AER Compact XL
July 2011 Guitarist 105
£1,249
ACOUSTIC AMPS
lacking from many lower-
priced acoustic amps.
Sounds
Yup, it’s pretty pokey alright!
There really does seem to be a
lot of power on tap here. It’s a
big, bold sound too from such a
small box. But the overall sound
quality is typical of an AER
unit: clean, clear and that’s with
EQ options set pretty f lat. That
colour preset is instant new-
string modern acoustic sound,
which may be a little too hi-fi
for those of us chasing a more
natural old-school tone, but
generally the EQ produces
highly musical results.
The massively increased
volume and headroom before
any noticeable limiting affects
the sound is what’s key to the
appeal here. As well as giving
you more than enough power to
compete when playing in bigger
venues, you also know you’re
not going to run out of steam at
smaller ones.
Verdict
With so much in the amplified
acoustic world, you buy
something only to find that
once you get it out on the road,
something is lacking.
Thankfully, AER’s hard-earned
reputation – which costs, of
course – means that you can
buy with confidence. It’s really
not surprising that these amps
are so well used, especially by
working musicians.
So, the Compact XL simply
adds a turbo-charge in the
power stakes to the best-selling
Compact 60. It adds a little bulk
The Rivals
The new Trace Acoustic
combos are worth a look. The
TA300 (£1,429) offers 200W
of power, extensive EQ and
digital effects. The smaller
TA200 is almost as compact
as the XL, but lighter and with
2 x 100W delivery. Also try
Fishman’s Loudbox
Performer (£1,029). It’s a
two-channel, triamp design
with 130W of power and good
feedback rejection facilities.
The Bottom Line
We like: It’s a Compact 60
but with much more power
and headroom; good feature
set; intuitive
We dislike: Many acoustic
amps have more effects
(though, for many players,
simple is better); lack of
mute switch and any specific
feedback busting controls; it
ain’t cheap…
Guitarist says: A
supercharged Compact 60,
the XL ensures you’ll be
heard – clearly
AER Compact XL
£1,249 (inc padded gigbag)
Germany
Compact acoustic instrument
amplifier with digital effects
200W RMS
330 (w) x 285 (d)
x 325mm (h)
10.6/23.30
15mm birch plywood
covered with black splatter finish,
foam-covered steel mesh grille
Two-way system – eight-
inch polypropylene low-midrange plus
one-inch dome tweeter, lightweight
neodymium alloy magnets
Twin channels. Input
one: 6.4mm jack; input two:
XLR/6.4mm jack combi-socket
(line/mic)
Input one – high/low
push switch, clip LED, gain, colour
preset push switch, bass, middle,
treble controls. Input two – line/
mic push switch, clip LED, gain,
bass, treble controls. Effects
section: pan, select switch, level.
Master level control
Standard two-way
footswitch (not included), switches
effects on/off
Four
preset digital effects (short reverb,
long reverb, short delay, long delay).
Ground lift switch, 9V phantom power,
aux inputs (L&R) plus level,
footswitch input, tuner out, XLR DI
out plus level, FX send and return,
headphones out
The single-
channel 40W Alpha kicks off the
range at £629. The Compact 60 (60
watts, two channels, digital reverb/
delay) is £799 or £979 in a
hardwood cabinet. The 120W
AcoustiCube 3 (£2,199) is the
ultimate compact AER experience
Test results
and weight – and substantial
cost – but the key to amp’d
acoustic playing is being
prepared: no gig ever seems
the same, and the XL just
keeps giving you clean power
after the 60 reaches its limit. If
you need it, the XL has it.
The build quality is typically rugged and reassuring
The massively increased volume
and headroom before any noticeable
limiting aff ects the sound is what’s
key to the appeal here
GIT343.rev_aer 105 5/18/11 2:47:58 PM