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VOX amPlug AP-MT (Metal)
Introductory offer: $56
You are the practice addict in search of a silent set up because the playing moments you are in seems to be an intrusion of others’ affair- sounds like a juvenile in dismay but it’s a real situation for many of us. The VOX series of amPlug guitar attachments simply let you have an immediate headphone access to your guitar. This device is virtually a mini amplifier aimed squarely at those who simply want to plug & play.
Build/ features
The Japanese amPlug is not too different from a typical USB enhanced MP3 player in dimensions. The device requires a pair of AAA batteries to power up, has a guitar-in jack & 3 slit-rotary controls for Volume/ Tone/ Gain whose labels are virtually invisible. The AP-MT features 2 sockets for headphones & music player attachments. The device in its entirety is blessedly light but the overall material (plastic) grade feels like it could only tolerate limited physical abuse.
As we note, the amPlug isn’t an excessive contraption to appease you tonal refinements. The features on offer are strictly utilitarian & ready to serve immediate needs.
Rating: 80%
Performance/ tone
The amPlug series of plug-in headphones amplification offers 3 models; AC30, Classic Rock & Metal. The Metal module is what it says on the label; high drive for the angst-ridden. Keep in mind that the typical headphones output isn’t quite the aural pleasure one would hear from a driver (speaker) equipped unit; the typical tone here isn’t too different from other pocket & multi-FX devices which offer headphones access. This effectively means that the VOX tone that we’d expect isn’t truly represented by the AP-MT.
The AP-MT requires a more dedicated tone tweaking feature for the average aural pleasure. At upper gain settings, the tone is too fizzy for a comprehensive bottom end chug (that’s what METAL is about, yes?) which the TONE control couldn’t quite remediate. Lowering it only serves to compromise clarity & volume. As the AP-MT serves to manifest aggressive drive, should one attempt to lower the gain for a blues-rock employment, one’s playing volume & harmonics trigger would be affected.
Nevertheless, the AP-MT manifests pickup voicings very well. If you are the pickup switch buff, you’d hear the distinct difference in output which could be inspiring on days when tonal variety is the order. This is more apparent for guitars featuring both humbucker & single coil pickups in the mix. Also, the AP-MT responds real well to your guitar’s volume control which might just be the ticket for a more enjoyable ride.
Tone test equipment:
• Guitars: Gibson LP Std/ Ibanez RG1550/ Fender Highway 1 Strat
Rating: 70%
Conclusion
The manufacturer claims the METAL amPlug has the ability to address both raw aggression & the more contemporary mid-cut voicings but this is a superficial inclusion in a device which has restricted user authority. The AP-MT is a strict practice implement which would easily upset the Korg Pandora/ Ampworks & LINE6 Pocket POD campers but the amPlug wasn’t conceived to go treading in that digital domain, do keep this in mind. In use, the amPlug requires the player to commit its features to memory because it is impractical to be tilting one’s guitar every now & then for feature/ control references, its fundamental features in this sense are a blessing.
All in all, the AP-MT is unquestionably useful; please bear with the device’s limited tonal offerings. Is this a to-die-for VOX tone at a steal? Not quite.
Mr. VOX sir, please do not forget our bass playing friends, yes?
Overall rating: 75%
Likes:
• Price
• Easy to use
Dislikes:
• Labels could have been more visible
• Small-sized control features
• Limited tonal offerings
Product availability:
• City Music
PS: Thank you Jase @ City Music for the kind assistance
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