Bassline
by AIR Music Technology · Synth · Monophonic bass synth
Not rated yet
Bassline is a monophonic synth for bass, with a continuously variable oscillator plus sub and fifth oscillators.
It has low- and high-pass filters, two distortion types and built-in effects, and costs $99.
Best for: Bass, Keys & Synths. Genres: Hip-Hop & Trap, Electronic & EDM.
Keywords: basses, monophonic, warm, classic, crunchy, airy, circuit-modelled, gritty, hardware emulation, modern, standalone app, thick, tube.
What it does
Bassline is AIR's monophonic bass synth. The developer says it "emulates the sound of classic mono synths with a contemporary twist", using its Vacuum Tube Synthesis circuit modelling for a warm, crunchy tone.
- Main oscillator: one oscillator with a continuously variable waveshape that sweeps from octave saw through saw and square to sine.
- Sub and fifth oscillators: extra layers under and above the main oscillator for thicker, fuller basses.
- Filters: a low-pass and a high-pass filter for shaping the tone.
- Drive: two built-in distortion algorithms, from warm grit to harder crunch.
- Effects: chorus, delay, reverb, compressor and Hype EQ, which lifts the low end and adds top-end shimmer.
- Presets and interface: more than 150 factory presets, a resizable interface (50–200%) and a standalone app.
The current versions are 1.2.0.12 and 1.2.0.10.
Source: AIR Music Technology product page
When to use it
Bassline is the quick pick when you only need a mono bass: pick a waveshape, add the sub or fifth, filter and drive it, and you are done. Compared with Serum 2 or Vital, it has far less modulation and no wavetables, but it takes much less programming to get a warm or gritty bassline. Next to Diva, it is simpler and lighter, but it lacks Diva's modelled filters and polyphony. Sylenth1 can also do classic basses and pads, while Bassline stays focused on one job, with its own effects and Hype EQ built in. User reports of save problems are worth weighing against the low setup time.
- Best for: warm or driven mono basslines and sub layers in beats.
- Genres: hip-hop, trap, house and other electronic styles.
- Look elsewhere if: you need wavetable basses, deep modulation or polyphony; Serum 2 or Vital fit better, and Diva for analog-modelled depth.
What producers say
There is little published coverage; the few KVR user reviews like the sound but report reliability problems.
- KVR users rate it 1.5 out of 5 from 2 reviews. A 2025 reviewer (v1.2.1.14) said you can make "pretty nice sounds" but called it buggy.
- Criticisms: settings that did not save properly with DAW projects, only one main oscillator, and (in 2022, v1.0.1) unreliable behaviour.
Where to buy
- Best Service: $29
- PluginFox: $29 (regular $99)
- Plugin Boutique: $31 (regular $99)
- AIR Music Technology: $99 (list price from KVR Audio; airmusictech.com shows prices only in its shop)
- AudioDeluxe: $99
Tutorials and reviews
- AIR BASSLINE - VACCUM EVOLVED
- Air Music Technology Bassline
- AIR Bassline by Air Music Tech (No Talking)
Similar plugins
- Mariana by Moog · Bass synthesizer · $39
- Monoment Bass by Softube · Bass synth · $99
- Lowtone by ToneBoosters · Bass synth · $39.74
- SubBoomBass 2 by Rob Papen · Bass synth · $69
- Monique Monosynth by Surge Synth Team · Morphing monophonic bass and lead synth · Free
- Sub Factory by AIR Music Technology · Bass synth · $29
- Monark by Native Instruments · Minimoog-style mono synth · $48
- Cyclop by Sugar Bytes · Bass synthesizer · $99
- BLEASS Monolit by BLEASS · Monophonic synth · Free
- Mini D by AIR Music Technology · Ladder-filter mono synth · $99
More from AIR Music Technology
- Tape Double Track by AIR Music Technology · Saturation · $99
- Structure 2 by AIR Music Technology · Sampler · $99
- Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Technology · Synth · $99
- HYPE by AIR Music Technology · Synth · $149
- Iona by AIR Music Technology · Synth · $149
- Jura by AIR Music Technology · Synth · $34
- Loom II by AIR Music Technology · Synth · $99
- Mini D by AIR Music Technology · Synth · $99