All user reviews of 5/5 for the Roland Cube-40XL

It is a modeling amplifier 40 Watts, 100% solid state (ie, without a shadow of a lamp).

The amp is small, it houses a 10-inch speakers (made by Roland) and is light enough (about 10 kg). This is a very handy amp.

An attenuator called "power squeezer" can operate in 2 Watts, ie with an ideal power to play quietly in a room without waking up the whole house.

The amp loads a beautiful effect battery consists of 3 sections:
- The first allows you to choose between a chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo or octave generating the note at an octave lower.
- The second allows you to select a delay (with tap tempo built), and also allows the use of a looper function (80 seconds max).
- The latest offering a choice between two types of reverb (spring or flat).
A 3-band EQ is available (common to all channels), and a chromatic tuner is also included.

The amp has three channels:
- The clean channel is based on the modeling of the famous Roland Jazz Chorus (producing one of the most wonderful clean sounds ever heard).
- The lead channel will switch between 9 different models: an acoustic guitar simulator ("acoustic sim"), an emulation of a Fender blackface ("black panel"), a Vox AC30 ("brit combo") a Fender Bassman ("tweed"), a Marshall Plexi ("classic"), a Peavey 5150 ("stack metal"), a Mesa Boogie Dual correct ("R-proud"), a high gain emulation house ("extreme") and based on the latest emulation Boss Dynadrive ("dynamic amp").
- Solo channel is completely configurable, either at the desired modeling, equalization, volume, gain or effects.

Side connector, headphone jack also allows transplanting the amp on a table or a recorder, a mini jack input format allows the insertion of an mp3 player.
Also add that three jacks are provided for any footswitches (optional), which can control up to the choice of channel activation of the first section of effects, reverb activation, activation of the second section (with tap tempo foot if the delay is chosen, or control the start and end of the loop if the looper function is selected).

UTILIZATION

The settings are intuitive and well designed, and if the consultation document may be useful for certain specific features (the looper or use footswitches particular), the general handling of the amp is very easy and intuitive, and sounds are issued after all flatterers, three hours without turning buttons. This is a great place for beginners.
For more advanced users, equalization is more efficient and some subtle shades can transform a particular model, there is therefore a lot of time to go if you really want a full tour of possible sounds (I have not yet over there ...).

SOUNDS

I played for years on tube amps very high quality, and I must admit one thing: each proposed modeling is consistent and really sounds ultra realistic manner. After that, depending on the affinity of each other, we prefer this or that ...
Personally, I find modeling "brit combo" a little wobbly, the "stack metal" a little cold and the "extreme" really grotesque (but I still play it from time to time, like what!).
The "black panel", the "classic" and "R-proud" are very successful in my opinion, I find the "acoustic sim" bluffing (with the right settings, see manual), and the "Tweed" excellent.
The total slap comes from the "dynamic amp" I find really amazing, and the ultimate is the first JC clean channel, a totally amazing clear sound terrific!

I tested the amp at low volume and low-volume, this is where the sound had me convinced in blind test it is honestly very difficult to tell the difference with a tube amp.
The amp is very powerful, a power that unfortunately can not cash or HP or cheap chipboard that compose the combo ...
Indeed, pushing a little too stupid, it spoils badly: the chemical side of modeling stand and its clearly turning into mush if you pass a certain limit (this is even more obvious for models with lots of gain) .
Only the clear sound is wonderful in all circumstances, including the volume to 3/4.
Anyway, the conclusion is obvious: it would be illusory to believe that combo 200 euros perfectly imitates a dozen legendary amps that are each at least six times the price.
In short, it will not make me sell my two Orange body, but that is not why I bought it.




OVERALL OPINION

The Roland Cube 40XL is first for me a great study amp, a great playmate who has in him the sounds of the history of rock, no less! It therefore enables a beginner to find his or her (s).
The looper function is a real plus for easy bosser its chorus and solos.
In addition, its comfortable enough power can play in small herds, ensure during occasional repetitions without having to carry a semi-trailer of gear ...

I would add that this amp is not those who have fallen into the dark side of "connects to a PC, and it will allow you to save 999 presets through great software supplied with" Here all sounds are there after having just turned three old knobs, it's simple and effective, some would say old-fashioned. Personally I like it.

The "dark side" version of the cube has just been published (possible with an iPod or mac connection and disappearance of looper in passing ...), suddenly this XL version "old school" to sell out. If like me you like turning knobs, go for it, this is probably one of the very best amp modeling market.

It is a transistor amp / 40 watt modeling (in fact it looks like the double!) Headphone / recording, auxiliary input for plugging in an MP3 or iPod, can connect up to 3's footswich 2 switches or 6 footswitches!
-9 Integrated effects pedal from Boss.
-10 Amp models
Or manual-chromatic tuner built.
Power-squeezer for reducing the power to 2 watts.
-3 Channels (jc clean, lead and solo with memory function)

UTILIZATION

Settings are super simple access to spin very fast, just turn the knobs at its discretion.
The manual is useless given the simplicity of the machine can be just about the use of the looper and channel solo.
The desired sound is obtained very quickly, we choose an amp model, it adjusts the gain and volume and it is good. We can add effects quickly and easily if you so desire.

SOUNDS

It suits my style of music.
Jc clean channel offers its famous jc 120 of the brand, with a chorus, we believe it, I wonder sometimes if I'm not the real jc 120 next to me!
The lead channel offers different models such as: acoustic simulator, fender twin reverb, bassman, vox AC30, marshall jmp 1987, Peavey 5150, Mesa boogie correct, extreme and dynamic amp (pedal boss). This varies the saturation level depending on nuances of your game, play soft: low saturation, play strong: strong saturation.
I play with a Yamaha Pacifica (strat guy so), I tried a Fender American Standard Stratocaster and it sounds great! With this amp, the sound is excellent in all points!
All sounds I agree, the integrated effects are excellent, I love the chorus, the delay has been corrected by previous generations of cubes where you can now type the speed of delay and adjust the length separately The looper is far from being a gimmick than 80 seconds, it is very useful to complete parts and improvise over. 80 seconds is more than sufficient.
Both types of reverb are also high quality spring reverb gives the response of a real spring reverb to an amp.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 1 year.
I tried the cube 30x and 80x older generation.
I was really impressed with this amp. For 200 €, have provided quality sound, excellent effects, other functions (tuner, power squeezer), super strong construction is simply amazing, thank you and congratulations Roland!
The price / quality ratio is unbeatable for me.
With experience, I would do this choice, and then the cube 80XL.