Positive Grid Bias 2

A giant in software amp modelling returns leaner and meaner

- Alex Lynham

The original Positive Grid BIAS probably did more than any other plugin to bring modern amp modelling to the masses. Whereas other modellers tend to stick closely to emulating real amps, BIAS is more concerned with opening up sounds as a stepping-off-point for further tweaking. Choose an amp, and you can then modify everything from the preamp and power amp tubes to the biasing and EQ shelf frequencies, before playing around with cabs and mics. Plus, by loading custom IRs and using the Amp Match feature, this tonal palette can be extended even further. For BIAS 2 (which starts at $99), PG has overhauled the core engine, while the $299 Elite edition (reviewed here) includes custom impulse responses from speaker legends Celestion. The ability to use two mics is another welcome addition over the original BIAS; being able to independently place and mi