Air Sub Factory is a powerful bass synthesizer plugin designed to create deep, rich, and impactful bass sounds for modern music production. Developed by Air Music Technology, this virtual instrument combines dual wavetable engines with a sample-based engine, offering producers unprecedented control over their low-end frequencies. The plugin features an extensive preset library, comprehensive modulation options, and a suite of built-in effects, making it suitable for a wide range of genres including R&B, Hip Hop, Drum and Bass, and Pop. The user interface of Sub Factory is sleek and intuitive, with a main screen that provides easy access to oscillator layers, pitch control, and volume settings. The plugin’s layout is optimized for both quick tweaks and deep sound design, allowing producers to craft their perfect bass sound efficiently. With its ability to go beyond traditional 808 bass presets, Sub Factory opens up new possibilities for creative bass line production, from classic analog-style tones to edgy digital textures and unique, evolving soundscapes.
Pros:
• Versatile sound engine with dual wavetables and sample-based oscillator
• Extensive preset library for instant inspiration
• Intuitive interface suitable for both beginners and advanced users
• Comprehensive modulation options for detailed sound sculpting
• Built-in effects for polishing and enhancing bass sounds
• Compatible with both desktop DAWs and MPC hardware
Cons:
• Relatively high CPU usage, especially when using multiple instances
• Limited to bass sounds, which may not justify the cost for some users
• Learning curve for fully utilizing all features and capabilities
Sub Factory boasts an impressive array of features that set it apart in the realm of bass synthesizers. At its core are two wavetable engines, each offering hundreds of waves with 127 index points for extensive customization. This allows producers to blend and morph between different waveforms, creating complex and evolving bass tones. The third sample-based engine adds another layer of sonic possibilities, incorporating kicks, 808 loops, shots, noise, and various effects samples. Users can manipulate these samples with features like sample start and delay, reverse playback, pitch adjustment, and filter controls.
The plugin’s filter section is equally robust, featuring multiple filter types and dedicated envelopes for both amplitude and filter modulation. This level of control enables precise shaping of the bass sound’s attack, decay, sustain, and release characteristics. The intuitive modulation section expands the sound design potential further, offering a wide array of target options for creating dynamic and expressive bass lines.
Sub Factory’s effects suite is comprehensive, including essential tools like Unison, Spread, and Width for adding richness and stereo width to bass sounds. Additional effects such as Ring Modulation, Chorus, Drive, and EQ provide further options for sound polishing and creative processing. The inclusion of a sidechain feature in the dynamics section is particularly noteworthy, allowing for easy ducking effects commonly used in electronic music production. The preset library offering a substantial collection of ready-to-use sounds designed to inspire creativity. These presets cover a wide range of bass styles and genres, providing an excellent starting point for producers looking for quick results or inspiration for their own sound design.
Sub Factory’s compatibility with both desktop DAWs and MPC hardware is a significant advantage, offering flexibility for different production workflows. The plugin supports various formats including AU, VST, VST3, and AAX on both macOS and Windows platforms, as well as integration with MPC standalone systems.
When compared to other bass-focused synthesizers, Air Sub Factory holds its own with its unique combination of wavetable and sample-based synthesis. While plugins like Massive X from Native Instruments offer more extensive modulation options and a broader sound palette, Sub Factory’s focused approach to bass production gives it an edge in terms of immediacy and ease of use for creating low-end sounds. Compared to Serum by Xfer Records, which is known for its wavetable capabilities, Sub Factory offers a more streamlined experience specifically tailored for bass production. While Serum provides more flexibility for creating a wide range of sounds, Sub Factory’s dedicated bass features and sample integration make it more efficient for crafting low-end elements. In the realm of 808-style bass plugins, Sub Factory offers more advanced sound design capabilities than simpler options like Initial Audio’s 808 Studio II. Its wavetable engines and comprehensive modulation options allow for more complex and evolving bass sounds, going beyond traditional 808 emulations.
This plugin is best for:
• Electronic music producers looking for a dedicated bass synthesizer
• Hip-hop and trap producers seeking to expand their 808 sound palette
• Sound designers interested in creating unique and complex bass tones
• MPC users wanting to enhance their hardware setup with powerful bass synthesis
• Producers working across multiple genres who need versatile bass sounds
Air Sub Factory stands out as a powerful and focused tool for producers and sound designers seeking to elevate their bass production.Its combination of wavetable and sample-based synthesis, coupled with an extensive preset library and powerful modulation options, makes it a versatile tool for creating a wide range of bass sounds. The plugin’s intuitive interface strikes a balance between accessibility for beginners and depth for experienced sound designers, allowing users to quickly dial in classic bass tones or dive deep into complex sound sculpting. Its blend of classic and modern synthesis techniques, coupled with an intuitive interface and extensive sound-shaping capabilities, positions it as a strong contender in the specialized field of bass synthesizers. The inclusion of built-in effects and sidechain capabilities further enhances its utility in modern music production workflows. The compatibility with both desktop DAWs and MPC hardware expands its potential user base, making it a valuable tool for both studio and live performance setups.