Kee Bass
Key Features
- Physical modeling of the 1960s Rheem Kee Bass circuitry with no samples used
- Built-in bass fuzz effect with bright/mellow voicing and sustain/percussion modes
- Low-pass filter with cutoff, resonance, and modulation via LFO or amplitude envelope
- Extended 128-note MIDI range with velocity sensitivity and low/high/last note priority
- Polyphonic mode for layered pads and chord-based bass textures
- 32 factory presets spanning organ bass, fuzz bass, poly synth, and experimental tones
- All parameters fully MIDI-learnable for hardware controller integration
Description
Kee Bass by Martinic is a physically modeled recreation of the Rheem Kee Bass, a monophonic string bass keyboard originally released in the 1960s. Rather than relying on samples, the plugin precisely emulates the original instrument's solid-state circuitry to deliver warm, round bass tones with authentic vintage character.
The front panel faithfully reproduces the Rheem Kee Bass layout, including a bass boost slider, bypass switch, and toggle switches for tone, fuzz, sustain, and decay modes. Clicking the Settings button reveals an extended editing panel with controls that go beyond the original hardware, including a low-pass filter with adjustable cutoff and resonance, filter modulation via LFO or envelope, and a polyphonic mode.
Beyond its retro roots, Martinic added practical modern features: an extended 128-note MIDI range, velocity sensitivity, adjustable attack and decay envelopes, transpose and octave shift, and full MIDI learn on every parameter. The built-in bass fuzz circuit and bright/mellow voicing options give it a surprisingly wide tonal palette, from pillowy organ bass to aggressive growl.
KVR users consistently praise the plugin for punching well above its weight, describing it as "uncluttered and distinctive" with a sound that works across funk, soul, and lo-fi production. It ships with 32 presets covering classic organ bass, fuzz bass, poly synth pads, and more.
Kee Bass supports VST, VST3, AU, AAX, and CLAP formats on both Windows and macOS, with a download size of just 2.44 MB and minimal CPU overhead.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kee Bass use samples or physical modeling?
Kee Bass uses physical modeling exclusively. Martinic analyzed the original Rheem Kee Bass circuitry and recreated the solid-state electronics in software, which means the sound responds dynamically to parameter changes rather than playing back recorded samples.
Can Kee Bass play chords or is it monophonic only?
While the original Rheem Kee Bass was strictly monophonic, Martinic added a polyphonic mode accessible from the Settings panel. This lets you play full chords and layered pads, expanding the plugin well beyond its vintage inspiration.
What is the Rheem Kee Bass that this plugin emulates?
The Rheem Kee Bass was a monophonic string bass keyboard manufactured in the 1960s, designed as a compact alternative to upright bass for organists. It became a cult favorite for its warm, distinctive bass tone and appeared on numerous funk and soul recordings.
How do I get a license for Kee Bass?
Visit the Martinic website and click the "Claim your free license" button on the Kee Bass product page. You will receive a personal license number via email that covers all updates through version 1.x.x.
