Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $104

Standard/Professional

$49

$150+

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Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Blackstar St. James Suite". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Unleash the power of genuine valve amplifiers with the Blackstar St. James Suite. This amp simulator plugin is not just designed but meticulously crafted to replicate the iconic tones and tactile response of real-world amplifiers. Whether you're chasing the warm chime of 60s classics or the tight, articulate sounds of modern metal, the St. James Suite offers an unparalleled sonic experience.

Choose from the St. James EL34 for that quintessential British crunch and US clean warmth, or the 6L6 model for its detailed clarity and high-gain overdrive. With both amps at your disposal, you're set for any genre or style. The Pre-FX section captures the essence of vintage pedals, bringing touch sensitivity and character right to your fingertips. Meanwhile, the Post-FX adds captivating space and depth with effects inspired by classic units.

The CabRig speaker simulator is a standout feature, providing an incredibly detailed reproduction of a mic’d guitar cab with zero latency. Featuring a selection of nine Blackstar speaker cabinets and six industry-standard microphones, CabRig ensures you get stellar results with minimal hassle. Top it all off with the versatile Dept. 10 Equaliser, offering precision control over your sound.

The Blackstar St. James Suite is your studio and live performance companion, available as a standalone application or in popular plugin formats like VST, AU, and AAX.

Key Features:

  • Includes St. James EL34 and 6L6 valve amps
  • Pre-FX and Post-FX pedal boards
  • CabRig advanced speaker simulation
  • Dept. 10 Equaliser with semi-parametric EQ bands
  • Noise gate for clean sound management
  • Compatible with standalone, VST, AU, and AAX formats

Product specs

Software Type Guitar/Bass Amp Modeling
Platform Mac, PC
Upgrade/Full Full
Download/Boxed Download
Bit Depth 64-bit
Format AAX Native, Standalone, VST, AU
Hardware Requirements - Mac Intel Core i3 or higher, 8GB RAM or more recommended
Hardware Requirements - PC Intel Core i3 / AMD Quad-core or higher, 8GB RAM or more recommended
OS Requirements - Mac OS X 10.15 or later
OS Requirements - PC Windows 8 or later

FAQs

What platforms is the Blackstar St. James Suite compatible with?

The Blackstar St. James Suite is compatible with both Mac and PC platforms, supporting Mac OS X 10.15 or later and Windows 8 or later.

What are the key features of the Blackstar St. James Suite amp simulator?

The Blackstar St. James Suite offers guitar and bass amp modeling in a 64-bit format, available as AAX Native, Standalone, VST, and AU.

What are the hardware requirements for using the Blackstar St. James Suite on a Mac?

For Mac users, the Blackstar St. James Suite requires an Intel Core i3 processor or higher and at least 8GB of RAM.

Can the Blackstar St. James Suite be used as a standalone application?

Yes, the Blackstar St. James Suite can be used as a standalone application in addition to its plugin formats.

Is the Blackstar St. James Suite suitable for professional music production?

Yes, with its advanced amp modeling capabilities and compatibility with major DAWs, the Blackstar St. James Suite is suitable for professional music production.

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Blackstar St. James Suite.

Software and compatibility

  • Users criticize the lack of ability to load external IRs, limiting tonal customization.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The plugin suite lacks an uninstaller, complicating removal from systems beyond typical VST3 folder structures.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some users find the plugin's versatility on par with Neural's Petrucci suite but lacking in progressive metal capabilities.

    Source
  • An owner compared the St. James unfavorably to the EVH 5150III 50S, noting the St. James' inability to cut through a mix effectively.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The suite is praised for double tracking with distinct 6L6 and EL34 settings, despite some presets being overly complex.

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  • The amp was praised for its light weight, making it suitable for older musicians who require more portable gear.

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User experience

  • Installation issues and lack of clarity in sound quality were noted by a user during trial usage.

    Source
  • Owners report after three months of use, some units develop an "afternote artefact noise," particularly noticeable when playing bass notes.

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Build quality

  • The power supply, replacing the traditional transformer, is noted for potential reliability issues, suggesting increased points of failure.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • At approximately $1,000, some users express frustration with reliability issues, questioning the amp's gig-worthiness at this price point.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Blackstar St James plugin review: on par with Neural DSP?

guitar.com

The Blackstar St. James plugin presents an enticing blend of sound quality and simplicity, delivering bright cleans and satisfying high-gain tones. Its user-friendly interface and diverse effects make it a solid choice for producers. However, it falters with limitations such as the inability to load custom IRs and lack of MIDI support, which could hinder live performance flexibility. While the plugin is undeniably mix-ready, players looking for more advanced features may find it lacking. Overall, it stands as a versatile option for those exploring amp simulations, but serious users might want to weigh its shortcomings against their needs.

REVIEW: Blackstar St. James Plugin: Designed from the ground up - gearnews.com

gearnews.com

The Blackstar St. James Plugin delivers solid tube emulations with a user-friendly interface, making it accessible for both studio work and live performances. However, it falls short in features, lacking MIDI control and the ability to use third-party impulse responses, which could frustrate more advanced users. With only two amp types available, it may not compete well with other comprehensive software options on the market. While it offers good sound quality and ease of use, the limitations may deter some musicians. Overall, it's a competent tool, but not without its shortcomings.

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