TEST: AER Compact 60

 “Somehow the design looks familiar to me.” These were the first words that came to mind when I peeled the AER Compact 60 IV out of its packaging. And in fact, the comparison was quickly made with the Hughes & Kettner Era 1, which is not surprising since H&K secured the services of acoustics specialist Michael Eisenmann, who was in charge of the AER, for the development of the Era 1 .

Since the Era 1's retail price is just under 10 euros away from the AER Compact 60 IV and, like the AER, it is manufactured in Germany, a direct comparison is of course useful here, but everything in order.

Design and construction of the AER Compact 60 IV

The AER Compact 60 IV is a two-channel acoustic guitar amplifier, but due to its design it can also be used for other acoustic instruments such as violin, zither, etc. as well as vocals. For this purpose it has an 8 inch twin cone speaker, which is powered by a power amplifier with a maximum output of 60 watts. With dimensions (W x D x H): 325 mm x 235 mm x 260 mm, it is pleasantly handy and, at 6.5 kilograms, can be transported comparatively easily in the padded transport bag provided, with the one placed on the top, very large handle is the only carrying option.

In order to get the AER Compact 60 IV at ear height, there is a 3/8 microphone clamp thread on the underside, although I have my concerns about its stability. Although a high-quality microphone stand of the K&M, Gravity or Hercules quality level should give the amplifier enough support, I don't think that the microphone clamp screw can withstand a medium lateral force. There is a risk of kinking here; a standard 35 mm flange would have been a much better solution. The housing is cleanly processed and covered with a strong textured paint. 4 comparatively hard rubber feet ensure a firm stand.

The top of the AER Compact 60 IV

The two channels of the AER Compact 60 IV are clearly divided in terms of their use. Channel 1 has a jack input and is primarily aimed at the acoustic guitar and pickup. The channel has a 3-way tone control, a gain control, an impedance selector switch and a preset selector called Color. Channel 2 can also operate a microphone with the XLR/jack combination socket, which is controlled via a pressure switch. In addition, the channel also offers a gain control and a 2-band tone control, that's it.

The phantom power circuit of the AER Compact 60 IV is interesting and unusual at the same time, especially since it also involves a few risks. The amplifier offers the option of switching 9V phantom power for appropriately prepared preamplifiers within the instrument on channel 1 using a pressure switch on the back of the housing, which means saving on the 9V battery on the instrument. This can only be achieved using a stereo cable. So far so good.

The following source of danger exists. If you accidentally use an instrument that is operated without a preamplifier with a stereo cable and phantom power switched on, there is a risk of damaging the electronics. To avoid this, only a mono instrument cable should be used. The same applies to preamplifiers that run with an operating voltage other than 9V, e.g. B. the button cell preamps of some LAG guitars. Here too, phantom power can cause damage.

Personally, I find the constantly activated 48V phantom voltage on channel 2, which can only be deactivated by changing an internally installed jumper, even more worrying. Even though most dynamic microphones are resistant to phantom power, you should definitely not connect ribbon microphones to this channel. Ribbon mics that are not explicitly intended for phantom power operation will be destroyed within seconds by the applied voltage! Such microphones are rarely used in a setup for which the AER Compact 60 IV was designed, but why they don't use an on/off switch and an operating LED for the phantom power, as has been tried countless times, is beyond me.

Further to the right is the management of the internal effects device, where AER has come up with an interesting circuit in combination with an external effects device, which can be looped in via the FX loop on the back. The following mixing ratios can be generated using a controller labeled “pan”:

Left stop: internal effect on channel 1 - external effect on channel 2
Middle position: internal effect on channels 1 + 2 - external effect on channels 1 + 2
Right stop: internal effect on channel 2 - external effect on channel 1

As always with an adjustable effects loop, the external effects device should be set to 100% wet. The internal effects device offers 4 different effects: 1 = reverb 1 (short), 2 = reverb 2 (long), 3 = delay (320 ms) and 4 = chorus. Finally, there is the level control, which regulates the mixing ratio with the original signal. As expected, the master volume controller for the system is located on the far right of the top panel.

The back of the AER Compact 60 IV

The back of the AER Compact 60 IV is very tidy and easy to understand. In addition to an adjustable Aux In in mini jack format, the product also has a line out, a headphone connection, a tuner out and a footswitch connection with which both the internal and external effects can be switched. For recording or P.A. The AER Compact 60 IV also offers a D.I. connection. Out in XLR format, the recording of which can be switched either before or after the FX loop. Finally, the power switch, the power plug and the main fuse are done.

The AER Compact 60 IV in practice

To assess the sound of the AER Compact 60 IV, my standard test guitar Framus Legacy FD 28 was once again used, which offers a good mid-range level and, together with the internally installed Fishman pickup, represents a large part of the acoustic guitars on the market. To assess the pure sound of the amplifier, all controls on the Fishman pickup were set to 0 dB and the output level control was set to 12 o'clock.

The first sound file leaves all the controls on the amplifier in the middle position, and no effect was used. The amplifier sounds a bit inconsequential, although all frequencies are reproduced comparatively well. It lacks depth and resolution, but as I said, all the controls are at 12 o'clock. When playing with the band, it is difficult to make out the guitar, although the volume was appropriately taken into account.

This changes significantly in Soundfile 02 when the Color switch is pressed. In terms of the basic sound, this is the frequency pattern that most people know from an acoustic guitar in a band context, i.e. the highs are boosted, the mids are lowered, and the bass is a little tighter. Now the treble is above the snare, sometimes even above the cymbals and the instrument can be located much better in the band context at the same volume. However, the highs sound a bit harsh and the resolution could be a bit finer.

In Soundfile 03, some reverb comes into play for the first time, which sounds very good, but also quickly washes out the basic sound. I intentionally set the mixing ratio a little too high to show how the instrument loses its punch when the FX level is too high.

Soundfile 04 has a somewhat harsh basic character, which is due to the guitar's piezo pickup. The reverb tail is pleasantly high-resolution, but everyone has to decide for themselves whether it should be such an eighties-show-off mix. The sound of the effect, however, is very good.

Soundfile 05 offers another eighties sound classic, acoustic guitar with chorus. Here too, the effect sounds perfect and I intentionally overloaded it a bit in the mixing ratio.

All in all, the AER Compact 60 IV leaves a good impression in terms of sound, especially considering its dimensions. However, I doubt whether the product will take off commercially due to several points. On the one hand, the power amplifier with its 60 watts reaches its performance limit comparatively quickly. What seems sufficient in a pub or rehearsal room could reach its limits in terms of backline in a club.

On the other hand, the competition has positioned itself better in some areas at a comparable selling price, with H&K's direct competitor, the Era 1, in particular, doing much better with more channels, better-sounding main channels and an output of 250 watts, also made in Germany placed.


Conclusion

The AER Compact 60 IV is a very compact, good-sounding acoustic guitar amplifier on the market that scores highly when it comes to portability. Unfortunately, clear advantages such as the workmanship and sound of the effect device are also offset by a nonsensical phantom power circuit on channel 2 and a comparatively high selling price, which the trademark “Made in Germany” does not justify.

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Additional Informations:

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