Aguilar Plugin Suite

Screen 1: The main amp/cab home screen.

For this plug‑in, boutique New York bass specialists Aguilar teamed up with modelling experts Korg — and the results are impressive...

Despite being an enthusiastic and busy bass player, I have to admit that when it comes to recording my basses I’ve never really been all that sophisticated or adventurous in my methods. I’ve played with a few amp‑and‑cab modelling plug‑ins but never been entirely convinced or particularly inspired by them. Instead, I’ve stuck to a tried and trusted technique that involves DI via an old hardware valve compressor (configured to provide valve‑based colour more than actual compression), followed by plug‑in based EQ, compression, optional dirt, and sometimes a taste of very short reverb to add some air and room sound. Being asked to review the Aguilar Plugin Suite, however, had an element of ‘kid in a sweet shop’ about it. Where to start? What will I like?

If you wanted to pick a brand to embody the idea of a boutique backline manufacturer, you’d not be too far away with Aguilar. Founded in 1995 in New York, they began as specialist manufacturers of bass amps and cabs, but have since expanded their product range to include bass effects pedals, pickups, and internal guitar preamps (used by a good number of boutique bass luthiers) — and now, obviously, plug‑ins. You don’t see many Aguilar backline rigs at, say, metal or indie guitar gigs, but at jazz gigs or down in a musical theatre pit, Aguilar have secured a significant niche. And while their hardware is definitely not priced at the entry‑level point, it’s also not soooo expensive that it’s completely out of reach. As I write that, I’m glancing at my venerable old Gallien‑Krueger combo, wondering how much an Aguilar amp and cab would cost me... but I digress!

Suite...