The Blackstar ID: Core Stereo 40 is the guitar amplifier we have just purchased for our school music rooms. It is a fantastic amp for a beginner or anyone looking for an amp for gigs. It is a stereo amplifier featuring two 20 inch speakers with a total output of 40 watts.
Besides a footswitch input, the ID:Core 40 features an mp3/line in. This is a great feature that allows you to plug in your guitar and jam along to your favourite songs. The amp also has an emulator line out/headphone jack. This is particularly useful if you need to practice or record late at night.
USB Capabilities
A unique feature of this amp is a USB port. This allows you to fully customize every setting on the amplifier. You do this using the free recorder software that is downloadable from the Blackstar website. The USB feature also allows you to send USB audio straight to your digital audio workstation (eg. Cubase, Logic) so you can record.
Six Different Voices
By turning the voice knob you can choose between:
- Clean warm
- Clean bright
- Crunch
- Super crunch
- Overdrive 1 (OD1)
- Overdrive 2 (OD2)
As you turn the overdrive voices up, the sound gets heavier.
Choice of British and American Type Eqs
The amp features a gain knob, a volume knob and an Eq knob called ISF (Infinite Shape Features). If you turn this knob to the right, it produces a British Eq amp sound. Alternatively, if you turn the ISF knob to the left, you get an American Eq amp type sound. The ISF knob is a patented technology that Blackstar has developed and is included in all the Core series amplifiers.
12 Great Effects
The Blackstar ID: Core Stereo 40 features an effects section with 12 vintage style stereo effects. These include reverbs, delays and modulation effects. You press the buttons to the left of the effects section to choose between reverbs, delays and modulations. Once you chose an effect you want, for example a reverb, you can then choose the type of reverb you want by turning the knob called “TYPE”. So, in this scenario, you can choose between 4 types of reverbs. In addition, if you turn the level knob in the effects section to the right, you can change the amount of effect. This concept, described above, applies with the delay or modulation buttons.
But wait there’s more! You can also mix and match the effects. For example, you can turn the 3 buttons on and have fun creating some very interesting sounds. Experimentation is the name of the game!
Summary
Although small in size, the Blackstar ID: Core Stereo 40 has a big sound and is very well priced. Our students are enjoying experimenting with the vast option of sound effects during their guitar lessons at Do Re Mi Studios. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a new amplifier. For other Blackstar amplifiers check out https://www.blackstaramps.com/uk
Leave a Reply