SubGen
by Solid State Logic · Saturation · Sub bass harmonic synthesizer
Not rated yet
A four-band sub bass synthesizer that generates material an octave below the source, with SSL drive and compression built in.
Each band has its own frequency, width and metering, so you can see exactly how much sub content is being added.
Best for: Bass, Drums, Sound Design. Genres: Hip-Hop & Trap, Electronic & EDM, Ambient & Cinematic, Pop.
Keywords: bass, sub bass, synths, kick, drums, wide, film & game audio, metering, simple, thin, beginner-friendly, 50s, 70s, auto-gain, cinematic, glue, inspired by, mixing, overdrive, single-band, snare, sound design, tube.
What it does
SubGen is SSL's sub bass harmonic synthesizer. It uses wave inversion to create a waveform an octave below the source, to take bass and LFE material "to places no EQ can."
- Four bands: independently configurable bands with frequency readout, width control and LED metering.
- Interactive graph: shows the source and each synthesized band, and lets you set band gain, center frequency and width visually.
- Drive: gain-compensated drive with three saturation types: Bass (70s-style drive), Kick (lighter harmonics) and Pre (50s valve-style overdrive).
- Compressor: a built-in SSL compressor to glue synthesized and source material.
- Uses: kick, bass guitar and synth bass, thin snares and toms, rebuilding bass in poor recordings, and LFE for film.
The current version is 1.2.2.
Source: Solid State Logic product page
When to use it
SubGen adds new low end rather than boosting what is there, unlike Waves MaxxBass, which creates harmonics so bass is heard on small speakers. Waves Submarine is a simpler subharmonic generator. Pick SubGen when you want several independently tuned sub bands, visual feedback and drive and compression in one plugin.
- Best for: kick drums, bass and 808-style parts, thin drum recordings, and LFE for film and games.
- Genres: hip-hop, electronic, pop and cinematic work.
- Look elsewhere if: you just want bass to translate on small speakers; a psychoacoustic bass enhancer does that more directly.
- Standout: the four-band design with an interactive graph.
What producers say
Reviewers found it flexible and easy to use, with one note about stacking bands.
- MusicRadar (2023): called it "a very flexible and powerful sub harmonic generator" that is easy to use.
- KVR user (2025): gave 5/5, saying it adds bass to double bass or kick "without the sounds feeling artificial."
- Gripe: MusicRadar found stacking bands at the same frequency point unpredictable.
Where to buy
- Best Service: $49
- Solid State Logic: $49
- Plugin Boutique: $49
- AudioDeluxe: $49
Tutorials and reviews
- SSL SubGen Plugin - Huge Sub Bass & Harmonic Enhancer
- SSL SubGen Review: The Secret to Huge Low End?
- SSL SubGen Plugin // Solid State Logic
- This DESTROYED my STUDIO! || SSL SubGen
- 🎧SSL SubGen🎧 -Revisión en Español-
Similar plugins
- RootOne by Leapwing Audio · Multiband subharmonic generator · $199
- SubCulture by Baby Audio · Pitch-tracking bass enhancer · $79
- LoAir by Waves · Subharmonic generator · $32.93
- Submarine by Waves · Subharmonic generator · $32.93
- MH Thump by Metric Halo · Low-frequency synthesizer · Free
- Solid by Noisebud · Sub-octave generator · $39
- Bass XXL by denise · Psychoacoustic bass enhancer · $29
- Noveltech Character by Brainworx · Adaptive tone enhancer · $50
- Fire The Bass by Acustica Audio · Bass harmonic enhancer
- Plinth Subharmonic Synthesizer by Vitric Audio · Subharmonic generator · $29
More from Solid State Logic
- X-Gate by Solid State Logic · Gate · 8.3/10 · $49
- Fusion Stereo Image by Solid State Logic · Imaging · 8.5/10 · $24.99
- Native Channel Strip 2 by Solid State Logic · Channel Strip · 9.4/10 · $149
- SSL 4K G by Solid State Logic · Channel Strip · 8.4/10 · $149
- LMC+ by Solid State Logic · Compressor · $49
- Native Bus Compressor 2 by Solid State Logic · Compressor · $99
- Fusion Vintage Drive by Solid State Logic · Saturation · $24.99
- X-Saturator by Solid State Logic · Saturation · $49