HT-Dual Review

The HT-DUAL offers the ultimate in high voltage valve distortion flexibility. Channel 1 has either Clean or Crunch modes so it can be used clean, as a boost or overdrive. Channel 2 gives distortion tones from super crunch right up to screaming lead.

Ease of Use:	9
Sound:	10
Reliability:	9.5
Impression:	10
Overall rating:	9.7
Reviewer rating:	9.6
Users rating:	9.7
Votes:	27

Reviewed by: unregistered, on january 26, 2009

Price paid: € 150

Ease of Use: The Blackstar HT-Dual "Pure Valve Distortion" is very easy to use, as it has a straightforward design. A Gain control for both channels, 3band EQ, ISF (will come back tot this later)and a level control for both channels. The amount of gain you set the control to really influences the tone, so you can get a diverse set of tones out of this pedal. The manual that comes with it is very elaborate and also includes a few tone presets. Though of course it's up to you that find that tone that suits you best. // 8

Sound: The sound that comes out of this pedal is amazing. It's very rich and has a real `character` to it, if you know what I mean. I am currently using this running into a Hughes And Kettner tube amp, playing on my Ibanez RG2620 and Schecter C-1 Hellraiser. This pedal features a variety of tones: Channel 1's Clean and Crunch modes and Channel 2's "Super" crunch and distortion. The ISF control "Takes your tone from USA to the UK and anywhere inbetween". Though turning the ISF control doesnt't't make a world of difference, you can hear a slight change in the character of your tone. Another cool addition is, next to the regular output, the Emulated output. This output allows you to connect directly into a mixing board of a computer, giving you a rich sound the same you would get as playing through a wall of tube amps. Since this pedal has two seperate channels, you have tons of different tones you can achieve. From 80's rock, to Blues, all the way up to the heaviest of metal. I just have to rate the sound of this amazing pedal a 10, because it has to be the most amazing stompbox I have ever heard. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This dual stompbox is sturdy as hell, it has a aluminum casing and everything is mayhem-proof ( no plastic squishy bits ). The Valve (ECC83/12AX7) is behind a metal grille so it's safe as well. Another nice little add is the valve blacklight that's lit when you have the stompbox on. It is excellent reliability and durability-wise. // 9

Impression: I play anything from Blues to Death Metal, and I have to say this box fulfills my every needs. It's easy to operate, gives you a variety of tones and above all.. the tone is fat as hell. The price may be somewhat high for a stompbox, but remember it has 2 channels and a huge spectrum of tones. I've been playing for about 7 years now and I can imagine myself using this box for the rest of my life. If it were stolen I would definately buy this product again. It has everything you can wish for in a stompbox and more. // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on may 07, 2008

Price paid: $ 254.37

Ease of Use: This is a very easy to master pedal, just two switches for the channels, one on channel one for clean/crunch, a knob for each channel for gain and level, and a bass, mid, and treble that is for both channels. One more knob for the infinite shape feature (ISF). The manual is small and to the point and even has a few suggested settings on the outside. All in all very easy. // 10

Sound: I used it straight into my mixing desk via the speaker sim output using my PRS. It has some noise when the gain is way up but it really is minimal. This is as close to a valve amp as I have heard from a pedal. The two valves allow you to get some amazing sounds out of this baby. The ISF control also change the sound in a cool way, one side it is an American hi gain sound and the other more of classic Marshall brit amp sound. but you can mix the two and get a sound all of your own. // 10

Reliability & Durability: very sturdy build indeed. I would trust this if I dropped it off a tower block. Not gigged with it but bet it will be up for the job no problems at all. The biggest thing is the weight but that is because of it being so sturdy. The valve shines out through a strong metal grill and the knows/switches are very good quality and up for the job. // 10

Impression: Best pedal I have ever bought, completely changes the quality of the sound I get for the better. This is going to be in my rig for a very long time I think. I would recommend this pedal to anyone as it is so versatile. The valve sounds it produces are excellent and the speaker sim output makes it ideal for recording straight into a PC or similar recording device. Get down the shop and try one, you won't be disappointed. // 10

Comments

[stratele]

i was thinking of getting the overdrive. But this looks worth the extra money.

[Left_behind]

Very very versatile pedals. Had mine for a few months now, it is riduculously good.
The only problem i have with it is the dual knobs for gain and level are a bit fiddly, but thats no reason not to get this unit. I tried both the other units and this one is by far worth the extra cash, great little pedal.

[psss]

Regarding the first review, im pretty sure this pedal only has 1 tube. and since one tube can not produce this amount of overdrive, id say alot of the overdrive is produced by solid state circuitry. i don't really even mind this. but some people might. just letting you know

[urbanfox]

I have just put one on order - I went to the shop with the intention of getting a Boss OS-2, they didn't have that in stock so I tried some other pedals - had a look at this reluctantly at first (due to it being rather pricey), but once I gave it a blast, I didn't look back

[ihavenoname93]

i am willing to say that this is the best pedal ive ever heard. and some guy was running it through a solid state peavey on youtube, and it sounded orgasmic!

[joey arce]

best overdrive out there

[lao123]

My friend looked at several different distortion (Boss, EHX, Visual Sound, Vox). One go on this and it blew him away. Gotta love tubes.

[///_^iet///_^]

i played this once on stage... i never had mi ears in properly so everything was very echo-ey BUT the tone on that ting is mad, by far the best.

[Frege]

The lead guitarist in the band has an ENGL Blackmore Sig amp, I have a Peavey Valveking 100. The OD-channel on the Valveking is crap and I've tried several different dist.pedals before and been somewhat satisfied with the Digitech DF7 even though it always sounded a bit digital and flat.
Bought the HT-DUAL and holy crap. It sounds almost like the ENGL amp now. Crackling like a thunderbolt and hits you in the chest like a kung-fu power palm.

[DaftRocker]

I have played this in my local music store, and it sounds amazing. The tone is very warm and it is very versatile. I have played alot of other distortion/overdrive pedals, but this is by far my favourite. I find you don't get the 'hiss' like from other pedals, it just has a natural and full tone. As soon as I get the money this will be part of my rig. Eargasm material!

[Hagakure32]

Just bought it last week : it's so cool with my Fender Jazzmaster and my Hot Dod Deluxe ! Very good product...

[Jakeollett]

I love this pedal. but does anyone have any good tones for lead, and green day/ my chem tones? besides te preset ones.

[havee]

I ordered it yesterday and it was delivered today. I love it! It's amazing and it's brilliant! BlackStar should get an award for it! 10/10!

[mariotyler]

So isn't it a bitch to gig with? I use a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power to power my pedals, so will it be able to power this thing? Even though it uses a 16V power supply instead of 9V?

[tonyr669]

Went to see Ozzie. His new guitar player Gus G (the dude is best) was playing Blackstars and he has his own signature dual pedal, which you or I can't get. This is the next best thing to a wall of Blackstars. dude, solid state cannot get the tube sound this thing provides. Feedback city, pick squeals are off the charts. Best thing I ever bought.

[chiliwillifreak]

mariotyler wrote:

So isn't it a bitch to gig with? I use a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power to power my pedals, so will it be able to power this thing? Even though it uses a 16V power supply instead of 9V?

I'm pretty sure it actually comes with a 22v power supply. I was curious about this myself and researchsd it a little. Voodoo lab make a power supply apprently capable of running tube powered pedals. But the power 2 plus won't hack it. The pedal's transformer winds the 22 volts to 300 inside the unit. UNfortunately you'll have to make a power board part of your pedal board. Bam!

[g1asseye]

Its a 16v AC power supply. You'll have trouble powering this with anything other than the original power unit. This is definitely not a reason to not buy it though. Its a fantastic pedal.

[FreekBos]

I have been using the HT-DUAL for over three years now. And I absolutely love it! Very very very versatile.
I recently changed the tube for a sovtec tube. After beating the shit out of this pedal for over three years the tone was getting a little flat and thin.

Changing the tube really opened up the sound again. And this for only 10 bucks.

[franzosten]

Believe me folks, I've tried tons of distorsion pedals through the years, I never found a better pedal than this one. I just love it, it's warm, delightful, versatile. I just could not believe my ears when I checked this one out for the first time. If u wanna feel a REAL distorsion, natural and warm, this is the only pedal you need!!! Fantastic!!!!!

[givemeajackson]

i once thought about this pedal in combination with an ehx magnum 44 poweramp for backup. i think i'll do that if i gig more often, ht dual+ tc flashback + ehx magnum = possibly the most compact gigable rig if you have a cab with you anyways. i really like this pedal, it just sounds and feels like tube. and it's actually usable in a live situation. way better than those laughable "too-much-gain-without-mids-wannabe-bedroommetal pedals boss puts out.