Experience the next generation of affordable tube tones with the HT-5R MK III from Blackstar, a 1x12" 5W combo amplifier ideal for home practice, recording, and band rehearsals. Sporting one ECC83 tube and one 12BH7 tube, two channels, two voicings per channel, and patented ISF control, you get generations of tube tone at your fingertips.

With power reduction down to 0.5W via controlled reduction of internal working voltages, you can enjoy more freedom to push your amp without disturbing your neighbors or sacrificing sound quality. The amp includes diverse output options, with XLR, 1/4" headphone, USB supporting Blackstar's innovative CabRig speaker emulation, series FX loop, and more. The USB-C port also offers 2x2 interface functionality, allowing you to enjoy a rare marriage of vintage tube tone and modern digital versatility.

For Practice, Recording, and Rehearsals    5W Output    One ECC83 and One 12BH7 Tube    2 Channels with 2 Voices per Channel    Enhanced Tone Control on Clean Channel    Infinite Shape Feature on OD Channel    Power Reduction Down to 0.5W    CabRig Cabinet Emulation    Digital Reverb and FX Loop    Balanced XLR, Headphone, and USB Output

When creating a series of amplifiers, the traditional approach would be to start with a preamp design, and then bolt this on to a range of power amplifiers of different power ratings. However, Blackstar acknowledges the interaction between preamp and power amp and the individual requirements that different amps need.

Therefore, although the preamps do share many similarities, each and every model has had the same individual care and attention during sonic testing and any required tweaking of the circuitry has been applied to ensure each model performs to Blackstar's high tonal expectations.

The MK III Clean channel is a very sophisticated circuit, albeit deceptively simple looking, in that it is extremely versatile for producing a range of classic clean and crunchy tones. The two different voicings use both parts of an ECC83 (12AX7) tube exclusively for producing compression and crunch.

The HT MK III overdrive channels are next in an evolution from Series One, HT MK I through to HT Venue MK III. The topology shares the same basic building blocks in gain structure and tonal shaping and includes the cascaded gain stages of an ECC83 double triode valve. However, each amp has had the overdrive tones specifically tweaked, tuned, and refined to optimize the tone during hours of listening tests.

An important aspect of the Overdrive channels is how well the tone cleans up when the guitar volume is backed off. In conventional valve amp designs, the treble response of the overdriven sound is shaped by a series of cascaded first-order low-pass filters placed between each of the valve stages that are being overdriven, which often leads to a droopy filter response and a dull or lifeless backed-off tone. In the HT MK III Overdrive channels, the majority of the high-frequency shaping of the distortion is done using a second-order low-pass filter. This has the advantage of removing unpleasant high-frequency fizz without attenuating the signal below the cutoff frequency.

The conventional three-way guitar EQ network, or tone stack, is a key to the characteristic voice of traditional guitar amplifiers. Classic amplifier designs have their own versions of this network, which leads to their own tonal voicings.

The passive ISF control allows you to infinitely adjust the response of the tone control network between any of the traditional voicings in a way that was never before possible. For everything from a classic American to vintage British tonal range. The ISF control is interactive, moves the whole tone stack at once, and is continuously variable.

The Voice 1 setting (LED off) is based on a classic American clean sound, a mid '60s black-face Fender Twin Reverb. This setting has high headroom, and a bright and clean sound with solid low end.

The Voice 2 setting (LED on) is based on a much loved vintage Class-A British tone (Vox AC-30). The gain structure is reconfigured to put the EQ shaping after both the valve stages, and the power amp is set to have no negative feedback. These and other carefully voiced parts of the circuit result in a warm tone with a chimelike top end and relaxed resonant bottom.

Switching to Voice 2 (LED on) on the Overdrive channel will add more gain for the overdrive and reduce the power amp damping, giving livelier highs and more resonant lows. Overall this changes the character of the overdrive from a classic tone to a higher gain, more contemporary tone.

While a traditional, possibly old fashioned, spring reverb is often a choice for tube amps and can be great for Fender-style clean tones, Blackstar felt this wasn't the best choice for modern overdrive tones. So they developed their own digital reverbs specifically voiced for both clean and OD tones.

These exclusive Blackstar designs respond well to both the dynamic nature of clean sounds and the more compressed, harmonically rich textures of crunch and high-gain overdrive sounds. In addition, the Reverb Time can be adjusted for Clean and OD channels independently using Blackstar’s Architect software. This level of choice and flexibility simply would not be possible with a mechanical spring reverb.

CabRig is Blackstar’s next-generation IR-based DSP speaker simulator, featuring innovative DSP software that reproduces the rich, dynamic characteristics of real-world guitar cabs:

• Boasting zero latency and lower CPU usage than other snapshot technologies, CabRig empowers users to sculpt their sound effortlessly
• The advanced algorithm lets users create new ways of blending mics and cabs without encountering phase issues
• Blackstar’s Architect software provides access and in-depth control over every aspect of CabRig, granting a vast collection of gear that, in the real world, can only be found in professional recording environments
• Over 700 combinations of rooms, cabinets, and microphones allow the user to inhabit the role of a sound engineer and get outstanding results every time without any of the hassle
• You have full control over individual EQ and panning for these close mics, exactly as if they were channels on a recording console
• You have the option to choose the room in which you want to place the cab, with complete control over the level of the room sound

• Balanced XLR direct output (compatible with CabRig)
• Stereo headphone output with improved driver amp for wider compatibility (compatible with CabRig)
• Stereo 3.5mm line input
• USB-C connector for 2x2 recording or Architect sofrware parameter editing (compatible with CabRig)
• Series FX loop with +4 dBu or -10 dBV level switch
• Standard latching 2-way footswitch input for channel and voicing selection
• 8- and 16-ohm speaker outputs for connecting to an external cabinet

All HT MK III models have low-noise DC power supplies for the preamplifier tube heaters. This is a feature previously only found in very high-end tube amplifiers.

It eliminates any hum that would be induced from the more commonly seen 6.3 VAC heater power and allows high settings of gain to be used without high levels of 50/60 Hz noise and hum being audible.

All PCBs used in the HT MK III amps are double-sided plated-through types. These provide increased mechanical strength. All tubes are specially tested and graded, removing as many tubes that don't meet Blackstar's standards during the selection process as possible.

All amps are specifically biased to ensure the perfect balance of tone, reliability, and tube longevity. The chassis is fabricated from 1.2 and 1.6mm coated steel plating and incorporates other mechanical design features for maximum absorption of physical shocks.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. will this screen work with canon c300 mark ii? how does it attach?

A: Use the Canon LA-V1 LCD Attachment Unit for EOS C200 B&H # CALAV1 and attach it to the top handle front of either the C300 Mark II or C200.

Q: 2. Does this camera support control with the R5C?

A: Yes It should. While the Canon R5C is not listed on the tested list we believe it would work as the Canon R6, R5 and EOS R cameras do with USB-C connection. See this compatibility chart. https://bit.ly/3XfWClu

Q: 3. With this monitor, am I able to use the original “clam shell” at the same time? I guess to be more specific, is there a splitter or additional jack that allows video to be displayed on both monitors?

A: That is not possible.

Q: 4. Does this allow touch focus control on the FX30?

A: Yes, the Sony FX30 via WI-Fi Control will support touchscreen autofocus when using the PORTKEYS LH5P II 5.5" Touchscreen Monitor. Compatibility chart: https://bhpho.to/3w8cChT

Q: 5. Zeiss Victory HT 8x54 specs and photos do not indicate if this bino can use a tripod adaptor. Can it?

A: When using the ZEISS 8x54 Victory HT Binoculars, one is able to mount the binoculars onto a tripod using these adapters connected to the front of the ZEISS 8x54 Victory HT Binoculars. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/482981-REG/Nikon_8177_Tripod_Adapter_for_Binoculars.html https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1761069-REG/sirui_ba1_aluminum_binocular_center_post.html

Q: 6. How bright is the monitor? (its NIT rating--- so we can really know how dark this is

A: It appears that NIT rating for this monitor is not available, but from reading reviews online, the monitor is reportedly not very bright. You could get a sunhood to help, such as this one: https://bhpho.to/3pzMcge

Q: 7. Will the cable that currently connects my c300 mkII monitor work with the monitor or do I have to buy the Canon UN-5 cable for $269 ?

A: I am using the original cable supplied with my C300MKii

Q: 8. What lenses work with the tap screen focus feature?

A: Any EF mounted lens that supports autofocus. It works just like a DSLR would work when autofocusing with it.

Q: 9. What kind of case comes with these Zeiss Victory HT 10x54 binoculars? Thank you!

A: The ZEISS 10x54 Victory HT Binoculars come with a cordura case.

Q: 10. Does the touch focus work for things like focus tracking on FX3 and/or FX6? If yes, does the focus tracking box show on the monitor?

A: The PORTKEYS LH5P II 5.5" Touchscreen Monitor with Camera Control for Sony FS5/FS7/FX6/FX9 does have touch control support when paired with the FX3, but not the FX6. You will only see the focus box if you cameras is outputting display information to the monitor.