Blackstar BEAM Moises Update: BEAM MINI vs BEAM SOLO

What if you could remove the guitar from virtually any song, step into the empty space and play the part yourself?

A major free update to the Blackstar BEAM app brings Moises real-time stem separation technology to both the Blackstar BEAM MINI portable guitar amp and BEAM SOLO headphone guitar amp.

Using simple controls on a compatible device, guitarists can isolate the original guitar to hear it more clearly or remove it from the mix and take over the performance themselves. Vocals and other detected instruments can also be reduced or isolated, opening up a completely new way to learn, practise and interact with music.

In this Fair Deal Music guide, we explain what the Blackstar BEAM Moises update does, the creative ways it can improve your playing and the important differences between BEAM MINI and BEAM SOLO.

Already interested? View and shop the Blackstar BEAM MINI or view and shop the Blackstar BEAM SOLO at Fair Deal Music.

What Is the Blackstar BEAM Moises Update?

The update adds Moises’ real-time stem separation technology to the Blackstar BEAM app.

Stem separation analyses a completed piece of music and identifies different elements within the recording. Compatible parts of the mix, including guitar, vocals and other instruments, can then be controlled separately while the song plays.

For guitarists, the headline feature is the ability to remove or isolate the guitar from virtually any compatible song streamed or played from an iOS device.

There is no need to prepare a backing track or edit the song manually. Connect a compatible BEAM product, start the music and use the app’s volume controls to adjust the mix in real time.

Which Blackstar Products Support Moises?

The free Moises integration is compatible with:

• Blackstar BEAM MINI: A portable modelling guitar amplifier with built-in stereo speakers, Bluetooth playback and rechargeable battery operation.
• Blackstar BEAM SOLO: A pocket-sized headphone guitar amplifier and modeller designed for private practice, travel and direct recording.

The iOS update is available from 28th August 2026. Android support follows from 30th September 2026.

Choose the Blackstar BEAM MINI when you want to hear your guitar through built-in speakers, or explore the Blackstar BEAM SOLO when private headphone practice and maximum portability are your priorities.

What Can You Do with Moises and Blackstar BEAM?

Remove the Guitar and Play the Part Yourself

Mute the original guitar while keeping the rest of the song playing. Instead of performing over the recorded guitarist, you can step into the space they occupied and play the part yourself.

The vocals, drums, bass and remaining instrumentation continue around you, creating a practice experience that feels much closer to playing with the original artist.

This also reveals how confidently you know the song. Timing, dynamics and missed sections become easier to identify when the original guitar is no longer covering your performance.

Isolate the Guitar to Hear Hidden Details

Guitar parts can be difficult to identify beneath vocals, drums, bass, keyboards and production effects.

Moises integration allows you to isolate the guitar and listen more closely to chord voicings, rhythmic accents, lead phrases, dynamics and smaller performance details that may be difficult to hear in the complete mix.

Once you understand the part, remove the original guitar and test whether you can reproduce it yourself.

Create Backing Tracks from Songs You Already Enjoy

Traditional backing tracks are not available for every song and may not match the arrangement or production of the original recording.

Real-time stem separation allows you to turn virtually any compatible streamed or stored song into a guitar backing track. Remove or reduce the original guitar and play with the remaining band.

An active music-streaming subscription may be required when using content from a subscription-based service.

Practise Solos in Context

Learning the notes of a solo is only part of the process. Timing, phrasing, articulation and the way each line interacts with the rhythm section are equally important.

First isolate the guitar to study the original performance. Then remove it and play the solo against the remaining track. This creates a practical cycle of listening, learning and performing.

Improve Rhythm and Timing

Muting the original guitar removes the safety net of following another player. You must lock into the drums, bass and overall arrangement independently.

This can expose rushed chord changes, uncertain rhythms and sections where you were relying on the recorded guitar rather than feeling the pulse for yourself.

Reduce Vocals or Other Instruments

The update is not limited to removing guitar. Vocals and other detected instruments can be reduced to 25% of their normal level or isolated completely.

You could lower the vocals to concentrate on the band arrangement, isolate another part to study how it interacts with the guitar or create a more open mix for your own performance.

Experiment with Your Own Guitar Tones

Removing the original guitar gives you space to hear how your own tone fits into a professional recording.

Both BEAM products include multiple amp sounds, more than 35 effects, Blackstar CabRig speaker simulation and Neural Amp Modeler compatibility. You can experiment with different tones while the original rhythm section continues behind you.

Try matching the original guitarist’s sound, building a tone that sits differently in the mix or completely reinterpreting the part with another amp, cabinet and effects combination.

Prepare for Rehearsals and Performances

Removing the original guitar provides a useful test before playing with other musicians. It confirms whether you know the full arrangement rather than simply following the recorded part.

BEAM SOLO makes this easy through headphones wherever you are, while BEAM MINI allows you to rehearse through its built-in stereo speakers.

How Does the Blackstar BEAM Moises Feature Work?

1. Update the Blackstar BEAM app on your compatible device.
2. Connect your BEAM MINI or BEAM SOLO.
3. Select compatible streamed or stored music.
4. Start the song through the BEAM app.
5. Use the volume sliders to reduce, remove or isolate the detected parts.
6. Study the original performance or play along with your customised mix.

The separation takes place in real time, so there is no complicated editing process and no requirement to prepare multiple audio files before playing.

Blackstar BEAM MINI vs BEAM SOLO

Both products use the BEAM app and support Moises integration, NAM captures, CabRig, Bluetooth playback, effects and USB recording. The principal difference is how you want to hear and use your guitar.

Which Blackstar BEAM Is Right for You?

Choose the BEAM MINI If...

• You want to hear your guitar without wearing headphones
• You want a portable practice amp with built-in stereo speakers
• You want to use the same unit as a Bluetooth music speaker
• You regularly practise with another person in the room
• You want more electric guitar amp models available within the unit
• You want a compact desktop amplifier for guitar, bass and acoustic instruments
• You want Moises-separated tracks played openly through a speaker system

The BEAM MINI is the more complete choice when you want a physical room-filling practice amp that can also handle music playback, recording and portable use.

Click here to view and shop the Blackstar BEAM MINI at Fair Deal Music.

Choose the BEAM SOLO If...

• You mainly practise through headphones
• You need to play quietly in a flat, shared home or student accommodation
• You want the smallest possible practice setup
• You travel regularly or want a complete rig in your gig bag
• You want to plug directly into your guitar without using a separate cable
• You want multichannel USB recording with processed and clean signals
• You want CabRig In The Room processing for a more natural headphone experience
• You want to use Moises-separated tracks privately through headphones

The BEAM SOLO is the stronger choice when privacy, portability and immediate access matter more than having a built-in speaker.

Click here to view and shop the Blackstar BEAM SOLO at Fair Deal Music.

Choose Both If...

The two products can also complement one another. BEAM MINI can remain available as a desktop practice amp and Bluetooth speaker, while BEAM SOLO stays in your guitar case for travel, late-night playing and private practice.

Because both belong to the same BEAM ecosystem, the controls, app experience, Moises integration and approach to creating sounds remain familiar when moving between them.

BEAM MINI: Built for Open-Room Practice

The Blackstar BEAM MINI combines a portable modelling amplifier, Bluetooth speaker and USB recording interface in one rechargeable desktop unit.

Its dual full-range drivers, passive bass radiators and Super Wide Stereo technology allow guitar sounds, backing tracks and everyday music playback to be heard without connecting headphones or an external speaker.

It includes dedicated sounds for electric guitar, bass and acoustic instruments, more than 35 effects, CabRig processing and support for community-created NAM captures.

With Moises integration, the BEAM MINI becomes particularly useful for shared lessons, informal performances and practice sessions where you want the altered song mix and your guitar to be heard in the room.

BEAM SOLO: Built for Private Practice

The Blackstar BEAM SOLO weighs just 62.5g and plugs directly into an electric guitar, bass or suitable acoustic-electric instrument through its folding connector.

Connect wired headphones and you have access to Blackstar modelling, more than 35 effects, CabRig, In The Room processing, NAM captures, Bluetooth backing-track playback and the BEAM app without setting up a separate amplifier or pedalboard.

USB-C multichannel recording can capture processed stereo guitar audio alongside a clean DI signal. A compatible headset microphone can also support voice and guitar for lessons, streaming and content creation.

With Moises integration, BEAM SOLO becomes a powerful private song-learning system. Isolate the original guitar through your headphones, study it closely, remove it and then perform the part yourself.

Is the Blackstar BEAM Moises Update Free?

Yes. Moises stem separation is included as a free update for BEAM MINI and BEAM SOLO users.

A separate active subscription may still be required when playing music from a subscription-based streaming service. The Blackstar update does not provide access to paid music-streaming catalogues.

When Is the BEAM Moises Update Available?

• iOS: Available from 28th August 2026
• Android: Available from 30th September 2026

Who Will Benefit from the Moises Update?

Beginners Learning Favourite Songs

Isolating the guitar can make difficult-to-hear parts easier to recognise. Removing it afterwards gives beginners a clear and enjoyable goal: play the part themselves while the rest of the song continues.

Intermediate Players Developing by Ear

Players working on transcription, rhythm and phrasing can move between focused listening and full-band practice without searching for separate isolated tracks or backing versions.

Experienced Guitarists Preparing for Rehearsals

Removing the original guitar provides a more honest test of whether you know the complete arrangement before rehearsing with a band or performing the song.

Teachers and Students

Teachers can isolate parts to demonstrate specific details, then remove the guitar and ask the student to perform independently.

Players Exploring Guitar Tones

The feature provides a practical way to test BEAM presets, effects, CabRig settings and NAM captures within the context of a complete professional recording.

Blackstar BEAM and Moises Frequently Asked Questions

What is real-time stem separation?

Real-time stem separation identifies different elements within a completed song and allows compatible parts of the mix to be adjusted independently while the music plays.

Can BEAM MINI and BEAM SOLO remove guitar from a song?

Yes. The updated BEAM app can remove or isolate guitar from virtually any compatible streamed or stored song using Moises technology.

Can I isolate a guitar solo?

The detected guitar element can be isolated to make the part easier to hear and study. Results may vary depending on how the original song was recorded and mixed.

Can I create a guitar backing track?

Yes. Remove or reduce the detected guitar and play along with the remaining vocals, drums, bass and instrumentation.

Can I adjust vocals and other instruments?

Yes. Vocals and other detected parts can be reduced to 25% or isolated, providing greater control over the practice mix.

Does Moises require complicated audio editing?

No. The feature uses simple volume controls and works in real time without requiring a separate audio-editing process.

Does Moises work with streamed music?

It is designed to work with compatible streamed and stored music. An active subscription may be required when using a subscription-based streaming service.

Can I use BEAM MINI or BEAM SOLO without the app?

Yes. Both products retain their core amplifier and hardware functions without the app. The BEAM app provides deeper editing, additional content, practice tools and Moises integration.

Does BEAM SOLO have a built-in speaker?

No. BEAM SOLO is designed for wired headphone monitoring and direct recording. Choose BEAM MINI if you need built-in speakers.

Do headphones come with BEAM SOLO?

No. Compatible wired headphones are required and sold separately.

Can I use Bluetooth headphones with BEAM SOLO?

Music can be streamed to the BEAM SOLO using Bluetooth, but the guitar should be monitored through wired headphones to avoid Bluetooth audio latency.

Can the BEAM MINI be used with headphones?

Yes. The BEAM MINI includes a headphone output for private practice as well as built-in speakers for open-room playing.

Do both BEAM products work with bass and acoustic guitar?

Yes. BEAM MINI and BEAM SOLO are designed to support electric guitar, bass and acoustic guitar applications.

Do both products support Neural Amp Modeler captures?

Yes. Both BEAM products support NAM captures, allowing players to expand their available amplifier sounds through compatible community-created profiles.

Which BEAM is best for beginners?

Both are suitable for beginners. Choose BEAM MINI if you want a conventional speaker-equipped practice amp. Choose BEAM SOLO if you expect to practise mainly through headphones or need the smallest possible setup.

Which BEAM is best for travelling?

BEAM SOLO is the most portable option at only 62.5g and can remain in a guitar case or gig bag. BEAM MINI remains portable but is larger because it includes stereo speakers and functions as a physical practice amplifier.

Which BEAM is better for recording?

Both support USB recording. BEAM SOLO is particularly attractive for mobile recording because its multichannel USB system can capture processed guitar audio and a clean DI signal separately.

Can I own and use both products?

Yes. BEAM MINI is suited to open-room and desktop practice, while BEAM SOLO is ideal for headphones, travel and quiet playing. Both use the wider BEAM app ecosystem.

Fair Deal Music Expert Verdict

The most useful practice technology removes obstacles between wanting to play and actually picking up the guitar.

Moises integration makes both BEAM products significantly more valuable because it turns music you already enjoy into interactive practice material. You can study the original guitar, remove it and then perform the part within the recording yourself.

BEAM MINI and BEAM SOLO offer the same core benefit in two different formats. The MINI is designed to fill the room through its built-in stereo speakers, while the SOLO puts a complete private practice and recording system directly into your headphones.

The right choice is therefore less about which product is universally better and more about where, when and how you normally practise.

Why Buy Blackstar BEAM from Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you’re choosing one of the UK’s most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

• Friendly advice from experienced musicians
• Help choosing between speaker-based and headphone practice solutions
• Fast and secure UK delivery options
• Finance options available on qualifying purchases, subject to status and terms
• Part exchange and trade-in opportunities
• After-sales support from our Birmingham music store
• Thousands of musicians have chosen Fair Deal Music

Choose Your Blackstar BEAM

Want built-in stereo speakers and open-room practice? Click here to shop the Blackstar BEAM MINI portable guitar amp.

Want pocket-sized private headphone practice? Click here to shop the Blackstar BEAM SOLO headphone guitar amp.