Blackstar Dept. 10 Amped 3

A Dept. 10 "amp head" designed for the pedalboard

With the AMPED 3, Blackstar takes the compact amp concept even further: offering a powerful, versatile amplification pedal that's immediately usable live, without sacrificing touch response. Its high headroom design and Class D power section are engineered to maintain presence and punch across very different setups, whether you play through a speaker cabinet, in an amp's return loop, or direct front-of-house via the D.I. and CabRig. The result: a true "fly-ready" rig centerpiece, easy to slip onto a pedalboard.

Who is the AMPED 3 for, and in what contexts does it make a difference?

The AMPED 3 targets guitarists who want to reduce volume and weight of their setup without giving up the feel of an amp. In rehearsal or on stage, it replaces a traditional head while remaining simple to control with your foot. In the home studio, its connectivity (USB and D.I.) allows quick recording, via headphones or monitors, with a "plug and play" approach suitable for both content creators and more serious sessions.

Style-wise, its DNA is clearly oriented towards rock and metal (precise hi-gain, sharp attacks, punchy palm-mutes), but its Clean and Crunch channels also provide a solid foundation for blues, indie, and modern pop. It's also an excellent platform for pedals: overdrives in front, delays and reverbs in the loop, or a multi-effects unit using the 4-cable method depending on your approach.

Controls, channels, presets, and connectivity: a complete rig in a single pedal

The heart of the AMPED 3 lies in its 3 footswitchable channels, each featuring 2 voicings to multiply tonal options without complicating adjustments. The EQ section offers Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence, complemented by the patented ISF (Infinite Shape Feature), ideal for shifting from a "US"-style curve to a more "UK" approach and finding the right mix placement.

The Response selector (EL84, EL34, 6L6) affects playing feel: compression, dynamics, "sag," and how the sound "breaks up" when pushing gain. Add to that a programmable Boost (Pre or Post) with level control to tighten the low end or, conversely, cut through the band in solo. The reverb is footswitchable, with character variations (notably darker or brighter), and advanced editing can be done via Blackstar's "Architect" software.

To adapt to all stages, the AMPED 3 features a CabRig output for direct playing with speaker emulation, a mono XLR D.I. output, and a stereo TRS line output. The low-latency USB-C audio interface simplifies recording, while the effects loop facilitates integration of external modulations, delays, and reverbs. Finally, the presence of MIDI and 2 x 9V DC outputs makes the whole setup very coherent for a modern pedalboard.

Sound

The AMPED 3 delivers a decidedly "amp-like" sound: clear attack, present mids, and an immediate sense of power, especially when connected to an 8 or 16 ohm cabinet. On Clean, you get clear and dynamic foundations, perfect for open chords, arpeggios, and pedal tones. The Crunch ranges from vintage muscular grit to tighter rhythms, while the Overdrive can push toward modern, precise, and dense hi-gain with excellent chord clarity. The Response trio (EL84, EL34, 6L6) is one of the major assets: it changes both tone and feel, helping to adapt playing to the guitar, cabinet, and context. Among artists associated with the AMPED 3 are Petri Lindroos (Ensiferum) and Mark Baldwin (Faintest Idea), confirming its "performance" positioning.

Technical specifications

Category	electric preamp	EQ	3-band + presence
Technology	Modeling	Headphone output	No
Format	Pedal	Color	Black
Effects loop	Yes	Power output	100 W
Number of channels	3

Power	100 W	Cabinet simulation	CabRig
Power reduction	100 W, 20 W, 1 W	USB audio interface	USB-C (4-channel recording)
3 channels	Clean, Crunch, Overdrive	MIDI	mini-jack input and output
Response selector	EL84, EL34, 6L6	Width	288 mm
Programmable Boost	Pre or Post, with level control	Height	80 mm
Presets	memory and recall directly from the unit	Depth	149 mm
Instrument input	6.35mm Jack	Weight	1.98 kg
Speaker outputs	6.35mm Jack (8 ohms and 16 ohms)	Power supply	mains 100 V to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
Line output	stereo TRS	Maximum consumption	300 W (approx. 1300 mA at 230 V)
D.I. output	mono XLR	Pedal power outputs	2 x 9 V DC, combined max current 500 mA