Hey everyone, Az Samad here!
If you follow my journey, you know I’m usually juggling a few different hats—from solo fingerstyle sets to playing electric guitar in a jazz trio. One of the biggest challenges for any gigging musician in Malaysia (especially if you’re like me and often take public transport to gigs) is the “gear struggle.”
How do we get a professional sound without breaking our backs?
I’ve spent the last two weeks putting a new piece of gear through its paces: the Beta Three MB3 Magic Box. It’s a three-way active portable PA, and after testing it in four different musical scenarios, I wanted to share why this might be a good choice for soloists and duos.
First Impressions: Built for the Independent Musician
Beta Three has been around since 1988, but this is the first time I’ve had one of their units in my personal arsenal. Right out of the box, a few things struck me:
- Portability: It weighs about 7.5 kg. It comes with a padded, snug bag that even has backpack straps. For a solo performer who travels light, being able to carry your PA on your back is a massive win.
- Build Quality: The hardware is sturdy and looks professional. Whether it’s sitting as a wedge, on a chair, or mounted on a stand, it feels reliable.
- Battery Life: This is the big one. It’s rechargeable and runs for up to 8 hours. If you’re busking outdoors or playing a wedding on a beach where power outlets are non-existent, this is your solution.
Putting It to Work: 4 Real-World Tests
1. The Solo Cafe Gig (The Cafe @ Royal Selangor Visitor Centre)
I used the MB3 for a solo show where I needed to manage three inputs: my Yamaha Silent Guitar (nylon string), an SM57 for vocals/speech, and an electric guitar through a modeler.
- The Result: The MB3 handled all three channels perfectly. I even used the XLR out to plug into my Zoom recorder, allowing me to get a high-quality direct board mix of my entire set to pair with my video footage.
2. The Jazz Trio Personal Monitor
I recently joined a new jazz trio playing video game music (shoutout to Jeremy!). At our first show in Bangsar, the stage got loud once the drums and bass kicked in.
- The Result: I used the MB3 as my personal wedge. Even though it’s not marketed as an FRFR (Full Range Flat Response) monitor, it acted like one. I ran my electric guitar modeler into it and took the XLR out to the house PA. It allowed me to hear my dynamics and touch clearly, which is essential for playing confidently in a band setting.
3. Band Rehearsals
I tested it twice during rehearsals to see how it felt in different room placements.
- The Result: The clarity is excellent. It’s very flexible—you can tilt it, stand it up, or pole-mount it. It took very little time to find the “sweet spot” in the room.
4. The Duo Potential
While I used it solo, I also tested it with my friend Nisa on violin for our rehearsal for the Bangsar show with the band.
- The Result: We ran the violin through a preamp into the MB3 alongside my guitar. The sound remained transparent and balanced. For a duo act—say, two singers and a guitar—you can plug in two mics and a guitar directly into the internal mixer and you’re ready to go.
Technical Highlights
The MB3 is simple but effective:
- 3 Channels: Individual volume and reverb controls.
- Tone Toggling: A switch to optimize for “Music” (flat) or “Voice” (extra clarity).
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Perfect for piping in background music between sets directly from your phone—no extra cables needed.
- Expandability: You can run two of these in mono or use an external mixer to add even more channels.
Final Thoughts
If you’re doing intimate cafe shows, outdoor busking, or you just need a reliable personal monitor that sounds “in the room” (I’m still a traditionalist—I prefer air over in-ears!), the Magic Box is definitely worth a look. It’s light, transparent, and versatile.
A huge thanks to Beta Three for sending this over. I’m looking forward to seeing how it performs in even more spaces.
Want to try it yourself?
You can check out the MB3 and other gear on the https://betathree.net/AZSAMAD (affiliate link).
If you decide to pick something up, use my discount code “AZSAMAD” for 15% off your entire purchase!
Keep practicing, and I’ll see you at the next gig!
[Submissions for Review Consideration]
- Are you an author who wrote a jazz, guitar or music book?
- Have you created a DVD or an online video course or subscription based website?
- Would you like me to review your book/course?
OR…
- Are you working with a gear company (guitar, pedals, amps, audio interface, plugins, guitar accesories)?
- Would you like me to review your gear?
Please send me a message at azsamad2 at gmail.com with:
For courses: a link to the course/video/product + access info etc.
For books: a link to the book (Dropbox) or PDF attachment (if it’s small) for review consideration.
For music gear/hardware or software: a link to the product page and order page
Depending on whether I dig the book/course/product, I’ll let you know if I do plan to review it!
I cannot guarantee a review for every submission & if I’m not too into it, I may opt not to review it. I mean, it’s better to get a good review that for me to write a bad review just because it’s not a match for the kind of stuff I dig right? :p
NOTE: All reviews reflect my honest personal opinion so be aware that I will point out both cool Pros and Cons that I see in the work. You dig?
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