Bear 3

Bear 3 is a low-frequency harmonic enhancement plugin for mastering, mix bus processing, and individual tracks.

Bear has always been about the relationship between the fundamental and its first few harmonics.

It pushes the low end into an internal process that creates unusually strong and stable harmonics from the fundamental. Bear then removes what does not contribute musically and shapes what remains so that it follows the movement of the original sound.

The result can be more weight, movement, and harmonic character without turning the low end into obvious distortion.

What is new in Bear 3?

Bear 2 was designed to create the sensation of more bass while adding very little actual fundamental bass level.

Bear 3 allows the fundamental to become a more active part of the result. It can now add genuine low-frequency weight as well as harmonic bass content.

The processing has also been made more restrained. Bear 3 is intended to work as a careful mastering or mix bus processor where the effect supports the original mix rather than replacing its character.

Controls

Boost controls how hard the low end is pushed into Bear's harmonic process. The output is compensated internally, so increasing Boost changes the harmonic effect rather than simply increasing the output level.

Crossover determines which part of the frequency spectrum Bear processes. Higher settings can work well for rock and pop, while lower settings can be useful for electronic music, synth basses, kicks, and sub-heavy material.

Filter controls how much of the boosted fundamental remains in the processed signal. At 0%, the fundamental receives the same increase as the harmonics. At 100%, the fundamental is removed completely from the process.

Cut is a minimum-phase low-shelf filter that reduces the low end after the main Bear process.

Boost acts as the push, while Filter and Cut provide two different forms of pull. The interaction can be compared to the push-and-pull behaviour of a Pultec-style bass process, but with harmonic generation added to the equation.

Delta lets you monitor what Bear adds and removes.

Bypass provides direct comparison with the unprocessed signal.

Formats

• macOS: VST3 and AU.
• Windows: VST3.

Demo

The demo version can be temporarily unlocked by clicking the DEMO text inside the plugin. Bear will then function as the full version until the session is restarted.

Windows demo:
Download Windows VST3 demo

macOS demo:
Download macOS VST3 and AU demo

Bear 3 product page:
Bear 3 on Patreon

Availability & Pricing

Bear 3 is distributed through Noisebud's Patreon-based model.

For $7/month, you get access to 40+ plugins, Reaper scripts, and tools. Downloads are yours to keep permanently, no subscription required to keep using them. Resubscribing is only needed if you want a future update.

Alternatively, Bear 3 is available as a one-time purchase for $39 via the Patreon shop, which includes all minor updates up to the next major version.