Blackstar ID: Series Programmable Amplifiers
by John Knowles
Blackstar showcased their full line of ID Series amplifiers at this years Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, CA, adding to an already impressive line-up of amplifiers for the modern musician. ID Series Amplifiers claim to allow the user to dial in “the sound in your head.” According to their NAMM press release for 2013, these amps are now fully available in stores and online, with Musiciansfriend.com being one of their largest distributors for the latter. The ID Series caters to any guitarist with six different amps and two cabinets to choose from, ranging from 15 to 100 Watts. So you might be asking, what makes these amplifiers any different than Blackstar’s already renowned Series One, HT-Venue, and Artisan series? The answer is the ID Series’ unmatched customization, versatility, and affordability, in a fully digital format, allowing for up to 128 user storable sounds.
Now I’m sure that if you’re a true tone-purist who prefers the classic sound and feel of all tube-power than the concept of a digital amplifier may not sound all too appealing. However, with the ID Series guitarists get the flexibility of an amazing fully programmable amp, with the same power and feel of an all tube amp. For the professional musician, this means an amp versatile enough for both a studio and live set-up. In fact, I ran into Tommy Henriksen (current lead guitarist for Alice Cooper) while experiencing the Blackstar exhibit at the Winter NAMM show. He told me that he’d definitely be taking an ID:100TVP 100 Watt head on the road in the near future.
Taking a closer look at the controls of the ID Series amplifiers you’ll first come to the “Voice” control. This allows you to choose between six different voice settings ranging from Overdrive 1 & 2, Crunch/Super Crunch, and Warm or Bright Clean. Next up is the Infinite Shape Feature (ISF), which can be found on other amps in the Blackstar line-up. Designed to work hand-in-hand with your standard equalization settings, ISF allows the user to shape the EQ towards either a USA or UK sound profile. Next, the user now comes to something truly unique and groundbreaking: TVP, or True Valve Power. This innovative patent-applied-for technology allows the user to select from 6 different power valve/tube responses. Once engaged, the amp will perform with the response, dynamics, sag, and break-up characteristics of the selected tube amp, and as I stated earlier, the same power or loudness as well. I was personally sold on the idea of being able to switch from the unique dynamics of some EL34s and EL84s within the same amp. Fourthly, the user can take advantage of the effects section of the ID Series. There’s modulation, delay, and reverb to choose from, and these effects can be used simultaneously. Lastly there is the Master section. Here you’ll find the standard Master volume, and on the 60 and 100 Watt varieties a resonance and presence control as well. All of these controls will allow for the user to dial in some very specific and unique sounds, which will certainly appeal to players of many genres, or live musicians with a very eclectic or varied set list. I overheard Tommy Henriksen stating that these amps would give him the ability to program individual tones and settings for such Alice hits as “School’s Out” and “I’m Eighteen”.
Supplied with all ID Series Amps is the Insider GUI software which allows for easy editing and storing of up to 128 presets or patches. Users can fine-tune their sounds on their computers. A USB input on the front of the amp allows for recording directly to a computer, or re-amping guitar tracks in a DAW. Using the online community on Blackstar’s website, patches can be shared and uploaded/downloaded. Again, speaking with Tommy Henriksen he sounded very pleased that he could use one of these amps on the road, upload his presets from different songs, and allow fans the opportunity to download their favorite tones from songs they just heard at a show to their very own ID Series amplifier.
The street prices for these amplifiers are very reasonable. With the ID:15TVP 15 Watt combo going for $299.99, and the ID:100TVP 100 Watt head going for just $599.99. This is a great sounding amp that will cater to almost any guitarist. With a diverse roster, ranging from Silenoz of Dimmu Borgir to Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, Blackstar is no stranger to providing tones for many different kinds of guitarists. The ID Series will allow any user the flexibility to dial in these varying and unique sounds on a budget, and with unmatched customization.
Blackstar Amps Site
Musicians Friend
Alice Cooper
by John Knowles
Blackstar showcased their full line of ID Series amplifiers at this years Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, CA, adding to an already impressive line-up of amplifiers for the modern musician. ID Series Amplifiers claim to allow the user to dial in “the sound in your head.” According to their NAMM press release for 2013, these amps are now fully available in stores and online, with Musiciansfriend.com being one of their largest distributors for the latter. The ID Series caters to any guitarist with six different amps and two cabinets to choose from, ranging from 15 to 100 Watts. So you might be asking, what makes these amplifiers any different than Blackstar’s already renowned Series One, HT-Venue, and Artisan series? The answer is the ID Series’ unmatched customization, versatility, and affordability, in a fully digital format, allowing for up to 128 user storable sounds.
Now I’m sure that if you’re a true tone-purist who prefers the classic sound and feel of all tube-power than the concept of a digital amplifier may not sound all too appealing. However, with the ID Series guitarists get the flexibility of an amazing fully programmable amp, with the same power and feel of an all tube amp. For the professional musician, this means an amp versatile enough for both a studio and live set-up. In fact, I ran into Tommy Henriksen (current lead guitarist for Alice Cooper) while experiencing the Blackstar exhibit at the Winter NAMM show. He told me that he’d definitely be taking an ID:100TVP 100 Watt head on the road in the near future.
Taking a closer look at the controls of the ID Series amplifiers you’ll first come to the “Voice” control. This allows you to choose between six different voice settings ranging from Overdrive 1 & 2, Crunch/Super Crunch, and Warm or Bright Clean. Next up is the Infinite Shape Feature (ISF), which can be found on other amps in the Blackstar line-up. Designed to work hand-in-hand with your standard equalization settings, ISF allows the user to shape the EQ towards either a USA or UK sound profile. Next, the user now comes to something truly unique and groundbreaking: TVP, or True Valve Power. This innovative patent-applied-for technology allows the user to select from 6 different power valve/tube responses. Once engaged, the amp will perform with the response, dynamics, sag, and break-up characteristics of the selected tube amp, and as I stated earlier, the same power or loudness as well. I was personally sold on the idea of being able to switch from the unique dynamics of some EL34s and EL84s within the same amp. Fourthly, the user can take advantage of the effects section of the ID Series. There’s modulation, delay, and reverb to choose from, and these effects can be used simultaneously. Lastly there is the Master section. Here you’ll find the standard Master volume, and on the 60 and 100 Watt varieties a resonance and presence control as well. All of these controls will allow for the user to dial in some very specific and unique sounds, which will certainly appeal to players of many genres, or live musicians with a very eclectic or varied set list. I overheard Tommy Henriksen stating that these amps would give him the ability to program individual tones and settings for such Alice hits as “School’s Out” and “I’m Eighteen”.
Supplied with all ID Series Amps is the Insider GUI software which allows for easy editing and storing of up to 128 presets or patches. Users can fine-tune their sounds on their computers. A USB input on the front of the amp allows for recording directly to a computer, or re-amping guitar tracks in a DAW. Using the online community on Blackstar’s website, patches can be shared and uploaded/downloaded. Again, speaking with Tommy Henriksen he sounded very pleased that he could use one of these amps on the road, upload his presets from different songs, and allow fans the opportunity to download their favorite tones from songs they just heard at a show to their very own ID Series amplifier.
The street prices for these amplifiers are very reasonable. With the ID:15TVP 15 Watt combo going for $299.99, and the ID:100TVP 100 Watt head going for just $599.99. This is a great sounding amp that will cater to almost any guitarist. With a diverse roster, ranging from Silenoz of Dimmu Borgir to Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, Blackstar is no stranger to providing tones for many different kinds of guitarists. The ID Series will allow any user the flexibility to dial in these varying and unique sounds on a budget, and with unmatched customization.
Blackstar Amps Site
Musicians Friend
Alice Cooper
