[Keyboard amplification]

On 4/21/2024 at 8:29 PM, Chris47 said:

Look I know this has been asked many times. Long time Roland KC user here. Used to have the 550, now the 400. Yes I know it's not perfect, pianos a bit harsh and too much bass. And at my age the 400 is too heavy. So you guys all say get a powered speaker. I've tried them numerous times and they're just not loud enough. Must be some mismatch of output from the keyboard. So then you say get a pre-amp or mixer. Can someone break this down in detail? Pre-amp or mixer? What is a pre-amp anyway? Any recommendations for speaker or pre-amp/mixer? Would really like to settle on a decent rig whilst I'm still just about young enough to gig. TIA.

 

I ALSO say, "...get a powered speaker" - lol!

 

I use a pair of QSC K8's with a small mixer.  OR a Motion Sound KP-408S stereo keyboard amp.

 

I use my Kurzweil PC4 on most gigs.  But sometimes use a Yamaha MoFX8 w/a Korg Kronos instead.  And sometimes I use a Roland RD-300GX.  

 

Both setups - a pair of QSC K8 active speakers w/small sub-mixer OR the Motion Sound KP-408S are PLENTY loud enough, especially since I use them for stage monitoring & still run L/R connections to the Main PA Front of House system as well.

[Kurzweil PC4 SE - 88 Keys, 27lbs... Looks Great! Sounds...??]

Has anyone tried/used/purchased the Kurzweil PC4 SE?  Wondering what your opinions are - thx

[Yamaha CP4 amplification]

I have owned Motion Sound KP100S & KP200S amps for years - great stereo sound for acoustic piano patches... WAAAAAY better then any other 1 piece amp on the market.

 

But in last 10 yrs. or so, I realized that what sounds EVEN BETTER than Motion Sound is my QSC's: a pair of K10's or even a pair of K8's, with a little Yamaha MG82CX submixer.

 

Sometimes I still use the Motion Sound amps, if I want the simplicity of 1 piece - as opposed to 2 active spkr cabinets (each requiring that they get plugged in), plus a mixer, plus cables connecting all 3.

 

In fact, I recently upgraded my Motion Sound arsenal:

I bought the KP400S, which sounds way better than the KP200S but has 8" woofers so slightly less bass response (yet still decent amount of bass) - but the KP400S is 10lbs. lighter than the KP200S, yet twice as powerful in that it is 400W (2 200W channels), whereas the KP200S is only 200W (2 100W channels).

 

For THE BEST sound - go with separate cabinets (QSC K10's or K8's) & a submixer.  For VERY GOOD sound with easier transport (only 1 piece), try the Motion Sound KP400S.  

 

Also - my KP200S is a bit noisy, which you can also hear if you run a line to the PA.  The KP400S is absolutely silent.  I actually had to put my ear to the thing to make sure it was even on!  NO NOISE whatsoever - it's great!