The Harley Benton MiniStomp MicroCAB is a cabinet simulation pedal in a mini enclosure: a small box that puts the sound of a guitar speaker cabinet on the signal without a real speaker being involved. Harley Benton describes it as "a wall-sized rack of gorgeous speaker cabinets, ready to swap out with the flick of a switch," packing eleven cabinet types into one mini pedal1. It sits in the speaker simulation family, alongside pedals like the Mooer TresCab and the Two Notes Torpedo C.A.B..
What it does
A cabinet simulator gives a signal the tonal character of a speaker cabinet, which is what lets a pedalboard feed a mixer, an audio interface or the return of an amp without a microphone in front of a real cab. Harley Benton markets the MicroCAB as "a micro sound wonder" in a "gig-ready metal chassis"1.
The eleven cabinet types run from small to large. Harley Benton describes the range as "from a single 8-inch tweed speaker through the hallmark sound of two 12-inch AC-style speakers all the way up to a 4x12 cabinet" voiced like legendary British models1. The pedal's product page names a setting for each:
| Setting | Cabinet type |
|---|---|
| Hazey | 1x8 tweed |
| Bluesrock | 1x10 tweed |
| Bluespicking | 1x12 DR |
| Punk | 1x12 AC |
| Indie | 2x12 AC |
| Crossover | 2x12 JC |
| Hardrock | 2x12 TR |
| Metal | 4x10 MB |
| Mosh | 4x12 MB |
| Stoner | 4x12 GB |
| Thrash | 4x12 V30 |
The controls
The front panel is simple, which is typical of a mini pedal: a selector switch to pick the cabinet, two knobs and a footswitch1.
- Cabinet type selector switch: picks one of the eleven cabinet voicings1
- Volume: sets the output level1
- Color: a tone control that shapes the character of the simulation1
- On/off switch with status LED indicator: shows whether the effect is engaged1
Power and connections
The MicroCAB runs on a 9V mains adapter, center negative, which is not included with the pedal1. It draws 20 mA1.
No power supply comes in the box, and there is no battery option: plan on a 9V center-negative adapter or a pedalboard supply output rated for at least 20 mA1.
Connections are a single 6.3 mm jack input and a single 6.3 mm jack output1. That standard jack format is what lets the pedal feed a mixer or interface directly, since the cabinet simulation is doing the work a real speaker would otherwise do.
Size and build
The pedal measures 92 x 38 x 32 mm and weighs 133 g, with a solid metal housing1. That puts it in mini-pedal territory, small enough to tuck into a corner of a crowded board. Harley Benton's MiniStomp line includes other mini formats such as the Harley Benton MiniStomp Troubadour.
Questions
Is the Harley Benton MiniStomp MicroCAB true bypass?
Yes. Harley Benton states the MicroCAB is true bypass, so when it is switched off the pedal does not process the signal and does not interfere with the guitar's path to the rest of the chain. The pedal also has an on/off switch with a status LED indicator so it is easy to see whether the cabinet simulation is engaged at a glance.
Does the MiniStomp MicroCAB come with a power supply?
No. Harley Benton specifies power via a 9V mains adapter, centre negative, and notes that the adapter is not included. The pedal draws 20 mA, so a standard 9V centre-negative pedalboard supply output can run it, but a battery is not an option and no adapter ships in the box.
How many cabinet types does the MicroCAB have?
Eleven. A selector switch moves between cabinet types ranging from a single 8-inch tweed speaker through two 12-inch AC-style speakers up to a 4x12 cabinet voiced like legendary British models. The named settings include Indie 2x12ac, Thrash 4x12v30, Hazey 1x8tw, Crossover 2x12jc, Bluespicking 1x12dr, Bluesrock 1x10tw, Hardrock 2x12tr, Metal 4x10mb, Mosh 4x12mb, Punk 1x12ac and Stoner 4x12gb.
Can the MicroCAB go straight into a mixer or audio interface?
The pedal has a 6.3 mm jack input and output, so it can feed any line input that accepts a 6.3 mm jack, which covers most mixers and audio interfaces. As a cabinet simulation pedal it is designed to put a speaker voicing on the signal, which is what makes a direct feed to a mixer or interface usable without a guitar cabinet.
Sources (1)
- MiniStomp MicroCAB, Harley Benton (harleybenton.com)
