Blackstar Polar 2 Audio Interface
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Description
The Blackstar Polar 2 is a 2-channel USB-C audio interface built for guitarists who record at home. Both combo inputs take a microphone, a line source or an instrument, and the instrument path runs through a high-headroom FET input stage. The Enhance switch on each channel adds a circuit modeled on the input stage of a valve amp, so amp-sim plugins feel more like playing a real amplifier, and it stops the instrument inputs from clipping digitally no matter how hard you drive them.
Enhance for Guitar and Vocals
With a guitar plugged into the 1/4-inch input and INST selected, Enhance switches in the valve-style input circuit. With a microphone on XLR, the same switch adds a gentle high-shelf lift for more clarity and air on vocals and acoustic guitar. The mic preamps take their voicing from classic vintage studio preamps, and a +48V switch powers condenser microphones.
Monitoring and Software
Peak-hold LED meters show input and output levels, a large knob sets the balanced monitor outputs, and the headphone output has its own level control for low and high impedance headphones. The included POLAR Control app handles near-zero-latency direct monitoring, panning, routing and a separate virtual mix with loopback for streaming. The software bundle includes the full St. James plugin suite, Ableton Live Lite, ReLab LX480 Essentials and Melodyne Essential.
Features
- 2 combo XLR / 1/4-inch inputs for microphone, line and instrument
- High-headroom FET instrument inputs
- Enhance switch on each channel: valve-style input stage on instrument, high-shelf clarity on microphone
- Enhance prevents digital clipping on the instrument inputs
- Line/Inst switch on each channel and +48V phantom power
- Peak-hold LED input and output meters
- 2 balanced 1/4-inch TRS outputs with monitor level control
- 1/4-inch headphone output with its own level control
- POLAR Control mixer software with direct monitoring and loopback
- USB-C, bus powered, with an optional DC 5V input
- Works with iPhone and iPad through an Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter and a 5V USB power supply
- Kensington lock slot
- Software bundle: St. James plugin suite, Ableton Live Lite, ReLab LX480 Essentials, Melodyne Essential and more
Specifications
- Inputs: 2 combo XLR / 1/4-inch (mic, line, instrument)
- Outputs: 2 balanced 1/4-inch TRS line outputs, 1 1/4-inch headphone output
- Simultaneous I/O: 4 x 4, including loopback
- Resolution: 24-bit, up to 192 kHz
- Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz
- Mic preamp gain range: 53 dB
- Mic EIN: -121 dBu (A-weighted)
- Mic frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz, ±0.1 dB
- Mic dynamic range: 109 dB (A-weighted)
- Mic input impedance: 3.3 kΩ
- Mic maximum input level: 2 dBu
- Instrument input: 500 kΩ impedance, 46 dB gain range, 10 dBu maximum input
- Line input: 500 kΩ impedance, 55 dB gain range, 10 dBu maximum input
- Line output maximum level: 12.8 dBu (balanced)
- Headphone output power: 85 mW into 33 Ω, 66 mW into 300 Ω
- Connection: USB-C, USB 2.0
- Power: USB bus power (960 mA) or optional DC 5V input
- Compatibility: macOS 10.15 or later, Windows 8 or later
In the Box
- Blackstar Polar 2
- Quick Start Guide
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- USB-A to DC cable
- Safety information sheet
