NAMM 2018: Blackstar Unity Pro new bass amp range

25 Jan 2018 by Jef | Approximate reading time: 3 Minutes

Blackstar's new Unity Bass range for 2018 · Source: Blackstar

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Blackstar is entering the bass amp manufacturing world, known for their relatively cheap core lineup of guitar amps and their more expensive ’boutique’ style amps the British amp company has now decided to start making amps for bass players with the new Unity Pro bass amp series.

Blackstar Unity Pro

The new Unity Pro Series has models from 30-watts to 500-watts they all feature Blackstar’s Response control allowing players to choose between three different power amp stages all with their own sound and feel.

They also have shaping compression, a natural drive and dynamics section and three preamp voicings, plus a 4-band semi-parametric EQ onboard as well. The various models have either balanced XLR, jack or USB outs for recording as well, so could be quite flexible for bass players needing an all round solution.

We haven’t heard any of them yet, but it is interesting that they should want to get into making bass amplification this year after making guitar amps years.

Blackstar Unity bass amp stack · Source: Blackstar

Powered cabinet

With a Unity 250 ACT powered cabinet which adds a further 250 watts to any of the models this new lineup is an interesting one and it will be good to hear some reviews soon.

They all appear to be really cheap which is never a bad thing and so they could be popular if they sound as good as Blackstar say they do. All we have for now is some basic lists of specifications, but we do have UK pricing and as I have already mentioned they are pretty well priced.

Specifications

Blackstar U30 Unity key features:

30 Watts
Custom designed 8″ Speaker
3 Voices – Classic, Modern, Overdrive
4-band EQ with semi-parametric Mid
Footswitchable Overdrive and Chorus
Compressor
Input Gain with clip indication
Pad Switch for active/passive instruments
Master Volume
Link to Unity Bass Series Active Cabinet
MP3 / Line in
XLR + ¼” Line Out / Headphones with independent level control

Blackstar U60 Unity key features:

60 Watts
Custom designed 10″ Speaker
3 Voices – Classic, Modern, Overdrive
4-band EQ with semi-parametric Mid
Footswitchable Overdrive and Chorus
Compressor
Input Gain with clip indication
Pad Switch for active/passive instruments
Master Volume
Link to Unity Bass Series Active Cabinet
MP3 / Line in
XLR + ¼” Line Out / Headphones with independent level control

Blackstar U120 Unity key features:

120 Watts
Custom designed Eminence 12″ Opus Speaker
3 Voices – Classic, Modern, Overdrive
4-band EQ with semi-parametric Mid
Footswitchable Overdrive and Chorus
Compressor
Input Gain with clip indication
Pad Switch for active/passive instruments
Master Volume
Link to Unity Bass Series Active Cabinet
MP3 / Line in
XLR + ¼” Line Out / Headphones with independent level control

Blackstar U250 Unity key features:

250 Watts
Custom designed Eminence 15″ Opus Speaker
3 Voices – Classic, Modern, Flat
3 Footswitchable Drives with user controllable blend – Overdrive / Distortion / Fuzz
4-band EQ with semi-parametric Mid
Unique Response control – Linear, 6L6 and 6550
Footswitchable Chorus and Sub-Octave with adjustable level control
Compressor
Input Gain with clip indication
Pad Switch for active/passive instruments
Master Volume
USB audio out for direct recording
Link to Unity Bass Series Active Cabinet
Series effects loop
MP3 / Line in
XLR + ¼” Line Out / Headphones with independent level control
D.I. / cabinet emulated line outputs

Blackstar U500 Unity key features:

500 Watts
Custom designed Eminence 2 x 10″ Opus Speakers
3 Voices – Classic, Modern, Flat
3 Footswitchable Drives with user controllable blend – Overdrive / Distortion / Fuzz
4-band EQ with semi-parametric Mid
Unique Response control – Linear, 6L6 and 6550
Footswitchable Chorus and Sub-Octave with adjustable level control
Compressor
Input Gain with clip indication
Pad Switch for active/passive instruments
Master Volume
USB audio out for direct recording
Link to Unity Bass Series Active Cabinet
Series effects loop
MP3 / Line in
XLR + ¼” Line Out / Headphones with independent level control
D.I. / cabinet emulated line outputs