Mainliner: Engineered for DnB Bass Domination
Looking for a tool capable of crafting those same fat, dirty, and powerful basslines that are the foundation of the Drum & Bass genre? Introducing Mainliner from arcDev Noise Industries – a virtual instrument (VST) designed with a single purpose: to equip you with an arsenal for creating “big, evil” basses that cut through the mix and get listeners moving.
The Heart of the Sound: Powerful Oscillators and Modulation
Mainliner makes no compromises when it comes to sound generation. It is equipped with nine independent oscillator sections, each offering a choice between sawtooth (saw), triangle, and pulse waveforms. This provides incredible flexibility for layering and shaping complex timbres. Each oscillator section also allows fine-tuning of detuning, which is key to creating voluminous and aggressive basses.
Special attention has been given to pulsewidth modulation, which is critically important for creating dynamic and lively sounds. This parameter can not only be adjusted but also modulated, adding movement and evolution to your basslines.
Shaping the Sound: Filters and Envelopes
To give the sound the desired shape and character, Mainliner offers an advanced section of filters and envelopes.
Flexible Filter System:
- Low-pass filters (LP): 4, 6, or 8 poles for different cutoff slopes.
- High-pass filters (HP) and band-pass filters (BP): 2 or 4 poles.
- The ability to choose between serial and parallel filter operation modes.
These filtering options allow you to precisely control the spectral content of your bass, from soft and deep sub-basses to sharp and piercing mid-frequencies.
Four Powerful Envelope Generators:
- One envelope for controlling the volume (VCA).
- One envelope for controlling the low-pass filter cutoff frequency (Low-Pass VCF).
- Two additional envelopes where you can choose the destination for modulation. This opens up wide possibilities for creating dynamic textures and moving sounds.
The intensity of modulation from each envelope, as well as the effect of key velocity on various parameters, is fully adjustable, giving you complete control over the dynamics and expressiveness of the sound.
Additional Tools for Destruction
Mainliner is equipped with tools that take it beyond a standard synthesizer and allow you to create truly unique and aggressive timbres:
- Noise Generator: Add a growl, grit, or atmosphere to your bass.
- Ringmodulator: Create metallic, robotic, or bell-like sounds, perfect for experimental DnB textures.
- Built-in Effects: The plugin includes Chorus and Drive effects. Chorus will add width and volume, while Drive will saturate the sound with harmonics and add that same desired “dirt” and aggression.
Convenience and Control
In addition to sound generation, Mainliner provides important parameters for integration into your workflow and expressive playing:
- Pitch-bend range settings.
- Portamento function for a smooth transition between notes.
- MIDI channel selection.
Conclusion
Mainliner from arcDev Noise Industries is not just another synthesizer. It is a specialized tool tailored to the needs of the modern Drum & Bass producer who is looking for unique, powerful, and aggressive bass sounds. With its multi-layered oscillator architecture, flexible filter and envelope system, as well as built-in effects and modulation tools, Mainliner will become an indispensable assistant in creating basslines that define the genre. If your production needs bass that’s not just heard but felt – Mainliner is worth your attention.
