BIAS does it again, folks. I don’t know about you, but I’m consistently impressed by what’s coming out of the Positive Grid development labs. I was a fan of BIAS Amp, became an even bigger fan of BIAS FX, and now I’m absolutely obsessed with BIAS Pedal. You should absolutely open up a second browser window and start your download of this product while you read (and watch!) the rest of this review. It’s that good!
What is Wrong With These People?
I’m going to be completely frank, BIAS Pedal sounds WAY better than it should at a $99 price point ($19.99 for iOS!). The difference in price is made up for in that the desktop version is a complete package and the iOS version contains in-app purchases to unlock everything the desktop version has to offer. All that pricing aside, all I can think of is that BIAS has a business manager who is extremely generous to the musical community—because BIAS Pedal sounds miles better than gear that I (only recently!) paid well over $2,000 for.
Every aspect of your distortion pedal is customizable in BIAS Pedal; and I do mean every aspect. You can change the clipping stage, the output stage, swap out transformers, tweak the natural compression settings, and even swap between virtual power sources. The level of customization is mind boggling, and paired up with the tone-match feature you now have the ability to make a virtual version of a pedal match YOUR actual version of that classic pedal.
Fits Right In
What I see as the best feature of BIAS Pedal is perhaps its simplest. A perfect ‘it just works’ relationship with BIAS FX. Now you can craft a virtual pedal to your perfect specifications, and use it in BIAS FX to insert it into your amp/effect chain. There’s nothing to it, they share the same preset folder, and it happens in a completely transparent fashion. There’s a noise gate and amp room simulator should you choose to load up BIAS Pedal without BIAS FX or Amp, but at the ridiculously low price point for this software you’d be nuts not to just pick up BIAS FX at the same time.
Conclusion
BIAS Pedal is a tweaker’s dream. It’s fast, efficient, and it’s laid out in an incredibly user-friendly manner. The cherry on the top, however, is that it just sounds freaking fantastic. I can’t imagine having to use desktop processors anymore or any other kind of guitar simulation after hearing what the BIAS package can do. Once you use it, there’s no going back. If you record, play, or produce music that uses guitars, do yourself a favor and pick up this software before they come to their senses and triple the price. If you’re a guitarist, BIAS Pedal is a ‘must-buy’.
Price: $99 desktop / $19.99 iOS (with in-app purchases)
Pros: Phenomenal sound, spectacular customization, perfect integration with BIAS FX, fast, efficient, user-friendly, visually stunning.
Cons: I wish there was a package offered that unlocked the iOS app when you purchase the desktop one, or some kind of ‘combo’ deal. Once you try the desktop version, if you have an iOS device, you’ll want the iOS version as well. Guaranteed.
Discussion
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