Blackstar Blackfire 200 - Manual (Page 4)

Features
The Blackfire 200 sees the distillation of decades of guitar amplifier design
experience into the ultimate 200W valve head for metal. Every control has been
honed for maximum sonic benefit through hundreds of hours of listening.
The Blackfire 200 Clean Channel sets the precedent for no-compromise design, by
featuring the unique Bright / Warm switch. This modestly named control actually
reconfigures the preamplifier 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
Blackfire 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 named after the Firewind fan-favourite track ‘The Fire
And The Fury’. The Fire channel delivers a high gain classic distortion, while the
Fury channel takes you to screaming lead and beyond.
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 patented 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 patented Blackstar innovation –
the patented 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 Blackfire 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 Blackfire 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 From Gus G.
Hey! Thanks for buying the BLACKFIRE 200. I’ve been out on
the road with Ozzy for over two years now and it’s been the most
amazing experience. My playing style has really developed and so
has my showmanship on stage. No day is ever the same on tour; the
days are packed with interviews, photo shoots and sold out shows in
some of the biggest venues in the world.
One constant on tour has been the tone of my Blackstar amps or
‘Church of Distortion’ as I’ve named it. I have received compliments
worldwide for my tone and with this in mind I didn’t want to stray
from what has become my sound.
The Series One BLACKFIRE 200 has the same functionality as the
S1-200 but I have worked closely with the Blackstar Engineers to define
the OD1 and OD2 channels to the Gus G. tone of my HT-BLACKFIRE pedal.
I love the heavy chunk of the rhythm channel and the clarity of the lead
channel. It’s the best tone I have ever heard and I’m very pleased with what the
Blackstar team and I have developed.
I will be using the head on the road and in the studio with Ozzy and
Firewind, so expect to hear it on the new material.
I’ve really enjoyed working with the Blackstar team on my second
signature project and I’m very proud of this amp. I hope playing through
it inspires you to create great music!
See you soon and STAY METAL!
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