Front Panel
1. Input
Plug your bass guitar in here. Always use a good quality screened instrument cable.
2. Clip Indicator
This LED illuminates to indicate that the Input stage is being driven into clipping.
The Pad Switch (3), Gain (4) and the volume control on your instrument all affect
this signal level and at which point the input stage clips. Clipping the input stage
(Clip Indicator illuminating) will not cause any damage to your amplifier, and may be
desirable depending on your tonal preference.
3. Pad Switch
Select a gain range according to your instrument pickup using the Pad switch. As a
guide, try the 0dB setting for a passive pickup, and the -10dB for an active pickup.
4. Gain
This controls the gain of the input signal to the preamp stage. For a pristine
clean tone turn up the Gain whilst playing hard until the Clip Indicator (2) LED
illuminates, then reduce it slightly until the LED no longer lights. When using
Overdrive (5) use the Gain control to vary the amount of distortion. Clipping the
input stage will not cause any damage to your amplifier, and may be desirable
depending on your tonal preference.
5. Voice Select
Select between three distinct preamp voices:
CLASSIC – Valve-inspired growl with vintage EQ
MODERN – High headroom dynamics and advanced EQ
FLAT – Totally flat, clean and transparent with studio-style EQ
The Overdrive Voice can also be selected via an optional 2-button latching
footswitch (16).
6. Drive
Blend in the desired amount of distortion for the currently selected Drive (7)
relative to the clean signal. With the Drive control set to its minimum position
(fully counter clockwise) the Drive circuit will be bypassed. As the Drive control
is increased (clockwise) the amount of gain and blend is increased, until a fully
distorted sound is reached with the control at maximum.
The currently selected Drive can be switched on and off using the included
FS-13 2-way footswitch or the optional FS-12 5-way footcontroller. See the
Footcontrollers section on page 16.
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7. Drive Select
Select between three distinct Drive types:
OVERDRIVE – Smooth, open, harmonically-rich overdrive
DIST – Balanced pedal-like distortion
FUZZ – In-your-face full-on fuzz
In addition to switching the current Drive on and off, the optional FS-12 5-way
footcontroller also allows you to change the currently selected Drive type. See
the Footcontrollers section on page 16 for more detail.
8-11. Equalisation
Your Unity Elite amplifier features an advanced semi-parametric EQ which varies
multiple underlying parameters to best match the style of the selected Voice (5). This
allows for ultimate flexibility when combined with the unique Response (13) control
to achieve the sound in your head.
VOICE
LOW (8)
MID LEVEL (9)
CLASSIC
±12dB @ 40Hz
+10dB / -20dB
MODERN
±15dB @ 40Hz
+15dB / -20dB,
with advanced Q
morphing notch @ min.
FLAT
±16dB @ 40Hz
±12dB
12. Effect Select
Select a desired effect from the simple but powerful effects section: OFF, CHORUS
or OCTAVE. Chorus and Octave effect levels are adjusted using dedicated controls
on the rear panel.
The currently selected effect can be switched on and off using the included FS-13
2-way footswitch. Simply set the Effect Select switch to your chosen effect and
toggle it on and off with the footswitch.
The optional FS-12 footcontroller allows both Chorus and Octave effects to be used
simultaneously. See the Footcontrollers section on page 16 for more detail.
13. Response
Your Unity Elite amplifier features Blackstar's unique Response control, allowing you
to tailor the feel and dynamics of the power stage to best suit your playing style and
desired tone. The sag, compression and tonality of three revered power amp stages
can be paired with a similar preamp voice to create classic tones, or mix and match
to create a sound unique to you.
Select between three power amp responses:
LINEAR – Powerful and articulate – let your playing do the talking
6L6 – Compression and punch of 6L6 power valves
6550 – Dynamics and headroom of high power 6550s
MID
HIGH (11)
FREQUENCY (10)
220Hz - 3KHz
+15dB / -20dB @ 4KHz
50Hz – 3KHz
±15dB @ 6KHz
180Hz - 1KHz
±16dB @ 5KHz
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