MODO BASS 2 for €29.99?! I bought it… and cancelled my Native Instruments 360 subscription
I really didn't need another bass plug-in.
At least that's what I thought.
😄
For quite some time, I have been using bass virtual instruments from Native Instruments – mainly SESSION BASSIST – ICON BASS and some of the other bass instruments available through my Native Instruments 360 subscription.
And they are good.
Really good, actually.
But then I noticed something interesting.
IK Multimedia currently has MODO BASS 2 for only €29.99 excl. VAT (€36.29 incl. VAT for me).
The normal listed price is much higher, and IK itself describes this current promotion as the lowest price ever for MODO BASS 2. At the time of writing, the promotion runs until October 7, 2026.
So...
I bought it.
And after actually using it?
This thing is REALLY good.
And the funny part is that buying one €29.99 plug-in eventually made me rethink my entire Native Instruments subscription.
MODO BASS 2 is NOT just another sampled bass library
This is probably the most important thing to understand.
Most virtual bass instruments are based on samples.
You record a real bass guitar.
Different notes.
Different velocities.
Different articulations.
Different playing techniques.
Then the software intelligently switches between those samples to create something that hopefully behaves like a real bass player.
And modern sample libraries can do this incredibly well.
Native Instruments ICON BASS, for example, is based on a carefully sampled electric bass and includes more than 200 playable patterns plus articulations like finger playing, pick, slap, pop, muted notes, harmonics, slides, hammer-ons and pull-offs.
MODO BASS takes a completely different approach.
It uses physical modeling.
Instead of simply playing back recordings of bass notes, it mathematically models what is happening inside the instrument.
The string.
The neck.
The body.
The pickups.
The electronics.
The position of your picking hand.
The way the string is attacked.
And then it generates the sound in real time.
That difference sounds technical.
But in practice...
It changes EVERYTHING.
It feels more like an instrument
This was probably the first thing that impressed me.
MODO BASS 2 doesn't feel like:
NOTE C → play sample C.
NOTE D → play sample D.
It feels much more like there is an actual virtual instrument sitting behind the MIDI.
Change how you play.
The sound reacts.
Change where you play the string.
The sound reacts.
Change the strings.
The sound reacts.
Change the pickup position.
The sound reacts.
And THAT is something I really like.
Especially when programming bass parts.
Because when I create arrangements, I don't necessarily want to spend half an hour searching through articulations and keyswitches just to make a simple bass line feel alive.
I want to play.
Adjust.
Listen.
And continue writing.
MODO BASS is very good at this.
22 bass models inside one plug-in
The full MODO BASS 2 currently includes 22 bass models, covering a surprisingly huge range of instruments.
There are different Precision-style and Jazz-style basses.
Modern basses.
Five- and six-string territory.
A StingRay-style instrument.
Rickenbacker-style sounds.
Thunderbird-style sounds.
Violin bass.
Fretless basses.
And even upright basses.
And again...
Because this is physical modeling, you are not completely locked into whatever configuration IK decided to sample.
You can modify the instrument itself.
For example, MODO BASS lets you change the number of strings, scale length, tuning, string gauge, construction, action and even the age of the strings.
Want newer, brighter strings?
Done.
Older and darker?
Done.
Different tuning?
Done.
Different action?
Done.
Four strings?
Five?
Six?
You can go surprisingly deep.
And then you can basically redesign the electronics
This is another part where MODO BASS becomes a little crazy.
😄
You get 32 pickup models.
And you're not just selecting them from a menu.
You can actually move the virtual pickups.
Change their position.
Combine different pickups.
Switch between passive and active electronics.
Use parametric EQ.
Blend in a piezo pickup.
Think about that for a second.
Moving a pickup on a real bass means:
Removing strings.
Unscrewing things.
Routing wood.
Destroying an expensive instrument.
Calling a luthier.
Regretting your life decisions.
😄
Here?
Drag the pickup.
Done.
THIS is where physical modeling becomes really interesting.
You are not only choosing a recorded bass.
You are designing one.
Finger, pick, slap, mute...
Playing technique obviously matters enormously with bass.
And MODO BASS lets you switch between several fundamental approaches including:
Finger.
Pick.
Slap.
Mute.
But there are parameters inside these techniques too.
Pick thickness.
Picking direction.
Playing position.
Muting.
Performance behavior.
Vibrato.
Slides.
Noise.
And many of these parameters can be controlled with MIDI or automated from your DAW.
This makes a HUGE difference when you're trying to turn a robotic MIDI bass line into something that actually behaves like a bassist.
And this is probably one of the biggest reasons I like MODO BASS so much.
It encourages me to think:
How should the bassist PLAY this?
Not:
Which sample do I need?
Small difference.
Completely different workflow.
MODO BASS 2 vs Native Instruments ICON BASS
Now...
I don't want this article to turn into:
MODO BASS GOOD.
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS BAD.
Because that would simply not be true.
I actually like ICON BASS.
It sounds great.
It has excellent patterns.
It has lots of articulations.
And because it is built around a real sampled instrument, there is a certain instant realism to it that sample libraries can do extremely well.
Native Instruments currently lists ICON BASS with 208 patterns, 54 songs and a roughly 5 GB download, running inside Kontakt Player.
For someone who wants:
Load preset.
Find pattern.
Play.
Done.
ICON BASS can be excellent.
But after using both...
I simply prefer MODO BASS 2.
For MY workflow.
MODO feels more flexible.
More interactive.
More like an actual instrument.
I can start with one bass model and then modify the strings, setup, pickups, electronics and playing style until the instrument behaves the way I want.
That suits the way I work much better.
I know, I could upgrade for higher tier NI 360 and get Scarbee, but I would pay more. Monthly. And I would pay for even more stuff I don't need.
What about Ample Sound?
I also compared MODO BASS 2 with several Ample Sound bass libraries.
And again...
Ample Sound makes some very impressive stuff.
Their current bass range covers Precision, Jazz, fretless, six-string, upright, acoustic and other instruments, with detailed articulation systems and MIDI composition tools.
Their instruments can sound extremely realistic.
So this is absolutely NOT me saying:
MODO BASS objectively sounds better than Ample Sound.
That's not how virtual instruments work.
But when I compared them...
I liked MODO BASS more.
Simple as that.
For me it feels more realistic.
More direct.
More flexible.
And I really like being able to shape the actual physical behavior of the bass rather than working mainly with a pre-recorded instrument.
Ample Sound might absolutely win for someone else.
Especially if you love the sonic character of one very specific sampled bass.
But MODO BASS fits MY workflow better.
And that's ultimately what matters.
The built-in patterns are actually useful too
MODO BASS 2 also has its own Patterns section.
You can search grooves by genre, song section, length, time signature and other criteria.
So if you're writing and need inspiration...
You don't always have to program everything from zero.
Find something close.
Audition it.
Modify it.
Build from there.
I personally tend to write quite a lot of my own MIDI, but good patterns can be incredibly useful during arrangement.
Especially when you're asking:
What should happen here?
Should the bass follow the kick?
Should it become busier?
Should it simplify?
Should there be a small fill before the chorus?
Sometimes one good pattern answers that question in five seconds.
There are amps and effects too
MODO BASS isn't just the bass instrument.
There is also a small built-in bass rig.
You get seven stompbox effects including things like compression, distortion, chorus, delay, envelope filtering and EQ, plus two bass amplifiers derived from IK Multimedia's AmpliTube technology.
And obviously...
You don't HAVE to use them.
You can bypass the amp section and process the bass using whatever you normally use.
Which is usually what I prefer.
Give me a good DI-like bass signal...
And I can do the rest.
But for songwriting?
Having a complete ready-to-play bass chain directly inside one plug-in is VERY convenient.
But the biggest surprise wasn't actually MODO BASS
The biggest surprise came afterwards.
Because purchasing MODO BASS made me look at my Native Instruments 360 subscription differently.
NI 360 is huge.
Depending on the tier, Native Instruments currently offers dozens or even more than a hundred plug-ins and instruments plus thousands of loops and sounds.
And that sounds like incredible value.
It CAN be incredible value.
But only if you actually use it.
And that's where things became interesting for me.
I looked at what I was REALLY using.
Not what I might possibly use one day.
Not what looked nice inside Native Access.
Not what made the subscription feel valuable.
What did I actually open in real projects?
And the answer was basically:
Bass VSTi.
Orchestral sounds.
And occasionally Massive X for synth bass sounds.
That's about it.
Hmm...
So I cancelled NI 360
This is where the whole thing became almost funny.
😄
For bass?
I bought MODO BASS 2.
One payment.
Mine permanently.
For orchestra?
I downloaded BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover from Spitfire Audio.
For free.
And this isn't some random tiny free string patch.
BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover currently includes 34 instruments and 47 techniques inside Spitfire's dedicated plug-in, covering strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion and more.
Is it a replacement for a €1,000 professional orchestral library?
Of course not.
But for the amount of orchestral work I currently need?
It is MORE than enough.
I also like to layer different VSTi libraries for orchestral stuff.
I found that mixing Spitfire BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover with Steinberg Iconica VSTi libraries brings really great results (for my needs).
And Massive X?
I realized that most of the time I was mainly using it for synth basses anyway.
I use Cubase Pro.
I already have synth tools available there.
Including Retrologue (really love it for some massive sub bass synth work).
So instead of paying a subscription because I sometimes need a Massive X bass patch...
I can simply build or modify something similar with the synths I already own.
Problem solved.
I basically replaced my subscription for the price of one month
And this is the part I really like.
I bought MODO BASS 2 permanently for €29.99 excl. VAT.
Downloaded a free orchestra.
Started using tools already included in my existing DAW for synth duties.
And cancelled another recurring subscription.
Result?
For MY particular workflow...
I will save approximately:
€323 PER YEAR.
Not bad.
😄
And this is actually becoming one of my favorite questions when evaluating software:
Am I paying because I NEED this tool?
Or...
Am I paying because the bundle contains so many things that cancelling feels scary?
Those are two very different things.
Subscriptions aren't bad
I want to make this clear.
Subscriptions make enormous sense in many situations.
If you actively use:
Kontakt.
Massive X.
Guitar Rig.
Multiple orchestral libraries.
Pianos.
Drums.
Effects.
Synths.
Expansion packs.
And new products every month...
NI 360 might be absolutely fantastic value.
Buying all of those products separately could cost a LOT more.
The problem starts when your subscription contains 100+ tools...
And you regularly use three.
Then the mathematics changes.
A LOT.
More software doesn't automatically mean more value
This is something I keep thinking about more and more.
We live in a ridiculous time for music production.
There are thousands of plug-ins.
Huge bundles.
Subscriptions.
Sample services.
AI tools.
Virtual instruments.
Free plug-ins.
Constant sales.
Black Fridays that apparently last for six months.
😄
And it's incredibly easy to confuse:
MORE SOFTWARE
with:
BETTER WORKFLOW
They are not the same thing.
Sometimes buying ONE tool that perfectly solves one problem is worth more than having access to another 200 products.
And ironically...
Having fewer options can actually make you faster.
I know exactly which bass instrument I'm going to open now.
MODO BASS.
Done.
No browsing five different libraries.
No comparing Kontakt instruments.
No wondering whether another bass might sound 3% better.
Open.
Play.
Produce.
I like that.
At first, I was really in love with NI 360 subscription, but after a year of using it I run out from my data HDD space (NI 360 library is really huge!!!!!!!!) and 95% of that data was never used!
And €29.99 is honestly ridiculous
At the regular price?
You can compare MODO BASS with other premium bass instruments and debate which workflow you prefer.
At €29.99?
The discussion becomes much easier for me.
Twenty-two modeled bass instruments.
Fretless basses.
Upright basses.
Different strings.
Different tunings.
Different pickups.
Movable pickups.
Active and passive electronics.
Different playing techniques.
Patterns.
Bass amps.
Effects.
Deep MIDI control.
And a physical-modeling engine that doesn't depend on loading another giant sample library for every instrument.
For roughly the price of a couple of lunches?
Come on.
😄
The value is enormous.
Who should get MODO BASS 2?
I think MODO BASS 2 makes the most sense if you are:
A songwriter who doesn't have a bassist available all the time.
A producer creating bass parts from MIDI.
A composer working across many different genres.
A guitarist who needs convincing bass tracks for demos.
A mixing engineer who sometimes needs to replace or reinforce a problematic bass recording.
Or simply someone who wants ONE flexible bass instrument instead of collecting ten different libraries.
And if you already own several bass libraries?
It can still be interesting precisely because the physical-modeling workflow is different.
It doesn't necessarily replace everything.
But it gives you another way to approach the instrument.
What are the downsides?
Nothing is perfect.
If you want the exact recorded fingerprint of a very specific vintage instrument...
A great sample library may still be the better solution.
If you love highly detailed pre-recorded performances and phrases...
Something like Native Instruments SESSION BASSIST can be incredibly fast.
If you want the deepest possible sampled articulation of one particular bass...
Ample Sound can be excellent.
And physical modeling can sometimes expose itself if you create completely unnatural MIDI performances.
The software can simulate a bass.
It cannot stop you from programming a bass part that no human bassist would ever play.
😄
You still need to understand the instrument.
Velocity matters.
Note length matters.
Position matters.
Slides matter.
Muting matters.
Rhythm matters.
And perhaps most importantly...
Groove matters.
But that's actually another thing I like about MODO BASS.
It encourages you to think like a player.
This might be one of the best €29.99 music-production purchases I have made recently
So...
My original plan was:
Try another bass plug-in.
My actual result was:
Buy MODO BASS 2.
Really like it.
Replace my Native Instruments bass instruments.
Download a free Spitfire orchestra (I wanted to do that for years to try it out).
Replace occasional Massive X duties with synths I already have.
Cancel NI 360.
Save approximately €323 every year.
😄
Not bad for one plug-in purchase.
And it reminded me of something important.
The best music-production setup isn't necessarily the one with the most software.
It's the one where every tool has a clear job.
For me...
MODO BASS now has a VERY clear job.
And at the current €29.99 excl. VAT / €36.29 incl. VAT promotional price?
I think the value is absolutely massive.
The current IK Multimedia promotion is scheduled to end on October 7, 2026, so if you've been looking for a serious virtual bass instrument...
This might be a very good time to check it out.
May the muse be with you!
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