“The world’s most advanced valve pedals” offer up ECC83 triodes, over 200V of power, Cab Rig sim and more
Blackstar’s reputation as a purveyor of high-quality and great-sounding tube amps is beyond reproach. So we were thrilled when the company recently introduced a trio of tube-loaded effects pedals – the Dept. 10 Boost, Dual Drive and Dual Distortion – which promise to be “the world’s most advanced valve pedals.”
With that in mind, Guitar World put two of these pedals – the Dual Drive and Dual Distortion – in the hands of our resident gear guru, Paul Riario, to take them for a spin. Not surprisingly, he was wholly impressed.
“The obvious standout feature of the pedals,” Paul says at the top of his demo video, “is they all use an ECC83 triode tube as the sonic engine. This tube runs at more than 200 volts internally. By integrating the same high-tension voltage found in a tube amp, these pedals react more like a preamp than a pedal.”
(Image credit: Blackstar)
The Dual Drive and Dual Distortion offer three crunch and overdrive voices along with a clean channel. They’re also equipped with Blackstar’s patented ISF control, low latency USB and an XLR out. Additionally, the pedals feature an effects loop for further flexibility.
“And importantly,” Paul adds, “both pedals include Cab Rig simulation technology, which is Dept. 10’s next generation DSP speaker simulator that reproduces the sound and feel of a mic’d up guitar cab in incredible detail.”
As Paul points out, both pedals “have pretty much the exact same control set,” which he’s more than happy to break down for us. Next, he cycles through each unit’s clean and overdrive channels, displaying all the tonal goodness on offer.
(Image credit: Blackstar)
His verdict?
“The Dept. 10 Dual Drive and Dual Distortion combine innovative design, premium components and advanced cab rig DI technology, all to deliver the ultimate valve pedals that replicate the organic tone, dynamics and natural breakup of a tube amp in a compact pedal design."
To check out the Dual Drive and Dual Distortion for yourself, head to Blackstar Amps.
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