The
Toontrack EZbass
software is a welcome addition to the existing EZ range, which includes
EZmix,
EZkeys
and the highly successful
EZdrummer
. This virtual instrument not only allows you to create authentic, sample-based bass sounds, but also replaces a bass player: the program supports every composer, arranger and musician with suggestions for the successful expansion or generation of bass lines in all musical genres. To this end, it includes the intelligent tools Audio-to-MIDI and Tap-2-Find, which allow a bassline to be played directly, converted to MIDI and enhanced with licks, grooves and chord transitions of any complexity, as well as a generous MIDI library, recorded by professional musicians, which provides a suitable idea for every musical situation. Importing MIDI files is also possible: If a chord progression or drum groove is presented to EZbass via MIDI, it automatically invents a suitable bass track, which can of course be edited manually or automatically. The grid editor already known from EZkeys allows working directly in the plug-in interface and the chord wheel helps the user to find suitable chords or option notes.
But the capabilities of
Toontrack EZbass
go even further: The program contains the samples of two bass guitars from the manufacturers Fender and Alembic as well as the articulations expected from professional software instruments, covering the entire spectrum of bass-typical playing techniques: EZbass masters the finger, plectrum and slap strokes as well as a whole range of forms of expression, including ghost notes, slides, harmonics, tapping and percussive beats. Of course the pickups of the sampled bass guitars can be mixed continuously! Finally, the audio track played by EZbass can be provided with a professional sound preset or played dry to the host DAW. If the bass sound does not deliver enough low bass and is not fat enough, a low frequency sine wave can be added with the sub bass synthesizer.
EZbass makes it easy to work on demos, arrangements and even professional productions, provides new ideas and inspiration and also contains high-quality sounds and samples of real instruments. The program is suitable for beginners who want to get into the art of arranging as well as for professionals who want to improve their workflow: Even if you don't want to spend as much of your creativity on the computer as possible, EZbass will do a great job by taking care of standard tasks like writing and editing MIDI files.