Blackstar Amplification HT-Drive

Blackstar makes gret sounding amps as well as pedal. many of their pedal are based off of their amp's preamp designs. Many touring and professional artists all over the globe are now turning towards Blackstar for their guitar amplifier and pedal needs. They ar able to get a huge market now to added artists signing on for endrosments all the time. To add to their prestige they have included a whole line of distortion pedals as well.

This little pedal use a class A design to pump the glorious cascading gain into your amp. You can use this pedal as a boost or as a all out gain monster. The tone is a bit different than the boost pedal from Blackstar as this one has more of the Vox Orange feel and tone to the distortion.



UTILIZATION


* Genuine valve design
* Operates at 300V HT
* Cascaded valve gain stages
* Responds like a valve amp
* Unique ‘AClass’ tone control

* Fully equipped for stage or studio
* Speaker emulated output
* High integrity buffered bypass
* Power supply included
* Silent switching



SOUND QUALITY

I have to say I am already fan of Blackstar amplification but now I am even a fan of their foot distortion pedals as well. I am not a distortion pedal guy. I generally like to get my tone and gain from the amps preamp combined with the power tube section of the amp. The class A design to this pedal is magnificent. You get a great British distortion tone that is equated to my ears as the tone or an Orange amp or a Vox amp. This pedal does not sound like either of those amps but it has a few similarities in the frequencies in which is produces. This pedal used as an all out gain pedal is where it live though. The design and fell of it is remarkable. This little pedal gives you plenty of drive to kick the pants of the your amp. If you wants to use it as a boost to drive an already overdriven amp into submission.

OVERALL OPINION

You can pick these pedals up new right at around $ 179, which is a decent and fair price for this pedal. It sound god and does exactly what is says. I like the tone and the flavor of distortion is a nice warm tone. I would recommend this pedal to anyone who need a great sounding overdrive pedal to bite their clan or gained out amp.

See the other reviews. This is a tube overdrive (powered by a high voltage)

UTILIZATION

Very simple configuration (there are 3 knobs ..), Manual nice but unnecessary.
Edition ultra simple, each setting opens the door to a new paradise sound

SOUND QUALITY

Used with a Mexican Start 2004, as amended: 2 Fender Texas Special pickups and a seymour duncan side handle, plus a "mid boost" to Clapton, all performed by a real luthier specialized. Vox AD50VT amp, mainly on boutique clean, blackface or tweed

OVERALL OPINION

For a week, and I confirm all the good they said so far.
It's solid stuff, serious, and most of all, the sounds are fabulous.
No way to stop playing! Even my wife came down to ask me if I had a new amp, new guitar or two ... and how much it had cost.
When I told him it was just "small" (it's a real tank) I had to pedal 79 euros on ebay, she did not even ask to lower the sound.
We are far from desperate overdrive of some brands.

As its name suggests, that is pure & very effective drive.

No rack, but it is no longer the class effects "standard" in terms of volume, weight
and ergonomics.
The weight of agreement, it is at 1.2 kg (but justified by the strength).

UTILIZATION

The configuration could not be simpler. (Three spots sensitive and very interactive).

The manual is clear and sufficient? ...............
In my opinion not very useful, but aesthetic.
The packaging is perfect (the box look a little unusual, but that is solid and original).

The AC adapter is a continuation ... solid.

SOUND QUALITY

Close the lamp, balance between the volume / gain settings & guitar tones / tone / level effect particularly effective.



Used with a custom Gibs LP, an LP junior & a Fender Tele (Mex), or direct output to a Marshall
Mackie back ...

OVERALL OPINION

Used for two months and I think this is merely a beginning.

Other models used:
Memory and the latest: a Boss overdrive, the famous TS9 (the comparison made on the occasion)
a Zvex Box of Rock (the one may hesitate).


As for the inevitable questions:
Price / quality ratio ... compare.
Do again what you choose ... not the problem, I 'plans to use HT and HT Boost Delay