Project Medway: Development of a range of Digital Signal Processing based technology Guitar Amplifiers that can successfully emulate "Valve" sound quality and tone, whilst at the same time maintaining corresponding sound pressure levels associated with tr

2011年4月，Blackstar成功完成了吉他放大器（Ref EMX06825）的研究项目。这个后续项目旨在利用这些结果开发一系列基于数字信号处理（DSP）的吉他放大器，这些放大器在声音和音质方面与基于阀门的吉他放大器没有区别，同时在相同的瓦数规格水平上保持等效音压（响度）。这是一个众所周知的事实，数字为基础的吉他放大器在音质方面天生不如他们的阀门为基础的同行。这个创新的项目解决了音乐和创意产业对放大技术的需求，这种技术可以带来卓越的音质和音质，并与数字技术提供的多功能性相结合。阶段1：用于证明基本功能的指示性原型单元。阶段2:NAMM原型（2012年1月在美国展示）。该单元将具有完全原理图设计的PCB，操作软件和GUI（图形用户界面）完全开发的程序算法，机械和外观上的完整硬件。该装置将在namm展会上秘密展示给黑星的经销商。第三阶段：法兰克福预生产单元将于2012年3月在法兰克福音乐展览会上展出。将开发从100W到1W的8个核心产品。这些高性能产品在技术上有一些相似之处，因此将首先开发这些产品。1)利用我们现有的供应链和市场路线，这个项目的成功将使Blackstar进入目前无法解决的剩余55%的市场（低价格点），将销售额从800万英镑提高到1500万英镑。为此，黑星公司将其大部分利润重新投入到研发中，但需要持续的拨款支持来完成整个项目。2)黑星将在11月创造4个新的技术岗位，以满足项目时间表。该公司在研究项目阶段创造了5个新的工作岗位。

Blackstar successfully completed a Research project for Guitar Amplifiers (Ref EMX06825)in April 2011. This follow-on project seeks to use the results to develop a range of DigitalSignal Processing (DSP) based guitar amplifiers that are indistinguishable from valve basedguitar amps in terms of both sound and tone quality, whilst keeping equivalent sonic pressure(loudness) at the same levels of wattage specification. It is a well known fact that digitallybased guitar amps are inherently inferior to their valve based counterparts in terms of soundquality. This innovative project addresses a need within the music and creative industries foramplification technology which allows the benefits of superior sound and tone quality,married with the versatility afforded by digital technology. Phase 1: An Indicative PrototypeUnit used to prove basic functionality. Phase 2: The NAMM (USA show Jan 2012) Prototype.This unit will have fully schematic-designed PCB’s, operational software and GUI (GraphicalUser Interface) fully developed programme algorithms, complete hardware both mechanicallyand cosmetically. The unit is to be shown confidentially to Blackstar’s distributors at theNAMM show. Phase 3: Frankfurt Pre-production units to be shown at Frankfurt Musikmessein Mar 2012. A range of 8 core products are to be developed from 100W down to 1W. Thehigh-powered products share some technological similarities, so these will be developed first.Benefits: 1) Using our existing supply chain and routes to market, success of this project willenable Blackstar to enter the remaining 55% of the market (low price points) that it cannotcurrently address, raising sales from £8m to £15m. To this end Blackstar has been re-investingmost of its profit in R&D, but needs on-going grant support to complete the overall project. 2)Blackstar will create 4 new technical jobs in November to meet the project timetable. Thecompany created 5 new jobs during the research project phase.