Blackstar Polar 2 Audio Interface

Full Description

Professional-grade inputs for superior sound

The POLAR 2 features dual high-headroom FET inputs, designed to deliver pristine audio quality. These inputs accommodate a wide range of sources, including electric guitars, microphones, and effects pedals. The ultra-low noise design ensures every detail of your tone is preserved, whether recording subtle vocals or pushing a guitar signal. The interface also includes balanced outputs for professional monitoring and a high-output headphone amp for precise audio playback.

‘Enhance’ your recordings

The POLAR 2’s proprietary ‘Enhance’ feature enriches your sound by emulating the warmth of vintage valve amps. It allows you to push instrument inputs like a real amp preamp stage, avoiding digital clipping and adding natural compression and character. For vocals and acoustic instruments, the ‘Enhance’ function adds clarity and air, making recordings shine without the need for extra hardware. It’s a simple yet powerful tool that integrates seamlessly into your workflow.

Bundled software for instant creativity

The POLAR 2 comes with a complete recording suite, including the St. James Plugin Suite, Ableton Lite, and Melodyne Essential. These tools provide everything you need to start creating music, from amp modelling to pitch correction and multi-track mixing. Designed to integrate effortlessly with your DAW, this software collection empowers you to produce studio-quality tracks right out of the box.

Flexible routing with POLAR Control

The included POLAR Control software is a powerful mixer app that provides comprehensive control over your monitoring and routing. Its intuitive design mirrors traditional studio mixers, enabling adjustments to levels, panning, and signal paths with ease. The loopback feature lets you record system audio or streams directly into your DAW, making it perfect for content creators and musicians alike. With compatibility for Windows, Mac, and iOS, it ensures seamless integration into any setup.

Features

• Two-channel USB audio interface designed specifically for guitarists
• High-headroom FET input stage ensures clear, rich tones for instruments, effect pedals, and microphones
• Proprietary Enhance switch emulates classic valve amp sounds and eliminates digital clipping for authentic performance
• Enhance adds natural clarity to vocals and acoustic instruments on mic and line inputs
• Built-in features remove the need for additional hardware or expensive DI boxe.
• Includes a comprehensive studio software bundle with St. James Suite, Ableton Lite, Melodyne Essential, and more
• Mic preamps inspired by vintage studio designs provide warmth and depth for vocal recordings
• Comes with Polar Control software for detailed level adjustment, panning, and monitoring
• USB 2.0 bus-powered with +48V phantom power for condenser microphones
• iOS compatibility for portable recording and streaming on the go
• Loopback functionality lets you capture computer audio directly into your recordings
• Professional-level routing and mixing capabilities via Polar Control software for seamless integration with DAWs

Specifications

General

• Number Of Microphone Preamps: 2
• Phantom Power: Yes, 48V
• Instrument Inputs: 2
• Line Inputs: 2
• Line Outputs: 2
• Headphone Outputs: 1
• Loopback: Yes
• Connectivity: USB Type-C
• Protocol: USB 2.0
• Form Factor: Desktop
• Simultaneous I/O: 4 x 4 (Including Loopback Inputs)
• A/D Resolution: 24-bit/192 kHz
• Bus Powered: Yes (960mA)
• Supported Sample Rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz
• Product Code: BA247010-H

Microphone Inputs

• Frequency Response: 20-20kHz ±0.1dB
• Dynamic Range: 109dB (A-Weighted)
• THD+N: -101dB (-103dB A-Weighted); 0dB Gain, 950mVrms, 20Hz-24kHz BW
• Noise EIN: -121dBu (A-Weighted)
• Maximum Input Level: 2dBu
• Gain Range: 53dB
• Impedance: 3.3kΩ

Line Inputs

• Frequency Response: 20-20kHz ±0.2dB
• Dynamic Range: 112dB (A-Weighted)
• THD+N: -85dB (-85dB A-Weighted); 8dB Gain, 380mVrms, 20Hz-24kHz BW
• Maximum Input Level: 10dBu
• Gain Range: 55dB
• Impedance: 500kΩ

Instrument Inputs

• Frequency Response: 20-20kHz ±0.2dB
• Dynamic Range: 112dB (A-Weighted)
• THD+N: -82dB (-81dB A-Weighted); 3dB Gain, 630mVrms, 20Hz-24kHz BW
• Maximum Input Level: 10dBu
• Gain Range: 46dB
• Impedance: 500kΩ

Line Outputs (Balanced)

• Frequency Response: 20-20kHz ±0.15dB
• Dynamic Range: 93dB
• THD+N: -80dB
• Maximum Output Level: 12.8dBu
• Impedance: 1k

Headphone Outputs

• Frequency Response: 20-20kHz ±0.15dB @ 33Ω / 300Ω
• Dynamic Range: 110dB @ 33Ω, 107dB @ 300Ω
• THD+N: -83dB @ 33Ω, -85dB @ 300Ω
• Maximum Output Level: 7dBu Into 33Ω, 15.2dBu Into 300Ω
• Maximum Output Power: 85mW Into 33Ω, 66mW Into 300Ω
• Impedance: 10Ω