Roland Micro Cube - Gear Review 4

[TheJamieLoveday]

Question, is this loud enough for a busking gig? how loud can it go??

[SonicOrbStudios]

@TheJamieLoveday No this amp really isn't loud enough for any live gigs but is plenty loud for personal practice.

[bluesBrooks13]

can u plug heaqdphones in it~?

[SonicOrbStudios]

@bluesBrooks13 Yes there is a headphones jack on the back panel

[sk8erriot]

awesome :) just might buy one

[Ianuarius85]

How was that a review? "Nice portable amp, sounds great"... ok?

Yeah, you listed all the features. That's not a review.

[iwannaholdyourhand1]

@sonicorbstudios how do u make an mp3 player work on it

[SonicOrbStudios]

@iwannaholdyourhand1 run a cable from the headphone out to the line in...simple TRS stereo cable. monoprice[DOT]com has great prices if you want to buy online.

[iwannaholdyourhand1]

@SonicOrbStudios sweet thanks dude keep on rocking

[bgavignon]

Highly recommend you put your auto queue somewhere else or learn lines. It's very disconcerting to have you looking to the bottom left constantly and making mistakes.

[SonicOrbStudios]

@bgavignon yea this one one of those quickly done productions and so I didn't go over my notes enough before filming. I still have notes for these productions but cover things up well with B-Roll. Eventually I want to get a teleprompter but those run at least $1,000 for something worth using.

[Tcrumpen]

i heard on here that this amp is 2W is that really enough my amp (that i'm thinking of upgrading) is a 25W amp (it's cheap thats y i'm replacing it) just use for practise atm

[SonicOrbStudios]

@Tcrumpen I think this is an oustanding practice amp...the amount of effects and such on board are very nice and it's very portable. It gets quite loud for the wattage.

[getsuga987]

@SonicOrbStudios hey i already got a Marshall mg 15 FX which do you think is better this or my marshall? 

[SonicOrbStudios]

@getsuga987 I lot of people tend to bash the MG Marshall series amps saying they break easily on the road and don't sound too good however I've not had the chance to work with one myself so I can't say which is better however they are probably about the same. Chances are if you like your current amp, you should stick with it.

[getsuga987]

@SonicOrbStudios Ok i have a marshall MG 15 FX And i just wanna ask which is better in your opinion

[SonicOrbStudios]

@getsuga987 I personally have always trusted Roland more for the low end guitar amps but once again, I've not had the chance to work with the Marshall.

[getsuga987]

@SonicOrbStudios Alright much appreciated thanks dude

[JERRYR708]

I had mine for 2 years now and still love it. If anything happens to this amp, I would buy another one. This thing is built solid, so it would have to get stolen for something bad to happen to it. Great review.

[ravenshield56]

hmm a cube or a line 6?

[SonicOrbStudios]

@ravenshield56 I personally would go with the Roland Cube...I think their sound quality is better than the Line6 amps.

[modernway91]

@SonicOrbStudios Hey SonicOrbStudios I have this amp, but I get a lot of feedback and sustain on this amp. If I want to tone it down, what should I do? Is it because of my guitar?

[SonicOrbStudios]

@modernway91 I hardly get feedback at all with this amp and have tried many different guitars on it in the past. If you turn it up loud enough and have it close to the guitar up on a table, you may get some however I think it's rare.

I would suggest trying another guitar if you have someone who can for you...just to rule things out to see what the actual cause of the problem is.

Just go down the line troubleshooting the issue.

[jdpicher]

I've been playing guitar for around 45 yrs now, so I've just about played or owned about every kind of amp there is. This is a great little amp to practice with, and the effects are really decent...There was really no choices out there for a beginning guitarist when I was starting out. The best thing to have was a Fender Champ, and no there were no distortion pedals out there either. You just had to crank it up and go for it. So yep! I love this little thing! So for the money this thing rocks!!!

[ShredWithMe]

im only thinking of buying this BC it's portable & fairly cheap...are there any better ones from Guitar Center or MusiciansFriend ?

[SonicOrbStudios]

@ShredWithMe Under those specs i think the cube is the best choice.

[wildcatz123]

I have been wanting one for a very long time. Is it a wise investment?

[SonicOrbStudios]

@wildcatz123 It's one of those fun amps but I don't think it's a must have product. I personally use my Yamaha Magicstomp way more than this particular amp.

[wildcatz123]

k thanks

[john117dude]

i have the same amp, except mine is red! and yes, i did search for a vid about this amp just so i could say i have the same one.

[SonicOrbStudios]

@john117dude I used to have the red one but sold one of them and kept the black. They are nice starting amps but you grow out of them after a while.

[nikos4tw]

is this amp is good for Boss ME-20 pedal?

[SonicOrbStudios]

@nikos4tw The Micro Cube is a digital modeling amp and so it won't work well when used with a digital FX pedal is run between your guitar and the amp.

I tried running my Yamaha Magicstomp into this amp once only to get crap results.

Now if the Boss ME-20 is an analog pedal you should be fine running it with this amp.

[JeffreyCentino97]

should i choose the Fender G-DEC Jr. over this? because i think this amp still lacks a little more effects that i personally demand and also missing a drum or bass loop accompaniment. Well if its the fender, i'll add $20 more bucks and i'll have more effects loops, special amp types and effects presets. I don't mean to disgrace the Roland Microcube though. Please tell me what to choose. Size and portability is about the same so don't bug me about carrying it anywhere and about its portability.:)

[SonicOrbStudios]

@JeffreyCentino97 If you can try both amps in a Guitar store do that before buying. I like the features of this mini amp but it does lack some mid range with the tiny speaker.

[JeffreyCentino97]

@SonicOrbStudios Thanks, but my local guitar shop is total crap. I am ordering it on internet. Maybe i'll bet the G-DEC. its a personal choice...

[iamtorcman]

Good video! Personally I don't really use the other 4 effects, I really wish the delay and reverb were on separate controls so you could use them at the same time. Still a neat little amp!

[darkstorm189]

That was the best review i've saw thanks man im gettin this amp :)

[1WC4L]

The Mic setting with the gain turned almost all the way up sounds just like oldschool sabbath!

[warchild1976]

mate learn your shit rather reading off a board

[SonicOrbStudios]

@warchild1976 I don't see you trying to do anything better......learn to leave your rude comments to yourself.

[GesadiaH]

@SonicOrbStudios he's got a point...

[hafizkaka22]

Ok..i'll try to send it back..thanks:D

[hafizkaka22]

i have this amp but idk why is it malfunction..the speaker didn't produce any sound...can somebody help me??

[SonicOrbStudios]

@hafizkaka22 If it's new, send it back for another. There should be no reason why it's not producing sound assuming the headphone jack isn't being used and the light is lit saying the amp is on.

If it's an older amp that you got second hand, you may want to try contacting Roland support and seeing if they can fix it for a slight fee...but sometimes it's cheaper just to buy a new amp...

[gobind888]

iv just boght it like 4 hours ago,can u plzzz tell me the settings for metal rock!!!??

right now im setting it up to brit combo but it doesnt sound much distorted??plzz help:(

[stalloyde]

@gobind888 try r-fier with lower gain higher vol or with max gain with lower vol

[TheKissfan01]

hey would you be able to tell me what to keep my gain and tone at on classic stack setting because power chords arent sounding to great for me..thanks

[KensY]

Can you explain more about the acoustic setting there?

The acoustic setting is it for electric guitar to sounds like acoustic guitar or is it for acoustic guitar player to use it as acoustic amp?

Sorry if this sounds like noob! Thanks!

[SonicOrbStudios]

The acoustic setting is for use with an electric guitar. It's overall use is to make the electric sound more like an acoustic however none of those type pedals ever do an outstanding job and the type of guitar/settings you use will also effect the final result.

[KensY]

Thanks for fast reply!

So what's your opinion regarding that setting? Does it do a great job or sound good enough?

[SonicOrbStudios]

I hardly use the setting but overall the choice is yours as to whether you like the sound of this patch or not.

IMO its not "great" but does do a fair job

[yurasleepless]

thank you (:

[0201491wim]

Love the amp, hate this review!!!

luckely I already bought it!!!

[CRAIGARRR]

Where was your mic to pick up the amp? Sounds like crap! Can hardly hear it.. sounds like you are mumbling as well..

Give this review a thumbs down.. Need to check out some more reviews..

[SonicOrbStudios]

Thanks for such a great and welcoming comment...

To answer your questions:

- The mic was not there, I ran the record output to my audio interface, this is suggested by Roland for best sound quality.

- Cant hear it?...Turn up your speakers, this video was rendered out at standard NTSC levels.

At least I'm taking the time to do these gear reviews. I don't get any money or anything else other than viewer comments and pride for these productions.

Some people live this amp, others don't.

[mrbassman25]

couldnt you run this amp through a more powerful amp?

[SonicOrbStudios]

Yea you could run it through a good PA system

[mrbassman25]

thanks m8... uve sold it to me ;)

[deathdontwait]

im just starting

i got a new ibanez sa120

and this amp

will it be good?

[SonicOrbStudios]

Yea I think it's a good first amp

[SonicOrbStudios]

I don't think Roland makes a 2W model number amp. This micro cube amp is a 2W (2 Watt) output amp.

If you have a specific product you are talking about, send me the URL in a message though youtube.

[dsan224]

do u think this is better than the peavey vypyr 15?

[SonicOrbStudios]

I actually think the Peavey is a better amp because of the larger speaker. The micro cube isn't bad but does lack that certain sound with the small driver. After a while the sound gets old.

Try both out in store if you have them around to see which you like best.

[dsan224]

actually since whichever amp i play, it'll be at home in my room or something, i care more about tone than the size of the speaker. i played with both of them at my local guitar store, but since i'm a beginner and i can't really differentiate tones, i don't know which one really sounds better. so in terms of tone, which one do you think sounds better?

[SonicOrbStudios]

I personally have never played the Peavey amp however I would still go with it these days.  Overall you will be happier with it in the end if ya ask me.

[peterhopqk]

I got this Micro Cube 4 years now and I use it alot. It works very good with batteries, I used it 2 months without problems.

[SonicOrbStudios]

Yea I agree it does very well on battery life...assuming you don't use a high gain setting with lots of volume all the time.

[peterhopqk]

yeah i use it in my livingroom with a normal volume, but still loud enough to play outside.

[LuhRomano]

my lasted vids...i used the Roland Micro Cube...sounds great...

[munchkinjdr]

how much it cost?

[SonicOrbStudios]

The Roland MicroCubes generally sell for around $130 new at this time.

[Triszo]

i dont understand why theres not the bass,treble and middle option on it ?

[SonicOrbStudios]

Yea an EQ section is easy to install and cheap too but I guess they just wanted to keep down on the amount of knobs on this small amp so they didn't put a simple EQ and went with more advanced features like amp sims to make it a "must have" type amp.

[Triszo]

I have one of these amp but i didnt knew i could install an eq section on it ! but its weird, i mean where would they install the panel section on it ?

[SonicOrbStudios]

I don't know how to build amps but I think the EQ is between the preamp and power-amp stage...same as an FX loop of most amps that offer that feature.

I think you can use simple FX with this pedal such as an analog distortion or EQ but modeling pedals don't work well with this modeling amp.

[strbt]

the mircrocube is able to create alot of modeled sounds , but it just lacks the speakers . now i know why people keep saying 2 watt is really loud. its because most of the power output is concentrated in the mid and high frequency our ear can receive.

[strbt]

notice how the 2 watt couldnt take the low end frequency at 5:43 and 5:48 . maybe its my speaker. but do you guys notice it?

[SonicOrbStudios]

It's the small speaker which lacks bass...I used to think this amp sounded amazing but these days it only sounds ok as I feel it lacks a lot of low end and some mid range.

[SonicOrbStudios]

Also keep in mind the speaker was not used in this recording...so if any sound was lost it was just due to the samples.

It sounds quite different though the speaker.

[strbt]

if they increase the wattage , and the speaker size. it would really make a great amp. maybe 5 watt and 6.5" like the vox da5 .

in the vox da5 it has proper clean sounds but the distortions : ( hi gain 1 ,2 ,3 and drive) are just (buzz, buzzier , buzziest) you dont feel the variaty . not like the microcube.

[George2ec]

I have one.. sounds great..in special r-fier model....which I always use....the only thing is I miss 3 band eq ...another thing is this little device don't like to work at low volume you must to have the knob volume at less in 30 or 40% to get good tone.

[Slashrocks111]

yup and well the effects are the same, but you have a bit more distortortion/overdrive. The nice thing about the normal cubes is that you have 2 channels and with a footswitch this is realy usefull :D but the microcube is great for walking around :D

[Slashrocks111]

i have a roland cube 20x, for me the amp is still better then this one, more posabilities etc. It's even fine for small gigs. But i think the microcube is something special because it's mobile! You could just walk around and play guitar with an amp on your back ! just great for street musicians :D

[SonicOrbStudios]

yea the MicroCube is a nice amp but I would just keep it around for bedroom use. The newer and larger 20X can be used for gigs as you say and it more flexible.

[TenebrarumVires]

I have this little tiny amp :) pretty powerful, I love it!

How can I record properly with this? is there a specific program that I am supposed to use? please someone reply, I really need to know how to record :)

[SonicOrbStudios]

A software program alone isn't enough to record the amp. You also will need to buy an audio interface to run the amp into. Run the record out from the back of the amp to an input of the interface.

Watch some of my UG videos here on youtube to find out more about interfaces. The EMU 0202 USB, 0404 USB, and Presonus Inspire 1394 are all great units at or under $200.

[TenebrarumVires]

Thanks a lot!

[lllrytas]

yah, i just bought this amp for paractise and it is really good, and it could be realy loud.

[SonicOrbStudios]

To run your ipod into the micro cube, buy a 1/8" TRS cable (two rings on each end) and run the cable from the ipod out to the back of the amp where it has the 1/8" mini AUX input.

[bumblebee234]

how do u use it for ipod

[ArcticaDream]

I want an nice amp to practice and take to my friends house and stuff like that, do you think this microcube is woth it? I'm thinking of buying it.. thanks.. :)

[SonicOrbStudios]

yes it's great for that type of use.

[ArcticaDream]

I play metal, heavy progressive etc.. This amp doesnt seem to be very indicated for that.. Am I mistaken? Sorry to be a pain in the ass.. ^^'

[SonicOrbStudios]

It's a nice amp but still digital. If you want that great distortion sound, look into some mid-range tube amps.

[ArcticaDream]

I'll think about it.. Thank you for your guidance.. ;)

[666mooser666]

would this amp be ok to use with an acoustic?

[SonicOrbStudios]

yea it's ok, not ideal.. Set it on a clean or acoustic channel.

[666mooser666]

awesome thanks

[Dar218]

hi there I have the same amp but just a question can I use a footswitch even there is no footswitch jack? im just having a hard time going near to it and changing the effects on it just like from jc clean to r-fier or jc clean plus chorus and reverb and to r-fier again. can a footswitch work?

[SonicOrbStudios]

nope, with the micro cube there is no way that I know of to rig up a foot switch to change the presets. It's made as a practice amp and therefore was not really made for live use.

[Dar218]

how about in the input jack? because we just arrive here in korea from the philippines and search about buying a new amp and then it came out that only the micro cube is the available amp here i wish i just bought a 60x or 80x.

[SonicOrbStudios]

The only way you will be able to operate the different modes on this amp is though turning the knob. The input jack is only made for the signal from the guitar. There is no way it could switch modes.

I used to mod this amp a little and never even seen anyone attempt to do a foot switch control. I would assume it's because these amps have a computer controlled sound and it's extremely hard to mod that circuitry.

[Gallowofsharks]

i have and own this amp, it is excelent, but i've always wondered where you would plug a mic in? its always made me wonder because there is no direct Mic plug in

[SonicOrbStudios]

You plug the mic into the same spot as the guitar plugs into.

Thing is you need an XLR to TS adapter which runs at around $5...

The amp is good for guitar but doesn't have enough power for vocals, I've tried with my SM57 one time.

[meganecromancer]

i can also plug it in to start enjoying it out of the box :D

[Dan1loBr]

I was wondering, have you got your hands on a micro cube RX? seems somewhat better... I was looking for one of those...

thanks for reviewing this one, surely a good training amp :)

[SonicOrbStudios]

The RX seems better to some people but it's not worth the price if you ask me. The speakers don't sound amazing since they are small and I would not pay anything over the price of the original micro cube when it comes to these small amps.

If you want amazing sound it would be wise to upgrade to a larger amp.

I'm not dissing the cube amps, It's just the smaller ones lack that certain range of sound that you get with a larger amp.

For home practice, the Micro Cube is a great choice.

[Dan1loBr]

Great I see, I wanted to get my hands on one of those because of the effects, but I think it's fine right now.

I already have an Onner 15W, it has a good overdrive and a nice tone control, I think I'll just wait and upgrade to a larger one.

[yourguitarist89]

can you put this amp through an external speaker cab????

[skibbeDK]

Hey dude.

I'm getting this as my first AMP along with a Fender Squier Bullet Strat. Do you think that'd be sufficient for a novice?

[SonicOrbStudios]

I think it will but as always, the choice is up to the person who will be using the amp...

[valloatrovare]

Excellent choice!

[bluesbren]

Hey skibbeDK - these are easily good enough for a novice!! Check out my short blues sounds demo for an idea how great the tones are - and this amp is pretty loud, I can tell you!!

[snocrazy01]

trust me its loud for its size

[rtcool01]

is he not capable of looking @ the camera?

[SonicOrbStudios]

yea I did have a look on my notes off to the side quite a bit on this one but you have to remember I did this review in one night and that includes EVERYTHING...

research

script writing

shot sheets

set setup

filming

editing audio AND video

exporting

Just after I finished GR3 I did this one...and so at 3am it's not going to be perfect...but it seems most of the members here really enjoy this review so I think I did a great job.

[coolcustomer31]

you did do a great job

[PaperBraine]

Cool amp! I would like to buy this one but does it sound loud? I mean, its only 2 watts!

[SonicOrbStudios]

It's a fun little amp for home use or small jams but won't be heard over drums. Even still, it's quite loud for the wattage. I don't ever turn mine past 1/4 ontohe main volume.

[0oAccount123o0]

i think it has input for headphones so ...

[SonicOrbStudios]

Yes this amp has a Headphone/Record out.

[HerlPearl]

Great review buddy. It is good to some people who know the gear :)

[officalroxmox]

haha I have microbube too

[Nacionalismo1488]

Thanks bro

[ibanezguy431]

I was waiting for a review like this.

There isn't really anything better than actually trying,but this is the next best thing.

Thanks for sharing

[metalriffs4life]

finally some one just played it all and SHOWED the setting. you should work for a major music gear review websight.

[SonicOrbStudios]

Thanks

If I was given that opportunity I would take it without a second thought...

It seems the TV Production field is extremely hard to get into though which is something I'm learning...

You have to know someone on the inside to get a job. I should send some of these videos out to some of the major music sites and see what they think...

[Thomavic100]

Is This A Good Firstamp?

[SonicOrbStudios]

It's an outstanding first amp. It gets fairly loud and is great for playing at the house but it wont power over acoustic drums or be great for live use. The higher end Roland Cubes are something to look into at that point.

[Thomavic100]

Okey, Thanks ;D

[aecio]

this is the best microcube video review. thanks.

[arizonapg]

Thanks for the detailed review.

-UG

[SonicOrbStudios]

You're welcome

The ones who take the time to watch my videos are the reason I produce the videos in the first place.