS 2 with a plethora of customizations that let you tweak every aspect of your sound. Want to replicate the worn-in feel of an old bass with ancient strings? You can do that. Need to adjust the action on the virtual fretboard or change the pickup configuration? No problem. And all of this is done through an intuitive interface that’s easy and—dare I say it—fun to use!
The result is a bass VST that sounds incredibly realistic, whether you're laying down a smooth jazz groove, a funky slap bass line, or a driving rock riff. It’s like having a room full of classic bass guitars at your disposal, ready to be played at any moment.
Scarbee Bass - Rickenbacker Bass | Native Instruments
If you’re familiar with Native Instruments, you know they set the bar high. Their Scarbee Bass line is no exception, offering a collection of meticulously sampled bass instruments that stand out for their warmth, richness, and authentic feel. Developed by Thomas Skarbye, these guitars are more than just virtual replicas—they’re living, breathing entities that bring the spirit of classic bass into your DAW.
The Scarbee Bass series includes a variety of iconic models, each with its own distinct character. The Jay-Bass captures the sleek, punchy tones of a ‘70s Fender Jazz Bass, perfect for everything from funk to fusion. The Pre-Bass is modeled after the legendary Precision Bass, known for its deep, rounded tones that are a staple in rock, soul, and beyond. And then there’s the MM-Bass, which channels the disco-era vibes of a Music Man bass, like the one famously played by Bernard Edwards of Chic.
But the crown jewel might be the Rickenbacker Bass, a virtual instrument so true to life that it’s officially endorsed by the famed guitar manufacturer. It’s got that distinctive growl and presence that made the Rickenbacker a favorite of rock legends. And if you’re looking to add an extra layer of realism, Native Instruments has included special features like fret noise and string squeaks—those little details that can make all the difference in creating a convincing bass track.
Whether you’re producing rock, funk, or even electronic music, the Scarbee Bass line provides the tools you need to craft bass lines that are as expressive and dynamic as those played on a real instrument.
Session Bassist - Prime Bass | Native Instruments
Let’s face it—programming realistic bass parts with a VST can be a tedious process. Sure, you can spend hours fine-tuning pick directions, note lengths, and articulation settings, but by the time you’ve got everything just right, you might be wishing you’d just hired a real bassist. Enter Session Bassist - Prime Bass.
This plugin is like having a professional session bassist at your beck and call, ready to lay down impeccable grooves with minimal effort on your part. Native Instruments has outdone themselves with this one, offering not just stellar bass tones, but also a library of pre-programmed grooves that sound like they were played by a seasoned pro. Whether you're looking for a tight funk groove, a laid-back R&B line, or a driving rock riff, Session Bassist - Prime Bass has you covered.
But the real magic lies in the balance between control and convenience. If you’re a control freak, you can dive deep into the settings and customize every detail to your heart’s content. But if you’d rather focus on the bigger picture, you can let Session Bassist handle the details, freeing you up to concentrate on the creative aspects of your music.
Included with the full version of Kontakt 7, Prime Bass offers exceptional value, making it an indispensable tool for anyone serious about producing high-quality bass tracks with minimal hassle. It’s like having a world-class bassist in your studio, 24/7.
Virtual Bassist Royal 2 | UJAM
Where Session Bassist hits the balance between pro sound and user-friendliness, UJAM’s Virtual Bassist is all about fun. It’s like going to a networking event for work, but then your friend from college shows up and starts smashing beer cans on his forehead.
But just because Virtual Bassist is fun doesn’t mean it can’t bring some very serious bass playing to the table. With its intuitive interface, you can get some bass face-worthy, high-quality bass lines without the complexity of deep programming. Their algorithm is smart as a whip, too, which helps the riffs sound natural and dynamic.
Whether you’re working on a pop hit, a funk groove, or an indie anthem, this VST has the versatility to fit into any genre. The beauty of Virtual Bassist is that it takes care of the heavy lifting, so you can focus on being creative and having fun.
If you’re someone who prefers a more streamlined approach to music production, where the focus is on creativity rather than endless tweaking, Virtual Bassist Royal 2 is a fantastic choice. It’s the perfect complement to more detailed plugins like Session Bassist, giving you a powerful toolset for creating killer bass lines without the fuss.
UJAM has different bass instruments in its Virtual Bassist line. They can be purchased individually or in a discounted bundle. I recommend you start with Royal 2, which is probably the most versatile for beatmakers.
Overall, whether you need Native Instruments’ Session Bassist or UJAM’s Virtual Bassist will probably come down to which plugin sounds best to your ears. That’s what free trials are meant for. Buy your favorite, or buy both. I won’t judge you—I’m not your mom.
Trillian | Spectrasonics
OK, we all had our fun. We all enjoyed talking about entry-level electric bass VSTs, but it’s getting late, and we should probably call it a night. But wait! What’s that? We haven’t scratched the surface yet?
If we were in 2001: A Space Odyssey right now, we’d all be a bunch of primitive apes banging on drum pads trying to make a bass line, and Trilian would be the monolith watching benevolently over us, waiting for our kind to evolve and be old in a hotel room or something? I’m not sure I got what Kubrick’s film was about, honestly…
Anyway, Trilian is 100% that bass VST. It’s not just a bass plugin—it’s the bass plugin. Think of it as the gold standard, the heavyweight champion of the virtual bass world.
Trilian is like the Swiss Army knife of bass VSTs. It’s packed with everything you could ever need, from rich, organic electric and acoustic bass tones to a massive library of synth bass sounds that can shake the walls of any club. It’s so comprehensive that it’s almost intimidating—this is the plugin you turn to when you need to pull out all the stops and create something truly epic.
In case you don’t know, Trilian is the brainchild of Spectrasonics, the same company that brought us the Internet-famous Omnisphere 2. It’s sort of the low-end counterpart to the synth behemoth. Trilian has pretty much the same architecture and the same set of features as Omnisphere, so in that way, they complement each other perfectly.
One of the standout features of Trilian is its attention to detail. The sampling is so deep, with multiple velocity layers and round-robin variations, that it almost feels like you’re playing a real instrument. And with its extensive modulation and effects options, you can sculpt your sound in ways that other bass VSTs simply can’t match.
If you’re serious about bass—like, really serious—Trilian is the VST you’ve been waiting for. It’s the kind of plugin that can take your productions to the next level, providing you with a low-end foundation that’s as solid as it is inspiring.
That being said, if you’ve been eyeing Omnisphere, you might want to get that one first since it comes with a limited bass library, but since bass is so important in modern productions, I suggest you save up and get both if you can afford it.
They’re two of the fanciest VST plugins out there.
Evolution Flatwound Bass | Orange Tree Samples
You know how it goes—sometimes you’re just farting around on YouTube, watching beatmaking tutorials, when suddenly, you stumble upon a plugin so cool you just have to drop everything and get it. For me, that was Evolution Flatwound Bass.
Orange Tree Samples has a reputation for delivering some of the most realistic and playable virtual instruments on the market, and Evolution Flatwound Bass is no exception. Designed to capture the rich, warm tones of a vintage flatwound P-Bass, this plugin offers an authentic sound that is both versatile and deeply expressive.
The Evolution Flatwound Bass brings the distinctive sound of flatwound strings directly into your DAW. Unlike their roundwound counterparts, flatwound strings produce a smoother, more muted tone—perfect for genres like jazz, R&B, soul, and, of course, lofi. This plugin beautifully captures that vintage character, providing a deep, mellow sound that sits perfectly in the mix.
Whether you’re looking to add a touch of old-school warmth to your track or create a bassline that grooves effortlessly, the Evolution Flatwound Bass has you covered. With a range of articulations, including slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and muted plucks, this plugin lets you craft bass parts that feel organic and alive. The sampling process includes round-robin variations and dynamic layers, which enhance realism and prevent any robotic or repetitive sound.
The plugin’s intuitive interface makes it easy to dial in the exact tone you’re looking for, whether you’re aiming for a soft, mellow bassline or something with a bit more punch.
Ample Bass P Lite | Ample Sound
Sometimes a company hooks you in with something so good, you wonder what you’ve done in your past lives to deserve it. Ample Sound does exactly that with their free versions of professional-grade instruments, and the Ample Bass P Lite is a perfect example of this irresistible groove machine.
Ample Sound has a knack for creating virtual instruments that sound and feel incredibly realistic, and their P Lite is no exception. This free plugin is modeled after a classic Fender Precision Bass, offering a rich, warm tone that’s perfect for a wide range of genres—from rock to jazz and funk. The free version gives you just a taste, but if you’re a beatmaker looking for a solid go-to tone, this VST should hit the spot.
The Ample Bass P Lite captures the essential character of a P-Bass, with deep, punchy low-end and smooth midrange that sits beautifully in any mix. Whether you're laying down a tight, funky groove or a smooth, laid-back bassline, this plugin delivers the goods.
One of the standout features of P Lite is its playability. It offers a surprisingly comprehensive range of articulations and techniques, including slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and more. The sampling process incorporates multiple velocity layers and round-robin variations, ensuring that your bass parts sound as natural and expressive as possible.
The interface is user-friendly, making it easy to dial in your desired tone. You can quickly tweak parameters to suit your track, whether you need a fat, thumping bassline or something more subtle and melodic. And if you find yourself craving even more versatility, Ample Sound’s full versions offer expanded options that are sure to satisfy your creative needs.
LABS Bass Guitar | Spitfire Audio
If there’s one thing Spitfire Audio excels at, it’s making top-tier virtual instruments that are accessible to everyone, and their LABS Bass Guitar is no exception. Personally, I’m a big fan of many of their libraries, especially the Felt Piano instrument that makes me want to curl up inside a baby grand and disappear from society forever.
Much like Felt Piano, LABS Bass Guitar is a beautifully sampled instrument that captures the warm, rich tones of a classic bass guitar. Unlike some of the more feature-packed VSTs on the market, this plugin is all about a refreshingly simple interface and a pure sound. Spitfire Audio has focused on nailing the essential character of the bass, providing a sound that is both deep and expressive, perfect for a wide range of genres.
One of the standout qualities of LABS Bass Guitar is its straightforwardness. The plugin offers a no-frills approach, making it incredibly easy to use. You won’t find an overwhelming number of controls or settings here—just the essentials that allow you to get that great bass tone quickly. This makes it an excellent choice for producers who want to add a solid bass foundation to their tracks without getting bogged down in endless tweaking.
As I always say: “Less tweaking, more making… um, beats.” I always say that.
Despite its simplicity, LABS Bass Guitar sounds fantastic. It’s full and resonant, with just the right amount of sustain to make your bass lines stand out in the mix. Whether you’re layering it under a driving beat or using it as the main groove in a minimalist track, this plugin delivers a sound that feels organic and alive.
Oh, and did I mention it’s completely free?! That’s right, Spitfire Audio has made this gem available to everyone at no cost, which is part of what makes the LABS series so beloved in the music production community. It’s a testament to Spitfire Audio’s commitment to quality and accessibility, allowing producers at all levels to create professional-sounding music without spending a dime.
It’s that age-old technique—they give you a taste for free to get you hooked, and then they give you more free stuff. It’s my favorite business model!
All products featured in this post are independently selected by myself. However, when you buy something through my retail links, I may earn an affiliate commission.