Boss Releases the AC-22LX Acoustic Amp
Quick Summary
Boss's follow-up to the Acoustic Singer is the AC-22LX, with a unique take on acoustic amplification called Air Feel technology. This allows you to recreate several different open room mic settings, yet without a mic. From what we've heard so far, it sounds phenomenal and, we'd expect, will change the way other companies handle acoustic amplification.
I might be a bit unusual in this regard, but I'm typically happy with the sound I get out of onboard acoustic preamps, going straight into an acoustic amp or PA system.
But after hearing the AC-22LX, it's pretty clear to me why a lot of acoustic players would much prefer a mic'd-up sound, at least for recording. This is what the AC-22LX accomplishes, yet without a microphone.
Boss has developed some kind of technology called "Air Feel" that gives you several different mic-recreation settings. To be totally honest, I have no idea how it works.
It's some kind of digital model, but the presets sound absolutely fantastic.
Read more: Best acoustic guitar amps overall
The follow-up to the Acoustic Singer amp looks to be a pretty significant step forward.
Here are descriptions for each setting from Sweetwater that I've truncated:
- Dry: An unprocessed setting that amplifies your pickup’s sound.
- XY: A classic dual-microphone XY pattern, offering a focused stereo image that provides ample balance and rich resonance.
- AB: A wider stereo mic setup with a bigger, bolder sound.
- ORTF: Merges elements from both XY and a spaced-pair approach, creating cavernous depth and formidable body resonance.
- Mid-side: Defined response with a rich stereo spread.
These Air Feel presets are the reason you would buy the AC-22LX. I've never seen this kind of thing in an acoustic amp before, and I suspect that other companies are paying attention and looking into this technology.
The rest of the AC-22LX's features are solid, if not expected from an acoustic amp.
EQ, reverb/chorus, XLR, USB connection, and even a rhythm box section/looper are all part of the deal.
But, again, it's all about Air Feel.
From what I've seen in the video, the amp is really small. The version you're seeing here is just 10 watts and, as far as I can tell, the only one. I would expect there to be more released in the near future with varying wattage levels and sizes, just like they did with the Katana series.
Regardless, it's clear that Boss is really embracing the amp-building side of their business, which makes sense given how successful the Katana series has been.
I'm hoping I get a chance to to test the Boss AC-22LX in the near future.
If so, we'll do a proper review and recording.
Leave thoughts in the comments section below.
Read more: Guitar World's AC-22LX rundown
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Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Amps & Reviews
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Acoustics & Roundups
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