#1939017 - 05/08/08 04:04 AM
Acoustic Image-got one!
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seanmmooney
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Registered: 01/30/08
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I just received my Acoustic Image Coda R Combo amp. I'm am blown away by what I'm hearing from this tiny (under 20 lb)-- yet huge sounding little monster. I sold off my two G2 Eons in the hopes of carrying less. In our rehearsal space and my studio at home I am pleased with what I am hearing although I have not tried it in a live performance yet. (this week-end is coming up quick!) I purchased an extra cabinet to pair with it although I'm not so sure I'll need it for the rooms I play. I have gigged recently (mostly Jazz piano,cabaret shows and musical theater-work) with a variety of speakers and keyboard amps in the last while and have grown weary of sound with the intensity of a firehose being pushed through me from the floor behind me as I play. The A.I. claims to be omni-directional due to it's down firing woofer. It seems to be working!! Any one else out there trying this?
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#1939027 - 05/08/08 04:35 AM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: seanmmooney]
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Joe Muscara
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Sounds promising. Please let us know how it works out for you live.
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#1939032 - 05/08/08 04:44 AM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: Joe Muscara]
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Aidan
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Our upright bass player has an acoustic image head and cab and I keep meaning to try my DP through it, but never have yet. I guess the only caveat would be the fact that you're running in mono, which won't suit all pianos.
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Roland RD-700GX, Yamaha Motif XS7
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#1939054 - 05/08/08 05:46 AM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: Aidan]
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niacin
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Tried it, with a Kurz PC2, thought it sounded like an AM radio. Might have to have another listen. Thanks for posting.
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#1939057 - 05/08/08 05:54 AM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: niacin]
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Phil W
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Yay! Join the club!
That's my AI Focus Amp on the top there (weighs 4lbs)
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#1939088 - 05/08/08 06:53 AM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: Phil W]
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VLH
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As noted some months back, I tried one on a trio gig (stereo--with a GK as the second amp) courtesy of our bass player, who had migrated to an AI Focus head and 2 Acme B1s. The AI (a first generation) Coda had no problem filling a huge gallery space crowded with people in a museum (ceilings at least 20 ft)--harsh sound environement w/hard walls, ceilings, floor. Plenty loud; did not color the sound. Downside was that the downfiring aspect makes the sound less focused--a bit hard to describe, but you feel a little less "attached" to the tone. I did not have a lot of time to tweak it, though, so that may be adjustable. I have wondered if their new Corus (which is designed for more forward projection) would be better for keys use, or maybe one Corus and one Coda, with the Coda taking the low end. But, at the price of two of these, I ain't there yet!
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#1939220 - 05/08/08 10:16 AM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: VLH]
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suraci
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I would say don't push it too hard- volume wise
two 400 watt 2nd gen eons are much louder
but for quality. The AI is nice
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#1940039 - 05/10/08 12:37 AM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: suraci]
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seanmmooney
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OK 4 days in and I am simply floored at how well this set up sounds!! I have heard a few bass players through Acoustic Image combo amps and have always been impressed. I had no idea that they could work so well for Keys. The piano is my main instrument yet due to portability I must rely on appliances (my keyboards and speakers) to approximate the sound and quality of acoustic instruments. Occasionally, through the wizardry of a gifted sound tech we get it close -for the audience yet less often on the stage where I'm playing. I'm Not spoiling for a fight as I do enjoy all the great sounds and cool things my boards allow me to play with. Not that many years ago I used to get excited about adding the mere suggestion of a piano timbre into the mix as --that was what was available to us then. Now the samples are so much more sophisticated we can expect more yet we still fall short of the concert piano experience we crave. This tiny Coda R amp with Contra EX cabinet seems to allow me a dynamic range unlike any keyboard amp I have played through. I can play gently and still project clearly through the room -(not simply softer!!). There is also this incredible 3-D quality to the sound projection which actually seems to give my piano samples the most realistic quality I have yet to experience on a keyboard. It might not be a true stereo amp but it does have two seperated channels to plug into with independent EQ and boy does it marry the two signals well! With the added bonus of the Notch/Low Cut filter which can be applied to either or both channels!! (good bye phase cancellation) To the concerns of AM radio quality I have only been able to get that by setting the filter incorrectly and turning off the tweeter which has its own dedicated switch. There is plenty of volume out of this unit on its own and with Contra EX speaker a shocking amount more. (don't let it's TINY footprint or 20 Lb weight fool you It sounds Gigantic!)
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#1940058 - 05/10/08 03:13 AM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: seanmmooney]
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Aidan
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Sean, as a matter of interest, what gear are you putting through your new baby?
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#1940084 - 05/10/08 06:00 AM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: Aidan]
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Tusker
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Sean, this sounds interesting. Looks like a great compromise between hifi, weight and volume. Speaking of volume ....
What's your line up like? Got a drummer, horns or electric guitar to compete with? Also how does the volume compare with the G2's?
Thanks,
Jerry
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#1940086 - 05/10/08 06:14 AM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: Tusker]
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SK
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I was really interested in this amp a while back and considered getting two for stereo, which would have been pricey. I've seen them endorsed by guitar players and bass players, but haven't seen a mention of keyboards before.
I never got to try it, but my bass player had used it and said it sounded really good, but he didn't think it projected very well.
If that's true, then I'd think it still has great applications for smaller gigs, or two cabs would cut it. I'll look up the specs.
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#1941652 - 05/13/08 11:59 AM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: SK]
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seanmmooney
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I'm still liking it! this week I tried out the Coda R with a few different instruments:
RD700 SX (No GX here-yet!) To compare --I gigged with this board a few weeks ago using a borrowed Traynor K2(I've been in quest for fire in a smaller box for some time) It seemed all right in set up until the rest of the trio (stand up bass and Drummer) began to play. I was challenged by the anemic quality of sound that seemed to happen!!-sound things just disappeared. I have experienced this before: getting to the gig early, tweaking my sound and pianos to satisfaction only to have to adjust all this on the fly when the rest of the band arrived (Sound checks are Important!) I played a rehearsal with the same guys a few nights ago with just the single A.I. coda R -it sounded great with plenty of volume.
Roland FP7: A good friend has one of these set up in this in a fantastic jam space. I brought The single A.I. Coda R there -plugged in and jammed with a Drummer, guitar, electric bass, singer and tenor sax player -The Fp7 sounded better then the RD 700sx in the piano department. ( I'm kinda liking that board although it is not mine)
Motif 8: This past weekend, I played 2 concerts (300 seat hall) involving three jazz choirs. The band included a drummer,electric bass, 2 trumpets,1 tenor sax,1 trombone and myself on keys. This is always a tricky gig in the sound department. Two of the three groups singing are on microphones (12 in one and 14 in the second) the third group has 50 singers (the worlds largest jazz choir??) Our main job is to provide accompaniment--in a very dynamic way--to the singers. I play this gig a few times a year as one of my jobs is as rehearsal and performance pianist. This job is interesting as I often have to jump in and play Que notes for the occasional lost singer -Typical for accompaniament work BUT with the added challenge of cutting through the other instruments (without blowing the singers ear-drums)
This weekend was a joy as the Coda R has such a warm presence to the sound I never felt in conflict with what else was going on!!(the only down-side was this little amp required me to tweak the Motif8's pianos more than usual to make them exceptable for some of the ballads! (I guess it is now considered pretty dated)
I liked the sound of my JBL Eons and bought a pair of them a few years back with the intention of carrying only one to smaller gigs and rehearsals---couldn't do it!I had to carry both (Perhaps a personal idiosyncrisy-- but sound coming from one side made me feel off-balence, when using one as a wedge)
Back to A.I.--I am liking the "non-directional" way this thing projects sound. I don't seem to mind with the single Coda R As it has a kind of 'omni present sound' more similar to that created by a grand piano (not exactly the same but wow is it closer)
20 lbs!!! I'm already more portable!!
Edited by seanmmooney (05/16/08 11:56 PM)
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#1941661 - 05/13/08 12:22 PM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: seanmmooney]
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SK
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it has a kind of 'omni present sound' more similar to that created by a grand piano
That is what interested me in it too... anything closer to approximate the unique spatial sound of a piano.
The K2 is no where powerful enough for most gigs, in terms of projecting sound quality. The K4 is loud, but not a good stereo amp. It sounds like you have a good setup.
I'd like to try this Acoustic Image sometime - but how, I'm not sure. BTW, please use paragraphs with spaces so members can read more easily. And thanks for the info.
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#1941910 - 05/14/08 12:40 AM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: SK]
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suraci
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warning
A 1 is a superior product
head and shoulders above most
amps
Plus it is an American company
with excellent warranty
and service bc of Rick who is great and perhaps bc the company is not huge
Here comes the BUT
BUT
it is one 10 inch speaker
a mid
and a tweeter
There is no way in hell that this amp can approach 2 400 watt
eons no way
So love your superior sound
but don't push one 10 too hard!
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The difference between what the most and the least learned people know is inexpressibly trivial in relation to that which is unknown
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#1942793 - 05/15/08 11:03 PM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: suraci]
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seanmmooney
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I really did like my JBL EONS (15-G2's)Both of them in fact!!! I didn't mind their size or weight. I liked the sound even more when I finally purchased stands. I experimented with them in a variety of locations... On the floor either side, behind me, in front of me facing in, as front of house then finally behind me up on stands (this looked kinda funny but sounded best at my station). They sounded best on the louder half of their dials as they are designed to be played loud.
I discovered that I didn't want that much volume on stage-(old age creeping in... perhaps!) 2-400 watt speakers were much more then I needed on stage. In larger venues and outdoor stages I wasn't concerned about being heard as that job was left to the sound techs.
Somthing changed as I traded my Ford Exploder in for a smaller car (cost of fuel!!) It became a challenge to load my car. (ironic as my test drive involved a test packing of my gear--I support my family with music so this was important)
I began to re-think why I bought my EONS in the first place: sound quality and volume within a light weight case. Soooo I enjoyed their quality but never had to use the volume at higher levels.
I would agree that two Eon15 G2's are louder but I'm not running the front end (or even tempted to) Two stands with speakers take up valuable stage real estate. Now when needed I simply send a beautiful signal to the board from my coda R. I do have a contra ex speaker if I need it but I'm not battling Marshall stacks these days so can't comment on playing with that kind a volume any more.
Perhaps we could generate some discussion on the topic of volume and how much is needed in a variety of playing situations.
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#1943119 - 05/16/08 01:48 PM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: seanmmooney]
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Jazz+
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Now we need a Acoustic Image vs AccuGroove side by side shootout. I wonder if anybody has access to both? Where are you located sean, anywhere near SK by chance?
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Sold: Kawai ES4, Yamaha P250, P120, P90. RD300SX, Kurz PC2X, Bose PAS, Mackie SRM450s, JBL EON10s,
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#1956126 - 06/10/08 10:15 PM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: VLH]
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Dave Ferris
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. Downside was that the downfiring aspect makes the sound less focused--a bit hard to describe, but you feel a little less "attached" to the tone. I did not have a lot of time to tweak it, though, so that may be adjustable. I have wondered if their new Corus (which is designed for more forward projection) would be better for keys use, or maybe one Corus and one Coda, with the Coda taking the low end. But, at the price of two of these, I ain't there yet!
A pianist friend in town I spoke with today has tried both the Corus and the Coda R. In his opinion the Corus does have more focus but less bass than the Coda..... he ended up purchasing the Corus.
He's running an old PC88 through there but will probably upgrade to the RD300 GX in a few months he said.
He said he loves the sound. I don't think he's has picky has me but we both do the same kind of jazz gigs.
I did find a Corus down in Long Beach at a little guitar shop. It's just a matter of blocking the time out and getting done there to give it a listen.
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#1956275 - 06/11/08 07:40 AM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: suraci]
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floyd tatum
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BUT it is one 10 inch speaker a mid and a tweeter
There is no way in hell that this amp can approach 2 400 watt
eons no way
What about using a pair of Coda R Combo amps?
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#1956331 - 06/11/08 09:15 AM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: floyd tatum]
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bhodaway10
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Do you guys know to connect two AI amps together? I looked on the website and read their manuals. They mention using a Focus SA but I don't see that model on their website.
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#1956351 - 06/11/08 09:52 AM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: bhodaway10]
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suraci
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Well there are two scenarios
ONE AI COMBO AMP and and ext speaker
And TWO AI Combo amps
The latter scenario is something I would be curious to audition,
that is a pricey option, but the clarity of tone is tempting!
Also some bass players have commented on liking the omni/ non directional effect of a downfiring 10" - conversely , some prefer their sound aiming at their ear.
I have not tried an ext speaker ( with a downfiring combo AI ) to have the best of both scenarios, at least in theory it would.
There is no way to have THAT kind of quality ( high quality )
AND have the ability to cut through guitars
no way. The amp was obviously designed for high quality not high quantity
A great sounding amp- a great company.
2 or 3 of them is tempting!
Edited by suraci (06/11/08 11:01 AM)
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#1956380 - 06/11/08 10:49 AM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: suraci]
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VLH
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Well there are two scenarios
...TWO AI Combo amps ...
Also some bass players have commented on liking the omni/ non directional effect of a downfiring 10" - conversely , some prefer their sound aiming at their ear.
This is why I wonder how it might work for stereo sampled keyboards to use one Contra(downfiring, which emphasizes the bass) and one Corus (which has more focus). The Contra would go into the combined L/R channel and would be eq'd to bring out more bass, while the Corus would take the right channel and could be aimed up a bit, toward the player.
At 40lbs, the two would total $2100--comparable to two EVSxA360s and cheaper than two accugrooves plus quality amp.
But, I've got other places to put my money right now!
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#1956402 - 06/11/08 11:23 AM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: VLH]
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suraci
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I am with you VLH and others
VLH = Your scenario of one contra and one corus I am not sure.
the downfiring cab sounds very good and more importantly BALANCED ( LO'S MID'S HIGH'S ) as is, right out of the box. So two downfiring contra ( I forgot the model names ) would almost have to be great.
A scene with one down and one at your ear ( standard way )
I am not sure how that translates in terms of stereo field?
I am also curious about just using their heads ( forgot names- Clarus?? )
One thing is certain, these things make string basses sound amazing.
They are designed for more than just basses though.
I borrowed one for a while.
I was always afraid to push an elec bass too hard through a single cab- ditto for keys.
That is a lot of "experience talking"= you need either an ext or 2 amps so that volume is not an issue.
$2100- $2500 is cheaper that a Bose w mixer ( $3000 ) and is true stereo
Edited by suraci (06/11/08 11:24 AM)
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The difference between what the most and the least learned people know is inexpressibly trivial in relation to that which is unknown
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#1956427 - 06/11/08 12:22 PM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: suraci]
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Smokinjazz
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I plan to visit the factory 7/11 and I will try them out & report back. They say they have a digital piano there but couldn't tell me what brand. This sounds like something I would like to pair up with my GX.
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RD700GX, B3 w/2 Leslies, Baldwin SF10
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#1956494 - 06/11/08 03:15 PM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: Dave Ferris]
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VLH
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Actually, The Contra (which is the single channel model) is $1049 street price, so 2 would be $2100. Another source besides Gollihur is Lemur Music. Bass players I've talked with have been satisfied w/both vendors and w the amps.
I look forward to smokinjazz's report on 7/11.
Another somewhat lightweight option I've wondered about is either Euphonic Audio's microamp (about $550 street) or Genz Benz's Shuttle Amp (about $590 street) one each hooked to either the B-1s or to a homemade Bill Fitzmaurice Omni 10.5 (mentioned elsewhere by someone here...beethree or matestubb, can't remember), these latter being buildable for about $250 each. Essentially, you're treating each one as a powered speaker and getting them up in the air where you'd be able to hear yourself. The B-1s or small Fitzmaurice would still keep the weight down, but you'd get more volume. And at under 3 lbs each, these small class D amps are even lighter the Acoustic image's class D.
But, I'm jes a dreamin' here, and avoiding my real work...
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#1956515 - 06/11/08 03:39 PM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: VLH]
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suraci
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I live in San Diego
Pure fantasy but
if a conclave of us ( conclave- similar to a flock, or a gaggle)
Could ever get together at a place or two in LA
we might learn a lot
Im talking about amps speakers
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The difference between what the most and the least learned people know is inexpressibly trivial in relation to that which is unknown
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#1956522 - 06/11/08 03:55 PM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: VLH]
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Dave Ferris
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Registered: 03/05/07
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Actually, The Contra (which is the single channel model) is $1049 street price, so 2 would be $2100. Another source besides Gollihur is Lemur Music.
But, I'm jes a dreamin' here, and avoiding my real work...
Oh sorry, I missed that. I thought we were talking the Coda or Corus.
That would work for just piano. I guess I'm thinking the two channels for plugging my vocal mic into.....but I guess wouldn't need two amps with two channels each though.
If I feel adventurous, I'll haul my DP down to Long Beach and give a report on that Corus III. I did speak to someone at Lemur a few weeks back, they had the Coda I think. San Juan Capistrano is a quite a hike from Glendale though.
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#1956548 - 06/11/08 05:01 PM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: Dave Ferris]
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suraci
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I'm thinking a way to have ALL of the amps we like in ONE or maybe
two places
Some of us might bring an Accugroive
someone else a clarus
a Bose 802
And anothet the $3000 Bose ( w mixer )
and so on
Through a creative combination of a well stocked store or two
our individual gear
and gear we perhaps borrow or rent,
we might actually be able to hear stuff ALL
AT THE SAME TIME
IN THE SAME ROOM(s)
Fantasy. I know
but worth talking about
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The difference between what the most and the least learned people know is inexpressibly trivial in relation to that which is unknown
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#1956564 - 06/11/08 06:20 PM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: suraci]
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VLH
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It's a great idea to have such an event...but I'm about 2,000 miles away, so I won't be making it!
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#1956606 - 06/11/08 09:37 PM
Re: Acoustic Image-got one!
[Re: VLH]
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suraci
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It's a great idea to have such an event...but I'm about 2,000 miles away, so I won't be making it!
Do you live approx 100 miles from a town that is apt to have a lot of gear??
If so, you start your own group.
NYC
PHILLY
LA
NASH
CHITOWN
DALLAS
Proactivity!!!!
Just a fantasy
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