The Blackstar ID:X 50 is a 50-watt 1x12 digital modeling combo for guitarists who want one amp for home practice, recording and the stage. Six amp voices run from clean to high gain, a Response switch gives each one the feel of EL84, EL34 or 6L6 power tubes, and four effect blocks sit on the front panel with an OLED display for editing. A three-way power switch drops the output from 50 W to 10 W or 1 W, so the amp keeps its character at bedroom volume.

Tone and Effects

Each voice works with Bass, Middle and Treble controls plus Blackstar's patented ISF control, which sweeps the EQ between a tight American character and a looser British one. The Pre FX, Modulation, Delay and Reverb blocks run at the same time, with more than 30 effects between them, tap tempo, and shift controls for the noise gate, Resonance and Presence. The amp stores 99 patches in banks of three, and Manual mode sets the sound to match the knobs as they sit.

Recording and Silent Practice

CabRig, Blackstar's IR-based speaker simulator, feeds the 1/4-inch line and headphone output and the USB-C port. Over USB the ID:X 50 works as an audio interface with four channels to your computer: CabRig left and right, the dry guitar for re-amping and the preamp signal on its own. The Master control leaves the CabRig output untouched, so you can turn the speaker all the way down and still record or practice on headphones. The free Architect software handles deeper editing, firmware updates and patch sharing.

Features

• 50 W combo with a 12-inch speaker
• Six amp voices: Clean Warm, Clean Bright, Crunch, Super Crunch, OD1 and OD2
• Response switch with EL84, EL34 and 6L6 power tube emulation
• Power switch for 50 W, 10 W or 1 W
• Patented ISF tone control
• Four effect blocks (Pre FX, Modulation, Delay, Reverb) with more than 30 effects and tap tempo
• Built-in noise gate with Resonance and Presence shift controls
• 99 patch locations and Manual mode
• OLED display and built-in chromatic tuner
• CabRig IR-based speaker simulation with three selectable settings
• USB-C audio and Architect editing software
• Effects loop and 3.5 mm line input for backing tracks
• Footswitch input for the Blackstar FS-12 and FS-18 footcontrollers

Specifications

• Type: Digital modeling guitar combo
• Power: 50 W RMS, switchable to 10 W or 1 W
• Speaker: 1 x 12"
• Amp voices: 6
• Effects: Pre FX, Modulation, Delay and Reverb blocks, more than 30 effects
• Patches: 99
• Inputs: 1/4" instrument input, 3.5 mm line in, effects loop return, footswitch
• Outputs: 1/4" line and headphone output (CabRig), effects loop send, USB-C audio (4 out, 2 in)
• Mains: 100 to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
• Dimensions: 470 x 409 x 221 mm
• Weight: 9.6 kg (21.2 lbs)