MODO BASS: Get ready for a new level of realism (1.5 update available now)

[tplusj]

After I bit the bullet and preordered MODO BASS, I harbored some buyer's remorse, figuring that the purchase fit more squarely into the "want" category than the "need" category. After playing around with it for an hour, though, I have zero regrets. In fact, I'm wondering how I got along without this product for all these years. Well done, IK!

[Compyfox]

I'm using Cubase 7.0.7

Ah, I remember that the new Track Instrument was a bit bugged out and still "stereo only". So this could indeed be the culprit. But if the "Rack Instrument" (all via F11) works... then that's okay.

If you maybe upgrade to the upcoming C9, maybe the problem will vanish in itself.

[Zemborato]

I played with MODO a lot last night, and I'm impressed. I don't think I'll be using any sampled bass anymore, because this sounds as good or better, and has such a wide range of tones available. I have mixed feelings about completely synthetic reproductions of instruments, but there's no denying the technology is reaching the point where it's completely viable. Of course it's not equal to an actual bass yet, primarily due to obvious limitations in expressiveness, but for non-performing composers like myself, it's probably the next best thing.

If I have any complaint, it's actually that MODO is so realistic, because I'd prefer to be able to entirely eliminate the occasional slight fret buzz that can occur. (If there's a way, I haven't found it.) But beyond that, I'm very happy with it. If it had a fretless option, I'd be ecstatic.

Anyone on the fence would do well to grab it at the intro price while they still can.

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

So basically, ModoBass doesn't play nice with Cubase's InstrumentTrack, but works as Rack Instrument (the old method, not the "all-in-one channel method). Does this plugin not have a mono/stereo out but muktiple outputs? Could be the cukprit.

I assume Cubase 8 or 8.5?

Plays nice in both of those ways on Cubase 8.5 for me and on the multiple versions that were tested on. I'm sure IK Support will help wagtunes get up and running.

Edit - I see some subsequent discussion but it still works as both Track and Rack instruments right out of the box for me on 8.5. If there's some odd issue being tickled, I'm sure it will be resolved either directly (if it is a local config of some sort) or globally (with an update, as there will surely be some minor things we'll get fixed quickly if they come up). Thanks!

[wagtunes]

So basically, ModoBass doesn't play nice with Cubase's InstrumentTrack, but works as Rack Instrument (the old method, not the "all-in-one channel method). Does this plugin not have a mono/stereo out but muktiple outputs? Could be the cukprit.

I assume Cubase 8 or 8.5?

Plays nice in both of those ways on Cubase 8.5 for me and on the multiple versions that were tested on. I'm sure IK Support will help wagtunes get up and running.

I'm still waiting to hear back from them. I'm sure it will probably take a few days.

Either way, I absolutely love this thing. I can finally do my Yes tribute CD the way it should be done.

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

Finally got this to work in Cubase 7 with a little workaround via using a VST rack.

I don't even know where to begin with how cool this thing is. The MIDI control for slides, etc. is just awesome. Hands down best bass VST on the planet. Nothing I've seen so far even comes relatively close. In fact, this thing is on a totally different plane from everything else.

I'm glad you are up and running, even with a workaround and hope you can get up and running outside of that workaround soon too. Seems that it didn't slow you down too much, I am so happy to see that you are very satisfied with MODO BASS (to say the least - "best bass VST on the planet" is definitely going to be relayed to the team that worked very hard on this and who will continue to work hard on it). Thanks so much for your patience and for your very very kind words.

[biomuse]

Yup, it's spectacular. Feels like something impossible has been realized.

The only thing missing is the unfretted slide noises. That would make the illusion entirely "photorealistic" in every single aspect and in nearly any setting no matter how exposed. Version 1.1?

For those looking for five-string metal shreddage (which I personally was not, but the chatter made me curious as to whether this model could achieve it, and it definitely can), try these settings at high velocities:

Strings: 5
Str. Winding: Roundwound
Str. Gauge: Light
Str. Age: New
Action: Low
Play Style: Pick
Scratch: Hard
Let Ring: On (not required, but enjoy the maximum buzzage)
Playing location: about 6-8" from bridge to taste
Electronics tab: Treble up above 7
If using included amp sims: Solid state, crank master down, turn gain up above about 6, bass around 6.5, limiting on, eq to taste;

Shred. Tons of tasty buzzing going on.

This thing kicks ass.

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

I played with MODO a lot last night, and I'm impressed. I don't think I'll be using any sampled bass anymore, because this sounds as good or better, and has such a wide range of tones available. I have mixed feelings about completely synthetic reproductions of instruments, but there's no denying the technology is reaching the point where it's completely viable. Of course it's not equal to an actual bass yet, primarily due to obvious limitations in expressiveness, but for non-performing composers like myself, it's probably the next best thing.

If I have any complaint, it's actually that MODO is so realistic, because I'd prefer to be able to entirely eliminate the occasional slight fret buzz that can occur. (If there's a way, I haven't found it.) But beyond that, I'm very happy with it. If it had a fretless option, I'd be ecstatic.

Anyone on the fence would do well to grab it at the intro price while they still can.

My emphasis above, as that is what I'll mainly answer: You can control both slide noise and detach noise in the "Play Style" section of MODO BASS and if that doesn't do enough for you (though I believe it should), you can change the action or fuss around with the string type/age/gauge in the "Strings" section.

As for the non-emphasized section, well, all I can say is thank you very much directly from me and from the team that worked very hard to make MODO BASS happen. They have been made aware of all of the kind words about MODO BASS and still remain committed to not resting on laurels and will continue to work to make it even better.

The above also applies to the many other great messages I'm reading here, if I can't reply to all of you know that I'll be making sure your great comments (and any suggestions) reach the team.

[SirkusPi]

A few months ago when Orange Tree Samples was having its group buy, I picked up the Big Bottom Bundle for $100. I'm not going to say I'm regretting that now, because (1) Orange Tree is pretty awesome & sounds great; (2) $100 is still less than $150; and (3) unlike MODO, the collection included an upright bass, which is nice. But even with all that, I've been demoing this, and it's very impressive. I'd almost certainly be getting it if I didn't already have the Orange Tree collection, or even if I used "realistic" electric bass more than I do (which is not that much).

So I may not end up getting this, but that doesn't detract from my admiration for the tremendous technical accomplishment here.

[Zemborato]

If I have any complaint, it's actually that MODO is so realistic, because I'd prefer to be able to entirely eliminate the occasional slight fret buzz that can occur. (If there's a way, I haven't found it.)

My emphasis above, as that is what I'll mainly answer: You can control both slide noise and detach noise in the "Play Style" section of MODO BASS and if that doesn't do enough for you (though I believe it should), you can change the action or fuss around with the string type/age/gauge in the "Strings" section.

Thank's Peter, and let me say that it's a minor complaint. I did all those things suggested last night, and there are some model/setup combinations that pretty much have no buzz, but others that do still have a buzz that creeps in. Not a dealbreaker by any means, and I understand that it's a part of accurate modeling, but it would be nice to have an easy "no buzz" option to have a perfectly clean sound possible with any available tone. Perhaps a dial like the Detach and Slide noises have would kill two birds with one stone, giving the ability to have no buzz, or to easily dirty it up a bit for those who want that.

[ShawnMH]

Yes, I noticed that as well, 13th fret buzzed out (right out of pitch even) when strings are set for "low action". It bugged me at first till I figured it out. Pretty realistic, I mean low action on a bass, you expect some buzz and fret noise. Maybe IK can lessen the effect on the certain notes that just don't work?

Still super happy with this...

[kgdrum]

Hi I looked last night on the IK website and could not see how to do this, so a simple question for Peter.

Is there a way to purchase Modo Bass using IK's Gear Credits?

Thanks

[biomuse]

Peter: Can you confirm or deny that IK will develop a guitar VI using this technology??

[b15fliptop]

Just playing with the demo. This thing is BADASS. I'm actually a professional bass player in "real life", and own many VI basses for composition/demoing, and MODO kills them all. Low CPU, infinitely tweakable, tons of models. It does Geddy as accurately as it does Jamerson. I'll try to whip up a demo before the MODO demo expires, and/or I buy it (which I probably will).

[Burillo]

just tried the bass with distortion again - still exhibits the same problems i noted in my first post (OK, i did manage to get frets buzzing, so there's that). not only there's always this weird pause between notes (as if the bass player always mutes the note before hitting another), but due to huge level variations between hits (i.e. some hits, while having the same velocity, are massively quieter), there are varying levels of distortion that are being applied to the bass different notes, resulting in very un-even and kind of "synthy" sound instead of non-stop all-out wall of bass distortion i would expect. i tried fiddling with all settings but i can't get rid of any of these (and yes, "let ring" doesn't help). in the end, playing legato (not the articulation, but in musical sense, i.e. "one note ends where the other begins") sounds like a bunch of single notes stringed together instead of one, cohesive performance, at least on distortion.

also, i think there's a bug - the plugin always misses the very first note. at least in REAPER, if you add MODO Bass to a track, and put a note right at the beginning of the timeline. it won't get triggered. does anyone else get this?

EDIT: extending note ends further seems to cure the "pauses" problem, so perhaps this is something the team could look into?