Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 40 review

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Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 40

Effects

Footswitch

UK firm Blackstar continues to expand its already impressive catalogue. The ID:Core Stereo 40 is the top dog in a new range of attractively-priced practice amps that we reckon will also interest more experienced players.

The Core uses a stripped-down version of Blackstar's ID: preamp combined with an external power supply, and features a smart-looking cabinet with integral carry strap. Most importantly, behind the grille cloth, there are two 20-watt, five-inch loudspeakers hooked up to a stereo output stage.

A six-position voicing switch accesses two clean sounds, crunch, super crunch and the well-known OD1 and OD2 lead sounds. There are controls for gain and volume, together with a single EQ knob that features Blackstar's patented ISF control, which continuously shifts the EQ response from USA to British, emphasising treble and bass in one direction and warm mids in the other.

Effects are taken care of by buttons for modulation, delay and reverb, combined with a rotary selector that offers four variations for each effect type, and a level control.

The Core models are programmable, with one patch per voice setting capable of being saved on the amp, but more if you use the FS-11 external foot controller (Stereo 20 and 40 models only) or Blackstar's Insider software, via the USB socket. There's a tap-tempo button for manually setting delay times and a manual mode button, which takes the Core into 'what you see is what you get' mode.

Also lurking in the software is a built-in tuner, accessed by pressing the tap and manual buttons simultaneously. Last, but by no means least, are two 3.5mm jack sockets for line in and speaker- emulated line out/headphone functions.

All these electronics lurk just behind the moulded plastic control panel, which also doubles as a chassis for the two small printed circuit boards that hold the majority of the Core's components. Despite the budget construction, the quality is still there where it counts and the assembly is certainly robust enough to cope with a knock or two.

Sounds

Even at this low price, the sounds are what matter - and the Core amp manages the trick of pulling big tones from a small box very well. Okay, the lead tones are a little fizzy at higher gain settings, although this can be softened using the reverb and EQ controls with a little care.

Even with a regular-output Strat, there's more than enough gain to create some serious rock and metal tones with the OD1 and OD2 voicings, which cover aggressive bite and thick, warm midrange punch.

The crunch and super crunch voices offer more versatility than a single crunch sound, with snarl and bite in abundance to cover all your favourite classic rock and blues stuff, while the warm and bright clean options provide the perfect complement for rich natural-sounding chords.

The stereo effects are treated cleverly to create the illusion of increased width, as though the speakers are either side of your head instead of side-by-side in a small box. Depending on the effect choice and setting, the super-wide effect varies in intensity, but sounds impressive all the time.

And that's not all: the updated version of Blackstar's Insider software is another great reason for buying an ID: amp - as well as offering patch storage, direct recording and pinpoint control of the amp's effects, it's a passport to a whole community of users, who love posting patches and discussing what can be done with them. One other very cool feature is re-amping, which allows you to take a dry un-effected guitar sound, process it through the Core's preamp, and then send it back into your DAW.

It's crazy how the onward march of technology has taken what were once high-end studio-only techniques, recreated them in the digital domain and brought them down to a level that anyone can use and have fun using with a minimum of knowledge.

Beginners will never again be able to blame their amp for sounding bad, but more seasoned players looking for a highly affordable, portable and great-sounding small combo that could easily be used to record your ideas should really check this out, too.