AI is everywhere these days, and from computers to smartphones to everyday consumer electronics, it seems that most manufacturers are intent on adding a bit of computerized smarts into their products. That being said, audio veteran JBL recently announced that it’s bringing artificial intelligence to users by way of its new BandBox series, a line of smart amplifiers designed for musicians. Unlike most practice amps, it does come with a killer feature that JBL is hoping would be enough to win over users.
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The lineup includes the BandBox Solo and the BandBox Trio, both of which come with specialized “Stem AI” technology. JBL says that this hardware-based AI allows players to isolate or completely remove vocals and specific instruments from any streaming track in real time, making it possible to create instant backing tracks without an internet connection or external software. This makes practice easier, as you can easily remove instrumental parts of a track with a simple setting.
The BandBox Solo is a compact 18W unit tailored for individual practice, featuring a single input for a guitar or microphone. With the JBL ONE app, users can access a variety of digital tools including vintage amp simulations, classic effects like reverb, and a built-in looper. It is the smaller of the two models, which makes it travel-friendly albeit with a bit of limitation in terms of power.
For musicians who need a bit more “oomph”, JBL is also offering the BandBox Trio which provides up to 135W of output alongside a four-channel mixer, making it suitable for small bands or acoustic duos. The Trio also includes a replaceable battery for portability and a colour display to manage mixing and effects settings. In addition to functioning as practice amps, both models also work as high-quality Bluetooth speakers and include USB-C outputs for direct recording into digital audio workstations.
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The series is set to launch this February, with the BandBox Solo priced at €229.99 and the BandBox Trio retailing for €599.99 through JBL’s website and select retail partners. Considering what the series is offering, JBL has a promising hit on its hands, especially if it plans to take on the likes of Positive Grid’s “Spark” models and the BOSS Katana, for example.
