Acoustic Amplifier review - Roland AC33

[@monlegaspi]

I own this amp for more than 4 years now and I've never been inspired to use its full potential not until now. Awesome little amp! Thank you Sir for great playing & demo 🤘👍

[@AndrewKeeping]

You are very welcome. Good luck!

[@artfolkdub9650]

Hi There. Is there any reverb on the voice input?

[@monlegaspi]

@@artfolkdub9650 yes

[@artfolkdub9650]

@@monlegaspi tnx

[@josephgrimison4419]

Starts playing at 11:15

[@TheStrataminor]

Phew...thanks!!

[@falkirkshelby2313]

Oh my gosh... Thank you so much! No offense but he talks a lot

[@richardboss3358]

He don't half carry on...

[@Patrick-xo6gf]

It's a great amp, not cheap though, I got mine second hand for £280 including the footswitch, stereo cable and extra battery pack, which would have pushed the buy new cost to over £500, then 2 sets of rechargeables etc. The owner had chucked the carry handle and footstand and it was a bit 'preloved' but I've had it 2 years now and it's still going strong. The previous owner had moved on to AER, but had used this for years. I mainly use it for busking, play some drums through the line in via an app, then record some looping chords with a bit of chorus, then switch off chorus and whack on the ambience for scale improvisations. Plus, for practice at home plug in some decent headphones and the sound is just pure Roland quality. I use a Sigma ORMC-STE1 electro which is a bargain guitar for the money, and always good strings changed regularly. I disagree with the looper being a toy, 40 seconds of backing is enough and I don't need to carry extra pedals and wotnot, just chuck all the gear in a bag, quickly set up with minimal fuss and away you go, and I can carry it all on a bicycle!

[@AllanFelipe]

Hi, do you think this amp is the best portable solution for small/medium gigs? Can it handle a small bar full of people talking? Maybe with a solid guitar, a laptop/controller in line and some backing track in aux input. Tks

[@AndrewKeeping]

I have used this for many small/medium gigs. It is the lightest and smallest for portable solutions. The best amp its the AER portable 60watt. However, it is a heavy beast to carry any distance, but superior town. Also well over twice the price!

[@vincentdelmas2792]

is it twice better for the vocal part too ?, this is my biggest concern with busking amp > the vocal part@@AndrewKeeping also do you try Bose S1 pro thx

[@778Biggt]

You are good brother. Loved the music you played to demonstrate. Bottom line I am getting this amp right now. Love your choice of music and the way you deliver it. Keep it up. :)

[@AndrewKeeping]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@Chief]

Damn that reverb sounds amazing! Selling my roland cube Street and getting this :)

[@yzimsx]

Great review! To the final remarks I'd add that the AC-33 simply sounds _great_, not just for the size and the price but overall. It's a beautiful, beautiful clean sound.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Good addition.

[@jockojohn3294]

The best part is, whatever amp. you play through, your artistic playing is what sounds great to listen to, be it a street corner or a concert hall. The Roland sounds nice too.....

[@AndrewKeeping]

jocko john thanks very much. You are too kind.

[@LaughMuBai]

Really great review thank you and high praise from such a professional sound artist. I'm considering the Fishman Loudbox Mini Charge acoustic amp which has great reviews, but this Roland is incredibly compact and pretty amazing too.

[@mothersgauri4137]

This is really the clearest demo of this amp that I have found. Thank you so much ! One thing I do wish could have been included is to show how you are hooked up in the back. I have my FS-6 pedal on a single line going into the looper . But I see you have a Y adapter and mentioned being plugged into the AUX. Would LOVE more explanation on all of that. But in spite of that, this is a very good, helpful video and many thanks to you for doing this !!

[@josepjimenez1126]

Thank you! Very useful I just bought it today and enjoyed your video. Good to hear a bit of Recuerdos de la Alhambra. Cheers from Spain!

[@AndrewKeeping]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@erikpaterson1404]

Sounds beautiful man! Especially with the classical guitar. Thanks I now know which Amp I need.

[@AndrewKeeping]

No problem!

[@aashikarai5934]

This amp is perfect for classical guitar thank you so much for showing us how it work definitely gonna buy it...

[@AndrewKeeping]

No problem!

[@glisteningkabana8154]

Well done. Enjoyable demo! Thank you.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thanks.

[@Lowdenjim]

Very useful review - thank you very much.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thanks very much. Glad it was helpful.

[@diogonascimento1720]

Thanks a lot fot this review, it helped a lot chosing the right amp for classical guitar! Its not cheap, but the quality is top notch, and that reverb! Lets hope ill get back the investment with busking! :)

[@AndrewKeeping]

Glad it helped and you enjoyed the video. Good luck!

[@dmc8418]

Beautiful Andrew. What pieces are you playing?

[@molarjock]

You play beautifully! Great review.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thank you kindly!

[@JimmyChaosViolin]

Great review man. Sounds like a little Bruno Mars you threw in there towards the end. I'm considering getting this amp for busking. I'm using it specifically for violin so I'm hoping it'll provide the warmth that I'll need. Many thanks for your awesome review!

[@AndrewKeeping]

You should! Good luck.

[@BobEstremera]

Your playing is beautiful.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Ah thanks Bob!

[@artspiritfineartstudiogall9672]

Great review!! Just got one and it sounds great. Had 2 questions for you if you could.... I know the mic/line 1/4 input accept a (TRS) cable, but can this be a TRS cable that is in stereo (not just balanced)? I know the chorus and reverb is in stereo on the ac33 so was hoping I could run into this input with a stereo signal. I'm running my vocal chain into a Strymon, DECO (V2) then into the ac33. The Deco (V2) has stereo outs which sounds so great when they are actually in real stereo. Also is the ac33 bad at recreating lower frequencies in your opinion? I'm trying to do some one man band stuff and create kick drum sounds (playing body of guitar, etc) and they sound so good on my headphones, but when I switch back to the ac33 speakers (dual 5") its just a bad sounding pop or thunk'. If the speakers are bad at recreating the low lows, can I somehow easily hook up to or line out, to a subwoofer from the ac33? Thanks so much and appreciate your time and knowledge!!!

[@Thusbelife]

Thanks for the excellent video my friend!

[@AndrewKeeping]

You are very welcome.

[@StarOasis26]

if you add reverb to the guitar channel, does it also add reverb to the vocal channel? Or is it separated? cool review thanks

[@AndrewKeeping]

The main sound tests start at 11:17 if you just want to hear the examples without the detailed introduction.

[@sconz2]

Andrew Keeping what is that you’re playing at 11.27?

[@AndrewKeeping]

@@sconz2 I am improvising at that point. No piece particularly.

[@sconz2]

@@AndrewKeeping sounds great well, really nice.

[@Andrey1308K]

Great review and beautifull playing!!

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thank you kindly!

[@K33f11]

Great review, lovely chops 👍

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thank you kindly!

[@McAllisterDiego]

thank you man.i have the same..you sounds very nice

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thank you.

[@vandungnguyen6726]

Sound great! Thank you Sir.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thank you Van.

[@ghostypup]

The best video on you tube by far, but Andrew what is the piece of music you played at 11:15? please

[@AndrewKeeping]

thanks so much. I was improvising at 11:15 around c major chords.

[@zarcero21]

Very nice demo. Thank you.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thank you too!

[@talkychris]

I'd be interested to know how this compares to the Acoustic setting on the Boss Katana amps and how well suited it is to hollowbody/semi hollow electric guitars.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Good question. I am not sure but would love to find out if anyone else knows.

[@alexmusic2387]

Hi, just got this amp. Where is the low battery indicator? Great review btw

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thank you alex.

[@cyberstace58]

Man Your Wicked

[@AndrewKeeping]

Ah Thanks Wayne. thanks for your support.

[@cyberstace58]

@@AndrewKeeping You are very welcome. Please stay safe and be well from Newfoundland Canada :)

[@SAZIZMUSIC]

amazing piece ... 😍

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thanks

[@axplayer6918]

think his axe is a Jose Ramirez. Sounds amazing.

[@AndrewKeeping]

My first proper concert guitar was a Jose Ramirez 1A, however this is a custom built guitar by Trevor Semple. A beautiful instrument.

[@ashleyizzard1957]

How does the guitar connect to the amp?

[@fongtan-el4zb]

Hi, may I know if the pedal for the looper function comes with the amplifier? tQ

[@AndrewKeeping]

Not that I know of

[@kasteeltjekasteeltje9045]

Can I ask where to put in an external looper please?

[@AndrewKeeping]

You plug your guitar into the looper and then just take the stereo out from the looper and plug straight into the 1/4 inch jack input on the amp....good to go. Best of luck.

[@kasteeltjekasteeltje9045]

@@AndrewKeeping Thank you very much :-)

[@operasinger2126]

Outstanding!

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thank you kindly!

[@SheyEdlingtonDouglas]

Loved your description . Any chance of being compatible with my Handpan ?. Playing is just the nicest in a long while.

[@AndrewKeeping]

I am sure with the correct microphone placed in a great position, this amp would work just fine. Love the Handpan. Looks spoiled much fun...and what a dreamlike sound. I used to play in a steel band when I was younger. Looks a similar method.

[@MartinCraneRockbeast]

Maybe consider a Line 6 powercab.

[@egogreen2045]

nice play man!

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thanks

[@petewoodroffemusic]

Great review and exactly what I wanted evoking the merits of AER and flexibility and relative quality of the ROLAND Fine player too... Pete Woodroffe Music

[@AndrewKeeping]

Glad it was helpful!

[@steveb9325]

I love my AER though I've never tried this amp. Great demo!

[@acebone2]

Man - that roll you did ... 13:30 - you should def. do a tutorial on that. Are you rolling with 3rd and 4th fingers?

[@AndrewKeeping]

Check out my tutorial series. i include rolled chords in them. thanks!

[@SAZIZMUSIC]

was that 'just the way you are' bt bruno mars on acoustic guitar ? it sounded like that a bit

[@AndrewKeeping]

It was. I wasn't designed that way, I just realised it was the same chord sequence so let it carry on with that Bruno Mars track!

[@PrimoGuitar]

Nice Video, what type of pickup/mic do you have installed on your guitar in this video?

[@AndrewKeeping]

I use LR Baggs.

[@GER_1]

Hello! thanks for the review! I want to know what pickup do you use for the classical guitar... Thanks!

[@AndrewKeeping]

I use LR Baggs

[@grahamjames5618]

LR Baggs "Anthem"

[@mutton_man]

What pickup are you using on your classical guitar? I see there's something attached to the sound hole.

[@AndrewKeeping]

LR Baggs Dual Source Pickups. Under saddle and microphone. What you see is the mixer and volume switch plate.

[@ghostypup]

excellent

[@AndrewKeeping]

Many many thanks

[@Carolinereganmusic]

Hi, does the reverb effect work for the vocal mic as well as the guitar? Thanks

[@AndrewKeeping]

yes it does.

[@Carolinereganmusic]

@@AndrewKeeping Lovely, thank you.

[@Sam-pc6py]

I was wondering if anyone has any experience of using this amplifier outdoors? I'm looking at buying an amplifier for busking and think this one has a nice tone for the price, just not sure if it'd be loud enough in a relatively busy outdoor setting. If anyone can help me, I'd appreciate it a lot!

[@AndrewKeeping]

I have used these outdoors. And so long as you are not wanting to fill out a field. It will do well for busking. Just be aware of the different watts when not using a power chord. It still gives enough for me in a busking/wedding set up.

[@dianaaldridge-ukulele7785]

Hello Andrew, I am playing mostly and singing one piece at a wedding in a small/medium outdoor setting soon. I play concert and tenor ukes, nice ones😉. What EQ settings and/or effects settings would you suggest right off the bat? Thanks for your help!

[@AndrewKeeping]

Hi Diana. For this kind of event I would suggest taking down and just making adjustments on your mid EQ. To allow the higher frequency to cut through and not be too muddy. Perhaps to 3 or 4. Keep your treble and Bass around the middle. Don't use and Chorus on the vocal or Guitar. Then you do want to add ambience/reverb to suit your choice. Remember, don't over do the reverb as it can make it sound too muddy and not be clean enough when heard from a distance in a medium size hall. I hope that helps. Of course, every room is different so you may need to ask a friend to listen out and feedback to you from different parts of the room. But these settings are certainly a good place to start. Best of luck.

[@dianaaldridge-ukulele7785]

@@AndrewKeeping This is definitely helpful. I do appreciate your time in answering. I will try this starting point when I practice today. ❤️

[@dianaaldridge-ukulele7785]

@@AndrewKeeping oh, one last question... what is the difference really in reverb and ambiance... what is the effect when that knob is straight up 😉?

[@AndrewKeeping]

​@@dianaaldridge-ukulele7785The stereo reverb knob was developed specifically for acoustic instruments and produces a spacious and natural sound. The position of the knob adjusts the volume of the reverb. The Ambience knob effect adds spatial depth. It produces a broader sound field and a sense of presence. The position of the knob adjusts the volume and depth of the ambience. Adjust the knob to suit your taste.

[@dianaaldridge-ukulele7785]

@@AndrewKeeping again... thank you ☺️

[@egogreen2045]

is it great for indoor/ outdoor event with 50people by using aux ch.? i wanna use it for playback the music in aux ch. tQ

[@AndrewKeeping]

That would be fine in either situation. 50 people would be just fine as it would cut through OK. The aux ch will work just fine and you can adjust the volume separately.

[@randommuiscchannel1049]

How about using a Roland JC 40?

[@AndrewKeeping]

Good amp but does not have the same options as shown here.

[@theinfinate]

Have u tried the Mackie freeplay live? I’d love to hear the both together

[@AndrewKeeping]

I have not. would be good to try it.

[@Happyboymargarine]

That’s junk don’t waste your time

[@BaKhangNguyenVN]

Hello, great Demo, I defintely get one. Can you explain what kind of 'pickup' setup you have on your classical Guitar :-) thank you very much

[@grahamjames5618]

I believe it's an LR Baggs under saddle piezo! Pricey but good.

[@grahamjames5618]

Yes LR Baggs "Anthem" approx €250

[@AndrewKeeping]

It's the LR Baggs Dual Source pick up. www.lrbaggs.com/pickups/imix-dual-source-acoustic-guitar-pickup This has under saddle pick ups and a separate microphone attached to the body. This means I can mix between the two depending on the acoustics of the room. It is a truly amazing piece of kit and served me well for many years.

[@SAZIZMUSIC]

is this coming from the phone camera ? or have you recorded it in the DAW ?

[@AndrewKeeping]

I recorded it through a good set of stereo paired mics on AB stereo configuration then went through my RME Fireface 802 into Cubase Pro 9 DAW. I wanted to get the best representation rather than the lower quality camera mic.

[@bobdeluxeandtheideals1356]

🔥🔥

[@AndrewKeeping]

Cheers Bob.

[@nathanjonbobis3617]

Ac33 or ac60? which is better for classical electric?

[@AndrewKeeping]

I would invariably opt for the more power as it would give you more options and less distortion at higher levels. When balanced out at appropriate levels they will both give you a very similar sound. Good luck.

[@LonskiBig]

.....so.....you sit down at the park....fresh batteries....vocals and guitar going full blast.......those batteries will last, how long...???...You have a spare set, but how long can you play ???

[@grahamjames5618]

mine last approx 8hours - so far!!!!!!!!!

[@AndrewKeeping]

I guarantee at least a 4-6 hour session.

[@vincentsantiago2gmai]

show us how you program it

[@AndrewKeeping]

Sorry how do you mean program it? If I can help I will.

[@honestnewsnet]

I thought mine sounded horrible now I know it’s not my amp. What a waste of money. Horribly muddy. When it sounds great it’s a amazing acoustic amp but it’s very inconsistent. Oh and good luck contacting the Roland company. They offer no phone support.

[@turkmusik]

I have one of these and do not like it. I find the AER sounds a lot better. More money but a huge difference.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Agreed. My favourite go to amps. Will have to do a review on them.

[@Alexhowarth]

Can you connect this to a larger speaker ?

[@AndrewKeeping]

Yes indeed there is a line out.

[@donaldmacgregor2545]

Yes, you can. It has a line out on the back. The external speaker has to be powered though. Decent powered PA speakers are cheap so once you have your sound, you can expert it easily to a larger PA.

[@broncojonnes]

where is the mic?

[@AndrewKeeping]

I have an under saddle pick up in the guitar and a microphone fixed to the inside table of the guitar and mix between the two using a pre amp. The set up in the guitar is LR Baggs. The microphone used to record the dialogue and AC33 are a stereo AB set of DPA 4006 microphones. Hope this helps.

[@carlosdinarte]

the chorus of my AC33 broke out of nowhere. Too bad.

[@artfolkdub9650]

Thanks for the Vid Dude. I dont see a dedicated reverb for the Voice input, is there?

[@AndrewKeeping]

You can mix between the two channels.

[@javiersaulrodriguezmontes3196]

Este amp is the best!!

[@AndrewKeeping]

Cheers.

[@ghostypup]

i meant 14:46

[@AndrewKeeping]

it was just an improvisation i made up to demonstrate. Thanks for your kind words.

[@espiritguitar]

THE REAL REVIEW STARTS AT 11:22...

[@Gleb_Sabinin]

Красиво.

[@armidalopezburgos9524]

Siempre guitarristas mediocres haciendo promoción a amplificadores

[@AndrewKeeping]

sorry you feel that way. Thank you for taking the time to make a negative comment however.