The Blackstar Dept. 10 Pedal Series: Dual Drive, Dual Distortion, and Dept. 10 Boost

[@Music-oi2nf]

I’ve had the Dual Distortion for a few days now, and I’ve been playing it into a solid state amp. This is the first time I’ve ever had a true valve experience using a valve preamp (in this case the pedal) and a SS power amp. This pedal truly gives you the valve tone and feel you’re looking for - that smooth distortion and natural compression we all yearn. I’m extremely happy with my purchase and would encourage anyone on the fence to take the plunge and buy it.

Never ceases to amaze me how you bring out the sounds on a metal box and wood electric string guitar, you just rock!

[@emoboi311]

Blackstar never fails

[@bneum]

That intro jam was sick!!

[@HELLCHILDFAN101]

Agree! Taught it was a Fuzz but wow this is great! Was wondering where black star has been!?

[@AndyDemos]

Thanks so much!

[@therollband1290]

It definitely has the little sound artifacts you don’t get from digital modeling but the direct signal sounds a little flat. Sounds great in the deluxe

[@ragnadrabinowitz7629]

huh?

[@JackPeloquin]

Someone’s always gotta knock... “well it’s a tube pedal but doesn’t sound like a tube amp.” Stupid...

[@ragnadrabinowitz7629]

@@JackPeloquin i know! i hate corksniffer guitarists. they never even dialed in that pedal and yet, they have opinions.

[@SteveMavronis]

That was a killer intro!

[@SixStrRzr]

Old guy here, who learned to play in the early 70's, when there was maybe 10 dirt boxes out. They've come a long way. My style is to use the guitar volume to decrease/increase distortion. So many of these videos are all done with the guitar on 10. I thought one of the reasons for running a preamp tube at high voltage was to bring some more of that tube "flavor", more power tube-like even order ("sweet"-?) harmonics. When the guitar's volume control is rolled down, does this pedal retain highs and character, and decrease distortion level while retaining more volume than say ,a preamp tube running on 5 volts? I guess I could try to find one in a store, and put it through some paces, with hb and sc guitars, to see if the pedal responds the way I think it might.

[@donr4902]

sorry for such a late reply, but yes. the dual drive can go from clean to mean. even using the OD setting. i own the red dual drive and play that way using only the volume on my guitar to alter drive amount for the whole show. i use a Gibson Les Paul Custom for reference.

[@narta11]

Ever since I first saw Andy’s videos from 10 years ago, I can’t watch any pedal video that doesn’t start with a demo.

[@DKprojects9]

I think these are cool, ordered a dual distortion. I had 2 blackstars in the past, HT20 mkii combo and blackstar silverline deluxe head. I didn't like the silverline head, couldn't get certain frequencies out of the sound I didn't like and much preferred the HT20. I was not impressed with quality tho, I had to return the first 2 brand new HT20s I got for factory defects before I got one that just worked correctly. Made me always nervous to buy more expensive Blackstar tube amps...I ended up selling the HT20 and will get these pedals instead to hopefully get that good tube distortion sound I liked without worrying about as many breakdown issues with a full blown amp. I will use it both into the poweramp section of a tube amp combo I have, will try it with a solid state pedal power amp I have, and will try it direct into my powered studio monitors to test out the cab sims. Excited for the versatility of uses!

[@idanshahar]

Finally a good demo. seems like 80% of youtubers who got these pedals to demo play guitar at 1st year level..

[@harrisonstokes8140]

If that’s your opinion why don’t you check out andertons video of these pedals that came out yesterday

[@idanshahar]

@@harrisonstokes8140 Oh I did and my comment there about how I hate the sound of Telecasters was a real hit lol

[@therollband1290]

Andy is the best guitarist on KZbin

[@CleanConnections]

Reckon one of these would be handy for getting sketches down on an iPad. Already have a decent tube drive though But liking the idea of 2 of the boosts for stereo kit. 🤔 Choices.

[@spider5001]

I’d like to try that boost out🙂👍🏻

[@christopherdunn317]

Just want to mention that someone asked me about if the tube is running when plugged in YES IT IS so if you want to extend the life of this tube which has 8000 to 10000 hours or more just keep it unplugged !

[@nicholas-fuller]

suddenly my HT-dual is getting nervous

[@Henni63]

Does yours still work? Mine threw the towel a year ago, the footswitches gave up. Well, it was almost 10 nice years.

[@rcolpitts5528]

@@Henni63 if you still have it that's probably an easy fix!

[@Henni63]

@@rcolpitts5528 Unfortunately not. I had to tighten the screw which held the switch in place every couple of months. One day the thread didn't hold the nut no more, it was completely flattened. So the switch fell right through. And i had a friend who told me about the exact same problem. So be careful with tightening those nuts ;-) .

[@Henni63]

I replaced it with a Friedman Dual OD and i'm pretty happy with it. No more valve trouble at that end.

[@rcolpitts5528]

@@Henni63 that doesn't sound like fun.atleast now you don't have to worry about that and the Friedman is great.

[@edadpops1709]

Sweet baby Jesus 🔥 yep if it don’t glow it don’t go.

[@Garflips]

I'd really like to hear a side by side comparison of the Dual Drive and Dual Distortion clean sounds and as a clean pedal platform going direct (USB out). I'm asking because I can get my basic dirt from pedals but I'm just wondering if using the Dual Distortion in a lower, cleaner, gain mode might have a more "amp-like" feel when going out USB. Andy, I don't suppose you're still monitoring this thread 'cause I believe you'd know the answer... 🤓 I really like how the Dual Distortion can go all out fuzz. Cheers!

[@andyc5729]

Get The Lead Out FTW

[@Cam-yp7cn]

Sounds super close

[@CleanConnections]

As an interface is this 2in/2out or just 1in/2out? Can’t seem to find the answer anyone know? Can only see 1 input but perhaps there’s a dipswitch for stereo in or maybe the effects sen/return allow a second input. Wanna use it on synths in stereo

[@awienc]

When talking about British/American amps are we talking Vox/Fender or Marshall/Fender?

[@Adamnme01]

Usually Marshall/Fender

[@gregmize01]

"Brown" is referring to Marshall and evh's early tone.

[@alexreever5788]

Could I plug headphones into the Cab Rig output

[@Blackstaramps]

Hey Alex! Yes, the Cab Rig Output doubles as a headphone out!

[@CleanConnections]

Where can I get one of those invisible plectrums?

[@JimBoom92]

In a really hot shop, next to the picks of destiny.

[@pyropedals5553]

I would love to know if the usb record function is ios compatible, at present there is no manual online, I have reached out to blackstar with no reply... would be a perfect mobile rig if it could work with ios.

[@NO-TALK-GuitarPlugin]

It works actually

[@pyropedals5553]

@@NO-TALK-GuitarPlugin awesome!!! You have tried it? It is a coincidence that you replied as I was watching some of your nembrini videos earlier today!

[@NO-TALK-GuitarPlugin]

@@pyropedals5553 Nembrini is very cool but with time I tend to go more analogic for distortion/amp gain because of some artefacts you still have on digital distortion. BTW you should trust your ear first BUT there’s also a huge psychological factor with music. Playing on real tube or true analogic is like having « the real deal » Great time to be a guitarist :) The pedal works also very good as a usb interface for playing plugin only if you want :) Or as a boost/drive pedal in front of your plugin too :)

[@CorbCorbin]

@@NO-TALK-GuitarPlugin What do you think of the Victory tube pre amps and the Duchess tube pre/solid state power section pedals? Or the Kraken one?

[@aleksmayer5907]

Have you ever tested the Origin Revival Drive Hot Rod? Would love to know what you think about it compared to the Blackstar pedals :)

[@NO-TALK-GuitarPlugin]

How can I change the tube in ten years?

[@Blackstaramps]

Hey, there are no user serviceable parts inside the pedal, valves should only be changed by trained service engineers at a registered Blackstar Service Centre. It is not recommended to open the pedal due to the high voltages present inside. Hope this helps!

[@AntonioJimenez-pw7cr]

Sounds a lot like “we designed it to break if you open it.”

[@oqsy]

Does Andy know how to make mistakes? I am starting to doubt he is human.

[@AndyDemos]

I select the good takes, like any fellow human ;)

[@claytonvolner5950]

We need to get someone who can play metal. Andy James was great.

[@urielbrebellover3150]

el primeroooooo lml. .lml

[@crap641]

Holy hell these sound awful... You know its bad when not even Andy can make it sound good....

[@crap641]

Like the boost straight into the amp sounds....tolerable.... The rest are just nauseating!

[@yomuthabyotch]

@8:13 one disadvan of not playing w a pick!