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Pros:
- Affordable and portable
- Two channel configuration (clean and overdrive)
- Surprisingly good sound quality
- Uncolored and transparent clean tones
Cons:
- Short power cord is inconvenient to use
- Does not have a Gain control for OD channel
As you scroll through some affordable amplifiers, you are likely to come across the name of Blackstar. The brand somehow manages to put out inexpensive products without compromising the sound or build quality. They do, of course, have the amplifiers that are not that great, but who does not. The majority of their models are pretty damn amazing. When you get to touch and play with their units, you immediately have the feeling that you are dealing with something wonderful. LT-Echo 10 is not so bad either. It is a simple practice tool that will help you be the rock star of your bedroom and figure out what you want to achieve with your music. If such amplifiers are what you are searching for, keep on reading as I introduce Blackstar LT-Echo 10 to you more deeply.
Features
It goes without saying that Blackstar LT-Echo 10 is a solid-state amplifier. I am pretty sure you would not expect any tubes here. It has 10 watts of power capacity, which means it cannot handle anything bigger than your bedroom (and it is not supposed to). It is equipped with a single 3” speaker, a small but powerful component. What is more, Blackstar LT-Echo 10 has two channels: Clean and Overdrive, which is surprising at this price range and capabilities.
This will be really useful, especially for beginners, since audio effects can be a bit confusing when you are just getting started. Experimenting with distortion in the form of a channel might be a great way to get to know various sounds. Blackstar LT-Echo 10 also has a tape delay, which alters your tone in a “timely” manner. This combo features the brand’s patented ISF feature, which modifies the tonal characteristics of your signal and takes it from America to the UK with just a twist of a knob. Let’s not forget all the sockets and jacks. This bad boy has a single input for your instrument, MP3/Line In input for playing along with your favorite tracks or just listening to music, as well as an emulated Line Out output for connecting your headphones and practicing silently (so that your neighbors do not knock on your door every single day).
Controls
Blackstar LT-Echo 10 is extremely simple to use. And when I say this I mean that you will need just couple of twists and you will be ready to go. The knobs are mounted on a black surface, each of them labelled with white letters. This way you can easily discern what is going on and do not get confused in the middle of your practice. I will try to simplify everything even further (if that is even possible), so that you know what to do when you get your hands on the amp in real life.
Right after the input, you will see the Volume knob. This little fella prevents any inconsistency in your sound by balancing the level of the output. Next, we have an OD switch, which activates the Overdrive channel and lets you enter the distortion zone. It is followed by EQ/ISF that goes from tight low-end and aggressive mid-range to woody, subtler sound. Here you will also find a Delay button, which triggers this effect and brings it in motion. It is paired with a Delay Time that modifies the amount of time and feedback of delay. And of course, Blackstar LT-Echo 10 has a Power switch that turns the amplifier on and off.
Blackstar LT ECHO 10 Sound
Even though Blackstar LT-Echo 10 does not have any bells and whistles in terms of features, it has everything that is needed for creating a wonderful tone. Even with 10 watts, this little fella has a lot to brag about. It is definitely louder than you would expect from such a tiny unit. Apart from exceeding the size, Blackstar LT-Echo 10 also excels at producing quality sound. It has the signature character of the brand, meaning that it is replete with warmth and vintage vibes. At times you might even get the feeling that you are playing with valves. The clean channel will give you wonderful results when paired with delay. The overdrive channel has pre-selected gain, delay time and feedback at levels that will be usable for most players. Of course, if you do not like that, you can always twist some knobs and tailor everything to your taste. I have mentioned ISF couple of times, but I have to emphasize its capabilities once again. In the counterclockwise position, it accentuates the mid-range and defines it as much as possible, so that it can be cutting and punchy. In the clockwise position, it will balance out treble and bass and deliver less aggressive tones. In short, Blackstar LT-Echo 10 should not be overlooked, since it has numerous capabilities hidden under its tiny shell.
Conclusion
Bear with me, I have last final words to utter. I just want to summarize everything briefly. Blackstar LT-Echo 10 is not the most powerful amplifier you will come across, but it definitely has a lot to offer. It is strong enough to satisfy your daily needs. Plus, its tone will display perfectly what has to be changed in your sound. As you start trying to nail new sounds, you will find how useful a clear-sounding amp can be. Blackstar LT-Echo 10 will be your helper in that process and you will not have to break the bank to get that opportunity. Good luck!
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