Note: Batteries are not included
Right out of the gate, Roland's compact, battery-powered Cube Street amplifier won the hearts (and ears) of legions of street musicians around the world. Spurred on by this success, Roland has upgraded its bestseller with a more powerful output, two additional channels, a stereo speaker system, and a range of other useful features that make this new version more flexible and versatile than its predecessor. The separate EQ and effects controls in turn allow players to precisely tailor the sound of their instruments and mics to suit their needs. Roland has thus effectively packed a portable PA system into an extremely compact format that is sturdy enough to capably handle all manner of on-the-go use - from the pedestrian precinct to the beach.
The Roland Cube Street EX's stereo speaker system comprises two 8" woofers and two 2" tweeters, and is driven by a 50W power stage that can also be switched down to 25W and even 10W, which helps to save energy and allows up to 20 hours of operation on a single battery charge (which can be extended to a whopping 40 hours with the optionally available Rechargeable Amp Power Pack). Despite having expanded the range of functions on offer, Roland has still kept the user interface clear and intuitive, however, and the amp features two XLR/jack combo inputs and two 6.35mm jack inputs that allow up to four instruments/microphones to be connected. Each of the four channels has its own three-band EQ as well as reverb, chorus, and echo effects to allow the user to customise their sound. That being said, however, the Roland Cube Street EX is still very much a guitar amplifier and accordingly features COSM amp simulation circuitry to ensure a high-quality sound from electric and acoustic guitars.
The Roland Cube Street EX goes above and beyond its predecessor in many ways, one of which is the enhanced range of easy-to-access connections that are to be found on the rear panel. Alongside a connection for the supplied power adapter, these include a stereo headphone output, two line outputs that allow both mono and stereo operation, an AUX input, and two connections for optional footswitches that can be used to select the desired mic or instrument. All of the rear-mounted connections are in 6.35mm jack format, and a Stereo Link switch located between them allows the user to expand their compact PA system by connecting a second Street Cube EX, thus unlocking an even more flexible range of options.
The Roland company was founded in 1972 in Osaka, Japan, and has been designing and building electronic musical instruments ever since. During its successful history, Roland has launched many ground-breaking instruments, from legendary drum machines such as the TR-808 and the TR-909 to synthesizer classics like Jupiter-8, SH-101 and the iconic TB-303. Besides synthesizers, Roland's workstations and electric pianos are also very popular. Equally well-known is Roland’s subsidiary Boss, under whose brand name it designs and sells principally guitar pedals and effects units. Under the Roland Professional A/V label, the company additionally develops and distributes professional equipment for virtually every branch of audio and video production - from home studios through to commercial applications.
The original Roland Cube Street was already considered the perfect partner for street musicians of all styles, and the Cube Street EX takes things a big step further in terms of the options it opens up: Besides its significantly higher output power, larger speakers, and expanded effects section, this new model also adds far greater connectivity, including double the number of outputs provided by its predecessor. All of this makes the Cube Street EX a perfect solution for performers who want to amplify more than just their guitar and voice, while also getting heard above the background noise found in any urban environment. The latter should not be a problem, however, thanks to the amp's 2x50W output power.
Whether they want to place it on the ground when busking in town, take it to the beach for a jam session with friends, or mount it on a stand for a cafe gig, players can be sure of a top-notch amplified sound from the Roland Cube Street EX, which can accommodate up to four instruments/microphones. As mentioned above, the extra connections, link function, and scalable output power (which saves energy and extends the battery life) are also welcome additions to the range of features. Those who wish to be particularly eco-friendly should of course use rechargeable batteries or, better still, the Rechargeable Amp Power Pack that Roland offers as an accessory and which allows up to 40 hours' playing time.