What's that? You want that mediocre Blackstar tone in an FRFR? We gotchu boo

[ian_dissonance]

And it does not sound like a QSC K12, which doesn't sound like a Yamaha . . .

Sure, but “sounds digital” doesn’t mean anything. That’s like sounds warn, or sounds scrongly.

 

[jay mitchell]

Someday we're going to get an FRFR speaker with the following features:

• Eliminates the tweeter to avoid harsh sounds

Not full range. Not even enough for guitar.

• EQ shaped to fit the voice of electric guitar

It's called a "modeler." You should try one sometime

• Integrated power amp modeling to run preamp pedals

Ditto.

• Integrated preamps for emergency backup use
• On board controls to directly adjust the EQ and volume (no computer needed)

Hmm, lessee here: bandwidth-limited (ergo not full range), guitar-specific voicing (not flat response), power amp modeling (IOW, tube amp nonlinearities).

Here ya go!

Add pedals to taste....

 

[paisleywookiee]

Not full range. Not even enough for guitar.

It's called a "modeler." You should try one sometime

Ditto.

Hmm, lessee here: bandwidth-limited (ergo not full range), guitar-specific voicing (not flat response), power amp modeling (IOW, tube amp nonlinearities).

Here ya go!
View attachment 57883
Add pedals to taste....

That was the joke Jarick was making.

 

[jay mitchell]

That was the joke Jarick was making.

 

[Baba]

Sure, but “sounds digital” doesn’t mean anything. That’s like sounds warn, or sounds scrongly.

Oh 1,000%. I was agreeing with you. Sounds DigitalTM means absolute NOTHING.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Oh 1,000%. I was agreeing with you. Sounds DigitalTM means absolute NOTHING.

But you can see it.

 

[ian_dissonance]

But you can see it.

I am it.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

NOTE: this is another case where my RSS feeder is picking up the info, but the link is wrong, and I can't find it on their website, nor Premierguitar.com (where the link points).

Blackstar Amplification announces the launch of the Artist FR Standard and Artist FR Special, two new full range, flat response powered cabinets designed to give modern players a professional FRFR solution that finally feels and responds like a traditional guitar amplifier. Created for today’s modelling and floorboard users who demand accuracy, clarity and genuine playing dynamics, these new cabinets address the need for compact, powerful and intuitive FRFR systems that work just as confidently at home, in the studio, at rehearsal or on stage.

---

Engineered by Blackstar’s experienced amplifier designers, both Artist FR models are built on the company’s proven cabinet construction and power amp technology, ensuring reliable performance and authentic “amp-like” response. They are ideally suited for the Blackstar ID:X floor unit or similar products. Each cabinet uses a custom-designed flat-response 1x12 speaker created specifically for this platform, delivering the balanced, articulate sound needed to faithfully reproduce amp models and IRs, while a whizzer cone supports high frequencies to keep definition and clarity across complex tones and effects.
In practical terms, the Artist FR range has been developed to make FRFR amplification straightforward for players of all levels. A simple, musician-focused control layout gives instant access to volume along with a powerful active three-band EQ and a Presence control, allowing users to quickly refine their sound to suit different rigs, rooms and performance environments without getting lost in menus. Every cabinet also includes an integrated kickstand to allow easy tilt-back monitoring when needed.

The Artist FR Standard delivers 50 watts of power in a compact 1x12 format, making it ideal for home and studio players who also want enough output for smaller performance settings. For those requiring greater headroom and stage authority, the Artist FR Special offers the same sonic philosophy in a larger 1x12 cabinet with 100 watts of power, extending the concept naturally into rehearsal spaces and bigger live situations. The Standard weighs 10.72kg and measures 461 x 387 x 230mm, while the Special comes in at 13.50kg with dimensions of 525 x 447 x 245mm, giving players clear options depending on their power and portability needs.
With the Artist FR series, Blackstar has created FRFR cabinets that are still compact, practical and financially realistic while still delivering the familiar feel, responsiveness and physical reassurance guitarists expect from an amplifier. These new models bring professional full range performance into formats that look, behave and inspire like real guitar gear, making them a natural partner for the latest generation of modeller-based rigs.
For further information on the Artist FR Standard and Artist FR Special, please visit NAMM Booth #6802 or online at www.blackstaramps.com
Street Price:
Artist FR Standard $399.99 USD
Artist FR Special $469.99 USD

I'd just like to say that I don't think anything has ever been named in a way to inspire less confidence in me that it is capable of doing anything useful than "whizzer cone".

 

[ian_dissonance]

If I try to find this article I can find a link to an article that supposedly has this title but goes to a post from 9 years ago about something totally different.

 

[dbagchee]

Found an image from a PG Facebook post:

Edit - another one:

 

[Lysander]

I don't get what everyone's complaining about here... $400 seems like a great price?

 

[Dom Mcsweeney]

Looks pretty decent at first glance, and competitively priced.
I think it's good that they are launching products that give more choices to people out there, regardless of being 'innovative' or not.

 

[banned]

What does this mean? The FR12 sounds like what you put into it.

It doesn't sound realistic like a guitar cab. It sounds like I'm playing through a modeler compared to when I play through a guitar cab which sounds like I'm playing through a tube amp.

I can't articulate what it is, but it's clearly audible to me. No matter how much you mess with the low pass, something about playing through FRFR sounds off to me.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

It doesn't sound realistic like a guitar cab. It sounds like I'm playing through a modeler compared to when I play through a guitar cab which sounds like I'm playing through a tube amp.

I can't articulate what it is, but it's clearly audible to me. No matter how much you mess with the low pass, something about playing through FRFR sounds off to me.

It's almost as if in one instance, you are playing through a guitar cab and in the other instance you are not playing through a guitar cab...or even something trying to sound like a guitar cab.

That's not the sound of "digital". That's the sound of "an SM57 inches away from a speaker cone".

 

[ian_dissonance]

It doesn't sound realistic like a guitar cab. It sounds like I'm playing through a modeler compared to when I play through a guitar cab which sounds like I'm playing through a tube amp.

I can't articulate what it is, but it's clearly audible to me. No matter how much you mess with the low pass, something about playing through FRFR sounds off to me.

Gotcha. As noted it’s just two totally different things. An FRFR cabinet isn’t really supposed to sound like a raw guitar speaker. If that’s what you want to hear, that’s what you should use. “Sounds digital” seems to mean “too full range” maybe?

 

[paisleywookiee]

It doesn't sound realistic like a guitar cab. It sounds like I'm playing through a modeler compared to when I play through a guitar cab which sounds like I'm playing through a tube amp.

I can't articulate what it is, but it's clearly audible to me. No matter how much you mess with the low pass, something about playing through FRFR sounds off to me.

Does something sound off to you when you play through studio monitors? Because that’s “FRFR” too. Now, don’t get me wrong; I’m sure a $480 Blackstar isn’t remotely the epitome of tonal accuracy.