Bass Hammer
by Nembrini Audio · Amp Sim · Bass preamp and amp sim
Not rated yet
A bass amp plugin from Nembrini Audio modeled on the Aguilar Tone Hammer, with its Adaptive Gain Sculpting and a six-band graphic EQ.
It adds cabinets, a parallel DI with compressor, an IR loader and a noise gate, and is on sale for $29.99 (regular $137).
Best for: Bass. Genres: Rock & Indie, Pop, R&B & Soul.
Keywords: bass, clean, impulse-response based, parallel processing, gritty, punchy, warm, creamy, hardware emulation, inspired by, moderate, organic, pads.
What it does
Bass Hammer is Nembrini Audio's model of the Aguilar Tone Hammer bass preamp (not endorsed by Aguilar), built out into a full bass recording chain with cabinets, a DI path and a gate.
- Adaptive Gain Sculpting (AGS): as on the original, a switch that reshapes the EQ curve and gain structure as you turn up the drive, from clean to gritty.
- Preamp EQ: Bass and Treble controls (±18 dB, at 40 Hz and 4 kHz) and a Mid control that responds to AGS, plus a 10 dB input pad.
- Graphic EQ: six bands at 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz and 4 kHz for final shaping.
- Cabinets and mics: four bass cabinet simulations with four microphone models.
- IR loader: load and blend up to two third-party impulse responses in place of the built-in cabinets.
- Parallel DI: a clean DI signal with a console-style compressor, blendable with the amp and with an ambient reverb.
- Noise gate: with threshold, range and speed controls.
- Presets: factory presets to start from.
The current version is 1.0.7. It is on sale; the product page does not mention a demo.
Source: Nembrini Audio product page
When to use it
Bass Hammer is the better pick when you want one focused bass preamp that takes a DI from warm and round to pushed and gritty, with everything for a finished bass track in one window. Compared with AmpliTube 5 MAX and Guitar Rig 7 Pro, it offers one amp instead of a large collection, but costs far less and its parallel DI and compressor give a mix-ready blend without extra plugins. Unlike TONEX MAX or Neural Amp Modeler, it is a circuit-style model with real preamp controls rather than a capture of one setting. It is narrower than a Helix Stadium Native rig, so it suits bass players who already know they like the Tone Hammer sound.
- Best for: warm, controlled bass from a DI, from clean to mild drive, with a blended DI for low-end weight.
- Genres: rock, pop, soul and funk.
- Look elsewhere if: you want many bass amps or heavy multiband distortion; AmpliTube 5 MAX gives more amps, and Bass Driver or Blackice Beta Gamma are built for heavy drive.
- Tip: spend time with the AGS switch before judging the sound, then use the graphic EQ for final, mix-ready shaping (Pluginerds).
What producers say
Reception is very positive, with users and the one review found praising its punch and its saturation.
- Customer reviews (developer's page) 26 reviews, all but one positive, describing a "punchy bass sound", a "creamy tone" and good cabinet and mic options.
- Pluginerds said it sounds like something "you'd want to use on a real record" and found AGS makes it feel organic rather than like a typical plugin.
- Criticisms: none stated in the review; one customer review was negative but its reasons are not given.
Where to buy
- Nembrini Audio: $137
Tutorials and reviews
- Bass Hammer Bass Amplifier Plugin
- Bass Hammer by Nembrini Audio
- Bass Hammer Bass Amp by ~Nembrini Audio (No Talking)
Similar plugins
- Darkglass Ultimate by Neural DSP · Bass preamp and amp suite · $112.41
- Bass Driver by Nembrini Audio · Multiband bass overdrive and amp sim · $137
- Blackice Beta Gamma by Nembrini Audio · Modern distortion bass amp sim · $137
- Bass 3500 Amplifier by Nembrini Audio · Hybrid tube/solid-state bass amp sim · $137
- GK Amplification 3 PRO by Audified · Gallien-Krueger bass amp sim · $74.27
- Ampeg SVT-3 PRO Bass Amplifier by Universal Audio · Bass amp sim · $75
- Cerberus Bass Amplifikation by Kuassa · Bass amp sim · $49
- Amp Room Bass Suite by Softube · Bass amp suite · $99
- Eden WT800 Bass Amplifier by Universal Audio · Bass amp sim · $99
- bx_bassdude by Brainworx · Bass amp simulator · $75
More from Nembrini Audio
- Doubler Real-Time Tracker by Nembrini Audio · Vocal Tool · $79.99
- 808 Overdrive Pro by Nembrini Audio · Distortion · Free
- Analog Rack Noise Gate by Nembrini Audio · Gate · Free
- Faceman by Nembrini Audio · Amp Sim · $137
- Hivolt 103 by Nembrini Audio · Amp Sim · $137
- Hughes & Kettner Coreblade by Nembrini Audio · Amp Sim · $139
- Hughes & Kettner Puretone by Nembrini Audio · Amp Sim · $139
- Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere by Nembrini Audio · Modulation · $99.99