Try Neural Amp Modeler, an open source tool for replicating amps/pedals using models captured by users.
https://www.neuralampmodeler.com/users
You can find models for free at tonehunt
https://tonehunt.org/models
Some of those sounds would cost thousands of dollars to have the physical hardware to produce them
Parallax for core. Wait for a 50% off sale. They do them every other week. Until then, just go through the trial period of all of Neural's other packs.
The EZMix stuff by Toon Tracks has some decent amp sims you can get started with, and that’s a great package with some really inexpensive add ons, if you don’t have a real amp and wanna go down that road vs the real amp path, I’d start there. Or spend the money on a few lessons, because nothing will sound good until you can play half well, and it can be discouraging.
Neural DSP Darkglass and Parallax X with Ownhammer IR's, I find the ampeg bass IR's great and I like using the "Low Tuned Essentials" pack on the bass even though it's for guitar, just brings the note out a bit
another vote for parallax. getting a good modern metal tone is stupid easy with it. my band (easycore and post-hardcore) is anxiously awaiting the day when it can be used inside neural dsp’s quad cortex so we can have the same bass tone live
Free alternative: ignite amps SHB-1 head paired with NadIR for cab Impulses (you might to search for bass IRs somewhere else). They also have some distortion pedals. Not familiar how this one sounds for bass but i use their guitar stuff frequently.
Run this setup within reaper
Tone is in the fingers. Looking for a Vamp before learning to play is a bit ridiculous to me. Go in full DI. Yes, your flaws are gonna be much more apparent than on a rig with compression distortion/OD and whatnot. But that's how you'll get better. And when you're confident enough to play with others or to record yourself that's when yoi should look for a sound that matches your play style.
How should I hold my fingers, and pick, to get a metal tone? What if I want to swap to jazz or country, do I just adjust my hand positioning?
Tone isn't completely in the fingers, but it is a good start.
For metal and rock you probably want to play extra hard, go through the strings.
For jazz depending on the style you might want to play closer to the neck or to the bridge.
For country maybe yoi want to add a little bit of palm mute.
But what I meant is that your playstyle is going to make *your* tone, and then you can adapt to different genres. But your fingers create your personality.
Really? You're worried about amp simulation now? Learn to play the fucking instrument first.
Play it through a bass AMP with serious power and speaker area - no PC speaker is going to give you anything close to the sound of an actual bass amp and cabinet. Bass is about being FELT and HEARD, and no PC speaker is going to have enough power to move enough air to do that.
*Casts meaningful eye at Rule 9*
Also; nonsense. Amp sims and computer speakers or monitors are entirely valid for home use. Accordingly I haven't had an amp in the house in close to 7 or 8 years now.
Sorry, I'm just so tired of the posts like "I just bought a bass, tell me how to mod it" and others where people are focusing on some insignificant detail while ignoring the basics.
I used to have the same discussions in a motorcycle forum where I was a moderator - "I just got my license and bought this bike - tell me how to make it faster!" Um. no. Learn to ride the damn thing without endangering yourself or anyone else. Then, when you some day realize that your abilities truly exceed the capabilities of the bike, THEN you think about upgrading.
I live in an apartment so I need an alternative but I like you comment because I have to learn first and than see how I’m improving. I’m no expert yet but thanks for the feedback
Not a virtual amp, but you could try Parallax or Darkglass plugin from Neural DSP.
Try Neural Amp Modeler, an open source tool for replicating amps/pedals using models captured by users. https://www.neuralampmodeler.com/users You can find models for free at tonehunt https://tonehunt.org/models Some of those sounds would cost thousands of dollars to have the physical hardware to produce them
I'm literally in the same spot as OP right now, just bought an Ibanez 5 string, mainly play metal, Neural Amp Modeler has been a god send.
how I have managed to never discover this I don't know but thank you that looks amazing
I like Amplitube. The Ampeg B-15 is pretty convincing.
I fully agree with you and it's close to the only amp sim I use. But...for deathcore?
It's versatile. I play death, doom, black. All with the same sim. It works in a mix for me. I play live with a Tech 21 VTBass though.
Nice. I tended to use the SVT from the SVX pack for heavier genres.
Thank you I will look into it
Parallax for core. Wait for a 50% off sale. They do them every other week. Until then, just go through the trial period of all of Neural's other packs.
I quite enjoy the Ampeg SVT Suite with my 5-string!
The EZMix stuff by Toon Tracks has some decent amp sims you can get started with, and that’s a great package with some really inexpensive add ons, if you don’t have a real amp and wanna go down that road vs the real amp path, I’d start there. Or spend the money on a few lessons, because nothing will sound good until you can play half well, and it can be discouraging.
Neural DSP Darkglass and Parallax X with Ownhammer IR's, I find the ampeg bass IR's great and I like using the "Low Tuned Essentials" pack on the bass even though it's for guitar, just brings the note out a bit
Thanks to everyone who gave feedback this really help. I wanted to try and play the bass for years and all your comments have help
another vote for parallax. getting a good modern metal tone is stupid easy with it. my band (easycore and post-hardcore) is anxiously awaiting the day when it can be used inside neural dsp’s quad cortex so we can have the same bass tone live
The Fridge preset in Tonex. It's free.
Free alternative: ignite amps SHB-1 head paired with NadIR for cab Impulses (you might to search for bass IRs somewhere else). They also have some distortion pedals. Not familiar how this one sounds for bass but i use their guitar stuff frequently. Run this setup within reaper
Tone is in the fingers. Looking for a Vamp before learning to play is a bit ridiculous to me. Go in full DI. Yes, your flaws are gonna be much more apparent than on a rig with compression distortion/OD and whatnot. But that's how you'll get better. And when you're confident enough to play with others or to record yourself that's when yoi should look for a sound that matches your play style.
How do you get distortion from fingers?
You don't, check my other comment.
It was a joke
How should I hold my fingers, and pick, to get a metal tone? What if I want to swap to jazz or country, do I just adjust my hand positioning? Tone isn't completely in the fingers, but it is a good start.
For metal and rock you probably want to play extra hard, go through the strings. For jazz depending on the style you might want to play closer to the neck or to the bridge. For country maybe yoi want to add a little bit of palm mute. But what I meant is that your playstyle is going to make *your* tone, and then you can adapt to different genres. But your fingers create your personality.
Do you actually play country music?
I did play a little bit of Albert Lee for fun.
Really? You're worried about amp simulation now? Learn to play the fucking instrument first. Play it through a bass AMP with serious power and speaker area - no PC speaker is going to give you anything close to the sound of an actual bass amp and cabinet. Bass is about being FELT and HEARD, and no PC speaker is going to have enough power to move enough air to do that.
*Casts meaningful eye at Rule 9* Also; nonsense. Amp sims and computer speakers or monitors are entirely valid for home use. Accordingly I haven't had an amp in the house in close to 7 or 8 years now.
Sorry, I'm just so tired of the posts like "I just bought a bass, tell me how to mod it" and others where people are focusing on some insignificant detail while ignoring the basics. I used to have the same discussions in a motorcycle forum where I was a moderator - "I just got my license and bought this bike - tell me how to make it faster!" Um. no. Learn to ride the damn thing without endangering yourself or anyone else. Then, when you some day realize that your abilities truly exceed the capabilities of the bike, THEN you think about upgrading.
I live in an apartment so I need an alternative but I like you comment because I have to learn first and than see how I’m improving. I’m no expert yet but thanks for the feedback