L3012 Bass Channel
by HoRNet · Channel Strip · Bass channel strip
Not rated yet
L3012 Bass Channel is a channel strip for bass, combining a tube preamp, bass boost, transient designer, filters, a three-band EQ and a VCA compressor.
The compressor is the VCA160 model from Multicomp Plus MK2, and the strip runs with oversampling up to 4x, for about $34.05.
Best for: Bass. Genres: Rock & Indie, Metal, Pop, R&B & Soul.
Keywords: bass, tube, oversampling, parallel processing, VCA, enhancement, finishing touch, hardware emulation, live performance, built-in mix knob, pads.
What it does
L3012 Bass Channel is a channel strip for bass guitar that puts drive, tone shaping, transient control and compression in one plugin. HoRNet developed it with bassist Lusi for studio and live use across genres.
- Input: an input pad with a phase reverse switch at the start of the chain.
- Tube preamp: a tube-style overdrive with its own dry/wet control, so drive can be blended in parallel with the clean signal.
- Bass boost: a dedicated low-end enhancement circuit after the preamp.
- Transient shaper: controls attack and clarity before the EQ, for more or less pick and finger definition.
- EQ: adjustable high-pass and low-pass filters, low and high shelves, and a fully parametric mid band.
- Compressor: a VCA compressor modelled on the VCA160 model from HoRNet's Multicomp Plus MK2, at the end of the chain.
- Quality: intelligent oversampling at 4x at 44.1 and 48 kHz and 2x at higher rates, with a hardware-accelerated vector interface.
The current version is 1.0.1. The demo is fully functional but drops to silence now and then, cannot save settings and ignores host automation.
When to use it
L3012 Bass Channel is the better pick when you want a DI bass mix-ready in one fixed chain that was laid out for bass. Compared with general channel strips like Scheps Omni Channel or SSL Native Channel Strip 2, it adds a tube drive with blend, a bass boost and a transient shaper, but it has no gate, de-esser or flexible module order. Neutron 5 can suggest settings for you; L3012 has no assistant but is much cheaper and quicker to read. Unlike a bass amp sim, it does not model a specific amp and cabinet, so it suits players who want a clean, controlled tone rather than an amp character.
- Best for: getting a DI or re-amped bass mix-ready with one plugin, and parallel drive on bass.
- Genres: rock, metal, pop, funk and R&B.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a specific bass amp and cabinet sound (use a bass amp sim), or a general strip for every track (Scheps Omni Channel or SSL Native Channel Strip 2).
Where to buy
- HoRNet: $34.05 (Listed at €29.99; converted at €1 = $1.1355 (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))
Tutorials and reviews
- HoRNet L3012 Bass Channel overview
- HoRNet releases L3012 - Bass Channel Strip
- HoRNeT L3012 Bass Channel: LuSi
- HoRNet Plugins Feat. Lusi - L3012 VST
- The Ultimate HORNET Bass Plugin! L3012 [Jupiter Bass Cover - Earth, Wind & Fire]
Similar plugins
- QuickBass by United Plugins · Bass channel strip · $83.67
- Bass Flow by Harrison · Bass channel strip · $99
- Eddie Kramer Bass Channel by Waves · Signature bass processor · $34.99
- CLA Bass by Waves · Signature bass processor · $32.91
- JJP Bass by Waves · Signature bass processor · $34.99
- Guitarstrip by Solid State Logic · Guitar and bass channel strip · $99
- Magma Tube Channel Strip by Waves · Tube channel strip · $32.91
- LA-6176 Signature Channel Strip by Universal Audio · Tube preamp channel strip · $29
- Amplified Instrument Processor by Korneff Audio · Guitar channel strip · $169.99
More from HoRNet
- 3XOver by HoRNet · EQ · $6.80
- 80Verb by HoRNet · Reverb · $19.29
- ADDA by HoRNet · Distortion · $13.61
- AnalogStage MK2 by HoRNet · Channel Strip · $22.70
- AutoGain Pro MK2 by HoRNet · Utility · $30.65
- BalancEQ by HoRNet · EQ · $27.24
- Butterfly by HoRNet · Channel Strip · $43.14
- Cassette644 by HoRNet · Saturation · $19.29