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denied « Great high gain distortion »
Published on 05/20/11 at 08:37- Controls for Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, ISF, and Level
- ISF knob controls voicing
- 12AX7/ECC83 tube
- Tube is run at full 300v
- Emulated output
- Buffered bypass
- Adapter powered
- LED indicator
- Side mounted jacks
UTILIZATION
This is definitely not a simple distortion pedal, but is actually pretty straightforward to use. You get a full three band EQ, which is really nice, so dial it in just like an amp. In fact, the whole thing works like at amp.
I've heard some concerns about dealing with the tube failure or replacements. Shouldn't really be a problem at all, it is seated very well, and replacement shouldn't be an issue. If you aren't familiar with tubes or tube amps, just take it to a tech.
These do need to be used with an adapter which can be a little bit of a pain. I like to have my entire board running off of one power supply.
SOUND QUALITY
The ISF knob (Infinite Shape Feature) is probably the coolest sonic sonic component of this pedal. It basically allows to you to control the voicing of this amp, between British and American, and anywhere in between. As far as I know this is unique to Blackstar products and is very useful.
Unlike a lot of pedals that run tubes as a gimmick (I've seen some lit by an LED before), this one runs the tube at a full 250-300 volts, and actually uses both sides of it to clip the signal. It actually does sound like tube distortion. Very full, thick, crunchy.
This isn't really an OD or boost, you are going to want to run this into a nice clean platform with a lot of headroom.
OVERALL OPINION
If you are after a convincing high gain distortion pedal, this is the one to buy. Real tube distortion at a pretty reasonable price. It dials in, sounds, and reacts like a high gain amp. The fact that you can switch it between and across American and British voicings is a great bonus.
Cheaper options for high gain are the digitech hardwire TL2 or barber dirty bomb.
But I really like this one, definitely recommended.
- ISF knob controls voicing
- 12AX7/ECC83 tube
- Tube is run at full 300v
- Emulated output
- Buffered bypass
- Adapter powered
- LED indicator
- Side mounted jacks
UTILIZATION
This is definitely not a simple distortion pedal, but is actually pretty straightforward to use. You get a full three band EQ, which is really nice, so dial it in just like an amp. In fact, the whole thing works like at amp.
I've heard some concerns about dealing with the tube failure or replacements. Shouldn't really be a problem at all, it is seated very well, and replacement shouldn't be an issue. If you aren't familiar with tubes or tube amps, just take it to a tech.
These do need to be used with an adapter which can be a little bit of a pain. I like to have my entire board running off of one power supply.
SOUND QUALITY
The ISF knob (Infinite Shape Feature) is probably the coolest sonic sonic component of this pedal. It basically allows to you to control the voicing of this amp, between British and American, and anywhere in between. As far as I know this is unique to Blackstar products and is very useful.
Unlike a lot of pedals that run tubes as a gimmick (I've seen some lit by an LED before), this one runs the tube at a full 250-300 volts, and actually uses both sides of it to clip the signal. It actually does sound like tube distortion. Very full, thick, crunchy.
This isn't really an OD or boost, you are going to want to run this into a nice clean platform with a lot of headroom.
OVERALL OPINION
If you are after a convincing high gain distortion pedal, this is the one to buy. Real tube distortion at a pretty reasonable price. It dials in, sounds, and reacts like a high gain amp. The fact that you can switch it between and across American and British voicings is a great bonus.
Cheaper options for high gain are the digitech hardwire TL2 or barber dirty bomb.
But I really like this one, definitely recommended.