Blackstar Polar 2 USB Audio Interface: A new benchmark for home recording?
4,4 / 5,0 | 
The Polar 2 interface has been designed by guitarists, for guitarists. Enhancing your DI signal, is it time to ditch your valve amps?
Polar 2 FET Input Interface
Recent years have seen a rapid increase in home recording. With technology and gear readily available, chances are you could record everything for your next EP yourself. Therefore, the race to make the best audio interface is well and truly on.
Manual Controls for Digital Device
The Polar 2 should make recording and compatibility easy. Considering that you can manually adjust your levels via an overall gain control. Thus, reducing the need for electronic clipping. Players will have the luxury of deciding how much gain they’d like.
Guitarists can make use of twin gain controls for twin balanced inputs. These inputs promise to provide as much headroom as you’d want, and ultra-low noise interference. Any dodgy guitar electrics? No problem.
Both inputs benefit from an enhance toggle switch, introducing a new circuit which aims to emulate the experience of playing through a valve amp. Introducing any of the non-linear recording characteristics and qualities.
Benefits for Vocalists
Aside from giving guitar players a hands on experience, there are features for singers too. The Polar 2’s microphone preamps deliver warm and rich tones for maximum authenticity. Your sound is your sound.
Similarly, the enhance feature can be use for vocals. Blackstar tell us that with this feature enabled, you’ll be able to bring out the natural clarity from your vocals. Providing that you can actually sing, having the ability to lift the top end of your signal could provide for some powerful recordings.
Physically, we’ve got a a 6.3mm headphone jack, along with a USB-C port for added connectivity.
Pricing and Availability
The Blackstar Polar 2 is currently available from *Thomann. However, they’re expected to be in stock from mid July.
For less than £200 or €250, it’s verging on a bargain. Chances are, loads of guitarists will have a tired Focusrite interface collecting dust. So why not upgrade?
Considering that your purchase comes with a studio software collection, you’ll be saving money on these plug in amps.
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