Every so often, a piece of gear comes out that makes you do a proper double-take.
It makes you think back to your first amp, a ratty old thing with fragile tubes and a couple of knobs on the top, and exclaim, “Wow, look how far we’ve come!”
The JBL BandBox Trio does just that. Small yet deadly, this practice amp is equipped with AI, giving it some insane new capabilities that not only make rehearsing so much easier, but are also a ton of fun to play around with. It offers a ton of tricks rolled into one, has a streamlined and simple interface, and opens new creative doors for the seasoned singer or strummer.
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AI Stem Separation
By far the coolest thing this amp has going for it is the AI real-time separation capabilities. Using the app or on the amp’s built-in controls, you have the ability to stream whatever song you’d like and turn up or down the parts to your liking. This means you can isolate a guitar solo so you can lock in and figure out the notes, then pull the guitar out of the track entirely and play it yourself.
It may sound too good to be true, but trust us, this feature works like magic. We tried it on a variety of different songs and genres, and it works with an impressive level of accuracy. You can also pitch shift the entire track up or down, and while there’s a slight delay, this feature is also pretty impressive and great for altering a song to fit your range.
We also cannot understate how good this feature is in terms of karaoke, especially if your taste is a little too niche for the average jukebox. Get your friends around, fire this baby up, and sing your heart out all night long to whatever your heart desires.
All the bells and whistles
On top of the fancy-shmancy AI technology, the BandBox has a ton of other built-in tools that’ll prevent you from having to lug around a ton of equipment everywhere you go.
It’s got a metronome. It’s got a tuner. It’s got a loop pedal. It’s got a drum machine. It’s got a pitch-shifter. It’s bluetooth compatible. And if that wasn’t enough, it’s also got a four-channel mixer, so you can plug in your guitar, mic, keys and whatever else at the same time. I think this feature would be especially attractive to buskers, along with the whopping 10 hour battery time.
It’s also got a whole host of cool effects for both vocals, electric guitar and acoustic guitar, as well as some killer amp tones as well. Whether you’re looking for screaming metal, vibey blues, bright country twang or groovy funk, you’ll be able to find something that suits.
Another function of the BandBox that should not be underestimated is its ability to plug straight into your computer or phone via a USB-C, so you won’t have to fiddle around with a pesky audio interface when creativity strikes, just to forget the cool riff you wrote by the time all the gear is set up. The seamless transition from messing around to recording straight to the computer helps you stay in the zone all session long.
For an even more customised experience, there’s the JBL One app, which allows you to access all of the amp’s cool tools and more. You can adjust the mix, EQ and tone, as well as plug and play create your own pedal chains for an even more unique and specified sound.
How it sounds
It’s JBL, so of course it sounds amazing. It offers clear, crisp vocals and deep, resonant bass. The 6.5 inch subwoofer is compact but versatile, allowing for punchy mid-bass and lower-midrange frequencies, and the double 25mm silk dome tweeters produce warm and natural-sounding treble without any of the harsh high end.
Even when running multiple instruments through the BandBox, it still holds up. For jamming, street performance or home use, it’s perfect. Then, if you’re on the hunt for an even bigger sound, you can plug it straight into a PA, ideal for house parties, DIY gigs or pop-ups.
In summary
The JBL BandBox Trio is everything you could ever ask for in a practice amp. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a product that ticks a ton of boxes, you’re a busker looking for an all-in-one setup or you’re a pro who’s looking to sharpen your skills, you really can’t go wrong.
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This article was made in partnership with JBL.
