phat_fingers Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 So my amp is a '65... she blew a transformer last night (yes I will get it repaired) but I'm thinking it's time to enter the 21st century. What amps are you using and why? Cab wise, I have a 2x12 with a custom made slave 2x10 with a 15 in it.(rarely do I use the slave) So what should I be looking at? I use a Hammond XK-1 and a Roland digital grand. (I keep it simple) I like tubes but will look at the newer stuff. Budget wise, I would like to stay within 2K. Suggestions??? It's only Rock 'n Roll but I like it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanS Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I just picked up the Traynor K4, and really like it.The tubes & overdrive combo comes in handy for B3 sounds, and the 300w doesn't hurt either. Balanced in/outs, very quiet amp.I was using a KC-350 prior to the purchase. What we record in life, echoes in eternity. Yamaha Montage M7, Nord Electro 6D, Hammond XK1c, Dave Smith PolyEvolver & Rack, Moog Voyager, Modal Cobalt 8X, Univox MiniKorg. https://www.abandoned-film.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indubian Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 JBL 15 Eon G2. Best Amp (powered speaker) I have ever used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bryce Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Motion Sound KP200S. dB ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Professional Affiliations: Royer Labs • Music Player Network Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceNorman Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I used a keyboard combo amp for years - going through Crate and Roland rigs (both were 100+ watt amps with a 15" and some sort of horn/tweeter in a ported cab). My current rig a QSC 1450 power amp a small Yamaha mixer and a pair of JBL 12" floor wedges. Sitting in the middle of the stereo field, my keys sound alive to me - and deliver all sorts of texture and tone that I didn't even know existed when I was using the old "combo" amp rigs. While the combo amps were "functional" amp solutions, the biggest regret I have is not moving to the stereo setup I'm now using years ago. I can't recommend trying a small stereo PA setup for keys strongly enough. The SpaceNorman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resigned Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Motion Sound KP200s for everyday needs. If I need more power then I add JBL EON G2's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrSpanky Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I'm using a Fender Keyboard 200. It's really a re-covering of an acoustic guitar amp form a few years ago. t has weird offset speakers to fake stereo. Save for the loud hiss it makes from the transistors, it sounds really good. My Roland VK-7 sounds rich and full, my Yamaha p80 really barks. My biggest gripe is that the effects are not on a footswitch, so i tend not to use them, and they are not bad. Given a choice, I always play through the PA so this is my "in case" amp. I'm pretty sure they aren't made any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iLaw Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 JBL 15 Eon G2. Best Amp (powered speaker) I have ever used. +1 I frequently use a pair of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanker. Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 JBL 15 Eon G2. Best Amp (powered speaker) I have ever used. +1 I frequently use a pair of them. Yep, I use one. Unless you are using a Leslie or a Rhodes bottom or satellites, or even something like a Twin for a Rhodes, then I highly recommend ditching the world of keyboard amps and moving into the world of PA gear, like powered monitors. Keyboards are full range instruments, and I have yet to hear a combo amp that is truly full range or transparent. A ROMpler is just a polyphonic turntable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 PF, Yamaha MSR400 here. Absolutely love it. PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckers Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I just picked up the Traynor K4, and really like it. The tubes & overdrive combo comes in handy for B3 sounds, and the 300w doesn't hurt either. Balanced in/outs, very quiet amp. I was using a KC-350 prior to the purchase. +1 C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drawback Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I've used Yorkville (Traynor) and they're very good. Also a MotionSound KP200, which was adequate but clunky (sounds like an amp and awkward to lift & load). Powered monitors don't have the onboard eq settings or output options. Best amp for keyboards I have ever owned, believe it or not, is an AER Domino. http://www.aer-amps.de/Sites/sites_ENG/productpages/domino.htm They are made for acoustic guitars and have the best and clearest dynamic range for keyboards, reverb, plus every in/out combination you'll ever need. They're mono, but I pair it up with an AER Compact 60 to run a stereo setup ®. ____________________________________ Rod Here for the gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phat_fingers Posted August 2, 2007 Author Share Posted August 2, 2007 Lots of great suggestions. I guess I'm going to have to spend the weekend trying them all out. I like the Motion Sound KP 200S looks and specs. Now I have to find someone that has them. I like Space Normans setup too, that would be cool. The band would hate it! Many time I do go through the PA but I always worry about blowing a speaker on it. It's only Rock 'n Roll but I like it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Link Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Motion Sound KP 200S most of the time. A pair of Mackie SRM 450s when high volume needed. aka âmisterdregsâ Nord Electro 5D 73 Yamaha P105 Kurzweil PC3LE7 Motion Sound KP200S Schimmel 6-10LE QSC CP-12 Westone AM Pro 30 IEMs Rolls PM55P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue JC Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 JBL 15 Eon G2. Best Amp (powered speaker) I have ever used. +1 I frequently use a pair of them. Yep, I use one. Unless you are using a Leslie or a Rhodes bottom or satellites, or even something like a Twin for a Rhodes, then I highly recommend ditching the world of keyboard amps and moving into the world of PA gear, like powered monitors. Keyboards are full range instruments, and I have yet to hear a combo amp that is truly full range or transparent. +1 - that's exactly right. Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer. W. C. Fields Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanker. Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Many time I do go through the PA but I always worry about blowing a speaker on it. No, don't got through the PA - get your own PA type setup, like a good powered monitor. That stuff is much more robust than a combo amp. A ROMpler is just a polyphonic turntable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burningbusch Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I own the Motion Sound KP100S and Roland SA300. Neither are that impressive to me, sonically speaking. One of the problems with stereo amps is that they tend to sound boxy. You really need separation of the speakers if you're going to run stereo. My take is that digital keyboardists need timbre-neutral, full range speakers. We are in a very different situation than a guitar player who might play a Strat and buys Twin Reverb in order to get a very specific tone. For the keyboardist, one song might need a piano, the next brass/strings and so on. Most digital keyboards are voiced to sound best in stereo through nearfield monitors. The goal, IMHO, is to find a live system that replicates the nearfield experience. I use a pair of JBL SRX712Ms with a QSC power amp. Busch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarkus Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 KP 200 S with an Ampeg B-2x10 Digital bass amp. Why? I'm also a bass player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floyd Tatum Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 JBL 15 Eon G2. Best Amp (powered speaker) I have ever used. +1. I'm an Eon fan myself, but I use Eon 10 G2's. I know they don't sound quite as good, nor are quite as powerful, as the 15's. But they do sound quite good, and they're so darn small and light and cute, they're irresistable! 26lbs each, in their custom JBL cases with carrying handle - yeah, baby! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveaudio Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Would any kind of high-quality studio monitors like Genelecs or Dynaudios sound good with kybds? I wouldn't gig with them of course, but I could kill 2 birds with one stone because I need new monitors for my home studio. I assume picking a large enough model that could handle kybds. would be crucial. I used to have a pr. of JBL 4312's--I should have tried them on kybds. (& maybe kept them). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B3bluesman59 Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Indubian said: JBL 15 Eon G2. Best Amp (powered speaker) I have ever used. _______________________________________________________________I'll agree with that. I use two of the G2s so I can run my Yamaha P80 and Korg CX3 in stereo. Plus these speakers have enough power and inputs if you need to add a mic or drum machine, or whatever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I'm lovin' my new JBL PRX515s. They pretty much kick the crap out of the Eons. Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indubian Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I dont see how you would ever need anything more than the eon 15's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanker. Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I'm lovin' my new JBL PRX515s. They pretty much kick the crap out of the Eons. They look great minus the mixer section - the EON's are still the most flexible powered speakers on the market in the I/O dept. A ROMpler is just a polyphonic turntable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Golly Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I dont see how you would ever need anything more than the eon 15's Because your gig does not equal my gig, nor kanker's gig, nor Moe's gig, nor... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B3bluesman59 Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Mate Stubb said: I'm lovin' my new JBL PRX515s. They pretty much kick the crap out of the Eons.________________________________________________________________I think those PRX 515s kick the crap out of your wallet too: JBL EON G2 15: $699.00 JBL PRX 515: $999.00 But you pays your money and you takes your choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I've been using a pair of Motion Sound KT80 combo amps for over 5 years and this rig has served me well. I actually have a 3rd KT80 at the rehearsal space. I like the small size and weight, as well as the ease with which I can tilt them (custom 10-min DIY job), and stereo separation I get from having them on either side of me as monitors. It is also great to have 2 amps on the gig, in case one goes wrong, you have a backup. However, my dual KT80 rig is starting to get just a little bit old and careworn. Reading about all these other sweet monitor rigs and some of the more boutique stuff that people are using, like AccuGroove, makes me get GAS for a new monitor rig. But it has not been a burning priority, due to other impulsive GAS attacks I keep having every month or two. One of these days, I may spring for something like Moe mentions or like what ITGITC or SK are using. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 EAW FR153 QSC PLX1804 Mackie 1402-VLZPro "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 A pair of EV SXa360 powered speakers (36 lbs each) Harry was the technical editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 850 of Harry's solo piano arrangements of standards and jazz tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Mate Stubb said: I'm lovin' my new JBL PRX515s. They pretty much kick the crap out of the Eons. ________________________________________________________________ I think those PRX 515s kick the crap out of your wallet too: JBL EON G2 15: $699.00 JBL PRX 515: $999.00 But you pays your money and you takes your choice. Here are the specs: EON G2: 129dB SPL Peak, Plastic cabinet, bass down to 39Hz @ -10dB PRX515: 133dB SPL Peak, Plywood cabinet, bass down to 45Hz @ -10dB --------------- I've got the original EON 15PAK. It sounds great. But I'm pretty sure that it would sound better if it were made of plywood instead of plastic. Plywood doesn't ring like a plastic cabinet. Therefore, you get a more solid-sounding low end response. The optimal speaker cabinet rings about as much as what you get when you knock on the side of a cinder block. In other words, it shouldn't ring (vibrate) at all. No sympathetic vibrations - just dead, solid, cabinet enclosure. Plastic is lightweight and nearly indestructible. But it doesn't sound as good as plywood, particularly in the lower frequencies. I haven't heard the PRX515 myself, but I'll take Moe's word for it until I do. I have a feeling they pretty much kick the crap out of the EONs. And I like my EON for what it is. Great bang for the buck. "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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