Hardcore Bass XP: Anyone using? (Bass lib advice)

[LGK_Dude]

Hello everyone,

I'm a Logic Pro & Kontakt user who is looking to upgrade my bass pallet. Right now Quantum Leap Hardcore Bass XP is on sale, thus I'm looking for some user feedback.

For those who own it, how difficult is it to create realistic bass lines? How much extra processing is involved (e.g. filters, EQ, even amp modulation)? Is the sound pallet limiting?

My main concern is with variety. If I could afford it, I'd love to get Trilogy, as it seems to cover the widest range of possible bass sounds (and being a student film composer, I like that . However, I am starting a progressive rock project, and Hardcore should work well in that application. For those who may be lucky enough to own both Trilogy and Hardcore XP, would it be worth saving up for Trilogy, or go with Hardcore at half the cost? Are there other bass libs out there that are worth checking out, given my prog-rock/film score focus?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

[susiwong]

LGK_Dude,
I know both mentioned libraries quite well and decided to buy HCB XP since Trilogy definitely has too little high frequency content in the sample material to even do a convincing P-Bass growl, let alone stuff like Rickenbacker and Danelectro.
It works fine if you want a smooth, "over-" produced pop sound a la Phil Collins or the like, but just forget about it for rock.
EQ doesn't help much either since you can't boost what isn't there.
The double bass and synths do sound excellent though.
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HCB XP is a completely different animal and almost unusable out of the box if you don't do - well, Hardcore.
If you want basses played so hard the fret noise is louder than the tone itself, if you need distorted basses and so on - go ahead, you've found what you're looking for.
After initial extreme disappointment I found a way to at least use it - ditch the top two velocity layers altogether to get rid of all that crap any non - hardcore bass player would be ashamed of and remap the few remaining layers, now at least some of the basses do sound reasonable and can be used, sadly there is no alternative available for Rickenbackers, Danelectros etc atm.
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What I'm using most these days is the old "Pure E-Basses" vol.1 library (EXS format) which gives you fine, authentic rock / allround Fender and MusicMan basses.
Combined with Helian First Bass as amp sim this sounds amazing, it is the closest I've come to a real played bass and it's cheap.
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Majestic uses the same basic samples, but has the crappy UVI engine that doesn't work with Cubase SX (!!!) and I wouldn't trust that company Yellowtools for future developments, they've been lying too much in the past for my tastes.
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Scarbee's J-Bass library sounds absolutely gorgeous and is on sale now at JRRShop, but ir's not really rock, it's fusion and funk oriented.
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If you can wait a little bit (2 to 3 months), JamBassist will be available, a product I will buy on the spot sight unseen since I'm totally convinced by the quality and support I'm constantly experiencing with JamStix.
http://rayzoon.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/viewforum.php?f=3
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Hope this subjective and hopelessly biased report helps a bit, ymmv as always.
Cheers, susiwong

[susiwong]

btw,
did I mention I'm interested in this topic a bit ?

susiwong

[LGK_Dude]

WOW susiwong! Thank you for the wonderful post!! I just may have to pick up those Pure E-basses, and its an extra bonus that it will work seamlessly with Logic EXS!! Unfortunately, being a mac AU only user, I will be unable to use JamBassist, as it will probably be another VST only plugin. I'm hoping Pure E-basses will get me by for the time being.

Thanks again for the outstanding reply! This has to be the single best, most detailed answer I've ever gotten to a post, and I truly appreciate it. I hope it helps other users as much as it helped me!! THANKS!!! I look forward to reading more of your posts. BTW, do you have any music online that I can hear? (esp stuff with bass