The design of Roland's new AC-60 acoustic amp ($599) reflects the company's long experience in making amplifiers. The amp has a clean, glassy tone that is reminiscent of Roland's classic JC-120. Its diminutive size is like the amps in the Cube series, and its DSP features are akin to those found in the company's digital amps.

The AC-60 is a stereo 60W amp (30W per side) that's made for small club (solo or ensemble) use. The unit can also be used as an instrument monitor in a louder, bigger situation. The AC-60 is thoughtfully designed, from its included softshell carrying case to its folding stand and pole mount to its flexible I/O.

The AC-60 is surprisingly small, measuring roughly 15 inches wide by 11 inches high by 10.5 inches deep. It weighs in at a shade over 21.5 pounds (not including the case). Inside the box are a pair of 6.5-inch speakers, which put out a surprising amount of low end considering their size. If you want even more bottom, there's an output on the rear panel that can feed a powered subwoofer, or even a guitar amp.

The AC-60 has two channels: one for guitar with a ¼-inch input, and one for mic or line sources. The latter features a combo XLR/¼-inch jack.

Channel controls include Volume, Bass, Middle, and Treble knobs, as well as various channel-specific switches. The Guitar Channel has a Magnetic/Piezo selector switch and a Shape switch that adds extra highs for rhythm playing. The mic/line channel has a switch for turning on the 48V Phantom Power and a switch to select between mic- and line-level signals.

Both Chorus and Reverb/Delay are available for each channel. The Reverb/Delay is global, but the Chorus can be switched on and off for each channel. There are three flavors of stereo chorus: Space, Rich, and Wide. Despite the close proximity of the two speakers, you still get a distinct stereo effect from all three choruses, especially the aptly named Wide.

The digital Reverb features a hall algorithm, and sounds quite good. When you turn the Reverb/Delay knob clockwise past 12 o'clock, the effect changes to digital delay, with settings ranging from slapback to about 400 milliseconds.

Also globally available is an Anti-Feedback filter. It's designed to handle the low-frequency feedback that an amplified acoustic instrument can produce. (The filter isn't designed to handle the kind of high-frequency feedback that you might get from a microphone.) It can be set either automatically or manually. I had success with both, but the auto option is quick, easy, and effective.

The rear panel of the AC-60 offers plenty of I/O flexibility. In addition to the aforementioned subwoofer output, you get stereo XLR outs, a mono ¼-inch out, RCA and ¼-inch stereo aux inputs (for CD players or other auxiliary sources); and a balanced, ¼-inch DI/Tuner output. (Roland's optional PCS-31 cable allows you to split the signal out of the DI/Tuner out so that you can send it to two different destinations, such as a tuner and a multitrack.)

You'll also find two footswitch inputs, which allow for the connection of optional Boss footswitches for muting the amp and turning on and off the effects and the Anti-Feedback circuit.

The amp can be used in a number of applications including as a standalone acoustic amp in a small ensemble/small club situation. It can also be used as a mini-P.A. for a solo acoustic guitarist/vocalist in a small venue. (The pole mount will come in handy in this application.) Despite the small speakers, a vocal mic sounds surprisingly good through the AC-60.

If you're in a band with drums and a relatively loud stage sound, you could use the amp as your own acoustic instrument monitor and take a direct feed from it to the P.A. to cover the house.

Overall, my experience with the AC-60 was quite positive. It sounds crisp and clean, and puts out quite a lot sound for such a small unit. What's more, it's easy to use and well designed. If you're looking for an ultraportable, versatile acoustic amp, you'll certainly want to check out the AC-60.

Roland Corporation U.S.; tel. (323) 890-3700; Web www.rolandus.com.