EBX PROGRESSIVE METAL
BRING IN THE SIX-STRING.
In this EBX expansion for EZbass, progressive precision meets bulldozer-like brutality.
For the past few decades and counting, the progressive movement has been one of the most vocal and constantly evolving midpoints in the metal scene. From the trailblazing likes of Queensrÿche, Savatage and Fates Warning, on through the melodic mastery of Dream Theater, the ingenuity of Tool, the completely genre-overthrowing sound of Meshuggah to where it is today, with its mural of niched offshoots, it’s kept its foothold firmly in its roots but continued to thrive at what is inherent in every fiber of its being: to progress.
With this EBX for EZbass, we’re proud to deliver what we believe is the epitome of an instrument to meet those criteria – a six-string bass that musters the entire width from subtle expressiveness and articulation to raw, progressive power. In addition to the sounds, this EBX also comes with a MIDI library of riff-driven grooves unique to the product as well as a broad collection of presets for a wide range of tones, allowing you to get started writing and producing right off the bat.
If you’re looking for a metal-oriented EBX that can handle progressive precision just as well as bulldozer-like brutality, here you go. Let’s bring in the six-string and get on to writing.
- A meticulously captured modern electric six-string bass
- Inspired by the sounds and players of the progressive metal scene
- Includes finger and pick options as well as slap and tapping articulations
- Offering a range from A0 to A4
- Includes a collection of presets covering a broad range of progressive metal-inspired tones
- Comes with a custom MIDI library tailored for the instrument and the genre
THE INSTRUMENT
Progressive perfection personified.
With its neck-through design and narrow-horned double cutaway body, the Ibanez BTB1836* is a bass designed for brick solid lower-register riffs as much as it’s the perfect option for players that venture up its 24-fret Panga Panga fretboard. That it has the qualities to encompass these best-of-both-worlds traits, which was apparent when thoroughly testing it, was what tipped the scale in its favor for this project.
“We wanted an instrument that had the grit, the drive and the body of a metal bass at the same time as it had just as much articulated finesse and refined qualities for fusion and jazz, which really is what the progressive genre comes to down to,” comments Ulf Edlund, EZbass lead sound designer.
This is a metal bass, yes, but indeed so much more. That’s why it was the perfect pick for a genre where very few things aim to remain the same
THE SOUNDS & ARTICULATIONS
Seeing that the progressive metal genre is as diverse as there are riffs, this EBX includes both finger and pick playing styles as well as slap and tapping articulations. This gives you an instrument that covers anything from an overall round, full and balanced tone to one where attack, punch and piercing detail is in the forefront. Slam it at full velocity with the pick and you’ll have the grit and the bite – do the same with the finger and you’ll get that classic, clanky tone when the string pops against the frets. As for range, with a reach all the way from A0 up to A4, you’ll be able to create nuanced performances for any imaginable riff that comes to mind.
THE PRESETS
The included presets were inspired by a broad range of bands, albums and players of the progressive metal genre. Expect tones that range from the delicate and the fusion-tinged to ones that virtually swim in distortion, saturation and compression. Should you want to run the instrument through your own signal chain, however, a ‘DI‘ (direct in) and ‘Multi-Out’ option is of course included for both the ‘Finger’ and the ‘Pick’ libraries. This will give you endless possibilities to shape your own tones from scratch.
System Requirements
1 GB Free disk space plus an additional 1 GB for the installation process
4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended
A working EZ Bass 1.1.6 or above