Blackstar Amplification POLAR 2 USB Audio Interface for Guitarists
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Description
POLAR provides the ultimate solution for these customers.
Feel and response of a real guitar amp
The only audio interface in the market with a FET input stage and "Enhance" feature that mimics the behaviour, characteristics, and electronics normally found on the input stage of a valve guitar amplifier. Plugging a guitar directly into a normal audio interface produces an anaemic signal with peaky transients, which makes playing through amp plugins sound like...a plugin, not an amp. With the flick of a switch, POLAR's "Enhance" feature makes all software amp plugins sound better by restoring the touch, feel and response of real amps. Works perfectly with pedalboards, no need for D.I. boxes or extra hardware.
Setting levels made foolproof
Blackstar's innovative input stage will never digitally clip, allowing the user to drive the interface like an amp. The input stage has an impressive amount of headroom running on +/- 12V giving 24V headroom, an outstanding comparison to competitor units at 5V. Setting guitar input levels and improving your tone has never been easier. Blackstar put an equal amount of effort into designing the POLAR MIC preamps, which boast a response that matches one of the most famed preamps in studio history: the Neve 1081. In a blind A/B setup, the POLAR sounded identical to the vintage Neve. Additionally, the "Enhance" function on the MIC input acts as a gentle high-frequency lift that adds just the right amount of air and clarity to vocals.
Quick and simple to use
While "Enhance" improves feel, it was also engineered with an input stage that can never digitally clip for foolproof input level setting. Users can set levels quickly without worrying about clipping, allowing them to focus on the most important part: the music.
POLAR's innovative features, alongside an incredibly low noise floor (115db), 48V phantom power and headphone outputs that can drive both high and low impedance models, make POLAR the go-to audio interface for all musicians who record guitar and audio.
Features
• 2-channel versions• FET high headroom +/-24V inputs, low noise -121dB
• INST "Enhance" switch reacts like the input stage of a valve amplifier
• INST "Enhance" input never clips, foolproof input level setting
• MIC "Enhance" adds air and clarity
• MIC preamp same response as Neve 1081
• Headphones Outputs
• Monitor Outputs
• 48V Phantom Power
Specifications
GeneralNumber of Microphone Preamps: 2
Phantom Power: Yes, 48V
Instrument Inputs: 2
Line Inputs: 2
Line Outputs: 2
Headphone Outputs: 1
Loopback: Yes
Connectivity: USB Type-C
Protocol: USB 2.0
Form Factor: Desktop
Simultaneous I/O: 4 x 4 (including Loopback inputs)
A/D Resolution: 24-bit/192 kHz
Bus Powered: Yes (960mA)
Supported Sample Rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz
Microphone Inputs
Frequency Response: 20-20kHz +0.1dB
Dynamic Range: 109dB (A-Weighted)
THD+N: -101dB (-103dB A-Weighted); 0dB Gain, 950mVrms, 20Hz-24kHz BW
Noise EIN: -121dBu (A-Weighted)
Maximum Input Level: 2dBu
Gain Range: 53dB
Impedance: 3.3kΩ
Line Inputs
Frequency Response: 20-20kHz +0.2dB
Dynamic Range: 112dB (A-Weighted)
THD+N: -85dB (-85dB A-Weighted); 8dB Gain, 380mVrms, 20Hz-24kHz BW
Maximum Input Level: 10dBu
Gain Range: 55dB
Impedance: 500kΩ
Instrument Inputs
Frequency Response: 20-20kHz +0.2dB
Dynamic Range: 112dB (A-Weighted)
THD+N: -82dB (-81dB A-Weighted); 3dB Gain, 630mVrms, 20Hz-24kHz BW
Maximum Input Level: 10dBu
Gain Range: 46dB
Impedance: 500kΩ
Line Outputs (Balanced)
Frequency Response: 20-20kHz +0.15dB
Dynamic Range: 93dB
THD+N: -80dB
Maximum Output Level: 12.8dBu
Impedance: 1k
Headphone Outputs
Frequency Response: 20-20kHz +0.15dB @ 33Ω / 300Ω
Dynamic Range: 110dB @ 33Ω, 107dB @ 300Ω
THD+N: -83dB @ 33Ω, -85dB @ 300Ω
Maximum Output Level: 7dBu into 33Ω, 15.2dBu into 300Ω
Maximum Output Power: 85mW into 33Ω, 66mW into 300Ω
Impedance: 10Ω
Analogue to Digital Converter
THD+N: -100dB THD+N
Dynamic Range: 114dB
Digital to Analogue Converter
THD+N: -100dB THD+N
Dynamic Range: 114dB
Power
USB: 960mA
External (Optional): 4.8W
Accessory: USB A to DC cable, USB A to C cable
Bundled Software: TBC
Included Software
- St. James Guitar Software Suite- Ableton Live Lite
- Relab lx489 Essentials
- Polar Control Software
Q & A
Reviews
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| POLAR 2 USB Audio Interface for Guitarists | 807595 |
