PDQ Bass by Iamlamprey bass guitar instrument interface for Kontakt

PDQ Bass: Fast-Writing Bass Guitar Instrument for Kontakt

Rated 4.6/5 on Plugin Boutique (29 ratings)

PDQ Bass is a bass guitar instrument for Kontakt, made by Iamlamprey. It combines traditional sampling with physical modelling to help producers quickly lay down an aggressive bass track for songwriting or demos.

REQUIRESKontaktHost player sold separately
Kontakt
AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique
Opens the store in a new tab
01Overview

PDQ Bass, short for Pretty Darn Quick Bass, is built for speed. Instead of covering every articulation a solo bass library might offer, it focuses on the sounds needed for fast writing. The developer says it extends the range of the recorded instrument by combining sampling with physical modelling techniques. Two versions are included: a DI signal and a processed tone that is ready to use without building an effects chain.

Best for

  • Aggressive bass demos
  • Songwriting bass tracks
  • Fast bass prototyping
  • Palm-muted riffs
  • Rock and metal bass lines
Developer
Iamlamprey
Requires
Kontakt
Store
Plugin Boutique
02Key features

What you get

  • Non-repeating round robin algorithm cycling five samples
  • Alternate picking engine with Force Downpick setting
  • MIDI velocity compression sliders for removing articulations
  • Velocity-controlled articulations: palm mute, fingered, alt. picked, slapped
  • No key switches required for fast writing
  • F1 to E5 playable range
  • DI and processed versions included
  • Mix page with compression and EQ
  • Automatable interface
03In depth

Playing and Articulation Control

PDQ Bass uses no key switches. Articulations are selected by velocity across the F1 to E5 range. Low velocity triggers palm mutes and fingered notes, mid-to-high velocity produces sustained alternate picking, and maximum velocity plays slapped notes.

The Velocity Min and Velocity Max sliders compress incoming MIDI, so you can remove articulations you do not want, such as palm mutes, without editing individual notes. A non-repeating round robin engine cycles through five samples and never plays the same one twice in a row.

The Force Downpick switch mutes the up-stroke articulations and can be automated from your DAW.

Sound Options and Mixing

The processed version gives you a finished bass tone straight away, while the DI version gives you the unprocessed signal for your own amp simulation or effects chain. Both are available in the same instrument.

The Mix page includes compression and EQ to shape the sound without leaving the instrument. Pitch bend can be controlled from any MIDI controller or automated in your DAW.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

DeveloperIamlamprey
TypePlugin
CategoryKontakt Instrument
RequiresKontakt
FormatsKontakt
05FAQ

Questions, answered

What do I need to run PDQ Bass?

PDQ Bass requires the full version of Kontakt 5.8 or later. It will not work in the free Kontakt Player. Third-party amp simulation software is also required, and the developer recommends 16 GB of RAM, with 8 GB as the minimum.

How much disk space does PDQ Bass need?

The library needs 2.94 GB of hard drive space in compressed form, which expands from 6.67 GB. A stable internet connection is needed for the download.

How do I switch between articulations in PDQ Bass?

There are no key switches. Articulations are selected by how hard you play: low velocity for palm mutes and fingered notes, high velocity for alternate picking, and maximum velocity for slapped notes.

Does PDQ Bass come with an effects-ready tone?

Yes. It includes a processed version with a finished tone, plus a DI version if you want to build your own amp simulation and effects chain.

07Developer

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