Blackstar HT-1R MkII, HT-1RH MkII - Guitar Combo Amplifier Manual

Introduction

Like all our products, this amp is the result of countless hours of painstaking Research and Development by our world-class design team. Based in Northampton (UK), the Blackstar team are all experienced musicians themselves and the sole aim of the development process is to provide guitarists with products which are the ultimate tools for selfexpression.
All Blackstar products are subjected to extensive laboratory and road testing to ensure that they are truly uncompromising in terms of reliability, quality and above all TONE.
If you like what you hear and want to find out more about the Blackstar range of products please visit our website at www.blackstaramps.com.

Features

The HT-1R MkII is the perfect studio and practice amp, packing all the great tone and innovative features of the award-winning HT Venue MkII range into a 1 Watt format. The patented ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) circuit gives you infinite adjustment over the characteristics of the tone control network and takes you from the USA to the UK and anywhere in between. So you can effectively design your own tone and tune it to find 'the sound in your head'.
Following in the footsteps of the original HT-1, the HT-1R MkII is also designed to be ideally suited to home and studio use. This is a valve amp that sounds full and tuneful even at the lowest volume level, using the proven valve amplifier topology used in the original. This is a low powered push-pull design which produces the crunch and break-up characteristics of a traditional 100W output stage, but at much lower volume. This is achieved by the use of an ECC82 dual triode in pushpull configuration producing 1 Watt output, which is rich in valve harmonics and compression.
Along with the Channel switch, the HT-1R MkII now also includes a Voice switch. The combination of these allows the user to access two different clean sounds and two overdrive sounds, therefore making this product amazingly versatile.
The HT-1R MkII also has a fully specified speaker emulated output which further enhances the studio credentials and allows any guitarist to get amazing valve tone straight to tape or disk, or through headphones.
A USB connector allows for sending a speaker emulated output into a computer for recording purposes.
Add to this an MP3 / Line Input, along with a 4-16Ω speaker output which allows you to run the amp into an external speaker cabinet of your choice, and you have everything you need for recording or practising.

Front Panel

1. Input
   Plug your guitar in here. Always use a good quality screened guitar lead.
2. Gain
   This control adjusts the amount of overdrive or distortion. Due to the sophisticated design of this amplifier, the effect of this control varies depending on which channel and voice is selected. When the Clean Channel is selected, low settings counter clockwise (CCW), will deliver a clean sound. As the Gain control is increased clockwise (CW) the sound will move from clean into break-up, until at its maximum position, a crunch tone is arrived at. When the Overdrive Channel is selected, the Gain control adjusts the amount of overdrive or distortion. Low settings, counter clockwise, will deliver a clean sound on the edge of break-up. As the Gain control is increased clockwise the sound will become more overdriven moving through crunch tones until, at its maximum position, a full distorted lead tone is arrived at.
3. Overdrive Select
   Press this switch to select the Overdrive Channel. When the switch is in the Overdrive Channel is selected and the corresponding LED will be lit. When the switch is out the Clean Channel is in operation.

4. Volume
   This controls the volume of the Clean and Overdrive Channels. Turning it clockwise increases the volume.
5. Voice Select
   This switches the current channel (Clean or Overdrive) between two voices. On the Clean channel, with the switch out (LED off) this will produce a tone based on a classic American clean amplifier - a bright, mid-shaped tone with a rounded bottom end. With the switch in (LED lit) the preamp circuit is reconfigured to emulate a classic British tone – crunchy, chimey and dynamically responsive. With the Overdrive channel selected, the Voice switch out will result in a tight supercrunch tone. With the Voice switch in, a higher gain tone with a looser power amp response will be achieved.
6. ISF (Infinite Shape Feature)
   The patented ISF control allows you to choose the exact tonal signature you prefer. Fully CCW has a more American characteristic with a tight bottom end and more aggressive middle, and fully CW has a British characteristic which is more 'woody' and less aggressive.
   

7. Reverb
   The Reverb control sets the overall level of the reverb effect. With the control fully counter clockwise there will be no reverb. Turning the control clockwise will increase the amount of reverb.
8. Speaker Emulated Output & Headphones
   This output emulates the tonal characteristics of a guitar speaker cabinet and provides a natural valve overdrive tone for connection to a recording device or mixing desk, and for use with headphones. To make full use of the stereo reverb, use a stereo jack to two mono jacks splitter lead to feed two channels of the recording device or mixer (see diagram below). The output will also function into a mono guitar type lead. Always use a good quality screened lead.
   NOTE: when a lead is connected here the combo's internal speaker is disconnected.
   

Rear Panel

1. Mains Input
   The supplied detachable mains lead is connected here. The lead should only be connected to a power outlet that is compatible with the voltage, power and frequency requirements stated on the rear panel. If in doubt get advice from a qualified technician.
2. Speaker Outputs
   The output marked '4-16 ohms' is for the connection of an extension speaker cab with an impedance of 4 to 16 ohms.
   NOTE: the combo's internal speaker will be disconnected when an external speaker cabinet is connected.

3. Footswitch
   A 2-way footswitch can be connected here. The footswitch will enable the selection of the Clean and Overdrive channels, and the two voices on each Channel.
   NOTE: using a footswitch will disable the front panel channel and voice switches. Therefore, full control via the footswitch is granted irrespective of how the amplifier is set.
   EXTERNAL SWITCHING: This can also be used by people who wish to control the main features of the amp using an external switching device that connects via the TRS connection of the socket. The following external conditions will switch the channels and voices as follows:

   TIP	RING	CHANNEL	VOICE
   Closed	Closed	Clean	Voice 1
   Closed	Open	Clean	Voice 2
   Open	Closed	Overdrive	Voice 1
   Open	Open	Overdrive	Voice 2

Technical Specification

HT-1R MkII
Power (RMS): 1 Watt
Valves: 1 x ECC82, 1 x ECC83
Weight (kg): 5.6
Dimensions (mm): 311 x 306 x 178
Footswitch: FS-16 (not included)
Speaker: Custom Designed 8"

HT-1RH MkII
Power (RMS): 1 Watt
Valves: 1 x ECC82, 1 x ECC83
Weight (kg): 3.7
Dimensions (mm): 273 x 187 x 174
Footswitch: FS-16 (not included)

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings.
8. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
9. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
10. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
11. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
12. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

"TO COMPLETELY DISCONNECT THIS APPARATUS FROM THE AC MAINS, DISCONNECT THE POWER SUPPLY CORD PLUG FROM THE AC RECEPTACLE".

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE AND OBJECTS FILLED WITH LIQUIDS, SUCH AS VASES, SHOULD NOT BE PLACED ON THIS APPARATUS".
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operation and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

Important safety information!
READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY. SAVE ALL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!
Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product!

High internal operating voltages.
Do not open the equipment case. There are no user serviceable parts in this equipment. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Clean only with dry cloth.
Condensation can form on the inside of an amplifier if it is moved from a cold environment to a warmer location. Before switching the unit on, it is recommended that the unit be allowed to reach room temperature.
Unauthorised modification of this equipment is expressly forbidden by Blackstar Amplification Ltd.
Never push objects of any kind into ventilation slots on the equipment casing.
Do not expose this apparatus to rain, liquids or moisture of any type.
Do not place this product on an unstable trolley, stand or table. The product may fall, causing serious damage to the product or to persons!
Do not cover or block ventilation slots or openings.
This product should not be placed near a source of heat such as a stove, radiator, or another heat producing amplifier.
Use only the supplied power cord which is compatible with the mains voltage supply in your area.
Power supply cords should always be handled carefully and should be replaced if damaged in any way.
Never break off the earth (ground) pin on the power supply cord.
The power supply cord should be unplugged when the unit is to be unused for long periods of time.
Before the unit is switched on, the loudspeaker should be connected as described in the handbook using the lead recommended by the manufacturer.
Always replace damaged fuses with the correct rating and type.
Never disconnect the protective mains earth connection.
High loudspeaker levels can cause permanent hearing damage. You should therefore avoid the direct vicinity of loudspeakers operating at high levels. Wear hearing protection if continuously exposed to high levels.
If the product does not operate normally when the operating instructions are followed, then refer the product to a qualified service engineer.
The U.S. Government´s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specified the following permissible noise level exposures:

According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of the above permissible limits could result in some hearing loss.
Ear plug protectors in the ear canals or over the ears must be worn when operating this amplification system in order to prevent a permanent hearing loss if exposure is in excess of the limits as set forth above. To ensure against potentially dangerous exposure to high sound pressure levels, it is recommended that all persons exposed to equipment capable of producing high sound pressure levels such as this amplification system be protected by hearing protectors while this unit is in operation.

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