Blackstar DEPT. 10 Dual Distortion

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

• Read these instructions.
• Keep these instructions.
• Heed all warnings.
• Follow all instructions.
• Do not use this apparatus near water.
• Clean only with a dry cloth.
• Do not block any ventilation openings.
• Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
• Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
• Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
• Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
• Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
• Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
• Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

To completely disconnect this apparatus from the AC mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug from the AC receptacle.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture and objects filled with liquids, such as vases, should not be placed on this apparatus.

⚠ This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operation and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

⚠ This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

CAUTION: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK - DO NOT OPEN

AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR.

Warning! Important safety information!

READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY. SAVE ALL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!

Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product!

Danger! High internal operating voltages.

Do not open the equipment case. There are no user serviceable parts in this equipment. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

Clean only with a dry cloth.

Condensation can form on the inside of an amplifier if it is moved from a cold environment to a warmer location. Before switching the unit on, it is recommended that the unit be allowed to reach room temperature.

Unauthorized modification of this equipment is expressly forbidden by Blackstar Amplification Ltd.

Never push objects of any kind into ventilation slots on the equipment casing.

Do not expose this apparatus to rain, liquids or moisture of any type.

Avoid placing vessels filled with liquid on top of the amplifier. Do not place this product on an unstable trolley, stand or table. The product may fall, causing serious damage to the product or to persons!

Do not cover or block ventilation slots or openings.

This product should not be placed near a source of heat such as a stove, radiator, or another heat producing amplifier.

Use only the supplied power adaptor which is compatible with the mains voltage supply in your area.

The power supply adaptor should always be handled carefully and should be replaced if damaged in any way.

Never break off the earth (ground) pin on the power supply adaptor.

The power supply adaptor should be unplugged when the unit is to be unused for long periods of time.

Before the unit is switched on, the loudspeaker should be connected as described in the handbook using the lead recommended by the manufacturer.

Always replace damaged fuses with the correct rating and type.

Never disconnect the protective mains earth connection.

High loudspeaker levels can cause permanent hearing damage. You should therefore avoid the direct vicinity of loudspeakers operating at high levels. Wear hearing protection if continuously exposed to high levels.

If the product does not operate normally when the operating instructions are followed, then refer the product to a qualified service engineer.

Only suitable for safe use under non-tropical climate conditions. Maximum ambient temperature for operation: 35°C

Always make sure that the power adaptor is connected to a socket/outlet with an earthed connection.

Mains Voltage: 100-240V~ 50/60Hz.

This amplifier is only designed and evaluated for safety at a maximum altitude of 2000m.

Noise Exposure Information (USA / Canada)

The U.S. Government's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specified the following permissible noise level exposures:

According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of the above permissible limits could result in some hearing loss.

Ear plug protectors in the ear canals or over the ears must be worn when operating this amplification system in order to prevent a permanent hearing loss if exposure is in excess of the limits as set forth above. To ensure against potentially dangerous exposure to high sound pressure levels, it is recommended that all persons exposed to equipment capable of producing high sound pressure levels such as this amplification system be protected by hearing protectors while this unit is in operation.

All electrical and electronic products should be disposed of separately from the municipal waste stream via designated collection facilities appointed by the government or the local authorities.

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing this Blackstar valve effects pedal. Like all our products this pedal is the result of countless hours of painstaking Research and Development by our world-class design team.

DEPT. 10 is the Blackstar R&D team responsible for blue sky innovation and design. Based in Northampton (UK), the Blackstar team are all experienced musicians themselves and the sole aim of the development process is to provide guitarists with products which are the ultimate tools for self expression.

All Blackstar products are subjected to extensive laboratory and road testing to ensure that they are truly uncompromising in terms of reliability, quality and above all TONE.

If you like what you hear and want to find out more about the Blackstar range of products please visit our website at www.blackstaramps.com.

Thanks!

The Blackstar Team

Features

The DEPT. 10 offers the ultimate in high voltage valve distortion flexibility. Channel 1's Clean and Crunch modes let you move from clean, to boost to overdrive. Channel 2 then takes you from super crunch right up to screaming lead. The Cab Rig output enables you to get the sound in your head from any speaker including headphones, studio monitors and front of house.

The unique switching operation will transform a single channel vintage amp into a three channel tone machine. Use the patented ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) control to take your tone from the USA to the UK and anywhere in between. The array of controls over your dynamics, EQ, speaker response and speaker environment, you now have all the tools to achieve 'The sound in your head'.

Controls - Top Panel

The top panel of the DEPT. 10 Dual Distortion features a comprehensive array of controls for shaping your tone. The controls are numbered for easy reference, corresponding to the diagram on page 7.

Control Descriptions:

• 1. Input: Plug your guitar in here. Always use a good quality screened guitar lead.
• 2. Gain 1: Adjusts the amount of overdrive or distortion for Channel 1. Clockwise (CW) increases the overdrive, moving from crunch tones to a full distorted crunch at maximum.
• 3. Level 1: Sets the overall level or volume for Channel 1. Use in conjunction with Gain 1 to achieve the desired drive. Generally, lower Gain settings require higher Volume, and higher Gain settings require lower Volume.
• 4. Channel 1 Clean/Crunch Mode Switch: Selects Channel 1 as either Clean or Crunch. The Crunch channel can also function as a clean boost by setting Level high and Gain low, adding saturation to an already overdriven amplifier.
• 5. Bass: Adjusts the amount of low-end frequencies. The advanced tone shaping circuit allows for a tight and cutting tone (counter-clockwise, CCW) to a warm and thumping tone (clockwise, CW).
• 6. Middle: Adjusts the amount of middle frequencies, which contribute to the 'body' of your tone. Minimum (CCW) results in an aggressive, scooped tone ideal for rhythm playing. Increased (CW) adds more 'body', suitable for sustained lead guitar tones.
• 7. Treble: Adjusts treble frequencies for precise tone shaping. Low settings (CCW) produce a warm, darker sound. Increased (CW) results in a brighter, more aggressive, and cutting sound.
• 8. ISF (Infinite Shape Feature): Works with Bass, Middle, and Treble controls to choose your preferred tone signature. Fully CCW offers a more American characteristic (tight bottom end, aggressive middle). Fully CW offers a British characteristic (more 'woody', less aggressive).
• 9. Gain 2: Adjusts the amount of overdrive or distortion for Channel 2. Clockwise (CW) increases the overdrive, moving from crunch tones to a full distorted lead tone at maximum.
• 10. Level 2: Sets the overall level or volume for Channel 2. Use in conjunction with Gain 2 to achieve the desired drive. Generally, lower Gain settings require higher Volume, and higher Gain settings require lower Volume.
• 11. Cab Rig Switch: Selects one of three Cab Rig environments. Custom settings can be edited and loaded using the free Architect software.
• 12. Valve Guard: Allows visibility of the ECC83 valve. WARNING: Do not attempt to remove fixing screws or guard. No user serviceable parts inside.
• 13. Channel 2 Overdrive 1/Overdrive 2 Mode Switch: Switches Channel 2 between Overdrive 1 or Overdrive 2 voicing. Overdrive 2 provides more gain, saturation, and a slight presence lift for great sustain and lead tones.
• 14. Output: Designed for connection to other pedals or amplifier inputs. The built-in buffer/line driver preserves tone over long cables or large pedalboards, and can drive low impedance pedals. Always use a good quality screened guitar lead.
• 15. Cab Rig Output: A DSP speaker simulator that reproduces the sound and feel of a mic'd up guitar cab. Connect via USB to the free Architect software for deep editing of cabinet, microphone, and power amp settings. This output provides the selected Cab Rig preset. A DI signal can bypass the cabinet simulation. Features a low noise, low distortion headphone driver for silent practice. Download Architect here: https://www.blackstaramps.com/uk/architect
• 16. Channel 1 On/Off LED: White LED indicates Channel 1 is active.
• 17. Channel 1 On/Off Footswitch: Toggles Channel 1 on or off.
• 18. Channel 2 On/Off LED: Red LED indicates Channel 2 is active.
• 19. Channel 2 On/Off Footswitch: Toggles Channel 2 on or off.
• Implied Control (Master Knob): The large central knob, not explicitly numbered in the text, likely controls Master Volume or Drive, as seen in the diagram.

ISF Illustration Description: The ISF control works with Bass, Middle, and Treble. An illustration shows how turning the ISF from left (USA) to right (UK) shifts the tonal character. It is recommended to start with ISF at halfway and adjust Bass, Middle, and Treble to taste, then fine-tune the ISF.

Controls - Rear Panel

The rear panel of the DEPT. 10 Dual Distortion provides connectivity options for external gear and power.

Connector Descriptions:

• 1. FX Loop Send: Mono input for external effects units (e.g., reverb, delay, modulation).
• 2. FX Loop Return: Mono output from external effects units.
• 3. DC Inlet: For the supplied 9V DC / 500mA power adaptor. Only use the included power supply.
• 4. USB Audio Output: Connect to a Windows PC or Mac via USB. The pedal appears as an audio capture device for recording software. Outputs the selected Cab Rig preset or a bypassed DI signal.
• 5. XLR Line/DI Output: Balanced output for connection to a PA, mixing desk, or interface. Outputs the selected Cab Rig preset or a bypassed DI signal.

Specifications