Blackstar has announced AMPED 3, their third AMPED release in their series of pedalboard amplifiers. Much like its predecessors, the AMPED 3 features a 100w amplifier switchable down to 20 and 1 watt, a plethora of ins and outs including MIDI, USB, XLR and the ability to power a cab or run direct to a PA! AMPED 3 distinguishes itself from its siblings by including a foot-switchable multi-channel amp with reverb and a switchable boost to complement the excellent tone we’ve come to expect from this series.
Have a look at our video review of the AMPED 3 below, and check out the reviews for the AMPED 2 and AMPED 1 while you’re at it too!
Here is the official press release from Blackstar:
Blackstar has announced its brand-new AMPED 3. Following on from the success of AMPED 1 and AMPED 2, AMPED 3 is a 100 Watt high gain, multi-channel pedal power amplifier with user storable presets along with built-in Boost and Reverb. AMPED is capable of delivering the tone and feel of a traditional high-gain valve amp. Users can store their favourite Clean, Crunch and OD tones as presets directly from the unit itself. It features an intricately modelled Reverb with ‘freeze’ functionality along with built-in Boost that can be set to Pre or Post. You can use it to power a cabinet, go direct or connect to the front end of a traditional amp, ensuring you can take your sound with you anywhere. Power reduction down to 1W and USB-C connectivity means it’s equally at home in the studio or the stage.
AMPED 3 also incorporates Blackstar’s redeemed CabRig technology allowing you to go directly into headphones, the front of house, an interface or directly to your computer without the need for a cabinet. CabRig features hundreds of different cabinets, mic, mic placement and room combinations allowing you to get The Sound In Your Head when going direct.
Designed by Dept. 10 – the Blackstar R&D team responsible for blue sky innovation and design. This team of engineers are all musicians themselves and are constantly researching new ideas to help create your perfect tone.
The unique power amplifier design uses current feedback which mimics a valve amplifier’s interaction with a speaker cabinet. This very high headroom design delivers the thump and presence of a valve amp with 100W power into any speaker cabinet at 8 or 16 ohms.
Alongside this, the product runs at universal voltage meaning it can be used anywhere in the world from 100v to 240v 50/60Hz. Couple this with Blackstar’s built-in CabRig simulator technology with low latency USB, XLR or Line out D.I., plus MIDI and a configurable effects loop and you’ve got a gig-ready touring rig that can go anywhere in the world and fit into the pocket of your gig bag.
Guitarists are looking for innovative solutions and great tones in portable packages to ensure they get their sound consistently when gigging or travelling. Our goal was to create a compact and powerful power amp pedal that delivers the response and ‘feel’ of a real guitar amp. It had to easily be able to power cabinets, integrate with pedalboards, work with amps, and have next-generation DI connectivity and control for use in the studio. AMPED 3 effortlessly accomplishes all of that and so much more.
At a Glance:
- 100W 3 channel high gain pedal amp.
- Programmable amp with Boost and configurable Reverb via free Architect software.
- High-headroom design delivers full power and optimum tone with any 8 or 16 Ohm cabinet set-up.
- Response control delivers three distinctly different and authentic power valve responses – EL84, EL34 and 6L6. Each setting delivers the response, dynamics, sag and break-up characteristics of the selected valve power amp.
- Patented ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) tone control for ultimate customisation.
- 3 foot-switchable channels, each with 2 voicings allowing you to dial in your tone.
- Presets can be stored and recalled directly from the AMPED 3.
- Programmable Pre or Post Boost including level control.
- Connectivity and integration into your setup using low latency USB audio as an interface for recording, TRS stereo line out and XLR Mono D.I. for live use.
- CabRig simulator output for direct connection.
- Effects loop, 2 x 9V DC outputs and MIDI for easy integration into your pedalboard or rig.
