The Guitar Magazine – July 2019

R

eplacing Blackstar’s HT Studio 20,

this 1x12 combo carries a handful

of features over from its predecessor

• then adds quite a few more in the
  shape of footswitchable alternative voicings
  for each channel, emulated USB, headphone
  and XLR outputs, plus a switchable power
  output to facilitate driving the twin-EL84
  power section hard at sociable volumes.
  Along with its facelifted retro-British
  styling, the control panel has been relocated
  to the top of the cabinet for easier access
  when reaching down to tweak settings
  from a standing position, as many users
  certainly will. From left to right, there’s
  a single quarter-inch jack input, then the

clean channel’s volume control. Then we

find the clean channel’s two-position voice

switch, for selecting the basic character of

the tonestack – more on this later. A single

tone control allows for fine tuning of the

selected voicing.

Next up is the OD select button. Like

the voice switches, this can also be activated

with the supplied two-button footswitch.

As with the clean channel, we have gain,

voice select and volume, but a much more

detailed EQ section, featuring the usual

bass, middle and treble, plus Blackstar’s

patented ISF control, for advanced shaping

of the midrange character. The digital reverb

and master volume controls are positioned

immediately to the right, followed by

another switch for selecting either two or

20 watts of output power, then finally, the

sturdy metal power switch.

The rear panel offers a similar level of

versatility. After the mains input on the left,

there’s a range of possibilities for connecting

external speakers, as an alternative to the

in-house-designed internal 12-inch unit.

The options are single eight- or 16-ohm,

or twin 16-ohm, so you can run this combo

through two 4x12 cabs if you so wish.

If you’d prefer to appease the sound

technician by going direct into the PA

system, there’s an XLR connection next

in line, offering the choice between 1x12

or 4x12 cab emulations. These are also

effective when using the headphone

output found close by. An MP3/line input

facilitates playing along with backing tracks,

followed by a mono effects loop with a

+4 or -10 dBV level switch, so rack or

stompbox effects can work equally happily.

After the footswitch connection socket,

last in line is the USB audio connection,

BLACKSTAR

HT-20R MKII

WORDS RICHARD BARRETT

Northampton’s finest has overhauled its best-selling range for 2019.

Here, our attention turns to a 20-watt combo with a low-power mode

that will hit the sweet spot for many players...

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