Features
The S1-200 sees the distillation of decades of guitar amplifier design experience into
the ultimate 200W valve head. Every control has been honed for maximum sonic
benefit through hundreds of hours of listening.
The S1-200 Clean Channel sets the precedent for no-compromise design, by
featuring the unique Bright / Warm switch. This modestly named control actually
reconfigures the pre-amplifier voicing and power amplifier damping to reproduce
either ringing Class A performance in the Bright mode, or crunchy Class AB tones
in the Warm setting.
Careful attention was paid to the levels of overdrive available when designing the
S1-200 Crunch Channel. We thought it important to cover the widest range of
crunch gain levels from just on the edge clean break-up, to crushing modern rhythm
tones. To this end the Crunch / Super Crunch switch alters both gain levels and tonal
shaping for maximum crunch flexibility.
The overdrive channels are characterised by a tone which is high in gain, but lacks
any of the detached top-end often found in many similar designs. This is a result of
unique preamplifier and power amplifier shaping techniques, which also benefit the
player in the way the overdrives clean up beautifully as the guitar volume is reduced.
Even at the most extreme settings, the overdrive channels remain natural sounding.
The Patent-Applied-For ISF control is unique to Blackstar Amplification and
represents a major step forward in tone shaping flexibility. The ISF control shifts the
response of the three control tone stack between at one end a US response and at
the other a UK response. Importantly, an infinite number of alternative tone choices
lies in between that would be otherwise unavailable.
Completing the tonal feature set is another unique Patent-Applied-For Blackstar
innovation – the DPR (Dynamic Power Reduction) system. DPR reduces the power
of the output stage from full power (200W) down to 10% (20W) and any power
output in between. This means that the full tonal depth of the KT88 power amplifier
can be enjoyed at any volume, making the S1-200 ideal for recording, smaller gigs
and even home practice use. Working in conjunction with the power amplifier
voltages, this method of power reduction suffers none of the loss in tone of other
power reduction systems.
The tonal flexibility of the S1-200 is augmented by full MIDI implementation of the
main channel switching functions. Used in conjunction with outboard gear such as
multi-effects units, MIDI allows a whole new level of creative performance to be
explored.
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Introduction
Thank you for purchasing this Blackstar Series One amplifier. Like all our products,
this amp is the result of countless hours of painstaking Research and Development
by our world-class design team. Based in Northampton (UK), the Blackstar team
are all experienced musicians themselves and the sole aim of the development
process is to provide guitarists with products which are the ultimate tools for self
expression.
All Blackstar products are subjected to extensive laboratory and road testing to
ensure that they are truly uncompromising in terms of reliability, quality and above all
TONE.
The S1-200’s highly flexible four channel design features the unique DPR (Dynamic
Power Reduction) and ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) controls and although it has a
comprehensive control set, it is still simple and intuitive to use. Please read through
this handbook carefully to ensure you get the maximum benefit from your new
Blackstar product.
If you like what you hear and want to find out more about the Blackstar range of
products please visit our website at www.blackstaramps.com.
Thanks!
The Blackstar Team
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