Blackstar Polar 4

Blackstar’s mission with POLAR is to create the go-to audio interface for guitarists that seek the ultimate recording guitar tone. POLAR 4 is a 4 channel USB audio interface built by guitarists for guitarists.

It features 4 high headroom FET input channels for instrument, line and microphone, a high output headphone amp, +48V phantom power for condenser microphones, balanced outputs for professional monitoring, visual level meters and the proprietary “Enhance” switch.  POLAR comes bundled with the studio software collection including the full St. James Plugin Suite and everything you need to start recording now! 

When recording guitar, the recorded signal is very transient which requires setting lower input levels, giving you an anaemic signal. Due to this weaker signal, it ends up sounding less like you’re playing through an amp, and more like you’re playing through a plugin. POLAR 4 is designed to enhance the guitar DI signal in a way that restores the touch, the feel, and the response of playing through a real amp.

POLAR features FET instrument inputs. Because of these FET inputs you get ultra-low noise and high headroom, which gives you the best sonic foundation for your guitar tone. When you switch on “Enhance” on the instrument input, it engages a unique circuit that’s been meticulously designed to mimic the input stage of real valve amplifiers—including all its non-linear behaviours and characteristics.

On the microphone inputs, engaging “Enhance” will gently lift the top end of your signal to add just the right amount of air and clarity that sounds great on vocals, acoustic guitars, and even more.