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Willie Greer - September 2, 2021
Bass synths are the answer for pro bass sounds for beginners and the ideal tool for creating electronic music for experts. Is this always the case with every bass synth? Sadly no, there is a chance you could end up with a disappointing unit if you don’t know which to pick. Our audio engineers listed their tried and tested picks to help you avoid this issue.
Bass Station II
- 64 user slots
- 2 oscillators
- 1 sub-oscillator
- Analog bass synth
TD-3-SR
- Analog circuitry
- Distortion circuitry
- 16 voice-poly chain
- 4 pole low pass filter
Volca Bass
- Budget price
- 3 oscillators
- Self-tuning
- Built-in speaker
Reviews of the Top Bass Synths
Behringer Synthesizer TD-3-SR
The silver Behringer Synthesizer TD-3 in silver has a very luxurious design. You will be happy to know that this particular model comes in a myriad of colors to suit your rig. The TD-3 features true analog and authentic reproduction circuitry to bring you a smooth and rich bass sound.
The TD-3 incorporates VCO, VCF and VCA designs. The VCO has sawtooth and square waveforms with transistor wave-shaping circuitry. The unit comes ready-to-use right out of the box with default signal routing.
What’s more, there is also an onboard sequencer and arpeggiator that gives users the ability to program up to 16 steps of notes for the best bass sound.
What We Like
- Vintage oscillator
- Versatile VCF
- Default signal routing
- Distortion on/off switch
- 16-note poly chain
- 11 controls and 28 switches
- Onboard sequencer and arpeggiator
- Looks sleek
- 4 pole low pass resonant filter
What We Don’t Like
- The buttons could be more sensitive
- Takes time to program
Novation Bass Station II
If you’re looking to improve your bass tones, the Novation Bass Station II is an amazing choice compared to many other bass synths. The Novation Bass Station II is the new and improved version of the class Novation Bass Station with an added acid filter.
The device comes with 64 user slots and patches ready for you right out of the box. The onboard sequencer is pattern-based and the Bass Station II has 3 oscillators in total – 2 regular and 1 sub.
The analog bass synth is designed in a way to bring true analog sound with an easy layout with dedicated controls.
What We Like
- Brings deep bass sounds
- Analog bass synthesizer
- Acid sounds
- Upgraded from the original model
- 64 user slots and patches
- 3 oscillators
- Sound effects
- Can connect to a MIDI outboard
- USB port connection to computer
- Noise generator
- Low pass, high pass, band pass
What We Don’t Like
- More expensive
- Very complex
Korg Volca Bass
Can more affordable units give you satisfying bass lines? The Korg Volca Bass proves that this is possible. Just in case you’re interested, our audio team also tried their subbass and was equally impressed.
There are 3 oscillators that produce very rich and deep bass sounds. There is a 16-step sequencer plus 8 memory patches. It may not be 64, but for an affordable and more compact bass synth, 8 is not bad at all.
Another very convenient feature the Korg Volca bass has is a self tuner that delivers a constant and stable pitch.
What We Like
- Built-in speaker
- Portable design
- In-built battery
- 3 oscillators
- Affordable option
- Self tuner for balanced sounds
- Can connect to a MIDI keyboard
- Budget option
What We Don’t Like
- The knobs are small
- The manual isn’t very detailed
Korg Volca NuBass
Speaking of the Korg Volca Nubass, our team has designed to also review this bass synth and include it on our list. The difference between the bass and the Nubass models is Nutube Technology. What is this technology? It’s one where Korg outfits a vacuum tube within the oscillator circuit.
The result of the Nutube Technology in bass synths is richer, deeper, and warmer tones. If that is what you’re looking for, then the Korg Volca Nubass is the best bass synth for this purpose.
The small unit also comes with a 16-step sequencer and a MIDI for easy connection to external accessories.
What We Like
- Advanced bass synth with Nutube Technology
- 16-step sequencer for the best sounds
- Midi in
- Sync I/O
- Small and compact profile
- Best bass synthesizer for deep and rich warm sounds
What We Don’t Like
- Small bass synth pedals
- Small knobs
Arturia MicroBrute
The Arturia MicroBrute is another small bass synth that has a fully analog signal path. It works well with your bass guitar and has a voltage-controlled oscillator with a sub
oscillator and an oscillator mixer.
The compact bass synth can produce shimmering sawtooth waveforms and it comes with a ton of connection ports such as MIDI with a 5 pin DIN, USB, audio, and headphone out. The multimode filter gives you a choice from low pass, high pass, or band pass settings.
Although it is a smaller bass synth, the Arturia MicroBrute can more than hold its own to other larger bass synths.
What We Like
- Semi-modular capability
- Small design
- Multimode filter for better sounds
- Voltage-controlled oscillator
- Oscillator mixer
- Fully analog signal path
What We Don’t Like
- Recommended for beginners to intermediates
- No presets
Behringer Odyssey
The Behringer Odyssey is an amazing larger bass synthesizer that is a mono/duo-phonic design that comes with 2 oscillators. There are 37 full-sized keys that have velocity sensitivity functions that are great for maneuvering and finger dexterity.
It also incorporates the legendary VCO, VCA and VCF pure analog signal paths and you can find sine and square wave LFO capabilities. The Behringer Odyssey can also bring users 2 voices with sawtooth plus square and pulse width modulation.
The envelope generators within the unit will help you produce excellent bass notes that the most expensive and best bass synths can do.
(Noise pollution in your home office? You can check out our list of excellent headphones to use for zoom meetings here)
What We Like
- VCA, VCF and VCO designs
- 2 envelope generators
- Onboard sequencer and arpeggiator
- Klark Teknik effects
- Pink/white noise generator
- Sensitive modulation and pitch control buttons
- 37 full-sized keys
What We Don’t Like
- May not be a good fit for all headphones
- Flimsier octave switch
Bass Synths Buyer’s Guide
There are so many things to want in the best bass synths, but sometimes we just can’t have it all. What are the key features to definitely make sure your bass synths have? Our sound team has put together a quick guide to help you out.
Size and Weight
Let’s start with the size and weight of the bass synth. Do you need a device that is easy to take with you on the road or one that fits better with a more stationary setup? The best option will be designed to fit your needs. If you are a DJ or musician that plays gigs across the country, our team would recommend going for a small and portable design.
We have included the Korg Volca Bass, which is our audio professionals’ top recommendation for a compact and transportable bass synth. Like with devices such as speakers, a larger bass synthesizer isn’t always better. Yes, it’s better if your bass synths have full-sized keys that are more convenient for your larger hands.
The weight factors into your bass synths when it comes to mobility. Most bass synths can be carried around to some extent, but the difference is whether or not you have the strength to carry a larger one. The Volca Bass is only around 1 pound while other ones may be over 5.
The key takeaway for deciding on the size and weight of different bass synths is to determine your needs. If you need a portable one to play better music at different venues, go for a small one. If weight is not an issue, our team says you can go for a full-sized one since the controls and keys will be larger and the user interface will be easier to use.
Usually, a larger bass synthesizer will have more room for knobs and buttons to give users more control over the sound. You could find an LED display [1], modulation options, velocity sensitivity functions along with distortion effect settings. The best synth will tick as many of the boxes for you as possible.
The size of the keys will also vary, and this is independent of the size of your synthesizer. It’s tougher to play music and achieve the sounds you want if you cannot gain full function of the keys. You also want the unit to look good with the rest of your system.
While this can be purely visual, there is some psychological aspect of finding an attractive synth. For starters, it will get you to want to play and experiment with your system even more. If you care about looks aside from the size and weight, our team highly recommends the Behringer Synthesizer TD-3, which also happens to be our top choice.
Not only is it a great option for functions, but it comes in many different colors. There is yellow, blue, red and much more to suit your tastes. Of course, you can go with the traditional silver or black to guarantee it will look good with the rest of your gear no matter what.
Material Quality
Regardless of the material of your synthesizer, you want it to be rugged and durable. Just in case you accidentally drop it while you’re moving your equipment, you want the synth to be unaffected and continue carrying out flawless music production.
All of the synths that our engineers have recommended are very sturdy and can last for many years. For more protection, you should look for synths that come with lengthy warranties, which we will cover in a bit.
The material quality is also key when it comes to replacement parts. Some of the most common wear and tears over time is deterioration of the switches, keys and control knobs. You will no longer be able to get the sounds you want if your synth doesn’t allow for some audio settings.
Does the brand matter in terms of material quality? In all honesty, yes, it does carry some weight. Just like most people would rather purchase a guitar from a well-known brand like Yamaha, the same goes for their bass synthesizer. That doesn’t mean you can’t find a budget and more obscure brand that can produce excellent music quality and sounds in its own right, but a safer choice is to go with a better-known brand.
Keys
How many keys do you need on your synth audio interface? Of course, the smaller bass synths will have fewer keys than the full-sized options. There are even analog bass synths without keys! When it comes down to it, it really hinges on personal preference.
If you want to feel like you’re more immersed in modern music, a synth with a keyboard can help emulate that feeling. Some find it easier to work with a keyboard while others find it to be a secondary requirement. Others may feel more at ease without a keyboard altogether.
Even if a bass synthesizer has keys, it could still be half the size of a regular synth and pose some difficulty for those with large hands. Whether or not your synths have keys will not affect the overall sound. So, don’t worry!
Controls and Switches
The control and switch functions will give you a look into what your bass guitar synthesizer can do. It is again personal preference, but our audio team prefers a bass synth VST to have easily accessible manual controls.
It is usually the keyboard or at least your device may have a way to connect to a MIDI control board. Other functions on your bass synths could include velocity control as well as aftertouch. Ribbon controllers will help track your fingers across the touch interface, if that’s something you would want.
What our experts really liked was finding bass synths that have wind controllers that mimic the sounds of woodwinds. This could really be useful to soften the sound quality and deliver a more classic sound from your recording studio.
There are also touch and motion-sensitive controllers, which is not a surprise in this digitally advanced age we live in. For those of us who are more accustomed to touch control, these options are infinitely more convenient.
The synth pedal, switch, and knob controls that are present on the surface of your bass synthesizer are mostly used during live performances and in the music studio. Some other features you can find on your bass synths include fine tempo control, delay effects, hard sync, an LED display and more to make music production easier for you.
One more feature that our team wants to address are the in-built presets. The presets are featured and can give beginners a leg up when figuring out their unique sound profiles.
It won’t require users to start from scratch. Some bass synthesizers come with a preset library of around 10, but there are ones that offer over 60.
It is possible that the presence of presets will increase the price of the synthesizer, but it won’t be by much. If you cannot find the ones you want to fit well with your music and sounds, you can also find royalty-free options to buy. Of course, you can also put your synthesizer to good use and create your own.
A great way to tell if you will be happily satisfied or disappointed with your synth is by reviewing audio profiles and samples. Manufacturers will often have samples uploaded on their website so you can know exactly what to expect.
Price and Warranty
The price is a major consideration for many bass players and musicians. As always, our audio engineers made sure to include options at varying price ranges in order to have options for everyone. You can find a synth that exceeds 500 or ones that barely scratch 100. It all depends on whether or not the unit can help you produce the bass and sub bass you want.
Does the bass synth only work with a guitar, or does it also suit other instruments? The versatility of the synth will also factor into the price. The technology within such as a single oscillator design VS a triple one will also influence the cost. To get the best music effects, you should expect to spend some money.
Since a bass synth is an investment for those in the music industry, you want it to last as long as possible. Our experts mentioned the materials above and the importance of having a lengthy warranty. A 1-year warranty is very standard for a synth or any other electronic product, but our team urges you to find one that comes with an even longer one.
The longer the warranty period the better and more protected you and your synth will be. Aside from the warranty, our team also encourages users to look for a money-back guarantee somewhere in the fine print. Again, the longer the money-back guarantee period is, the better.
Not only are users more protected by longer warranty and guarantee periods, but it also speaks volumes about the reliability and reputation of a brand and the quality of the product.
Our audio engineers kindly remind our readers to read the fine print for the warranty. They will outline what is or isn’t covered under the warranty, which won’t always be reflected in the coverage period. What we mean is it’s very possible for a product to provide a long warranty but not much will be covered within that period.
If this is the case, then it won’t matter that your product has a lifetime warranty when the company won’t protect you from something as simple as replacing a control knob.
FAQ
What is the best bass synth for beginners?
There are many excellent bass synths for beginners, but our experts recommend the Behringer Synthesizer TD-3. The device is on the affordable end and is an amazing bass synth that comes with true analog circuitry for the best sound. It is capable of different waveforms and wave shaping circuitry plus cutoff, resonance, envelope, accent, and decay controls.
How much can bass synths cost?
A bass synth can call under a wide range of prices. The most affordable ones may barely make it past 100 while there are more professional and full-sized options that work well with other instruments and are known for rich bass tones that are over 500. The right one for you will depend on your unique sound and music needs.
What are filters in synthesizers?
The filters within synthesizers receive signals and filter them appropriately. You can find high pass, low pass and band pass filters on synths, and each of them will have a different sound effect on your music. Which is best for you depends on what type of sound profile you are going for.
How can you use a bass synth?
A bass synth is great for playing MIDI with a sub synth channel to output a sine waveform. You have to transpose everything correctly and keep in mind that you could lose a bit of articulation. The other method is to use it as your main sound output to produce a basic sine wave.
Our Top Pick For a Bass Synth:
Behringer Synthesizer TD-3
Our team has chosen the Behringer Synthesizer TD-3 as the best synthesizer for bass on the market. It’s great for music and delivers excellent sounds for the price of the unit. It has true analog circuitry and signal path modeled after the legendary VCO, VCA and VCF designs. It comes ready to use right out of the box plus an onboard sequencer and arpeggiator to help you realize your music creativity.
Want to play some musical instruments? Well, you can check the guides we listed here below:
