IK Multimedia has announced the release of Modo Bass, a physically modeled electric bass virtual instrument for Windows and Mac.

MODO BASS is a customisable physically modelled virtual bass instrument that recreates the sound of the electric bass and how it’s played in real time – from all of the physical instrument components, the human technique of how the instrument is played, to the entire sound signal chain with effects and amplifiers.

Unlike traditional sample-based virtual instruments, MODO BASS utilises modal synthesis technology and an ultra-optimised sound engine to model each string as a nonlinear resonator – the string’s acoustic behaviour is determined by its physical parameters as well as by the interaction of the string with fretboard, body and pick-ups of the instrument. The action of the player is then modelled as a nonlinear physical interaction with specific areas on the string surface. Then using IK’s cutting edge analog modelling expertise, the amp and effects rig of the electric bass is added to the sound chain. This gives MODO BASS the ability to create hyper-realistic sound in real time.

Modo Bass contains a collection of 12 physically modeled iconic electric basses that span the history of bass sound in recorded music, with every detail of each bass meticulously analyzed and modeled to capture their true sonic character. Players can choose from 3 playing styles – pluck, slap or pick – and control parameters of each style and how they influence the sound. There are 20 iconic bass pickups from which to choose that can be freely interchanged and added to the instrument, up to 2 pickups per bass.

Players have full control over the post-instrument signal path as well and get 7 bass stomp boxes and two classic bass amplifiers derived from IK’s AmpliTube flagship software. Modo Bass provides MIDI control of critical parameters that can be automated in real time, and keyswitching allows players to create amazingly real techniques like slides and percussive ghost notes.

Modo Bass for Windows and Mac (VST/AU/AAX) is available for the introductory price of 149.99 EUR/USD until December 4th, 2016 (regular 299.99 EUR/USD). A crossgrade will be available to qualified users for 199.99 EUR/USD. All prices excluding taxes.

More information: IK Multimedia