This is lesson DB-18 Introducing the Roland Micro Cube Bass Amp, and is a continuation of my journal of things I have learned as an adult double bass student. See the video for a few pointers about using the Roland amp.
Watch The Video Lesson
My main bass amp is a Gallien-Krueger 700RB-II in a 12 inch Neo combo cabinet, along with another Neo 12 extension cab, which is an awesome amp that has served me well. But, even with the Neo speakers, it is still heavy! Recently I began searching for something smaller and lighter that could still put out a great tone and I ended up settling for the Roland Micro Cube amp. The Micro Cube Bass Amp is battery powered…..it runs on 6 AAA batteries, as well as begin capable of plugging into wall power. I am so impressed with this amp. I have been using it during our orchestra rehearsals when there have been parts calling for electric bass and it has been more than up to the task of competing with a 40 piece orchestra and filling up a 300 seat theater space.
This amp includes, not only the standard treble, mid and bass EQ controls that you would expect, but in addition to that there are gain, master volume and FX controls for compression, chorus, flanger, wah, delay and reverb. Also included is a drum machine with a variety of different rhythm patterns and a tap tempo control. The complete specs for the amp from Roland are listed below.
Be sure to check out my Double Bass Lessons page for a complete list of all of my lessons!
The Roland Micro Cube Bass Amp is available through Amazon.com: Roland Micro Cube Bass RX Battery-Powered Bass Combo Amp
Specifications
Amplifier Section
Rated Power Output: 2.5 W + 2.5 W
Nominal Input Level (1 kHz): INPUT: -10 dBu
STEREO AUX IN: -10 dBu
MONO AUX IN: -10 dBu
Speakers: 10 cm (4 inches) x 4
Controls
POWER Switch, TUNER Switch, COMP Switch
COSM AMPLIFIER:
TYPE Switch (OCTAVE BASS / SUPER FLAT / FLIP TOP / B MAN / BASS360 / SESSION / CONCERT 810 / MIC), GAIN Knob, VOLUME Knob
EQUALIZER:
BASS Knob, MIDDLE Knob, TREBLE Knob, FX Knob (CHORUS/FLANGER/T-WAH)
DELAY/REVERB Knob
RHYTHM GUIDE:
START/STOP Switch, TAP TEMPO Switch, PATTERN Knob (METRONOME / ROCK1 /
ROCK2 / BLUES / COUNTRY / R&B / BALLAD / JAZZ / FUNK / LATIN /DANCE), VARIATION
Switch, VOLUME Knob
Indicators
POWER
TUNER: TUNING METER
RHYTHM GUIDE: RHYTHM GUIDE, VARIATION
Others
Connectors:
Input Jack (1/4″ phone type), Foot Switch Jack (1/4″ TRS phone type), STEREO AUX IN
Jack (Stereo miniature phone type), MONO AUX IN Jack (1/4″ phone type), REC
OUT/PHONES Jack (Stereo 1/4″ phone type), AC Adaptor Jack, Grounding Terminal
Power Supply: DC 9 V: AC Adaptor or Dry battery(*) LR6 (AA) type (alkaline) x 6 *sold separately
Current Draw: 186 mA
Accessories: Strap, Power Cord, AC Adaptor, Owner’s Manual
Options: Foot Switch (BOSS FS-5U, FS-6, FS-7), Connection Cable (PCS-31L)
Size and Weight
Width: 296 mm/ 11 11/16 inches
Depth: 207 mm/ 8 3/16 inches
Height: 294 mm/ 11 5/8 inches
Weight: 6.8 kg/ 15 lbs.
