GSUS4 / Portable amp guide
Blackstar
BEAM Mini
A small amp for the moments that turn into more playing.
Product guide · Verified 17 September 2026
There is a lot to be said for an amp you can leave within reach. The Blackstar BEAM Mini puts guitar sounds, backing-track playback and headphone practice into one compact, battery-powered box. Its more unusual attraction is access to Neural Amp Modeler captures through TONE3000.
That makes it interesting for two different players: the guitarist who wants to plug in for ten minutes, and the tone explorer who wants to try another captured amp without building a computer rig around it. Here is how its features translate into everyday use.
One small amp, several ways to play
BEAM Mini accommodates electric guitar, bass and acoustic guitar, and doubles as a Bluetooth speaker. Blackstar combines two full-range drivers with two passive bass radiators and its Super Wide Stereo processing. The design serves both instrument practice and music playback. [1]
For a home setup, that means fewer things to arrange before you start: connect your instrument, put on a backing track and set a comfortable level. If you switch between instruments, having suitable voices in the same unit is more useful than owning several tiny practice rigs.
Why NAM and TONE3000 matter
BEAM Mini brings together Blackstar’s own modelled sounds and support for Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) captures. TONE3000 connects it to a community library of captured gear, so the tonal starting point can extend beyond the factory selection. TONE3000 also confirms support for NAM’s Architecture 2, or A2. [2]
The practical appeal is exploration. Find a clean sound that suits your pickups, compare a few crunch captures, then keep the ones that make you want to play. Start with a small collection: a huge library is useful only when you can find your favourites.
Use the current BEAM app and device firmware. Follow the supported import options rather than assuming every NAM file or architecture variant will load.
Quick adjustments on the amp.
Deeper editing in the app.
The SpeedDial and Light Beam display provide direct control and visual feedback. XpressFX adjusts effect intensity from the dial, while Blackstar’s ISF control changes the tonal balance between its American and British voicings. [1]
For a first session, choose a sound, set gain and EQ, then add only enough ambience to make it comfortable. Save a clean patch and a driven patch before exploring further. A pair of familiar sounds helps you practise without restarting the search each day.
Shape the whole sound
The BEAM app for iOS and Android opens up editing of amps, effects, cabinets and microphones, plus artist sounds and community patch sharing. Blackstar’s CabRig provides IR-based cabinet and microphone simulation; its In The Room processing is designed to add a sense of amplifier space to headphone playing. [3]
When evaluating a new sound, keep your listening level consistent. First decide whether the basic amp tone works, then adjust the cabinet and ambience. Changing everything at once makes it harder to hear what helped.
Moises: practise inside the song
The Moises integration lets you isolate or remove the guitar part from a song. Use isolation to listen closely to a phrase, then reduce the original guitar and practise the part against the rest of the track. Treat separation as a learning aid: the quality of the result will depend on the recording.
Earlier CMI and Mixdown coverage described Moises as a future feature. The platform-specific status above follows Blackstar’s current product page.
From a quick idea to a recording
USB-C provides audio-interface functionality, and Ableton Live Lite is included. The 3.5 mm connection supports headphones and a compatible TRRS headset microphone, allowing guitar and vocals to be captured together. [4]
- Play: connect your instrument and choose a patch.
- Listen: use the built-in speakers or wired headphones; add Bluetooth backing audio when you want it.
- Record: connect USB-C to a computer, select BEAM Mini in your recording software and check the input level before the take.
The headset connection is intended for a compatible headset mic. It is not an XLR microphone input with phantom power. Bluetooth playback also does not replace the instrument cable.
Built to leave the desk
Blackstar currently quotes 18+ hours of battery life and an IP66 dust and weather-resistance rating. Treat the battery figure as a manufacturer estimate, with real use dependent on settings and volume; IP66 should not be read as permission to submerge the amp. [1]
Our practical recommendation is simple: buy it for the places where a small amp is an advantage — the desk, living room or a travel bag. Keeping a useful sound nearby can make a short practice session much easier to start.
The essentials at a glance
| Feature | What BEAM Mini offers | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Instruments | Electric guitar, bass and acoustic guitar voices | Keep a compact setup for different instruments. |
| Tone options | Built-in modelling, 35+ effects and NAM / TONE3000 integration | Start with onboard sounds, then explore captures. |
| Speaker system | Two full-range drivers, dual passive radiators, Super Wide Stereo | Instrument practice and Bluetooth music in one unit. |
| Quiet practice | 3.5 mm headphones; CabRig and In The Room processing | Continue playing when the room needs to stay quiet. |
| Recording | USB-C audio interface, TRRS headset mic support, Ableton Live Lite | Capture a riff or a guitar-and-vocal idea. |
| Portability | 18+ hours quoted battery life; IP66 rating | Move away from a mains-powered practice spot. |
Specifications: Blackstar, Blackstar’s official shop and CMI Australia. Moises availability is platform-dependent, as explained above.
Is BEAM Mini right for you?
Choose it for convenience: you want a compact practice amp with speakers, headphone use, backing tracks and recording in the same setup. It is also worth considering if you already enjoy NAM and want a dedicated hardware place to explore tones.
Think about your main use: if you need substantial rehearsal volume, extensive physical controls or several microphone inputs, those needs should lead the buying decision. BEAM Mini’s strongest case is an easy everyday playing setup.
Do I need the app for every session?
No. The top-panel controls handle everyday adjustments. Use the app when you want deeper editing, tone discovery or connected features.
Does it create NAM captures?
The documented NAM feature is loading and playing captures. Do not assume it includes a rig-capture workflow simply because it supports NAM.
How many built-in amp models are there?
Published counts currently differ between launch coverage, Blackstar’s page and its shop. We have avoided presenting one count as definitive. If a particular voice is essential, check the current app and firmware before purchasing.
Make more room for playing.
Explore BEAM Mini at GSUS4 for current Australian pricing and availability, and choose a practice setup that fits your day.
Shop Blackstar BEAM MiniSources and verification
- Blackstar: BEAM Mini product page — current feature descriptions, battery claim and Moises platform status.
- TONE3000: Blackstar BEAM Mini announcement and current FAQ — NAM integration and A2 support; announcement dated 22 January 2026.
- CMI Australia: BEAM Mini overview — Australian distributor coverage dated 5 May 2026.
- Mixdown: BEAM Mini desktop amp coverage — launch context dated 28 April 2026.
- Blackstar official shop — connections and recording features. GSUS4 product listing — product link and hosted imagery.
Checked 17 September 2026. This guide uses Blackstar’s current 18+ hour battery claim; Mixdown’s earlier article stated 12+ hours. Conflicting amp-model totals are not treated as verified specifications. Software features and release dates can change.
Leave a comment