IK Multimedia’s MODO BASS 2 is a bass instrument plug-in that does not use recorded sound but recreates the way a bass is played by calculation (physical modeling). It includes up to 22 basses, including upright and fretless, and lets you change strings, neck, body, pickups, playing technique and even where the string is plucked. It also has a playing-pattern feature.
A bass instrument plug-in lets you play the sound of a bass on a computer. Even if you cannot play bass, you can put a bass line in your songs.
In this article we compare MODO BASS 2 with 10 bass instrument plug-ins and rate how well it serves its purpose on three criteria. The basis is official manufacturer information.
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Score 4.0 / 5 (average of the 10 products compared: 3.6)
- Specs last checked
- 2026/09/25
- Ease of making basslines
- Pattern feature
- Range of tones
- 22 basses
- Playing detail
- Techniques + strings and position
- Price (store, date)
- $29.99 (sale; regular $199.99) [PB, checked Oct 26]
Image: from the IK Multimedia official website (product image for the press)
Summary
Among the 10 bass instrument plug-ins, MODO BASS 2 is rank A. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and A is second from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5, with the one criterion that matters most for the purpose counted double) gives 4.0.
Strengths
- Range of tones (5 points): many kinds of basses are included.
- Playing detail (5 points): you can change how it is played in detail for a realistic sound.
Who it suits: people who want to craft the sound and playing of a bass in detail.
Main features of MODO BASS 2
22 modeled basses
MODO BASS 2 is a bass instrument plug-in that makes sound by calculating things such as the vibration of the strings, rather than using recordings. Version 2 added 8 basses, for a total of 22 including fretless and upright. It includes models based on classics such as the StingRay.
Down to the strings and where you pluck
Besides playing techniques such as fingers, slap and pick, you can change the type and thickness of the strings, where they are plucked and the pickups. Even with the same bass, you can craft the tone as if you were changing how you play. There is also a free CS edition, and you can add basses one at a time. Strings can be chosen down to thickness, age and winding (roundwound, flatwound and so on), and the amount of string muting lets you adjust a human-played feel.
Groove patterns
Version 2 added a pattern section with many grooves. You choose a pattern and play it to suit the song. It can also be used as a standalone app.
Where it is useful
- Programming jazz or ballad bass with an upright or fretless bass
- Changing where the string is plucked to make a soft or hard tone
- Choosing a pattern to make a draft of a bassline
Rating by criterion
Ease of making basslines: 3 / 5
We look at whether you can quickly get a bass phrase that suits the song.
Version 2 added a pattern section containing grooves.
Range of tones: 5 / 5
We look at the kinds and number of basses included.
It includes up to 22 basses, including upright and fretless (the number depends on the edition).
Playing detail: 5 / 5
We look at whether you can change playing details such as fingerstyle, pick and slides.
Besides finger, slap, pick and mute techniques, you can change the type and thickness of the strings and where they are plucked.
How we score (Bass instrument plug-ins)
| Criterion | Basis | 5 pt | 4 pt | 3 pt | 2 pt | 1 pt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of making basslines | Whether you can quickly get a phrase that suits the song | Can automatically make a fitting bassline from the MIDI or audio of a song | Hundreds of playing patterns you can use as they are | Has playing patterns (number not stated) | No patterns mentioned | — |
| Range of tones | Kinds and number of basses included | 20 or more (including upright bass and others) | Several kinds, such as acoustic, electric and synth | 2 to 3 | 1 | — |
| Playing detail | Whether you can change playing techniques and details of the performance | Besides techniques, you can change the strings and where the string is plucked | Several techniques, such as fingers, pick and slap | Techniques such as legato are included (few kinds stated) | Not mentioned | — |
Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on how well the product serves one goal: quickly adding a realistic bass to your own songs and cover-song backing tracks. Scores follow the conditions in the table above, and the rank is based on an average in which "Ease of making basslines" counts double. The basis is official manufacturer information. How realistic the sound is has not been compared by ear, so it is not scored. Price is not part of the score. Features that cannot be confirmed from the manufacturer's or a retailer's description are scored as if absent.
MODO BASS 2 screens and images
Image: from the IK Multimedia official website (product image for the press)
Image: from the IK Multimedia official website (product image for the press)
MODO BASS 2 system requirements and getting started
| Operating system | Windows 10 or later (64-bit) / Mac (macOS 10.13 or later) |
|---|---|
| Plug-in formats | Windows: VST2, VST3, AAX / Mac: AU, VST2, VST3, AAX (64-bit) |
| Standalone | Yes |
| Free version | The free MODO BASS 2 CS is available (you can buy basses one at a time) |
Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.
Compared with other bass instrument plug-ins
Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.
| Product | RankAvg. score | Ease of making basslines | Range of tones | Playing detail | Price (store, date) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ToontrackEZbass | S 4.3 | Automatic from MIDI or audio | 2 basses | Fingers, pick, slap | $179 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| IK MultimediaMODO BASS 2 | A 4.0 | Pattern feature | 22 basses | Techniques + strings and position | $29.99 (sale; regular $199.99) [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| Native InstrumentsPrime Bass | A 3.5 | 355 patterns | 1 bass | Fingers, pick, slap and more | $99 [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| SpectrasonicsTrilian | B 3.3 | Arpeggiator | Acoustic, electric, synth | Legato, glide | $299 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| Ample SoundAmple Bass P | A 3.5 | Hundreds of riffs | 1 bass | 13 techniques | $119 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| Ample SoundAmple Bass J | A 3.5 | Hundreds of riffs | 1 bass | 13 techniques | $119 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| Ample SoundAmple Bass Upright | A 3.5 | Hundreds of riffs | 1 bass | 13 techniques | $149 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| Native InstrumentsIcon Bass | A 3.5 | 208 patterns | 1 bass | Fingers, pick, slap and more | $99 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| Native InstrumentsJam Bass | A 3.5 | 283 patterns | 1 bass | Fingers, pick, slap and more | $99 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| Native InstrumentsSession Bassist Upright | A 3.5 | 224 patterns | 1 bass | Open, muted, bowed and more | $99 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
Features checked on each manufacturer's official website on September 25, 2026. Check the store page behind the buy button for the price.
Read next
- Prime Bass: features and rating (rank A)
- Ample Bass P: features and rating (rank A)
- EZbass: features and rating (rank S)
- Trilian: features and rating (rank B)
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