Steinberg Bass Machina Review: Five-String Metal Power for HALion

Virtual bass instruments are everywhere, but fast metal parts and convincing performance details remain a challenge. Steinberg Bass Machina tackles both with a carefully sampled five-string bass, a broad selection of articulations and dedicated tools for rhythmically demanding riffs.

Created for HALion 7 and HALion Sonic 7, the library is based on recordings of a steel-string Kiesel five-string bass. Around 6 GB of DI samples cover a wide range, from crisp attacks and an aggressive growl to a clearly defined low B string.

Flexible tone shaping from DI to amp sound

Because the core samples are unprocessed DI recordings, Bass Machina works well with external amp simulations and individual effects chains. Steinberg also includes an internal effects rack with EQ, Compressor, Distortion, Amp Simulation and Modulation.

The direct sound controls are useful in day-to-day production. Body adds weight, Attack softens the initial transient and Offset shifts the sample start to reduce attack noise. Vibrato intensity can also be adjusted.

At lower velocities, the instrument sounds warm and restrained. Push it harder and it develops the bite needed for metal and rock. With a suitable amp simulation, Bass Machina can also produce crisp, warm and even surprisingly funky bass tones.

Articulations add life to programmed parts

Bass Machina includes plenty of performance options to keep programmed basslines from sounding static. In addition to Pick Sustains and Mutes, there are Slaps, Pops, Taps, Slides, Hammer-ons and Pull-offs.

• Control over picking direction and hand position
• Targeted string and playing-position selection
• Different slide types and percussive techniques
• Automatic release sounds for more natural performances

Fast note repetitions and strums are a particular strength. Repeat mode enables rapid playing via the sustain pedal, while transitions between sustained notes and short mutes feel convincing. The depth of control does require some familiarisation when programming highly detailed MIDI performances.

Arpeggiator and Auto-Strummer for instant riffs

The built-in arpeggiator provides eight pattern slots, with adjustable Rhythm, Gate, Velocity and Swing settings. Patterns can be switched by keyswitch, while generated sequences can be recorded as MIDI and dragged directly into a DAW for further editing.

An Auto-Strummer is available for rhythmic picking patterns. It makes it easy to create driving gallops, pulsing eighth-note parts and more complex metal rhythms. The number of included sequences and effect presets is fairly limited, though, so competing products offer more immediate variety in this area.