Hey Plugheads! Ready to add a unique touch of vintage to your music? Let’s dive into the Kee Bass, a plugin that brings back the groovy essence of the ‘60s with Martinic’s spot-on emulation of the classic Rheem Kee Bass, one of the first-ever monophonic string bass simulators.
Martinic Kee Bass VST/AU plugin with FREE Licence
The Kee Bass Legacy
The original Kee Bass was a breakthrough in its time, known for its reliability and straightforward tuning system. Each key had its own individual trim pot, which made tuning both accurate and easy. Even if one key’s tuning went off, the others stayed intact—making it a durable and dependable instrument for musicians. Fun fact: the Kee Bass used the same power supply as vintage televisions, highlighting its quirky history and truly retro vibe!
Martinic’s Faithful Emulation
Martinic has recreated the Kee Bass with remarkable attention to detail, modeling the instrument from the original electronic schematics and an actual physical Kee Bass. Unlike sample-based instruments, this is a fully modeled plugin, offering an authentic sound that captures the warm and punchy bass tones of the original. Plus, Martinic added some modern twists to expand its versatility: an extended range, a filter, and modulation options for a fresh, unique sound.
Free to Download – Add Some Vintage to Your Arsenal
The best part? You can grab a license for the Kee Bass plugin for FREE! Just download it, and you’re ready to bring some ‘60s flavor to your tracks. For those who want even more of Martinic’s groovy instruments and effects, the Kee Bass is also available in the Retro Pack bundle, giving you a discounted collection of their finest retro-inspired plugins.
So Plugheads, whether you’re creating funky basslines, vintage synth effects, or just looking to add some retro character to your music, the Kee Bass has got you covered. Give it a try, and let those classic bass tones groove their way into your productions!
Here are some iconic songs that feature the Rheem Kee Bass, known for its deep and vibrant bass sound that defined much of the music from the ’60s and ’70s:
- Steve Winwood often used the Kee Bass in live performances with The Spencer Davis Group. “I’m a Man” is one of the band’s most famous tracks, and the Kee Bass helped create its distinctive sound.
- While Ray Manzarek of The Doors mainly used a Fender Rhodes Piano Bass, he experimented with other monophonic basses of the era in some live performances and recordings, including the Rheem Kee Bass, adding a psychedelic depth to his bass tones.
- This famous instrumental track influenced many artists of the time. Though Booker T. primarily used a Hammond organ, live versions and other productions occasionally used electronic basses like the Kee Bass to give the track a rich groove.
- Rod Argent, keyboardist for The Zombies, was known for his innovative use of keyboards. While he didn’t exclusively use the Kee Bass, songs like “Time of the Season” have a deep, vibrant bass sound reminiscent of what the Kee Bass could produce.
- This psychedelic rock track by Iron Butterfly features deep bass lines that fit perfectly with the vibe of the era. The Kee Bass was sometimes used in live performances to recreate that powerful, resonant bass sound.
These tracks embody the era when the Rheem Kee Bass and other analog synthesizers were becoming essential in rock, soul, and psychedelic music.
How to install it? Download the installer and the license file, and place them both in the same folder. Then, run the installer, and it will automatically install the license.
