It was a little hard to imagine that the small box the UPS driver plunked down on my front stoop could contain an amplifier. And unboxed, of course, the thing was even littler: around the size of a four-slice toaster.
The amp in question is a Loudbox Micro, the newest addition to Fishman’s Loudbox line—the Micro’s siblings range from the 60-watt Mini and Mini Charge to the 120-watt Artist and 180-watt Performer. Loudbox amps have become ubiquitous by delivering clear, full-range amplification of acoustic instruments and vocals alike, and the 40-watt Micro is designed to do the same, with the smallest footprint and price tag yet ($299 street).
Ins and Outs
While the Micro is diminutive (9.5 by 10.4 by 8.1 inches) and lightweight (just over nine pounds), Fishman packs plenty into this amp.
Like the other Loudboxes, the Micro offers instrument and mic channels. On the instrument side, you’ve got gain, low/mid/high EQ, reverb, chorus (with mild and heavy presets), and a phase switch to help tame feedback. The mic channel offers just gain, low and high EQ, and reverb. All the controls are easy to understand and use, though at times I found them a bit hard to see, because the amp’s top is angled back and the control panel is recessed on the rear. When the amp was by a wall, for instance, I found myself tipping it forward to make sure I was tweaking the right knob.
On the back are simply a connector for the power adapter, aux input (for, say, playing a track from your phone); a headphone out that allows you to zone out privately to your amplified sound; and an XLR output that can send your mix (post EQ and effects) to a mixer, PA, or recording interface.
Sound Check
I know the amplified sound of my guitars very well from performing and live recording, and when I plugged into the Loudbox Micro, I was greeted by familiar tones right off the bat. My main guitars, a Manzer and a Taylor 712c, are equipped with Fishman Rare Earth Mic Blend systems, and the amp did a fine job representing the mix of internal mic and magnetic pickup. The Rare Earth’s mic can be sensitive for feedback, but even playing close to the amp at a decent volume, I didn’t run into feedback issues unless the soundhole directly faced the speaker.
Whether I fingerpicked, played bluesy
