I'm Looking for a New Live Keyboard Amp Setup

[Doug Robinson]

Here is my story:

 

I play mainly a Hammond SK1, though sometimes I bring my Korg SV1 along.

 

I'm a jazz, jazz fusion and blues player mostly--I don't need to be super loud, but I do have to sound ballsy at times.

 

The venues where I play are smallish--50-100 people mostly, though occasionally I do a large event outdoors or in a theater with a few hundred people.

 

I generally do NOT run my keys through a main P.A. even in a 400 seat theater, mostly because the sound men in my town (in rural central Mexico) don't have a clue And I found that what I'd been using worked well enough.

 

WHAT I HAVE BEEN USING AND ENJOYING: an old Fender PA 150, a personal PA. Believe it or not (and you probably will), I preferred that sound to keyboard amps from Roland and Motion Sound, both of which I used previously. I'd put the speakers on stands on either side and use them as s combination amp and monitor. I could plug a mic in as well, which comes in handy.

 

BUT my Fender PA is long in the tooth, and there's no output to a larger P.A. for those rare occasions when I need to do it.

 

WHAT I WANT: a pair of powered speakers that is lightweight and under $400 each. I realize that at least one of those criteria eliminates some better-sounding options, but that's my challenge--to make music with the gear I can afford, as opposed to the gear I lust after.

 

It seems to me that Yamaha, JBL and EV are the front runners--all of these are available for under $400 each; all are about 35 pounds.

 

EV ZLX 12p http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/electro-voice-zlx-12p-12-2-way-powered-loudspeaker

 

JBL 515 XT 15 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/jbl-eon-515xt-15-powered-pa-speaker

 

Yamaha DBR 12 http://usa.yamaha.com/products/live_sound/speakers/active_speakers/dbr/dbr12/

 

Has anyone ever used any of these for a keyboard amp in situations like I've described?

 

Thanks!

 

Doug

[Keysguy]

The subjects been discussed many times so if you do a search you will get a ton of info and opinions.

I see you listed the JBL515XT. I grabbed two when they went on sale and love them. I sometimes do a siniliar thing as you do with the additon of Bass Pedals and they handle it all. Very clean and clear. They will totally blow away your Fender PA.

Haven't had them past halfway volume yet. There are other good options but for the price I'd jump on them if you can find some still on sale.

 

Good Luck

[mak1457]

The Spacestation V3 seems to be grabbing the headlines around here recently. Look for that thread and you'll find out why.

[sagetunes]

Check out Alto. I use one if I'm going into the PA as well. I use two when I'm just blasting out w/ no PA help. You get a lot for the money.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/alto-ts110a-600w-10-2-way-active-speaker

[sagetunes]

oh, and I forgot to mention, I'm playing the SK1 as well---it works.

[JeffLearman]

ZLX unless you're kicking bass, then the JBLs. But I haven't heard the DBR's. Definitely search this forum for comments on the ZLS. Use google and include site:forums.musicplayer.com in the search.

[Ken Beaumont]

Another option for you might be Center Point Spacestation v3

 

Their is plenty of information on it in this thread

 

 

[Delaware Dave]

I find it hard to believe that when you are playing in front of 400 people and are not moving your sound out of the main PA (and everyone else is) that you can be heard very well without having to dime your output which usually degrades sound quality. Your stage volume would also be much louder than everyone else's. All in all, this would be the least advisable option for that particular scenario.

[mate stubb]

I'm using the ZLX speakers, sometimes only carry 1 and play in glorious mono.

[Delaware Dave]

I'm also using one ELX112P and can hear it fine. But when the band is playing in a large room with many people then we run everything through the PA so that the soundman can balance the sound. If the drums and bass are running through the PA and I'm not then in order to obtain their output level in a large room I'd have to max out the speaker. Maxing it out will cause some distortion in the sound and I'll also be much louder than everyone else on the stage. A bad situation all the way around. ....

[Doug Robinson]

Thanks, all! Yes, I've been reading about the Altos and the JBLs and the EVs all day, and now I'm checking out the Space Station thread as well.

[KenElevenShadows]

Hello Doug!!!!!

[DaBous]

If weight matters consider the EV ZXA1's . They sound great, can get really loud and you can mount 2 of them on one pole and run in stereo. At < 20 lbs each - easy to carry.

 

I have the spacestation on order. Looking forward to trying that although I doubt it will have the power of 2 ZXA1s which can easily cover a small to medium room even if u are not going thru FOH.

[cedar]

Check out Alto. I use one if I'm going into the PA as well. I use two when I'm just blasting out w/ no PA help. You get a lot for the money.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/alto-ts110a-600w-10-2-way-active-speaker

 

I have one of those Altos and am considering whether to buy a second one, or the Space Station v3.

 

I will probably get the SS. The Alto does pack a lot of punch, but I'm not thrilled with the AP sound from my CP4.

[ABECK]

Line 6 stagesource

 

I like mine. Not very big, but loud and has some nice options. You can also position it as a floor wedge for monitoring.

[Doug Robinson]

Thanks, all--Abeck, I'm intrigued by those Line 6s in part because my friend works there, but they're just too expensive for me right now.

 

HI KEN! WOW, LONG TIME!

 

I am leaning towards the Altos but those ZXA1's look good too.

 

I love the idea of the SS3 but I had such a disappointing experience with the first model--just didn't like the sound--that I'm overly cautious. PLUS I live in central Mexico, so getting something down here is tricky and/or expensive, and returning it or selling it is an outright pain. Still on the fence but this thread has been super helpful in helping me focus.

[MotiDave]

$850 ea ... wow. its not in my near future either.

 

I'm thinking of a pair of ZLX-12Ps. I always run gigs to FOH except in some small rehearsal spaces.

 

OT/Related: what do you use for case/transport of two/stereo 12 speakers? I'd like to find a single rolling case with handle to carry both speakers, room for cables is bonus. I've seen many single-speaker rolling cases, not found cases for two.

[B3bluesman59]

Jazzooo said: Has anyone ever used any of these for a keyboard amp in situations like I've described?

_________________________________________________________________

I use the JBL 515XT speakers...my solo act is primarily for country clubs and private parties and the two units will cover a room for up to 300 people. For smaller rooms or parties using just one unit gets the job done. Did a Thanksgiving dinner party yesterday for around 75 folks and one 515XT covered the gig with no problem.

[bill bosco]

do you play a clonewheel through that line 6 amp ? if so,

how's the tone ?

[Bill Spencer]

OK, 2 QSC K8s. Stereo, PLENTY loud. Even playing Key Bass. Really. Also pretty easy to schlep. Not cheap, tho, around $650 each.... This will cover a room of up to about 500 no problem. Can also use one for a small PA (mic preamp and 2 ch. mixer onboard)

[Paul Harrison]

In one of our bands, everything is electric ... keys (Hammond XK1c + Kurzweil SP4-7), guitar, and drums ... and we run everything incl. the vocal mics through JBL 515XTs (one for small gigs, two for bigger venues), and it sounds fine ... loud and clear ... plus they only weigh 15 kg/33 lb.

[Six-string-man]

do you play a clonewheel through that line 6 amp ? if so,

how's the tone ?

 

 

I have my Crumar Mojo connected up to a single Line 6 L2T. I don't have either the space or the funds for a second one! I have it laying propped on one side, behind the Mojo. (There are 3 different ways to place it),

 

The sound is fantastic, very rich. It's hard for me to tell how loud it goes, as I have it in a 13 foot square bedroom, but I can certainly rattle the window without turning it up very much.

 

 

SSM

[Reezekeys]

OK, 2 QSC K8s. Stereo, PLENTY loud. Even playing Key Bass.

That's my rig too. Try convincing anyone you can do decent key bass with 8" woofers, right?

 

You forgot to add that the smaller woofs means a wider dispersion. Two of these, angled slightly outward, will easily cover our own monitoring needs, the band's, and the audience.

[cphollis]

Can't argue with the K8 suggestion. You'll find them used on ebay for ~$550 each. Get the totes, they're sweet.

 

As above, loved the wide-angle dispersion, great sound and incredibly small size. Plenty of low-end unless you want to rip synth bass all night long. I would put one on each side of the stage in the back using poles, and would get a great soundfield for stereo effects. I loved it, the band loved it, the crowd loved it, etc.

 

I also have a Spacestation v3. It's stronger in smaller rooms where the sound bounces off the walls. But if there are no walls to bounce off of, best to bring a stereo pair.

[WesG]

See if you can find a used Yorkville NX55P. I am extremely pleased with mine. I just LOVE the way keys sound through these things.

 

Wes

[Jazzmammal]

I am leaning towards the Altos but those ZXA1's look good too.

 

I love the idea of the SS3 but I had such a disappointing experience with the first model--just didn't like the sound--that I'm overly cautious. PLUS I live in central Mexico, so getting something down here is tricky and/or expensive, and returning it or selling it is an outright pain. Still on the fence but this thread has been super helpful in helping me focus.

 

You've read the other thread so if it's not the SS then I'll say EV. Back in the day I was a Altec/JBL guy but for the new stuff I really like EV. I have two SXa 100's and one ELX 12P. Very full sound with lots of power and what makes it for me is they're affordable. I think the acoustic pianos sound very good with them and if I have room for my two SXa's so I can run stereo then they're as good as the SS at least on stage but of course you lose the stereo out to the audience. That's where the SS shines.

 

Bob

[Delaware Dave]

OK, 2 QSC K8s. Stereo, PLENTY loud. Even playing Key Bass. Really. Also pretty easy to schlep. Not cheap, tho, around $650 each.... This will cover a room of up to about 500 no problem. Can also use one for a small PA (mic preamp and 2 ch. mixer onboard)

For $50 more you can purchase a pair of these vs. one K8 @a$650 each :

 

http://www.proacousticsusa.com/productdetail.php?pId=19113&base=1&gclid=CJeBy6DZoMICFSIV7AodwQQAMg

 

Two of these will blow the doors off of one K8.

[cphollis]

Nice B-stock price on the EV112Ps, to be sure. The ZLX12P is right there, too.

 

Size and weight may be an issue for the OP, though. The appeal of the K8 is a svelte 27 pounds and a tote the size of a small gym bag. Add a flight of stairs, and you're loving them.

 

Ebay has plenty of lightly used K8s asking ~$550 each. Had a pair last year, and I mistakenly sold them. I'm going to re-buy them early next year, and expect to pay around ~$1000 for lightly used pair.