Blackstar HT vs AMT LA/SS series

[VH4paul]

Hi guys,
I'm thinking about buying a preamp with an emulated output to run direct into a PA or soundcard, and these two brands got my attentions.

I mainly need a good solid disorted tone (think about Alter Bridge, Tremonti etc.) and possibly a low gain overdriven sound too, that's why I was checking out some of those multi-channel pedals out of their catalogue.

Right now I can get some good deals for these models:


Blackstar HT Dual

AMT SS-11A

AMT Legend Amps E1

I'm aware of the fact that both the Dual and the SS-11A are not designed for modern hi-gain tones (like the Blackstar HT Metal or the AMT SS-11B), but I can boost the input signal and tweak the frequencies externally, so I'm not that worried about the stock voicing of the pedals. What really concerns me is the overall tone , gain structure, dynamic response and feeling.

Also I know that the AMT Legend Amps E1 is a complete different beast compared to the other two pedals (JFET single channel VS tube multiple channels) but I really liked the demos I've listened to, so I decided to put it in my list too.
Actually it's the one that sounds best to my ears (I'm more into the "German style" distortion, like Engl or Diezel).

Have you ever tried these pedals? Which one would you choose and why?

Unfortunately I can't try before buying, so any opinion would be much appreciated.
Thanks a lot!

 

[university81]

off the bat, you'll probably find the blackstar ht dual easier used and fairly cheap as it's been out for a while

I had the HT dual for a long time, using it as 2 channel OD pedal into a clean amp, worked well for that purpose

you can certainly dial in two OD tones, there's a lot of gain on tap especially on the red channel, the shared EQ isn't the most effective imo, i'd just lower the treble somewhat and twirl the ISF,

made a demo while i still had it, into a hiwatt custom 100
https://soundcloud.com/paulb2/pedalboar ... nto-hiwatt

can't speak for the emulated out as i never tried it, but they're meant to be pretty good, the pedal itself is pretty huge, like a hefty brick =0 ,used to take a 16v AC 800ma current, now it's 22v DC i think

there are version 2 models out of the AMT legend amps pedals, might be worth checking out, burg's demo'd a bunch here's one that i liked:

 

[TTripp]

Can't comment on the cab sims cuz I never used, them but I've run all three of those through a Two Notes CAB and preferred the AMT stuff to the Blackstar. If you don't need mulitiple channels, I'd go for the E1.
(AMT also makes a mulitple channel JFET pedal (the SS-30) that does great heavier tones.)

 

[VH4paul]

Thanks a lot for the answers!

Part of my indecision is due to the fact that what I hear in the demos doesn't really match up to what I read about those pedals. For example, I read very good things about the AMT SS series, but then I listen to Brett Kingman YouTube demos and they all sound pretty sterile to me (especially the tube ones), like they lack some character.
Same thing regarding the Blackstar: once I tried a HT 20 head and I thought it sounded absolutely amazing for the price, but when I listen to the Dual pedal demos most of the times it sounds muddy and noisy.
If I should rely on the demos only, I'd pick the AMT E1 for sure, but since everyone's saying great things about the SS series and the Blackstar HT pedals, I'm always left with the doubt that my impressions are mislead by those demos, by the way the players dialed them in according to their ears and tastes.

I'd like to have multiple channels, but in order to be really usable in my setup, they should preferably be MIDI controllable so I can program presets with my POD HD500.
As far as I can see Blackstar preamps can't be remotely controllable, same as the tube AMT ones. I could go with an AMT Boulava + an FS-2MIDI footswitch or single Legend Amps preamps connected to a MIDI controllable small looper (like the G-Lab M2L or M4L).

 

[university81]

Thanks a lot for the answers!

Part of my indecision is due to the fact that what I hear in the demos doesn't really match up to what I read about those pedals. For example, I read very good things about the AMT SS series, but then I listen to Brett Kingman YouTube demos and they all sound pretty sterile to me (especially the tube ones), like they lack some character.
Same thing regarding the Blackstar: once I tried a HT 20 head and I thought it sounded absolutely amazing for the price, but when I listen to the Dual pedal demos most of the times it sounds muddy and noisy.
If I should rely on the demos only, I'd pick the AMT E1 for sure, but since everyone's saying great things about the SS series and the Blackstar HT pedals, I'm always left with the doubt that my impressions are mislead by those demos, by the way the players dialed them in according to their ears and tastes.

I'd like to have multiple channels, but in order to be really usable in my setup, they should preferably be MIDI controllable so I can program presets with my POD HD500.
As far as I can see Blackstar preamps can't be remotely controllable, same as the tube AMT ones. I could go with an AMT Boulava + an FS-2MIDI footswitch or single Legend Amps preamps connected to a MIDI controllable small looper (like the G-Lab M2L or M4L).

doubt you'll find something midi controllable in that size that's a preamp, midi+preamp usually screams rack unit,

admittedly you could put a rack unit on a pedalboard and put pedals on top of it, or make some kind of enclosure for it, but that is going a bit far

you'd be using the preamp pedal within the FX loop of the pod right?

do you have other units in the pod fx loop as well?

 

[VH4paul]

you'd be using the preamp pedal within the FX loop of the pod right?

yes, my main purpose is to get rid of the digital amp sims of the POD. I can dial some good tones out of them, but they don't feel completely right to me from a sonic and dynamic point of view, plus it's a pita to tweak them quickly when you're playing rehearsals or in a live context because of the endless parameters that interact one another and can really alter (aka screw up) your tone.
I think you can't mess with all of that when you need to act quickly on stage, so I just want to go with something that sounds and feels good out of the box and is easier to adjust in those contexts.

do you have other units in the pod fx loop as well?

No

 

[university81]

you'd be using the preamp pedal within the FX loop of the pod right?

yes, my main purpose is to get rid of the digital amp sims of the POD. I can dial some good tones out of them, but they don't feel completely right to me from a sonic and dynamic point of view, plus it's a pita to tweak them quickly when you're playing rehearsals or in a live context because of the endless parameters that interact one another and can really alter (aka screw up) your tone.
I think you can't mess with all of that when you need to act quickly on stage, so I just want to go with something that sounds and feels good out of the box and is easier to adjust in those contexts.

do you have other units in the pod fx loop as well?

No

i kinda know what you mean, i basically got to a point where i had set 'clean' templates and was using them with various different effect chains but was never really 100% happy with it,

you playing direct to desk ? is the plan to get rid of the pod completely then or you just using it for the various effects?

sorry for the many questions, just trying to help

i went to a bypass looper setup with various pedals (a line6 m9 as well) into a clean fender combo, works best for me for quick variations/tweaking and various sounds,

not sure if this demo is any help, various pedals into a tech 21 blonde direct to desk, might give you some ideas

 

[VH4_BigRig]

I can't comment on the AMT stuff as I've never played it, but I have a Blackstar HT DISTX and it's the best high gain pedal I've ever played. Love the feel and sound of it through an amp. However, If I just plug straight in and then use the emulated out straight to the board or recording unit, the direct sound doesn't quite do it for me. There is a fizziness to it that you don't hear at all when playing through an amp- I have to really roll back on the gain and treble to get it to sound good, but that kind of takes a lot of the balls out of the sound. I prefer to use it with my MXR EQ, RV-7 and JDI if I'm going direct for high gain sounds. What I usually do though is use both outputs and mix to taste, because might as well have two signals you can use! I'm not sure how much the high gain side of the Dual sounds like the DISTX, but if it sounds similar, I'd say go for it!

It's probably not why you'd get it, but the emulated out when the pedal isn't engaged and you're playing clean through it sounds great- if I'm recording a clean line, putting the RV-7 in front instead and using the emulated out sounds better than going straight into the JDI! Just my two cents. Cheers,

Bigrig

 

[VH4paul]

you playing direct to desk ? is the plan to get rid of the pod completely then or you just using it for the various effects?

Yes, I play direct to desk. I don't want to completely get rid of the POD, just the amp sims.

 

[FUZZboat]

check out the AMT VT2 legend series

if you like that tone I got a brand new one for $130 (shipped in US)

I tried other legend series and the VT2 was the only one I kept
- best series II by far IMHO

 

[Reiep]

I've used for some time an SS20 with a TS808 copy in front as a clean boost, it was pretty awesome.

 

[VH4paul]

I've used for some time an SS20 with a TS808 copy in front as a clean boost, it was pretty awesome.

did you use it direct to desk?

 

[VH4paul]

got the AMT E1...haven't tried in a band context yet, but it sounds great. Tone and feel are finally "there", the only thing I still have to verify is the signal to noise ratio at gig volumes but so far an amazing adding to my POD setup.

 

[MountAnDewMe]

I own products from both companies; two AMT pedals, the tube platinum and the DT-2 and from Blackstar the HT-DistX. First off both companies make real good stuff both which are very useable in the situation you present. I find the main differences to be that the DistX has a thicker quality to it while the AMT products both seem to have more clarity. I cannot definitively say one is better that the other because they each serve a purpose and create desirable soundscapes. If you are looking for a warmer, rounder sound with a chunkier type of saturation lean into a Blackstar product. If your playing style would benefit from more clarity and articulation go with an AMT product. Luckily, I would say you found yourself deciding between very good products, just think about your playing style and you'll be golden either way you go.

Almost forgot, I have used both to desk using a variety of cab sims and the sim outs on the units both with results far superior in my opinion to my Amplitube or Guitar Rig and sims.