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Blackstar Polar 4 USB-C Audio/MIDI Interface

BH #BLPOLAR4 • MFR #POLAR4
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Blackstar Polar 4 USB-C Audio/MIDI Interface
Key Features
  • For Recording and Streaming Guitarists
  • Bus/External Power, Mac/Windows/iOS
  • 4 Mic/Line/Instrument FET Preamps
  • 2 Headphone Output, 4 Line Output
Make DI guitar and vocal recording feel natural with the Polar 4 from Blackstar, a 4-in / 4-out USB-C audio/MIDI interface purpose-built for guitarists and vocalists capturing their performance on Mac/Windows computers or streaming on iOS devices. With its special FET inputs, you can record your instruments with ultralow noise and high headroom, creating an excellent sonic foundation for your guitar tone, while having loads of headroom and clip-resistant circuitry to drive your input as hard as you want—like the preamp stage of a tube amp.
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Blackstar POLAR4 Overview

Audio Interface with FET Inputs Designed by Guitarists for Guitarists
Make DI guitar and vocal recording feel natural with the Polar 4 from Blackstar, a 4-in / 4-out USB-C audio/MIDI interface purpose-built for guitarists and vocalists capturing their performance on Mac/Windows computers or streaming on iOS devices. With its special FET inputs, you can record your instruments with ultralow noise and high headroom, creating an excellent sonic foundation for your guitar tone, while having loads of headroom and clip-resistant circuitry to drive your input as hard as you want—like the preamp stage of a tube amp.

Adding a unique circuit that emulates the input stage of tube amplifiers, the switchable Enhance feature restores the feel and playing response you're used to with amps, enriching the sound of all guitar-amp plug-ins. Four studio-inspired preamps with vintage mic-preamp tones add warmth and lift vocal performances.  Enjoy hands-on gain controls for monitor and the two independent headphone outputs. Use the included Polar Control software to take things even further with zero-latency monitoring and Loopback function for streaming. Traditional 5-pin MIDI I/O is provided for seamless integration of MIDI equipment. The Polar 4 comes with a complete recording tool kit including Ableton Live, St. James Suite of guitar-amp plug-ins, and more.

Transform Your Recording Process with Enhance
Combined with a high-headroom FET input stage, the Enhance mode restores the touch, feel, and response of playing through a real amp. When the Enhance switch is engaged on the instrument input, a unique circuit is introduced that mimics the input stage of a real tube amplifier, including all of its nonlinear behaviors and characteristics.

With Enhance activated, you can capture guitar levels without worrying about digital clipping. This feature allows you to drive Polar’s preamps like a real tube amp, making level adjustments easy and ensuring smooth handling of dynamic guitar signals, thus avoiding harsh tones and ruined takes. Enhance can also gently lift the top end of your signal, bringing out natural clarity and air from vocals, acoustic guitar, and more.

Polar Control
Blackstar's versatile Polar Control mixing software is included, offering zero-latency monitoring and loopback functionality. Polar Control streamlines your signal routing workflow, eliminating the need for bulky hardware mixers and saving space in the studio by simplifying the recording and mixing process.
Connections
Polar 4 features a number of connections for a perfect fit in modern home studios:

  • Four 1/4"-XLR combo jacks for mics or instruments, with powerful mic preamps and selectable +48V phantom power
  • Two independent 1/4" TRS headphone outputs with dedicated volume controls
  • Four 1/4" line outputs for monitor speakers and devices
  • 5-pin DIN MIDI I/O
  • USB-C port for bus power and host connections
Versatile Power Options
Polar 4 can be powered either by bus power over its USB-C port, or an optional external 5V power supply. Use bus power when working in the studio, and use the optional AC adapter input when streaming on your iOS mobile device.
Bundles with Studio Software Collection
Hit the ground running with the included studio software collection bundle. Polar 4 includes the St. James Guitar Amp Plug-In Suite, Ableton Live Lite, ReLab LX480 Essentials Reverb, Melodyne Essential, and more. This ensures you have everything you need to record right when you open the box.

Blackstar POLAR4 Specs

Key Specs
Channels of I/O
4 Inputs / 4 Outputs
Maximum Sampling Rate
192 kHz / 24-Bit
Number of Microphone Inputs
4
Analog Audio I/O
4x Combo XLR-1/4" TRS Mic/Line Input
4x 1/4" TRS Line Output
2x 1/4" TRS Headphone Output
Digital Audio I/O
No
Host Connection
1x USB-C (Class-Compliant, on Interface)
Power Requirements
AC/DC Power Adapter (Included), USB Bus Power
General
Display
LED
Channels of I/O
4 Inputs / 4 Outputs
Built-In DSP
Yes
Maximum Sampling Rate
192 kHz / 24-Bit
Number of Microphone Inputs
4
Built-In Microphone
No
Input Level Adjustment
4x Knob
Signal Processing
Pad
No
Gain/Trim Range
Mic Inputs:
53 dB
Line Inputs:
55 dB
High-Pass Filter
No
Solo/Mute
No
Connectivity
Analog Audio I/O
4x Combo XLR-1/4" TRS Mic/Line Input
4x 1/4" TRS Line Output
2x 1/4" TRS Headphone Output
Phantom Power
48 V
Digital Audio I/O
No
Host Connection / USB
1x USB-C (Class-Compliant, on Interface)
Host Connection Protocol
USB 2.0
USB (Non-Host)
1x USB-C (USB 2.0, Device Charging)
Sync I/O
No
Network I/O
No
MIDI I/O
1x DIN 5-Pin Input
1x DIN 5-Pin Output
Expansion Slots
No
Wireless
No
Performance
Frequency Response
Mic Inputs:
20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.1 dB
Line Inputs:
20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.2 dB
Line Outputs:
20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.15 dB
Maximum Input Level
Mic Inputs:
+53 dBu
Line Inputs:
10 dBu
Maximum Output Level
Line Outputs:
12.8 dBu
Headphone Outputs:
7 dBu (Into 33 Ohms)
15.2 dBu (Into 300 Ohms)
Headphone Output Power
1/4":
85 mW into 33 Ohms
66 mW into 300 Ohms
Impedance
Mic Inputs:
3.3 Kilohms
Line Inputs:
500 Kilohms
Line Outputs:
1 Kilohm
Dynamic Range
Line Inputs:
112 dB (A-Weighted)
Mic Inputs:
109 dB
Line Outputs:
93 dB
THD+N
Mic Inputs:
-101 dB
Line Inputs:
-85 dB (A-Weighted)
Line Outputs:
-80 dB
EIN
Mic Inputs:
-121 dBu
Digital Audio
Sample Rates
44.1 to 192 kHz
Sample Rate Conversion
No
Bit Depths
24-Bit
Sync Sources
No
Clocking
Internal:
Audio Storage & Playback
Media/Memory Card Slot
No
Compatibility
OS Compatibility
Computer: Windows 8 or Later / macOS 10.14 or Later
Mobile: iOS Only via Optional Adapter
Power
Power Requirements
AC/DC Power Adapter (Included), USB Bus Power
AC/DC Power Adapter
5 VDC
Battery Type
1x Built-In Rechargeable
Approximate Battery Life
4 Hours
Physical
Dimensions
9.1 x 4.5 x 2.5" / 230 x 115 x 64 mm
Weight
2.0 lb / 0.9 kg

Blackstar POLAR4 Reviews

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