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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:	* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:	Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:	DYPSS1::SCHAFER

Created:	Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:	Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2852
Total number of notes:	33157

2705.0. "Best amps for use with synths?" by TLE::ALIVE::ASHFORTH (Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace) Tue Aug 27 1991 09:14

I've scanned the conference for references to amps, but didn't find much. Not
among the "sexiest" of topics, to be sure, but important nonetheless.

I've been using a set of amplified speakers in my home studio, but they're
not exactly convenient for playing out. Now that I'm doing a bit 'o that, I'm
looking at amp setups, and of course would like to rely on this learned body
for its accumulated wisdom...

It would seem that a stereo setup, based on speakers plus either a PA or a
power amp plus mixer, would put out the best sound, but would be both more
expensive and less convenient to set up. A self-contained amp would be both
cheaper and more portable. I'm leaning (heavily) toward the latter, but I'm
prepared to be told there are aspects I haven't thought of.

Presuming I *do* go the amp route, has anyone found distinct advantages with
one of the available lines, or even a particular model? The "big three" which
seem to dominate the market are Peavey, Marshall, and Fender. Daddy's
immediately pushed the Peavey line, and Sam Ash touted the Fender as producing
cleaner sound, particularly for synths.

Oh, yeah- wattage. At the moment, the venues I anticipate playing in hold maybe
200 max; there's a possibility of an auditorium holding more like 600, but I'm
not holding my breath. Any opinions on appropriate wattage? I've had
recommendations between 60 and 130 so far.

Looking forward to all your input-

Bob

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
2705.1	Forget Fender or Marshall	RGB::ROST	Fart Fig Newton	`Tue Aug 27 1991 10:59`	30
	The only company actively making "keyboard" amps of the three you mentioned is Peavey. Well, I think Fender has a low powered Japanese "Sidekick Keyboard" model, I'd skip this one. What makes a Peavey keyboard amp better than a guitar amp is that they give you a 2-way speaker system (woofer plus horn) and a decent mixer, with individual EQ and FX sends on each channel. The KB300 puts out 130 watts RMS and is self contained, three channels. The KB400 is a head (looks like a PA head) which puts out 210 watts into 4 ohms or 300 watts into 2 ohms and has four or five channels, graphic EQ. TOA and Roland also make some keyboard amps. I've heard both and they are about on par with the KB300. There is also the Gallien Krueger 200MK which has three channels, 100 watts and can sit on a mike stand! These amps will set you back about $400+ new. Stereo? Forget it, too much of a hassle, and people on one side of the room lose half the sound. Power? Never enough! If you will be playing bass lines and not going through a PA as well, you may want 400 watts or so to get the punch you need. Under 100 watts will be tough for anything but monitoring. The reason Sam Ash pushed Fender is that they carry it and not Peavey. You're in the MA area, right? Try EU Wurlitzer's, as they carry TOA, G-K and Roland. Compare those amps against the Peavey KB300 and see what you think. Brian P.S. Isn't there already a keyboard amp note somewhere else?
2705.2	Well, I really like my JC-120 even if it's not a keyboard amp	DREGS::BLICKSTEIN	Just say /NOOPT	`Tue Aug 27 1991 11:11`	16
	FWIW, I use a Roland JC-120 Jazz Stereo Chorus. It's sorta for either guitar or keyboards (both inputs). People keep telling me things would sound better if I got a keyboard amp because it's full range but I've tried keyboard amps and I didn't find much of a difference. What difference there was, was more than offset by the incredible chorus sound built into the JC-120. I love using that for electric piano, organ and most synth sounds. My JC-120 is also a LOT lighter and smaller than the "keyboard amps" I've looked at (and it also has detachable wheels). db
2705.3	Lotsa info already here...	MANTHN::EDD	He's an artist, a pioneer..	`Tue Aug 27 1991 11:33`	23
	Notes> DIR/KEYWORD=AMPLIFIER yields the following topics. Feel free to continue this discussion in one of them... Edd Co-mod... 275 STAR::MALIK 18-MAR-1986 4 Amp suggestions? 356 STAR::MALIK 13-MAY-1986 11 Looking for SMALL Amp/Speakers for Home Studio 828 FDCV01::ARVIDSON 2-JUN-1987 27 Connecting Pro Synth Equipment to Home Stereo 875 HUB::OPERATOR 17-JUL-1987 15 Roland Juno Sounds Thin w/ Gorilla Amp 1120 COGVAX::LABAK 4-JAN-1988 13 Recommendation - Powered Keyboard Monitor for Gigs 1676 IMGAWN::BERDAT 16-SEP-1988 6 TOA Keyboard Amps 1684 FGVAXR::LAING 22-SEP-1988 6 AB Power Amps? 1797 FGVAXX::LAING 6-DEC-1988 1 Peavey DECA 528 Power Amp? 1872 FGVAXL::LAING 23-JAN-1989 6 Power Amp: "Pro" vs. "Home" 1922 FGVAXY::LAING 21-FEB-1989 5 Rackmount (1 Space) Power Amplifiers 2039 CURIE::DECARTERET 6-JUL-1989 9 Peavey KB300 Amp - Compression Light? 2092 COGVAX::LABAK 21-AUG-1989 8 RAMSA Sound Equipment? 2093 PAVAX::SPRIGGS 22-AUG-1989 4 Help - Music Man Guitar Amp Buzzing 2096 NRPUR::DEATON 23-AUG-1989 19 Micro PA Systems? 2141 HAMER::COCCOLI 18-OCT-1989 32 What Type of PA Gear Do You Use? 2184 COGVAX::LABAK 28-NOV-1989 12 Power Amps - Digital or Analog?
2705.4	OK, discussion redirected...	TLE::ALIVE::ASHFORTH	Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace	`Tue Aug 27 1991 11:57`	12
	OK, Co-Mod- although I did do a DIR/TITLE=AMP, I must admit that I didn't do a keyword search, and I didn't pay much attention to very old notes. Although it's the oldest note on this (approximate) topic going, note 275 seems closest to what I was looking for. Feel free to move the basenote and replies so far to that thread. Oh, and thanks for all input so far! I'm about to review amp-related notes again armed with your suggestions... Thanks, Bob