Gear Review: Blackstar HT Dual "Pure Valve Distortion" pedal

    This pedal is part of Blackstars HT range of tube driven effects pedals. The HT-Dual is one of seven distinct drive pedals in the range and sits in a position that makes it probably the most versatile of the bunch. Similar to the HT-Metal, it is a two channel, foot-switchable, distortion pedal; with a drive circuit that is powered/flavoured by a standard 12AX7/ECC83 pre-amp valve.
   I've been using for about a year now in a whole host of environments and usage scenarios so I thought I'd share my experiences.

2011: A Year in Gear

I spent more money on guitar related gear last year than I ever have in the past (and more than I'm likely to ever again!). 

Music: Nighthawk Theme by me

This is a song I put together for a YouTube competition being run by Andertons Music store in Guildford, UK. I composed it the day before and then recorded and edited this in about 3 hours.

I didn't win or even get short-listed, but it is the most rapidly viewed thing I've ever uploaded to YouTube. So I'm quite proud of it.

Also, If you are considering purchasing a Blackstar HT Dual 2 channel distortion pedal, the guitar track for this video is made entirely using the 3 distinctively different sounds you can get from this unit.

Video after the break

Audio: The cables aren't made of gold anyway!

I always hear people talking about cables and tone, whether they are guitarists or Hi-fi enthusiasts, and I think there is quite a lot of dodgy folk-lore about what is actually going on with regard to the design decisions made on using certain metals, like gold, nickel and copper, in their construction. I have a certain amount of experience in this field and would like to put a few things straight.