TEST: Blackstar Super Fly

 Finding good-sounding, battery-powered practice amplifiers is no easy task. They should be light, they should be compact, but they should still have a maximum of sound qualities. In addition, the mere amplification of an instrument is no longer sufficient for the next generation to be perceived as a serious practice amplifier. Where people used to be happy about the mini versions of a Marshall half or full stack, today these types of amplifiers don't attract a dog from behind the stove either in terms of sound or scope of operation. With the Blackstar Super Fly, the British manufacturer is now preparing to manage the sound of several instruments at once, plus some very practical extensions.

The construction of the Blackstar Super Fly

The Blackstar Super Fly is a 12 watt practice amplifier that is powered by eight type AA batteries. The maximum operating time is stated by the factory as 15 hours, which most likely refers to alkaline batteries. Alternatively, the amplifier can also be operated with nickel metal hydride batteries or with a power supply that is not included in the scope of delivery. However, the power supply must have the unusual values of 12 V / 2.5 A, which cannot be found on every corner, especially in a stabilized form. The focus will therefore be primarily on battery operation.

With dimensions (W x D x H): 28 cm x 15 cm x 21 cm and a weight of approx. 2.4 kg including batteries, the amplifier can no longer be considered a pocket camp, but is still all in one in terms of portability kept in a very user-friendly framework. The amplifier is made of black plastic and, despite its small size, seems quite robust. Despite being made entirely of plastic, the case is tough when it comes to knocks and bumps and will cope well with the odd jostling. As expected, what the matt shimmering casing doesn't like so much are wet fingerprints, which can, however, be easily removed with a cloth.

The amplifier stands on four strong, comparatively soft rubber feet, which give the product good slip resistance even on smooth surfaces. The two front feet also take on the anchoring function of a fold-out bracket, with which you can easily point the Blackstar Super Fly upwards at its angle of attack. There is also a microphone stand holder on the bottom of the product so that the amplifier can be raised using a suitable tripod if necessary. However, an external adapter must be purchased for this operation.

In contrast to many other practice amplifiers, the Blackstar Super Fly works with two 3-inch speakers and two corresponding bass reflex openings, which also radiate to the front like the speakers and which, as it turns out later in the test, enable a significantly higher bass content. than the optics suggest. Due to this construction, music played can also be played back in stereo.

The backside

In addition to a Kensington lock and the connection socket for an external power supply, the XLR socket at the bottom right together with an attached slider on the back of the case are particularly noticeable. You can use the same socket to connect an additional optically and sonically matching extension cabinet using an XLR cable, turning the Blackstar Superfly into a mini 24 watt stereo system. The overall sound is controlled exclusively via the combo. The slider ensures that a stereo signal is distributed appropriately across the two cabinets and not via the combo's two internal speakers.

The amplifier part

The amplifier part including all controls is located on the top of the housing and is slightly recessed into the housing to protect the various controls. Two channels enable the amplification of four different sound sources. Line instruments or microphones can be amplified via channel 1 via an XLR / TRS combination socket. Channel 2 is designed with a jack socket for either acoustic or electric guitars. The corresponding presets are switched with a pressure switch on the channel. In addition, you can use a pressure switch on the second channel to choose whether you would prefer to produce a clean or distorted guitar sound.

Both channels have a separately controlled reverb control, a volume control and a two-band tone control consisting of treble and bass. Channel two has an additional gain control to adjust the level of distortion of the electric guitar according to personal taste. In order to feed in additional external sound sources, the amplifier has a mini jack socket for line in or MP3 signals. The amplifier can also be operated silently using headphones. The Blackstar Super Fly also has Bluetooth and allows exercise music to be fed in via various devices.

The Blackstar Super Fly in practice

First of all, let's think about where you can use an amplifier like the Blackstar Super Fly.

1.) Personal practice area: It is obvious that Blackstar has personal practice in particular as the focus of this product. Operating the amp is extremely simple, you don't have to scroll through digital menus, nor do you spend a lot of time digging through countless presets, which usually all sound mediocre to miserable, especially in the bedroom amp area. Plug in the guitar, adjust the tone a bit, adjust the level of distortion, and you're done. For song practice, MP3 or Bluetooth, if your girlfriend complains, put on headphones. As simple as that!

2.) Micro-PA: Of course you can't amplify a kick with 12 watts, but the power is definitely enough to attract attention in the pedestrian zone in singer/songwriter style. The dwarf is also sufficient for simple announcements; even a quiet vocal/guitar duo with a band streamed from the device can be easily sent via the Blackstar Super Fly.

3.) Warm-Up Amp: An area of application that I am personally very interested in. My main combo GRAVE DIGGER has a habit of starting every show with the opener of the current album, which is usually a banger with a show-off solo. It is therefore not possible to warm up during the first two numbers, so this area must be moved to the cloakroom. Pure headphone amps usually don't have Bluetooth and the cabling of the in-ear system is enough for me. Switching between two earphones 5 minutes before the show would be extremely annoying for me, so I need an amp that is as small, portable, good-sounding and independent as possible, which brings me up to operating temperature immediately before the show.

particularities

Let's first talk about a few special features of the amp. The Blackstar Super Fly has an internal noise gate, which cannot be calibrated and can primarily be heard on the microphone channel. It closes relatively hard during very quiet passages, which isn't that bad, but you can hear the gate closing with a slight clicking noise. In the heat of the moment this isn't a big deal, but this is the first time in my career that I've heard a gate close.

Another special feature is the design of the volume in relation to the instruments fed in. You can clearly feel that the amp was built primarily for amplifying guitars, according to its manufacturer. While an acoustic guitar and especially an electric guitar can be played comparatively loudly, the performance of a dynamic microphone is significantly lower. The lack of a separate gain control is also noticeable here, so that a microphone always has to work with a latent mismatch.

The sound of the Blackstar Super Fly

But now to the flagship of the Blackstar Super Fly. Blackstar has often caused astonished faces with small practice amps like the Fly 3 when it comes to the sound. This characteristic can be continued seamlessly with the Blackstar Super Fly. It is very impressive the volume the dwarf produces and the sound quality it gets from the two speakers, which are only 3 inches in size. The treble roll-off for distorted sounds was chosen very tastefully, although this does come at the expense of the liveliness of an acoustic guitar. Playing external music also sounds a bit busy, but as I said, you have to set priorities, which are clearly (as expected) with the electric guitar.

The digital reverb was also tastefully designed and fits pleasantly discreetly into the overall sound. When it comes to the level of distortion, Blackstar once again holds back discreetly, which means that you can achieve a decent lead sound when the gain is turned up to full capacity, but depending on the pickup, the reserves are not quite enough for extra high gain; an upstream pedal may have to help here.

Conclusion

The Blackstar Super Fly is a very flexible practice amp on the market that sounds outstanding for its size. Due to the 4 different input channels (2 can be used in parallel) and the mixing of external sound sources via mini jack and Bluetooth, you can quickly have a fully-fledged practice setup with which you can entertain even smaller groups of people, especially when using the additionally available extension cabinet.

Be sure to try it out!

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Additional Informations:

The story of Blackstar Amplification is one of camaraderie, innovation, and a shared passion for music. In 2004, four friends united by a desire to push the boundaries of guitar amplification embarked on a venture that would reshape the industry. Let's delve deeper into their remarkable journey:

**The Spark of Inspiration:**

Ian Robinson, Bruce Keir, Paul Hayhoe, and Richard Frost weren't strangers to the world of music. Each honed their expertise within established amplifier companies like Marshall, amassing years of experience. However, a shared frustration simmered - they felt existing offerings lacked certain crucial elements. The dream of crafting amplifiers that offered both versatility and affordability, without compromising quality, began to take root.

**Birth in a Shed:**

Unlike many tech giants, Blackstar's origins wouldn't involve Silicon Valley venture capitalists. Their workshop? Ian Robinson's humble garden shed in Northampton, England. Armed with their collective knowledge and boundless enthusiasm, they started tinkering, dissecting existing amps, and meticulously prototyping their own designs. Countless hours were poured into refining circuits, testing tones, and meticulously crafting prototypes.

**The Debut: The Mighty HT-5**

In 2007, at the Frankfurt Musikmesse, Blackstar unveiled their creation to the world – the HT-5. This compact 5-watt amplifier, designed for practice and home recording, stunned the audience with its surprisingly rich tone and innovative features like the patented ISF control, offering a seamless transition between American and British voicings. The HT-5 wasn't just powerful for its size; it packed a punch of versatility, making it an instant hit with guitarists of all levels.

**From Spark to Flame: Expanding the Range**

Fueled by the success of the HT-5, Blackstar didn't rest on their laurels. They expanded their lineup, catering to various playing styles and needs. The HT-1, a mini amp perfect for bedroom jammers, and the HT-40, a versatile workhorse for stage and studio, followed suit. Each amp boasted unique features like the patented Infinite Shape Feature (ISF), enhancing tonal flexibility, and the patented TVP technology, emulating iconic vintage sounds.

**Endorsements and Accolades:**

Word of Blackstar's innovative designs and superior sound spread like wildfire. Renowned guitarists like Dave Mustaine, Slash, and Joe Bonamassa began incorporating Blackstar amps into their rigs, further solidifying the brand's reputation. Industry accolades followed, with awards like MusicRadar's "Product of the Year" and MIPA's "Best Combo Amp" cementing their place among the industry's elite.

**Beyond Amps: Effects Pedals and Global Expansion**

Blackstar's ambition wasn't limited to amps. They delved into the realm of effects pedals, offering innovative stompboxes like the DIST-X and DRIVE-X, renowned for their versatility and high-quality sound. As their success grew, they opened international offices, expanding their reach to global markets, making Blackstar amps a familiar sight on stages and studios worldwide.

**A Legacy of Innovation and Inspiration:**

Today, Blackstar Amplification stands as a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and a constant drive for innovation. From their humble beginnings in a shed to their global presence, they've carved a unique space in the guitar world. Their commitment to quality, versatility, and affordability continues to inspire guitarists of all levels, empowering them to unleash their creativity and shape the soundscapes of tomorrow.

**A Glimpse into the Future:**

Blackstar's journey is far from over. With their unwavering dedication to innovation and a keen eye on evolving player needs, they're constantly pushing the boundaries. Recent collaborations with artists like Joe Satriani and new amp innovations like the Artisan series hint at an exciting future, where Blackstar continues to lead the charge in guitar amplification.

I hope this expanded version provides a more comprehensive and engaging story of Blackstar Amplification's inspiring journey. Please let me know if you have any further questions or specific areas you'd like me to explore.