Best 8-String & Extended Range Basses for Metal

MODO BASS is unique because it doesn't use recordings. It models the physical properties of the string, the pickup, and the wood mathematically. This means you can do things that are impossible with samples, like moving the pickup position in real-time or changing the age of the strings from "New" to "Broken In." I use this for prototyping basslines because the file size is tiny and it loads instantly, unlike the massive sample libraries that take minutes to purge.

For metal, the "Metal" model (based on a Dingwall Combustion) is surprisingly convincing in a dense mix, because the synthesized engine never produces that "machine gun" effect on fast repeat notes that plagues even the best sample libraries. I used it on a speed metal track at 200 BPM, and the alternate picking engine handled the velocity changes without sounding robotic, though the high-end excitement of a real recording is noticeably absent on solo'd tracks.

UJAM creates tools for deadlines, not for tweakers. IRON 2 is not for the bass purist who wants to adjust the virtual microphone angle on the cabinet. It is for the producer who needs a polished, heavy bass track done in five minutes. I used the "Drop D" mode on a recent commercial rock pitch, and the client commented on how "tight" the rhythm section felt, not realizing it was programmed in one take.

The "Player" mode allows you to trigger complex, drummer-synced riffs with a single key, which is a lifesaver for non-bassists like me who struggle with fast picking consistency. It isn't the most flexible tool, since you can't perform intricate solo lines, but it is the most reliable workhorse for laying down a solid foundation quickly.

Ample Sound usually focuses on acoustic guitars, but their bass engine is criminally underrated for heavy music. The Metal Ray5 captures that specific mid-range growl of a MusicMan Stingray that occupies a unique sonic space the ultra-scooped Dingwall libraries completely miss. I used it on a thrash metal project where the guitars were very scooped, and the Ray5 filled that frequency hole aggressively without clashing or muddying the low end.

The "Riffer" feature generates ideas by randomizing grooves based on your harmonic input while keeping them idiomatic to the bass guitar, which is useful for breaking out of repetitive writing patterns. The library handles drop tunings well, though it shines brightest in standard or drop-D where the string tension feels tight and punchy rather than flappy. It feels distinct from the modern "tech-metal" crowd and provides that classic, aggressive finger-style growl that heavy metal was originally built on.

Toontrack revolutionized drums with Superior Drummer, and they are doing the same for bass with EZbass. The Metal EBX expansion captures the modern, clanky Dingwall sound that essentially defines the Djent genre. The engine understands musical context, automatically adjusting string selection and alternating picking to sound like a human player. After dragging a MIDI chord progression onto it, the bass line it generated was essentially release-ready.

The "Grid Editor" is the killer feature. You can program complex riffs with articulations like slides, dead notes, and slapping without needing any PhD in MIDI programming. On a recent progressive metal track, I needed a unison riff with the guitars, and EZbass tracked the guitar audio file and converted it to bass MIDI with shocking accuracy.

Shreddage has been the go-to name for virtual guitars for a decade, and Abyss brings that same level of deep sampling to the low end. It is recorded DI through high-end analog gear, meaning you get a pristine, clean signal to re-amp however you want. I run it through Neural DSP plugins to match the exact distortion tone of my guitars, and it tracks down to a low G, which is subterranean.

The "Console" scripts allow you to build a pedalboard chain inside the plugin with EQ, compression, and cabinets, but its real strength is as a raw source. I used Abyss on a deathcore breakdown recently, and the low G notes held their pitch and fundamental frequency without flapping or becoming muddy, which is rare for sampled instruments at that register.

Submission Audio changed the virtual bass game forever. Before Eurobass, bass VSTs sounded like MIDI keyboards trying to be guitars. Eurobass sounds like a guy hitting a Spector Euro 5 LX very hard with a thick pick, aggressive, bright, and cutting through any mix with zero processing required. It provides that instant "Nolly" Getgood percussive clank that defines modern metalcore, and it hits the compressor in a way that makes the whole mix jump forward.

There isn't much to tweak, which is actually a blessing for producers who want to focus on writing rather than sound design. You get a DI signal and a few pre-processed tones that sound great out of the box without needing external amp simulation. I replaced a muddy live bass recording with Eurobass on a recent mix, and the track instantly got 50% heavier and tighter, which is a one-trick-pony complaint I am happy to live with.

While many modern libraries focus on the ultra-modern Dingwall sound, the Rickenbacker 4003 remains the king of character and mid-range bite. Native Instruments captured it well in this collaboration with Scarbee, with that distinct hollow "clank" that sits in a mix without needing tons of EQ to carve out space. It instantly evokes that classic rock or early progressive metal vibe.

For progressive metal or classic rock, it adds a texture that purely synthetic or modern basses cannot match. It isn't as sub-heavy as the modern options (you might need to layer a sub-sine underneath), but for mid-range definition it is hard to beat. I ran it through a saturation plugin on a track that needed to sound "vintage but heavy," and the gnarly, aggressive tone felt completely unique and organic.