The British brand Blackstar (blackstaramps.com) hits hard with this second version of their Amped pedalboard! Indeed, this Amped 2 Dept. 10 offers everything you need to play in a band. All you have to do is plug it into a standard guitar cabinet, a mixing console, a computer (or all three) and you're ready to play.
Disclaimer: this Amped 2 was sent to me for free by Blackstar.
The video has been published without prior validation and has not been invoiced.
As always, The Guitar Channel gear review are not for sale.
This unit will do its Tour de France at the premium subscribers homes of the show.
Amped 2 Dept. 10 express review
Photo album
What I liked
- Very clever concept
- It sounds great!
- Easy to adjust
- Complete connectivity
What I liked less
- No stereo effect
- The tiny switches
Conclusion
I really liked this Blackstar Amped 2 Dept. 10! Here is a well designed equipment, easy to adjust, which sounds good and which does not miss anything except the stereo for the reverbs and the delay. Note that the sound recording is in stereo, with the Room reverb. I discovered this point while leafing through the documentation after the recording of this video.
The hardware is of high quality, the buttons are easy to turn. We have access to all the settings immediately. I just regret that the switches to change sounds are really very small. So visually, it is impossible when you are standing to see at a glance if you are in USA, UK or Classic sound for example.
The Blackstar Architect software is very well done, the ergonomics has been well worked. We find all the settings easily. I liked the random function which allows to explore amazing sounds.
Bonus point for Blackstar for making the Amped a complete audio interface. Indeed for the recording, you have on your computer no less than 4 tracks : left and right of the processed guitar sound, mono guitar sound at the output of the preamp and DI signal.
Until the next gear review or interview, keep on playing the guitar!
Pierre Journel.
