The Blackstar Dept. 10 AMPED 3 is a compact, gig-ready 100-watt guitar amplifier pedal that delivers the tone and feel of a traditional tube amp in a pedalboard-friendly format. With three distinct channels—Clean, Crunch, and Overdrive—each offering two selectable voices, this amp provides a wide sonic range, from pristine high-headroom cleans to aggressive, saturated distortion perfect for modern metal. The Clean channel features Warm (dynamic, clean) and Bright (boutique-style with breakup) voices. The Crunch channel offers Crunch (medium-gain overdrive) and Super Crunch (high-gain punch), while the Overdrive channel includes OD 1 (hot-rodded overdrive) and OD 2 (tight, modern metal tone).  Â
Sound shaping is robust, with a 3-band EQ (Bass, Middle, Treble), Presence, and Blackstar’s signature ISF control for tonal flexibility. The 3-way Response switch mimics EL84, EL34, or 6L6 power amp characteristics, while a 3-way Power switch (100W, 20W, 1W) adapts the amp for gigs, practice, or studio use. A footswitchable Boost can be set pre- or post-preamp for added saturation or volume, and the onboard Reverb with Dark/Light switch adds depth. Two 9V DC outputs (up to 500mA) power external pedals, and a high-quality effects loop integrates pedalboards or rack gear seamlessly.
The AMPED 3’s Cab Rig DSP speaker simulation is a standout, delivering latency-free, phase-accurate mic’d-cab tones. Unlike IR-based systems, Cab Rig recreates speakers, cabinets, mics, and room characteristics with precision, offering customizable cab and mic options via Blackstar’s Architect software. Output options include a balanced XLR, stereo TRS headphones, and a 4-in/2-out USB-C audio interface for direct DAW recording. The amp supports 8- and 16-ohm speaker cabinets, and MIDI I/O enables integration with complex rigs. Save your settings as recallable patches for instant access to your signature sound.
