Developer Modern Music Solutions has released the S-Drive Bass OD Overdrive Plugin, and it is available for free!
While we have plenty of options for solid, free distortion and overdrive for your guitars and synths, what about basses?
The lower register often gets left in the shuffle, despite the plethora of hardware pedals and preamps that are a keen fit for modeling. Thankfully, the good folks at Modern Music Solutions have introduced S-Drive Bass OD, a reinterpretation of a storied classic.
Our bassist readers out there have possibly noted the similarity between the S-Drive and the Sansamp Bass Driver DI. The layout is identical, so if you’re keen on the pedal, you’ll be at home here.
You’ve got a level, blend, and drive knob, which dictates the intensity of the distortion along with how much is being applied to your DI signal. This is rounded out with a treble and presence knob, as seen on the hardware. These add some much-needed sheen to a bass signal but nothing too extreme.
The mid and bass knobs function similarly to the pedal, with shift values available for both frequency ranges. As it stands, this is a killer bass OD for the modern metal musician.
Admittedly, I don’t mess around too much with distortion in my bass playing. I prefer a clean DI or a tube-driven preamp like the Darkglass pedal. That said, if I was pretending I was some sort of thrash metal impresario, this plugin does quite a bit of heavy lifting.
Sound-wise, I have no complaints. It can be woolly and unruly or subdued, giving just enough of an edge when fitting in a mix. I am glad that someone is adding some more bass-centric stuff despite the glut of great stuff we’ve got on ToneHunt.
This won’t make you chuck out your hardware modellers, but for a low-cost bass rig, this is hard to beat.
For the low cost of nothing, I’d honestly suggest this to anyone looking for a bass distortion, whether you’re tracking live or using a MIDI bass of some sort.
S-Drive Bass OD is available for Mac and Windows computers, and Apple Silicon and Intel Macs are supported.
Download: S-Drive Bass OD (FREE)
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6 Comments
alex
onThx. Gonna check it out. I just used the TSE Audio BOD in a mix the other day. Still haven’t found anything that sounds even close or, better said, nearly as good, but since it’s been discontinued (probably?) it’s always good to check alternatives.
Gloop
onHave tested it out and it compares very favourably to the TSE BOD plugin. In comparison, it has a more modern sound, more volume on tap, and a resizable GUI. The mids knob and the frequency shift toggles are also really useful (e.g. you can set the bass boost/cut to 80Hz to avoid the bass clashing with the kick)
alex
onIOW, it doesn’t really sound like what it’s based on :) It’s a good plugin, though. OTOH, TSE BOD does sound like Sansamp Bass Driver DI, so to each their own.
mx
onfrom the plugin’s website:
“What DAW does this work in?
We support most major DAWS. This includes, but is not limited to Pro Tools, Cubase, Reaper, Logic Pro, Studio One, etc. If your DAW accepts AU, AAX, VST3, this plugin will work. Try out our free trial if you are unsure.”
SL11
onI just used it on a rhythm guitar and on an 808 bass. It’s excellent!!!
TJ
onIt’s great, real competition for the TSE BOD.
But glaring mistake on calling Darkglass “tube-driven”.