Overview

Add subharmonic low-end to thin instrument recordings

The Brainworx bx_subsynth is designed to generate subharmonic frequencies, adding depth to tracks with thin bass profiles. Unlike an EQ, which boosts existing frequencies, bx_subsynth creates new frequencies an octave lower than the original material. bx_subsynth is particularly useful for mixing engineers who need to rescue brittle acoustic guitars, snares, synths, and strings.

The famous hardware bass enhancer as a synth plugin

In developing bx_subsynth, Brainworx began with a meticulous model of the world’s most famous analog subharmonic synthesizer. The original unit's features were revamped to create tighter, clearer, bigger, and more resonant bass. bx_subsynth provides up to three discrete bands, adding a high bass band for re-synthesis that lets you beef up the fundamental frequencies of a wide variety of instruments.

Create real sub-bass that you can feel

Some plugins trick your brain into perceiving nonexistent subharmonics, but bx_subsynth introduces real sub-bass frequencies into your mix. The result is bass that's not just an auditory illusion but a tangible, physical experience. This ensures that your bass is heard and felt, providing a deeper and more immersive listening experience that goes beyond the limitations of psychoacoustics.

Apply bx_subsynth to drums, cinematic FX, and live performances

Use bx_subsynth to fine-tune drum tracks by adjusting subharmonics for distinct, powerful fills and to separate the kick and bass in your mix. Add depth to old vinyl masters and intensify cinematic FX with deep, resonant bass. Enhance the low-end in DJ sets and live performances for an unforgettable experience.

Do more than conventional bass re-synthesizers ever could

bx_subsynth surpasses the flexibility of traditional subharmonic generators, offering unique controls for tailoring your sound. Its “Tight Punch” feature adds a resonant sub-bass peak for clear, impactful bass while filtering out undesirable low frequencies. Additionally, bx_subsynth's “Edge” processing provides Smooth and Harsh modes for versatile compression and saturation effects, delivering anywhere from super-compact to explosively trashy low-end.

Legal Disclaimer: dbx 120XP and Waveform Modeled Synthesis are registered trademarks of Harman International. The bx_subsynth was developed by Brainworx based on its own modeling techniques. dbx, Harman, nor any of their affiliate companies have endorsed or sponsored the bx_subsynth in any manner, nor licensed any intellectual property for use in this product.

 

Features

  • Sound of a famous subharmonic synthesizer with expanded capabilities
  • Generate new low-end frequency content
  • Apply smooth or aggressive saturation
  • Reduce dynamic range with the Squeeze knob
  • Add distortion using the Drive knob
  • Emphasize low-end punch
  • Boost or attenuate the level of new subharmonic content
  • Mono Maker and Stereo Width knobs

 

Audio Examples

Industry Reviews

  • David Arnold

    David Arnold

    Composer (Casino Royale, Independence Day, Sherlock)

    There's so much specific bottom end available on this thing you'd be advised to keep a spare set of speakers around... It fills your room and anchors the bass.

  • Simon Franglen

    Simon Franglen

    Composer & Producer (Avatar, Titanic, Michael Jackson)

    The dbx120 was basically the .1 in 5.1 until we went purely digital. I've missed it. The bx_subsynth brings back a flavour unlike any other for low end. Essential.

  • Deniz Koyu

    Deniz Koyu

    DJ & Producer (Spinnin' Records, Nicky Romero, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike)

    There are a lot of plugins out there that can add upper harmonics to your signal in various ways, but being able to add subharmonics which actually sound great and natural as if they came from the… Read More

  • James Wiltshire

    James Wiltshire

    Producer (Freemasons, F9 Audio)

    At last, a subsonic processor with the level of control needed for contemporary electronica, club and cinematic productions. Another perfectly future-retro release from Brainworx that will be… Read More

  • Josh Newell

    Josh Newell

    Producer, Engineer, Mixer (Linkin Park, Anthrax, Avril Lavigne)

    This plugin lets you to add some beef to your kick drum all the way up to turning it into a sub destroyer!

Customer Reviews

  • Easy to use, great results

    ★★★★★
    by MS
    If you want/need a subsynth this one delivers great results with very little fuss. Has nice flexibility for this type of tool.
  • Absolutely astonishing

    ★★★★★
    by Swisha G
    First time I used this was on a r&b/soul track, acoustic guitar and vocal only. The result literally brought tears to my eyes, lol. It was perfect and added a completely new dimension to the song.… Read More
  • Orchestral Pit

    ★★★★★
    by Macmac
    Although unconventional, the subsynth is very useful for adding weight and definition to low-end orchestral instruments so they cut through mix without muddying up the space. It works great on Celli,… Read More
  • Tame Your Low End!

    ★★★★★
    by Ga Rodriguez
    bx_subsynth is a must go plugin for treat and shape your low end frequencies!
    Definitively usefull in my electronic music projects. I ever use it on my Kick and Bass, the improvement is… Read More
  • Wow

    ★★★★★
    by Vern
    I recently had an EDM mixing project and on the first mix did not have this plugin installed. The artist (of course) requested more subsynth, so I purchased bx_sybsynth to try out. And I'm… Read More

Specifications

Supported Plugin Formats
AAX DSP, AAX Native, AU, VST2, VST3

Supported Operating Systems
macOS 14 down to macOS 11
Windows 11 down to Windows 10

Mac
Intel, or Apple Silicon

PC
x64-compatible CPU

System Requirements
Display resolution: 1440 × 900px or 1280 × 960px or higher
Memory: 2 GB RAM

Downloads

With the Installation Manager you can select, download & install all the Plugin Alliance products. Select any and all formats you need for your system! Mac & PC.

ChangeLog

bx_subsynth

Brainworx bx_subsynth - Changelog

Version 1.9.1 (Oct 9, 2023)
- General: fixed CPU spikes on Mac OS

Version 1.9.0 (Aug 15, 2023)
- General: added native Apple Silicon compatibility for AAX
- General: added macOS Ventura support
- General: improved plugin loading time in the DAW
- General: fixed issue causing Logic to crash when closing the plugin UI
- General: improved font drawing behavior

Version 1.8 (Mar 15, 2022)
- General: added native Apple Silicon compatibility for VST3, VST2 and AU
- General: added macOS Monterey support
- General: added Windows 11 and Windows 10 21H1 support
- General: discontinued Windows 7 support
- General: discontinued macOS 10.9 and 10.11 support
- General: fixed metering behavior in block sizes of 2048 samples and higher

Version 1.7 (Mar 22, 2021)
- General: Compatibility with Logic on Apple Silicon devices via the Rosetta-2 layer
- General: Fixed possible artefacts when freezing or bouncing tracks in Pro Tools
- General: Fixed automation highlighting disappearing in Studio One
- General: Improved license dialog visibility in dark mode

Version 1.6 (May 27, 2020)
- General: Qualified for use with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update
- General: VST3: Fixed potential hangs in a DAW upon loading
- General: Fixed logical issues in undo / redo behavior
- General: Fixed UI resizing issues in Ableton Live on Windows
- General: Fixed audio processing initialization issues on amp and delay products

Version 1.5 (Nov 06, 2019)
- General: Qualified for use with macOS 10.15 Catalina
- General: Qualified for use with Windows 10 November 2019 Update
- General: Fixed plugin validation in Logic under macOS Catalina
- General: Fixed preset name restore in Logic when reopening a session
- General: Fixed opening authorization dialog triggering automation
- General: Improved instantiation times for plugins
- General: Improved license functionality and branding for subscription
- General: Removed 32-bit support on macOS and Windows

Version 1.4 (Jul 10, 2019)
- General: macOS 10.14.5 Update compatibility
- General: Windows 10 1903 Update compatibility
- General: Fixed activation issue in Windows hosts set to non-English language (e.g. Cakewalk)
- General: AU: Fixed issue with increased CPU and memory on reopening UI
- General: VST3: Fixed issue with adapting to host knob mode, and now prioritizing linear
- General: VST3: Fixed issue with VST3 preset permissions
- General: VST3: Improved synchronization between parameter states and some UI functions, e.g. toolbar reset


Version 1.3 (Nov 16, 2018)
- General: macOS Mojave compatibility
- General: Windows October 2018 update compatibility
- General: adding Windows High DPI support for VST2/3 plugins
- General: Fixed potential crashes in Cubase and other VST2 / VST3 DAWs
- General: Fixed potential CPU spikes and audio dropouts
- General: Fixed rendering in Pro Tools on the start of a session
- General: Fixed missing presets in Wavelab and other VST3 DAWs
- General: Improving keyboard control, fixing issues with catched keys preventing it from passing through to DAW
- General: Fixed parallel use of host sessions (e.g. with Live)

Version 1.2 (May 24, 2018)
- General: Microsoft Windows Redstone 4 compatibility
- General: Added computer keyboard control for plugin parameters
- General: Fixed Mouse scroll wheel not working in Windows 8
- General: Fixed an issue where plugins will not validate or load after a certain amount of plugins have been loaded (Windows)
- General: Fixed visual GUI freezes when adjusting DAW parameters, meters, analyzers (Mac)
- General: Fixed possible issue with Pick Pack licenses
- General: Small licenser stability fix
- Fixed bug that lead to noise when reopening a session where the plugin is bypassed

Version 1.1 (Oct 23, 2017)
- General: Mac OS High Sierra compatibility
- General: Fixed possible crash on online activation (Mac OS High Sierra)
- General: Fixed Logic Pro X not validating AU plugins (Mac OS High Sierra)
- General: Fixed CPU spikes and crashes with Cubase (Windows)
- General: Fixed bug that could lead to "AAE -6 error" in ProTools (Windows)
- General: Fixed crash with FL Studio
- General: Fixed crash when cross-opening plugins in various hosts
- General: Fixed crash when using mixdown in Audition
- General: Fixed crash in Final Cut Pro
- General: Fixed delayed parameter handling and crackling issues in Cubase with VST3
- General: Fixed bug where plugin settings were not saved in Harrison Mixbus
- General: Fixed bug that led to AAE error -9317 in ProTools when instantiating plugin
- General: Fixed bug where plugins did not render properly when "x ray" option is enabled in Sonar
- General: Modifications to factory presets were lost when reopening session
- General: Fixed mouse wheel behaviour with second monitor setup (Windows)
- Some plugins: Value labels do not appear every time when clicking on parameter in UI
- General: Faster instantiation time for plugins (Windows)
- General: Adding support for automation highlighting in Presonus StudioOne
- Fixed typo in manual

Version 1.0 (Mar 1, 2017)
- Release version