Roland Cube-60XL Compact 60W 1x10 Bass Combo

Rated 3.00 out of 5

26/8/2019

I think that this amp will excel best in a studio environment. I like the fact that a user can call up a very good selection of different bass tones quickly via a control knob. One does not have to trawl through endless menus etc. There is however, one badly thought out feature of this amp, and that is the DI output. There is a 3 pin XLR socket on the rear of the amp from which is available a low impedance balanced line out, BUT, the signal from here is pre EQ. I fail to understand why, having ready access to such a great range of tones, you would want a flat output to the mixer/recorder/PA etc. There is a 1/4 inch jack line out next to the DI, which is post EQ, but it’s an unbalanced, high impedance output, so in order to send a post EQ, balanced, low impedance signal to the PA etc, you still need a separate DI box. The amp will work well in a live situation where all the backline is plugged into the PA and the drums are mic’d, and a good monitor rig is available but, for use in a traditional, pub style gig where the PA is just for the vocals and the guitars etc are running just of the backline this amp will be way out of its depth. There is simply nowhere near enough depth of bass and projection necessary for such a set up. Perhaps if an extension speaker output were available it would work fine, because the actual tone is great. The may possibly not sound quite as sweet as the old cube 30 bass amp. I think overall Roland have done a good job with the design of this amp. The different tones are all very good and quick and easy to access. I advise anyone considering buying one to try it out first, and think about where you intend to use it.

Green. Jonathan