Hi everyone,
We’ve just released Neo DoubleBass, a new virtual double bass based on our latest Strad Neo Hybrid Modelling Engine, and I’d like to share some of the technical ideas behind it.
The main goal of Neo DoubleBass was to achieve the expressive response and realism of a large orchestral sample library while avoiding the typical multi-GB footprint and streaming overhead. The entire instrument is only 86MB, but internally it combines optimized sampling with real-time modelling of vibrato, legato transitions, and string behaviour.
Instead of relying purely on recorded interval transitions and fixed vibrato samples, the engine generates much of the performance behaviour dynamically. This allows continuous vibrato control (speed/depth), smoother expression curves, and more flexible legato phrasing compared to traditional sample playback approaches.
One interesting aspect during development was balancing realism with responsiveness. Fully sampled orchestral basses often sound excellent in exposed passages, but can feel “heavy” or less playable in real-time performance. With hybrid modelling, we tried to keep the natural organic movement while improving immediacy and reducing repetition artifacts.
Neo DoubleBass is also our first string instrument with MIDI 2.0 support. Internally this allows higher resolution controller data and smoother interpolation for dynamics and expression. Subtle controller movements feel noticeably less stepped, especially during slow dynamic transitions and vibrato shaping.
https://soundcloud.com/sound-magic/sets/neo-doublebass
Some key areas we focused on:
Hybrid Modelling Legato
Fully modelled vibrato
Dynamic string behaviour modelling
MIDI 2.0 high-resolution control
Extremely low storage and RAM footprint
Fast loading without large sample streaming
I’d be interested to hear thoughts from others working with physical modelling, hybrid engines, or orchestral sampling. There’s always an ongoing discussion between realism, flexibility, CPU usage, and workflow efficiency, and this project was very much about finding a practical balance between those areas.
Product page:
https://neovst.com/product/neo-doublebass/
