Blackstar Polar 4 4-In/8-Out Audio Interface for Guitar
The Polar 4 is an audio interface designed around the things that go wrong when guitarists record: tracks that do not feel like an amp, input levels that clip, and results that sound dull. Four FET based channels, 81 inspired preamps and a per channel Enhance switch are Blackstar's answers to those.
- 4 in, 8 out: four input channels and four line level outputs, with two headphone outputs on top.
- FET based inputs: high headroom with impressively low noise.
- 81 inspired microphone preamps: a characterful flavour reminiscent of the legendary British consoles.
- +48V phantom power: for condenser microphones.
- Enhance switch per channel: a clip proof input setting that also adds amp like feel to instruments and extra air and clarity to microphones.
- Two headphone outputs: two players can monitor separately while you use the studio monitors.
- Software bundle: Ableton Live Lite, Relab LX480 Essentials and the Polar control software.
Most audio interfaces are general purpose boxes that guitarists then work around. The Blackstar Polar 4 was built the other way round, tailor made for guitar players to make the recording process easier, with four FET based input channels armed with 81 inspired microphone preamps and +48V phantom power.
The Enhance switch
Three problems come up again and again when a guitarist records: the track lacks amp like response, setting an input level without clipping is fiddly, and the result sounds dull. The per channel Enhance switch takes all three out of the equation. Engaging it safeguards against clipping to give a foolproof input setting, makes the input behave more like a tube amplifier when recording instruments, and adds extra air and clarity when recording with a microphone.
Inputs and preamps
The high headroom FET based inputs offer impressively low noise, and the 81 inspired preamps carry a characterful flavour reminiscent of the legendary British consoles of years past. Phantom power is on board for condenser microphones, so the same four channels cover amps, DI'd instruments and mics.
Monitoring
Two headphone outputs and four line level outputs make studio quality monitoring straightforward. You can run studio monitors while two other people listen individually, which is what makes tracking a pair of musicians at once practical.
Software in the box
The Polar 4 comes with a bundle of Ableton Live Lite, Relab LX480 Essentials and the Polar control software, so there is a recording environment and a reverb waiting the day it arrives.