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From: ProGuitarShopDemos
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  • Downside: This pedal has a narrower dynamic range than a regular distortion. Non true bypass, takes away the fullness of your tone when both channels are bypassed (loss is audible enough for an oboe player to spot in a split second.)

    Upside: it's way warmer sounding than the warmest non tube od. and it works for a very wide range of different distortion applications. One could play Clapton or Gilbert or many other things that comes to mind with that.

  • when's the ht-metal demo coming up?

  • So I am thinking of getting a new distortion pedal, due to not having enough money for a good amp and I was wondering which is better, the HT-DISTX or this. I want something with really high gain for metal. I like the dual-channel feature of this, but is it as heavy as the DISTX?

  • @pivotgodxd Its a common misconception that you are supposed to use a lot of gain to get a good metal tone. High gain will make your sound loose and grainy. Metal rhythm guitar is supposed to be tight and focused. Back off the gain, use little to no effects, use heavy gauge strings, and use proper technique. Also, an overdrive in front with the gain set to "0" really helps to tighten up the low end. Its not necessary though.

  • @tighttritenight very well spoken my friend. and dont forget to put your mids at least to halfway.

  • rollins band intro riff ftw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • is this pedal has a similiar sound like ht-5 with overdrive channel? because i'm lookin for a crunchy overdrive like ht-5.

  • This demo taught me this pedal is lame. Just like the guy who made this video.

  • hi!! can i use the emulated output to connect the pedal to another amp?? or it will damage the amp? i want to use it as a A/B... it is possible?? thanks!!!

  • Is this pedal meant to be used as a preamp plugged into the FX loop return or something of an amp or in front of an amp's clean channel?

    Thanks.

  • @lordbibaldi You can use it in both ways. I use it in front of the clean channel of my amp so I can control volume and tone with the amp knobs. If you plug it to the FX loop you get a Blackstar preamp which what this pedal is in reality, and the controls of the pedal become the controls of your amp.

  • Foster, it's a completely different sound. More sag on channel 2. Tried it.

  • 5:22 ZZ Top's "Francine" great track!

  • i have a question, how's the channel 2 in this pedal compares to the HT-Dist? Does it have the same quality distortion?

  • Hi there man! I bought one of these, and i wonder if you can save two different sounds for it? Like have alot treble on ch 2 and not so much on ch 1, so that i switch to channel 2 only for solos? Thanks,

    Antayn

  • @Antayn short answer - no.

    long answer - F**K no

    but you could also get a booster pedal just for a little extra for channel 2

  • i like the sounds of the clean and i like the sounds of the crunch on channel one. does channel two have the same tonality of the crunch on channel one? i want to use this pedal to have a clean and a dirty. but not too dirty. if i roll off a little gain on channel two does it give me the not so heavy sound of the crunch on channel one. or is it a completely different sound?

  • Comment removed

  • .. I want one... but in PGS is no longer avialable or what?? ... pleeeeaasee help !!! hehe

  • This one compared to the pilmsoul.. which one has more of a complex and musical overdrive?.... I like em both... I have an OCD but I always dislike the lack of clarity ... I am always trying to bring some treble cause it sounds like muffled or something... The pilmsoul I feel it has this clarity... what do you think dude?... tks..

  • If i want to plug this in a single chanel valve amp should it be in the FX Loop or it can be straight into the amp input? And will there be a sound difference between the both?

  • hey so can i use this with any amp or does it haveto be a blackstar?

  • This thing really sucks.... DO NOT BUY IT!

  • Can you try different tubes inside these Blackstar pedals without losing the warranty?

  • is it good enough for metal? like thrash?

  • @AmbRoSiaLoVeR depends on the rig you already got

  • @Dennizzz119 sorry for my ignorance, but what is it '' rig '' ?

  • @AmbRoSiaLoVeR He is reffering to his amp and anything he may have on a rack like rack tuners or effects processors :p

  • As a stand-alone unit into my recording equipment, how's it stack up? Does the speaker emulation provide it with that "roundness" (for lack of a better word) of a speaker? I am quite convinced of it's flexibility, as seen on another guitarist's video, but the clean channel has to have a little sparkle for me.... not having to be the Fender sparkle though.

  • i love it!

  • Hello, I have a fender supersonic 412 enclosure with the supersonic 60 head which is a valve amp. would there really be much point in me getting this pedal?

  • Brilliant Alice in Chains Riff / Tone! Spot on! Don't think many people will recognize that song.

  • @markb583 God Am. That Song rules XD

  • Hello! So can I just chuck one of those into a P.A as a pre-amp and get a half decent guitar tone, like my mate does with his Mesa Boogie V-Twin? I've had enough of lugging massive AmpS about!!!! These seem pretty good for the money

  • @theceilibristol Yep, this pedal + guitar is all you'll need for a solid jam :)

  • what's the name of the song on the background?

  • I have a tube king, how would it compare to the blackstar for a metal sound.

  • Nice play on Alice In Chain's "God Am" from 4:17 to about 5:10. Haven't heard that song in years, but it was instantly recognizable.

  • Set to...CHUG!

  • Blackstar HT Dual or Empress mutti drive........... decisions, decisions

  • Oh this pedal rules.I have the pure valve filth one and it's too scooped sounding.This on the other hand....creamy.I must have it!

  • I tried this and if it were'nt for the shared EQ, I would have gotten it. it was pretty much impossible for me to find EQ settings that sounded good on both channels. If they ever decide to come out with a new version with independent EQ's, i'm all over it.

  • Would this pedal be good for an AMP that doesnt use Valves, and if u want Valve-like tone?

  • sweet demo will it work the same in my marshall mg250, guees ill have to try

  • Is this same as BLACKSTAR HT DISTX but only with 2 channels?

  • @psychotapu Not exactly it has not quite as much gain. However there is a limited edition Gus G signature pedal which is almost exactly what you describe.

  • This pedal can really create a traditional "Mesa" metal sound if it is used with a pure valve Marshall or Laney amps....

    I am considering putting this pedal in front of my DSL401, any idea for that?

  • how high is the gain set at 4:10?

  • I miss Andys finger pointing. sigh...

  • Is this able to make a metal sound ?

  • How would it sound on a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe? I want to sound like a smooth. hi-gain person instead of a shitty muddy and fuzzy sound which the HRD does.

  • I can, ONLY, afford one pedal for soaring overdrive lead work. Should I get the Blackstar or the Boss Metal zone?

    Mind you, it's not for chords but mainly lead work, requiring long singing sustains.

    What is everyone opinion, out there?

    WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST PEDAL TO GET, IF ONLY 1?

    I will be putting it in front of my vintage Fender amp.

    thanks

  • @novanine9 Boss sounds like shit compared to this man

  • @marcusmarkmus - Thanks...I've, always, suspected that from the metal zone (from what I've heard)....

    how about the tubescreamer ts9dx?

    I can only afford one booster / overdrive pedal...

    what is the best one, other than shelling out for a Klon Centaur?

    I'm on a budget, but I record and perform live on a regular basis.

  • @novanine9 I dont know about the tube screamer as I have not tested it, but I sometimes gig with the HT-dual (when I dont bother bringing my marshall head) and it does the job very well! I've even had people coming to me asking what pedal made that cool tone after a gig. And the crunch channel has enough gain to be a rhythm guitar channel for rock and metal music, leaving the other channel to be only solo, which is great. if you play like pantera or something you'll need more gain though. :P

  • @marcusmarkmus - That's, really, good advice regarding your experience with the HT Dual. As far as the crunch...do you think that it sounds close enough to the top boost that SRV got out of putting a Tubescreamer in front of a vintage tube amp?

    That would save me the money of having to buy the tubescreamer, as well. I would than ONLY, need to get the blackstar and put that in front of my Fender Champ silverface.

    Y'know...we musicians need to spread the money around to all areas, lol!

  • @novanine9 Im sorry, I cant really answer that since I havent tried the tubescreamer on the same amp as the blackstar.... the best thing to do, again, is just to try it in a store if possible, or borrow from friends to test it and stuff. :) yeah, guitaring isnt the cheapest thing to do in life :P

  • @marcusmarkmus - I'm going down to Guitar Center this afternoon. You're right, it is something that I have to do before making the decision. However...you think guitaring is expensive?

    TRY MAKING IT IN THE MUSIC BIZ, as multi-instrumentalist recording artist, singer songwriter, LOL!

    You end up spending mad loot on all sorts of expenses that are TOTALLY non gear related, such as TRADEMARK / LOGO = $1,200

    THE INDUSTRY DIRECTORIES ARE $500 ALONE, FUCK

    STUDIO & LEARNING CURVE + DAY JOB = NO TIME

  • @novanine9 You know what they say: "To make $1 000 000 on music, invest $2 000 000" :P

  • @novanine9 but the best thing would be just go to some stores (as many as possible) and just be en annoying kid and try every single pedal they got, and buy the one you like the best :)

  • @novanine9

    BLACKSTAR ALL THE WAY. I used a metalzone w/ a EQ pedal for years and can't believe I ever thought it ever sounded good. The Metalzone is pure mud! That and their resale value is HORRIBLE. I see them used at Guitar Center and on CraigsList for $30 all the time

  • so...theres a tube in it

    so you don't have to replace them ??

    thanks

  • @GibsonSGlenn - In this application it takes many, many, years for a tube to wear out. It is unlikely you would need to replace it at any time in the foreseeable future. Thanks!

    -PGS

  • @ProGuitarShopDemos

    Hey would this pedal be good for getting a "tube-AMP-like" sound if you play out of a Solid State AMP?

  • @ProGuitarShopDemos what is the voltage requirements ? is this a 110 volts or 220 volts? thanks

  • I'm picking up an American standard tele from guitar center next week that my mom got me! I am going to get this pedal sometime I think, it's really tight. What do you think though, HT Dual>Ice-9????

  • God Am!!!! Go Alice in Chains!

  • How does it sound compared to the new tube king.

  • Hi, great demo. I own a Hiwatt DR-103 and i'm looking for a pedal to get also marshall-like crunch out of it. Would this pedal be fine?

  • I've tried both the Ht Dual and the DistX and I think this one has a lot more dynamics since it doesn't sound as compressed as the DistX. But it doesn't has the fullness of distortion... Can I use a distortion pedal with it?

  • @bstockwellc Yes, you can place a distortion, overdrive or boost before to fatten the distortion. Thanks for watching!

    -PGS

  • @bstockwellc Hi, you're saying that this unit doesn't have the fullness of a distortion pedal. The compression is somewhat evident in youtube videos too. But isn't it a distortion pedal with a tube? Or is it some kind of amp modeler? I was planning to buy one until now :)

  • rollins band rules! nice riff!

  • I own this and the HT drive but I can't get them to perfectly replicate the drive channel on the HT 5 head.The pedals sound good but compared to the drive channel they sound muddy.

    Is this because the head uses more tubes.?I dont know i'm not that techy.

  • @jimllfaxit i would definately like to know this as well.

  • Great sound on the Channel 2 for Alice in Chains Rhtyhm....question though, if you were using this channel for that sort of a rhythm sound, where would you go for a solo boost??

  • @odgeUK Just either get a clean boost pedal if you're wanting to use the same tone, or get an overdrive to push it a bit more.

  • I wanna fuck it.

  • dumb question: since this pedal has its own EQ,how should I set the amp EQ?same as usual or trying to balance it?

  • @TheBlackJacksItalia - Just twist knobs around until it sounds good!

    -PGS

  • @TheBlackJacksItalia

    Generally speaking mate, set you amp eq for a nice clean tone that you are happy with for when you want to play clean, however infrequent that may be.

    Then use the Eq on the Pedal to balance against your amp Eq to get the Distortion tone you want.

    You may have to slightly re adjust the amp knobs just a touch here and there til its just right.

  • @TheBlackJacksItalia if i was gonna use this pedal i would bypass the amplifiers preamp completely by just connectin the output of the pedal to the FX return on the amp (if has one) ie the POWER AMP DIRECT INPUT!

    Youll endup with an amp that has a Black star preamp, set your eqs on the pedal only! hope that helps!

  • can u get the high gain sounds out of this like in the ht distx?

  • Andy, what amp are you playing through in this vid? Is it a Deluxe Reverb?

  • Andy, Andy, He's our man if he can't demo it, no one can. On that note, Fuck Paul from Guitarworld.

  • @Rickles and jason spencer from world music supply

  • @Rickles Haha Paul is a fag

  • @Rickles,

    I sort of agree about Paul from GW...He is annoying and uninformative!

    Andy from PGS knows a million riffs/songs AND explains shit nicely!

  • Hell yeah rollins band!

  • This pedal seems perfect for heavy Prog. I mean playing through an AC30 for those classic tones, and then going up on the gain level with this thing for heavy bridges! Eventually this may well make it in my set up im sure!

  • best pedal in the market...sounds realistic like hell

  • Do you think the 2nd channel of this pedal would be good for metal in front of a clean amp?

  • @Feileiks

    DEFINITELY!!!

  • @Feileiks I played this pedal through a Red Bear MKE 120 and it ROCKS! the chugging is so deep and butal that I couldn`t believe my ears. But if you plan on buying one go and try it for yourself or lend it from a friend to try it on your gear first.

  • set for "chug"  :)

  • Would this sound good through the new Vox AC15C1 and a les paul studio?

  • @fairfaxsurfshoprider Would sound pretty good. Depends on the tones you are looking for. But probably. I use this on a Vox Valvetronix on a Tony Iommi SG. But I suggest getting a tube amp. I need one myself.

  • Rollins Band 's Step Back in the beginning!!Awesome!!

  • "Here I set the ISF control for a tight mid scoop crunch but then decide not to do the chugga chugga just to piss you off ha ha"

    Gee thanks Andy, I actually would've liked to have heard some actual chug.Just not in your repetoire?

  • This is like having a second amp on your pedalboard. The ProValve 2 is awesome too as well as the Fulltone FD-2.

  • How does this compare to the Indyguitarist (or Wampler) Plextortion pedal if anyone has had experience with it in terms of flexibility and tone range?

  • Great review! Looks like a very versatile pedal, I'm going to try one out.

    Say, what is that music playing in the background?

  • 300 volt? :)

  • just got this pedal and i really recommend it to everyone...its a killer pedal and it sounds exactly like the demo...

  • Rollins Band! Great album.

  • I bought one of these when they first came out. Back then Channel 2 was a fair bit darker than Channel 1, which was fairly annoying when you wanted to up the gain, but keep the same EQ (since the EQ is shared between the two channels). Tell me Andy, is this still the case?

  • ALICE IN CHAINS!!!

  • This is the greatest distortion pedal to ever hit the market. It's unreal how good this thing sounds.

  • ANDY ROCKS!

  • how would this sound with a roland jazz chorus?

  • Comment removed

  • could i run this straight into my effects return on my jcm? so i effectively use it as a 2 channel preamp?

  • This sounds like the demo was done with single coils. Singles don't the Dual enough justice.

  • i think this pedal sounds alot more on UK side. But ALOT more. But it's nice to have the option cause if you tweak it right you can have a mesa boogie tone. I didn't heard it in this video but in some other videos the reference to mesa boogie is obvious. Offcourse you will never have the full mesa boogie sound or the full marshall whatever. But you won't have them with any distortion pedal. Only a question is this a preamp? Or just a stompbox (i can't really tell the difference though)

  • Can i use tha blackstar ht dual in front of amp? sorry for my bad english

  • NO WAY!!!! GOD AM!!!! :DDDDDDDDDDD

    I love you Andy!!!

  • since it's tube powered... would you ever have to change the tube?

  • @29396 Yes you will have to, but it takes a long ass time before it gets old and a tube is about 20 bucks, so it's not a problem.

  • 3:33 was that breakfast at Tiffanie's?

  • @GuitarPhantom No its not..

  • How much gain does the Dual pack compared to the HT-Dist?

    Would a dual be a better buy than a HT-dist + ts 808 ?

  • Rollins Band - Disconnect

  • @YearraeY

    yes the album "weight" is fantastic sounding. i love this era of the band

  • What is the first song???

  • when are you demoing the blackstar ht/drive?

  • It's already been demoed. :)

  • i ve owned this pedal for 6 months or more now.best overdrive distortioned ive owned.versatile too, gives u amp style overdrive and distortion.feels great loud.i also own marshall 410h head and it sounds just like channel 3.easy to set up

  • Nice bit of AIC there :)

  • zz top FRANCINE

  • I like this one. Sweet.

  • too expensive for a korean made pedal....wannabe butik, like all of blackstar....its just a hyped thing...pgs wants to sell and gives a honest overview over its products, but blackstar is way overrated, like many other companys, making "boutique, handwired by mouth", etc.

  • honestly it pretty like the blackstar stuff, i'm living in germany and the european prices for their stuff are moderate in my eyes, and what really counts imho is the sound and if thats good (or not) they're allowed to price it analogical

  • @runiseppe I see no reason to discriminate. They are well made pedals and they have great specs (The level of tone control, versatility, great sound quality). They are also pretty well priced for what they are, so I for one don't much care that they are made in Korea.

  • @JRBain7 Korea has a high production standard, comparable to Japan, If you buy, say an Ibanez guitar there is virtually no difference between the Japanese and Korean made models, except for the price tag of course.

  • Disconnect!

  • PGS RULES! guitarworld sucks they have the ugliest tones ever. GO ANDY!

  • Definitely! The demos sound even better on their website!

  • can you please put some animation or anithing so we know what settings you have on these shiny knob pedals !

  • Can the two channels be used simultaneously (e.g. stacked OD --> Dist) or just one at a time?

  • No, did you even watch when he switches from channel 1 to 2? The pedal jumps over like channel switching.

  • @andleemart -- Yes, I did "even watch that"; that's why I worded my question the way I did. Many pedals can be reconfigured using internal switches, etc. -- I was just being thorough. Try the decaf.

  • LOL thats good try the decaf you made me lol

  • Only one channel at the time

  • ProGuitarShop please show Guitar World how to make demos. PGS is the best. Andy ur the man!

  • Why would you want them to show GW how to do it? Then they would start being GOOD at this, and take viewers away from PGS

  • Great vid ! (as always)

    Since I have the pedal for 2 yrs I can say that this video is completely accurate. Everithing sounds amazing exept the heavily scooped sounds IMHO. Unlike my Chandler Tube Driver the HT Dual is not as transparent. It's character dominates every setup. Which is bad if you just want more juice from an already good rig, but it's good if you want a femiliar sound wherever u go. BEST tool for direct recording for the money! U can swap the tube but it's a hastle.

  • I have one of these, and it fucking rules. I used a V-Twin for years, and the HT-Dual is way more versatile.

  • Still no Blackstar pun.... :( Come on it seems like the easiest choice of riff for any of their pedals... Maybe Andy is waiting for one which can accurately reproduce that sort of tone though...

  • It's a shame these run off 16v, not very pedal board friendly. Great pedal though, but don think it woulf make me give up my fulltone fulldrive 2 for o/d and really like the Blackstar HT Dist pedal for higher gain but haven't got ine yet.

  • Pro Guitar Shop-The best EVer

  • I'm a happy owner of a DistX, but if I were back where I bought it, I might have been better off getting this versatile. It seems much more versatile and capable, whereas the DistX is always in snarly aggression mode, even on low gain settings.

  • Great Alice in Chains cover! I need to go and find my album.

  • sounds really good to me :)

    can you change the tubes in it yourself or is it one of those you have to send in to keep your warranty?

  • This thing is a steal at $250. Tube amp in a bag. For small tear-down gigs just take it and plug in to the PA. I want two.

  • cool when your amp is too loud or too quiet you can use this thing plugged into your PA, and it will sound like an amp because of the tube!

  • I think I'll be getting this for my AC30, it should keep me from buying a Blackstar amp for a bit.

  • is that a chris hasket riff in the intro? i recognize it, but can't quite place it.

  • Brutal Les Paul tone.

  • hot damn...

  • i love this thing but it's to expensive

  • sexy.

  • This vs. Mesa V-Twin. Opinions?

  • The V-twin is all-valve (all-tube). This Blackstar is a hybrid, using both solid state and valve amplification.

    It's the sound that counts, however. I would go for this, but check out coopersonic. I have one of their tube dists, and it's fab.

  • AIC!!!

  • I found this company last year and really wanted to try this pedal and the distx but the guitar center near me does NOT carry blackstar.

    So I got a Fulltone GT-500 instead. But hearing this pedal finally demoed by PGS ....damnit Andy......damnit. I knew I should have looked harder and waited.

  • Very nice! I didn't expect that. So many great tones!

  • SWEET!! Alice in Chains =D Cool pedal =)

  • Hey it actually sound really good !

  • Sweet baby love tone!

  • This is my kind of drive.

  • is black star also an amp company?

  • yes