Are you bored with lugging round a heavy amplifier together with exterior pedals? Boss has a brand new acoustic amplifier that may simply clear up your drawback. The AC-22LX ($399 avenue) weighs slightly below 9 kilos and one way or the other feels even lighter. The simulated wooden cupboard, roughly 12.5 by 8.5 by 10.5 inches, homes a pair of five-inch audio system powered by 5 watts every. It gives a formidable array of options, together with a looper, drum machine, reverb, and refrain, whereas producing a sound a lot larger than one would anticipate from such a small, low-powered amplifier. To reinforce portability additional, the AC-22LX will be powered with eight AA batteries as a substitute of its included AC energy adapter.

The essential options of the AC-22LX embody an instrument channel providing a 10M impedance 1/4-inch enter, in addition to a mic channel with an XLR enter and optionally available phantom energy. The instrument channel gives quantity plus a three-band EQ part, whereas the mic channel has quantity, treble, and bass controls. Reverb will be utilized to each channels, and refrain is offered on the instrument channel. The amp additionally gives mono or stereo line outputs, a recording/headphone stereo output, and a USB connection or optionally available Bluetooth that helps audio out and in of a pc or cell gadget in addition to entry to extra options.

Past the Fundamentals 

Whereas the core options of the AC-22LX are typical of small combo amps, the extra options are the place issues get fascinating. An onboard Rhythm Field offers direct entry to 5 completely different rhythm patterns with a faucet tempo button. You possibly can broaden the out there rhythms by urgent a button or by selecting from an extended listing out there solely from an exterior app. The built-in looper is operated by way of an exterior footswitch (offered individually) and gives the usual conduct of many single-button loopers: file, play, overdub, and double-tap to cease.

Probably the most intriguing characteristic of the AC-22LX is the stereo simulation that Boss calls Air Really feel. A six-position change permits you to select between a dry, direct sound, and numerous choices named after frequent stereo miking methods, akin to XY, AB, and ORTF. These settings leverage the dual audio system within the AC-22LX to supply a stereo impact. With such a small speaker cupboard, these settings don’t produce an apparent stereo sound, however they do add completely different levels of openness, atmosphere, and air to the sound.

Whereas the amp controls supply plenty of flexibility, the app, out there for iOS, Android, Mac, and Home windows, opens up many extra prospects. You possibly can select from completely different reverb and refrain sorts and tweak many parameters to dial in your sound. There are extra percussion patterns out there, and you may even create a set listing containing a sequence of settings for use on completely different songs.

Sound Examine 

Given its small footprint and low wattage, the AC-22LX produces a surprisingly full sound with a heat, spherical tone that may be very nice to play by. The sound emphasizes the midrange, as anticipated from such a small cupboard, however in a complementary method.

The AC-22LX produces solely average quantity—I used to be in a position to play with the amp about 75 % of the best way up, sitting on a desk straight dealing with my guitar a number of toes away, with out suggestions. Nonetheless, it does fill a small room, particularly with the Air settings engaged. The amp could be ultimate at residence, for taking part in an acoustic home live performance, or for a small espresso store gig. For bigger venues, you could possibly use the stereo line out to feed a home system whereas utilizing the amp as a stage monitor.

The built-in looper and percussion results are very helpful throughout observe periods, though some could discover the out there beats and the one-button looper operation limiting for reside efficiency. I’d favor to see XLR DI outputs, assist for a devoted cease/clear button for the looper, and the flexibility to program extra drum sequences. Nonetheless, the prevailing options and capabilities of the amp are spectacular as they’re, combining good sound with a substantial amount of flexibility in a tiny, ultra-lightweight package deal.

Store for the Boss AC-22LX with Sweetwater, Amazon, or Reverb.