Vox Combo

FIRST PLAY
19
AUGUST 2021 GUITARIST
VOX MINI GO 50 COMBO
3. The optional VFS3
footswitch is ideal if
you’re planning on using
the Mini Go 50 live:
out of the box button 1
scrolls through the three
patch presets; button 2
stops and starts the
drum machine; and
button 3 operates the
looper. But there are
14 assignable functions
to cope with practically
every possible need
4. The looper records
up to a very usable 45
seconds and if the drum
machine is running it
will auto quantise to the
beat so things start and
stop in time. You can
use the VFS3 footswitch
to start and stop it
remotely, making it a
great live performance
tool that’ll help grab
an audience
effects we find the Mini Go 50’s drum
machine, featuring 33 patterns grouped
into distinct genres, with tempo and level
controls. And there’s still more to come
in the shape of a looper with a handy
maximum recording time of around 45
seconds, together with a tuner function,
an aux in and a headphone output, both
on 3.5mm jacks. The headphones output
disables the speaker and can be used for
silent recording when needed.
Overall, the Mini Go 50 is well built to
typically high Vox standards, looking smart
and ready to rock with an impressive range
of features.
Feel & Sounds
The Mini Go 50’s amp voices use the
same VET engine as the Cambridge50
and sound impressively authentic. The
classic AC30 Normal and Top Boost
channels both provide a wide range of
excellent tones, from shimmering cleans
and chiming rhythms to highly responsive
classic rock and blues. Beside these two
gems, there’s a tempting choice of Brit-
and American-influenced cleans and
overdrives, including the D-style Boutique
Cl and Boutique OD, which both sound
remarkably authentic, while gain fiends
will enjoy the Double Rec and SL-OD
simulations, which make even the weediest
single coils sing with practically endless
sustain and fat, chugging bass.
The new Vocoder voice is a strong special
effect and perhaps best used sparingly. Used
with a microphone it adds vowel sounds to
single notes or chords as you speak or sing,
or you can use it without a microphone,
in which case the vowels are triggered by
picking, which is another useful sound.
The Line input has enough clean
headroom to take most keyboards without
distorting, and the EQ will suit most