So i’ve been playing my LP out of a fender guitar practice amp, and I neeeed to get the right gear. I was hoping you guys could give me some suggestions that will work for live performance/small gigs, with a reasonable price range. I’m probably going for used too. Is a specific keyboard amp a must or will a bass amp with a tweeter be sufficient, etc.? How is the Roland line of keyboard amps?
The Roland KC series is amazing.
I like the Barbetta or Mackie powered pa cabs. The guitar amps are voiced a bit midrangey which is great for guitars but not as good for keys. I’m not that familiar with using bass amps. I have heard a lot of good things about the Rolands, but I have had no experience with them.
The new K series powered speakers from QSC are the best I 've heard yet. They are a 1000 watts, split between woofer and tweeter. 500 watts each!
+1 on the Mackie.
I run my LP into a CFX12 then out to a couple SRM350s & an HRS120 sub.
Boom baby!
thanks guys. i’ll check out the ones you suggested, and i’m glad roland has a good vote cuz that’s what i had in mind.
I have a Roland KC-300 for home use and jamming with friends. It is okay. I would not say great though. It is good for the price got mine $200 used. I’ve used it for small gigs, but found it lacking for live use. I am currently looking for a PA with good bottom end extension.
sir nose, is the issue wattage output? maybe if i got the KC 550 it would be better suited for live performance with it’s 180 watts? or does the sound just go to shit when you crank it, that’d be lame since they are pricey amps.
I have had terrible experience with Roland keyboard amps.
The KC 300 does not have the bottom end I’m looking for. I am happy with it for the purpose I bought it for, practice and jamming. For live use, I want stereo. Two KCs and a sub or 2 would work fine. But, there is better for your money, IMO. I have not tested many alternatives yet. I am researching and saving $$$. The few alternatives I have tried almost all of them sounded better, some at more money than a Roland set up most at less or around the same.
Sir Nose,
I spoke with a Roland Rep a couple of weeks ago, told him I was playing Moogs and he advised me that their sub would NOT be suitable for my needs.
Eric
Good to know
so a bass amp with two 10"s and a tweeter would probably serve me on the low end. i’ve been eyeing a used backline 2 10 cab with tweeter and a beringher ultrabass head, i’m going to try it out, see if it’s suitable.
10’s won’t really serve the low end. Ditch the tweeter and get either a 15 or 18 sub. Or keep the tweeter and add a sub. Be carefully with the high end, because a resonant filter sweep can kill your ears at moderate volumes.
Just in case you missed the post in the general topics forum:
For what its worth… I use a Kustom KBA65. Its a 12" with plenty of lows from this ported cabinet. 6 band EQ, celestion speaker, and xlr line out. Not too shabby for $150.00
I have a crate bx-100 that a friend gave me, when I play some phatty bass through it everything in my garage rattles. I also have a PA that i use when not so much bass is needed. sometimes I use the bass amp as a sub, and the PA for mids and highs, that sounds really good, and allows for higher volumes.
So i ended up getting a Carvin BRX 4x10 speaker cab with tweeter and a SWR 350 bass head together for 500. it will suit me for now, its better than a fender practice amp!
i got it from my local music go round and the guy plugged in a SWR 15" sub with tweet on top of what i bought and WHOA! i was afraid guitars would start falling off the walls. I’m excited to start hearing all of my phatty, i think i’ll get a sub in the future when funds allow it. (so excited!)[/b]