Flex Music Labs

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Virtual basses compared: modeled and sampled

Bass plugins run from a specialist for slap bass to a library that takes 36 GB. Here are 14 of the ones the "best bass plugin" lists name most, side by side with BassFlex, plus a few more, with what you can check for each on the maker's own pages.

Sampled and modeled basses

  • Sampled basses play recordings of real basses, each note recorded in several ways of playing and at several strengths. The recordings take room: from under 2 gigabytes to tens of them. Some play inside a free player program made by another company.
  • Modeled basses compute each note as it is played, from a model of the string, the pickup, the body and the amp. There are no recordings to download, so they are small. BassFlex is one. MODO BASS 2 and SWAM Double Bass are modeled too.
  • Mixed kinds use recordings and a model together. A few of the products here do.

Which one sounds best to you is for your ears, and every maker has demos on its own site. This page compares what can be checked: the price, the size, what else you need, where it runs, and the demo.

The bass instruments

Checked on 7 November 2026, on each maker's own pages. Prices are list prices in US dollars; sales come and go. "Not stated" means we didn't find it on the maker's pages. VST3 and VST plugins work in most music programs on Windows; check the maker's page for yours.

Bass instrumentMakerKindPriceDownload or diskNeeds another programStandalone and pluginsRuns onDemo
BassFlexFlex Music LabsModeled$7924.3 MB downloadNothing elseStandalone, VST3Windows 10 and 11, 64-bitDownload and try before you buy
TrilianSpectrasonicsSampled$29936 GBNothing elseStandalone, VST3, VST, AU, AAXWindows, MacNo trial (audio demos)
MODO BASS 2IK MultimediaModeled$199.99Not stated for the full versionNothing else (Windows needs an ASIO sound card)Standalone, VST3, VST2, AAX; AU on MacWindows, MacFree CS edition
Ample BassAmple SoundSampled$119 each ($149 Upright)Over 10 GBNothing elseStandalone, VST3, VST2, AU, AAXWindows, MacNo trial listed; a free edition of one bass
EZbassToontrackSampled$1795 GB freeNothing elseStandalone, VST3, VST, AU, AAXWindows, Mac10-day trial
Scarbee Rickenbacker BassNative InstrumentsSampled$996.75 GB downloadKontakt Player (free) or KontaktThrough Kontakt Player: standalone, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, MacNone found
UJAM Virtual BassistUJAMSampled, with AI-assisted articulations$119 each ($199 bundle)7 GBA host programVST3, VST2, AU, AAXWindows, Mac7-day trial
Scoring BassHeavyocitySampled$99 ($39 sale)5.7 GBKontakt 6 (Player) or laterStandalone, VST, AU, AAXWindows, MacNot published
Bass SlapperWavesSampled$79 ($29.99 sale)Not statedA host program for the pluginPlugin and standaloneNot statedDemo link (terms not stated)
Bass FingersWavesSampled$79 ($29.99 sale)15.5 GBA host program for the pluginPlugin or standaloneNot statedDemo link (terms not read)
Session BassistNative InstrumentsSampled$99 each6.63 to 8.24 GBKontakt Player (free)Through Kontakt Player: standalone, VST3, AAX; AU on MacWindows, MacNone found
JBassAcousticSamplesSampled$891.72 GBUVI Player (free)Standalone, VST, VST3, AU, AAX (in UVI Player)Windows, MacAudio demos only
SWAM Double BassAudio ModelingModeled$9936 to 84 MBNothing elseStandalone, VST, VST3, AAX; AU on MacWindows, Mac15-day trial
4Front Bass4FrontSample playback and synthesisFreeNot statedA host programVSTi, AudioUnitWindowsFree
MODO BASS 2 CSIK MultimediaModeledFreeNot statedNot statedNot statedNot statedFree download

Side by side with BassFlex

The most-named bass instruments each have a page of their own: what they share with BassFlex, where each one stands out, and which to pick for what you do.

About these facts

Every fact comes from the maker's own pages, never from reviews or shops, and the list of sources is below. Prices and versions change, so check the maker's site before you buy. If something here is out of date, write to [email protected] and we'll correct it.

More: all about BassFlex and all the Learn guides.

Sources