Fishman’s Loudbox amps are among the most popular acoustic instrument amps ever made. Offering transparent, full-range sound, functional design, and affordable prices, the amps have been available in three sizes that cover most musicians’ volume needs (check out my overview of the Loudbox Mini, Mini Charge, Artist, and Performer). Fishman recently expanded its line with the ultra-compact Loudbox Micro, which will appeal to players for whom even the Loudbox Mini (or the battery-powered Mini Charge) is more powerful than necessary. I was able to check the amp out in the Peghead Nation video studio, using a Martin SC-10E with stock Fishman electronics. 

The Loudbox Micro’s brown-and-beige look is consistent with other Loudbox amps. But while the larger Loudboxes have their controls on the front panel, Fishman put the Micro’s controls on the top, where they share real estate with a sturdy handle. The amp is powered by an external power adapter similar to those used by many laptop computers. With dimensions of 8.1 x 10.4 x 9.4 inches, 40 watts of power, a 5.25-inch poly cone speaker. and a .8-inch soft dome tweeter, the Loudbox Micro lives up to its name but still packs a punch. The amp has two channels, one with a ¼-inch input optimized for instruments, and one with an XLR input for microphones. The instrument channel has controls for gain, three-band EQ (Low, Mid, High), reverb, and chorus, and the mic channel has a sparser control set of Gain, Low, High, and Reverb. A master volume allows you to set the overall volume once the gain on each channel has been properly set (the instrument channel includes a red LED that lights up if the signal is clipping), and the front-panel controls are completed with two small push-buttons for phase reversal and power on/off. Moving to the amp’s rear panel, I was happy to see that Fishman included an XLR DI output, which greatly expands its use as a stage monitor, since it can be used as a simple connection to a larger PA. The rear panel also has mini-jacks for Aux In and Headphone Out, the latter of which turns off the amp’s speaker for silent practice, as well as a jack for connecting the power supply. 

With its diminutive size, it would be easy to think of the Loudbox Micro as nothing but a practice amp. However, as soon as I plugged in and started playing, it became clear that the unit is far more than that. Not only did it have a surprising amount of punch and bottom end, it was also loud enough that I wouldn’t hesitate to use it as a stage monitor with my fingerstyle guitar duo, to compete with louder instruments at rehearsals, or even as a primary source of amplification for a small house concert. The amp’s EQ was useful for basic tone shaping, the digital reverb was pleasant, and the chorus effect provided a bit of color. 

Overall, Fishman has managed to pack the fundamental character of its Loudbox line into an amp that is small enough to fit into many carry-on–size rolling suitcases. With its familiar features, it is bound to be attractive to professionals looking for an ultracompact monitoring solution, as well as players who want a simple and inexpensive way to amplify at home. 

SPECS

Acoustic amplifier. 40 watts. 5.25-inch speaker and .8-inch tweeter. Two channels. ¼-inch input, Low, Mid, and High EQ, Reverb and Chorus on instrument channel. XLR input, Low and High EQ, Reverb, on mic channel. Master volume. Digital effects. XLR DI output (post-EQ). Mini-jack Aux input. Mini-jack headphone output. 10 pounds. 8.1 x 10.4 x 9.4 inches. Designed and engineered in the USA, assembled in China or Indonesia. $299.95 street. fishman.com

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