Roland Micro Cube

rick · April 9th, 2004, 12:25 AM

Anyone out there buy a new Roland Micro Cube? It sounds like a pretty cool home practice rig. I like the idea of being able to jam along with CDs and whatnot. I just want to be able to dial in some pretty happening classic Telecaster tones. Any comments would be helpful.

Rick

Ben Harmless · April 9th, 2004, 01:05 AM

Eh... I bought it and returned it.

The models are very nice untill you turn the thing up past 10:00 and stand anywhere near the front of the speaker. The models also sound like poo when recorded direct, which was my other plan for it. They tend to lose gain - and I'm not asking for huge amounts of gain. I'm thinking the speaker has a lot to do with the tone of the models, and of course, the speaker can't handle volume.

I'm sure it'll be perfect for some, but don't buy one without trying it at the highest volume you're going to want to use.

On the plus side, the single tone knob is very well voiced, and didn't leave me wanting for much more control. The effects are fairly nice too, and even though they don't offer much control, they can be applied in a nice subtle manner so that you wouldn't even care.

Overall, I'd try one of the larger models, for an "around the house" amp, but I expect that the direct recording issue would be the same, so for now I'm back to the search...

EDIT: Also, I hear that Vox is doing a 15-watt Valvetronix amp that has some scaled-down features. Considering how nice their Pathfinder is, if they stick with the same philosophy, it'll blow the Cubes away - and supposedly for under $200. Due out very soon. Possibly now.

April 9th, 2004, 12:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
rick TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 32	Roland Micro Cube Anyone out there buy a new Roland Micro Cube? It sounds like a pretty cool home practice rig. I like the idea of being able to jam along with CDs and whatnot. I just want to be able to dial in some pretty happening classic Telecaster tones. Any comments would be helpful. Rick

April 9th, 2004, 01:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 3,375 12 Photos	Eh... I bought it and returned it. The models are very nice untill you turn the thing up past 10:00 and stand anywhere near the front of the speaker. The models also sound like poo when recorded direct, which was my other plan for it. They tend to lose gain - and I'm not asking for huge amounts of gain. I'm thinking the speaker has a lot to do with the tone of the models, and of course, the speaker can't handle volume. I'm sure it'll be perfect for some, but don't buy one without trying it at the highest volume you're going to want to use. On the plus side, the single tone knob is very well voiced, and didn't leave me wanting for much more control. The effects are fairly nice too, and even though they don't offer much control, they can be applied in a nice subtle manner so that you wouldn't even care. Overall, I'd try one of the larger models, for an "around the house" amp, but I expect that the direct recording issue would be the same, so for now I'm back to the search... EDIT: Also, I hear that Vox is doing a 15-watt Valvetronix amp that has some scaled-down features. Considering how nice their Pathfinder is, if they stick with the same philosophy, it'll blow the Cubes away - and supposedly for under $200. Due out very soon. Possibly now. __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson