Mark Studio 2

INTRO

Mark Studio 2 by Overloud is a powerful virtual bass amp workstation that features bass heads, cabinets, microphones, and a complete pedal-board stuffed with stomp boxes — all modeled after the well-known, great sounding Mark hardware gear. There are many guitar amp simulators available, but the dedicated bass options are limited. Even if this were the only such software available to me, I would never be left wanting. I use Mark Studio 2 in a classroom setting with teens that have the attention span of a housefly. It's vital to my musical lessons that I work fast and get good results. This software helps me dial in a great bass tone long before my students are text messaging, staring out the window, or sleeping with their heads on their desks. I use the presets as a starting point and then quickly substitute and/or adjust from there. All in all, version 2 is everything I hoped for and more. It's easy to use, powerful, great sounding. .. I will continue with a bulleted list:

FAVORITE FEATURES:

• Easy to download, authorize, and launch.
• Cool-looking interface/GUI.
• Inspiring, intuitive workflow.
• Primarily a one-page design — all vital parameters easily accessible.
• Shallow learning curve.
• No crashes.
• CPU friendly.
• Usable presets.
• Microphone phase inversion option.
• Rear microphone placement for behind cab sound.
• Real-time parameter adjustment.
• Fantastic sound.
• Super subs via Ultra Button.
• Innovative, responsive developer.
• Good price considering the sound and power.

OTHER THOUGHTS:

• I'd like to see an expanded EQ with micro control and a really fuzzy distortion button/pedal for trippy, psychedelic, industrial, or any other heavily effected bass tracks.
• I really dig the Vintage Loudspeaker Emulation and would like to see more vintage options — I'm greedy and hungry for the 502, 60s, and 70s sound.
• The onboard reverb called "Room" is great for a reference, but I usually bypass it and use a dedicated reverb unit/plugin.

SUMMARY

Mark Studio 2 is easy to use and delivers a great sound. It's flexible, has great parameter control, and features all the tools needed to create an excellent bass track. It can do it all, from pulsating subs to punchy, bright, or buzzy. It also has some presets for synth bass, which expands the software's usefulness beyond "real" bass. To quote another reviewer, "The amount of available tonal variation is phenomenal. The array of amplifiers faithfully reproduce the tone, texture and feel of the Markbass lineup – from the all-tube Classic 300 to the hybrid MoMark." I highly recommend Mark Studio 2 to any eMusician, eProducer, film and game scorer, sound designer, etc., who uses bass — basically everyone and anyone creating music in the modern world! Tommy Zai gives Mark Studio 2 two thumb slaps up. In short, Mark Studio 2 helps breathe life into bass tracks! Thank you, Overloud, for creating such a fantastic software for my bass.

Note: I would rate this product 9.5, leaving room for my suggested improvements; however, I have to choose either 9 or 10. I went with 10.

http://www.overloud.com/products/mark_studio2.php.