Practice Amp

[andyonthepiano]

Folks

I've been playing a few years but have never played with other musicians. However I've decided that's got to change so have set it as an objective for early next year.

One problem I have is deciding on an amp that would be suitable for group practice. I'll be playing blues, classic rock, jazz and 'celtic rock' ( think Fairytale of New York or Whiskey in the Jar'). I'm not thinking of gigging.

I don't know what to do about an amp. I have a couple of bass amps and cabs from a previous life. My first choice would be my Ashdown 4x8 cab with a Warwick Gnome 200w amp, not for the volume just because the amp is so small. However the cab, despite being a 4x8, weighs a ton (22kg) which may rule it out as I don't fancy carrying it up and down stairs every time I go out. It's also a bit overkill for what I need.

I also have a Peavey Minx 50 watt 1x10 combo, but the sound quality isn't great for keyboards.

I'm thinking of getting a small and light 10 inch active FR PA speaker like an Alto TS or TX, or alternatively a passive 1x8, 1x10 or maybe even 1x12 that I could use with the Gnome.

Ideally I'd like something that weighs less than say 10kg, handles the full range, can sit on a stand and looks like a vintage Fender Tweed (just because). Not really sure about the budget but I don't want to spend too much.

Any suggestions?

 

[happyrat1]

behringer ultratone k450fx

I've owned one since y2k. Reliable beast.

 

[happyrat1]

Behringer - K450FX Ultratone Keyboard Amp - 45 Watt : Amazon.ca: Musical Instruments, Stage & Studio

Behringer - K450FX Ultratone Keyboard Amp - 45 Watt : Amazon.ca: Musical Instruments, Stage & Studio

www.amazon.ca

 

[jmemcse]

I use a Laney AH-150 for most gigs. It kicks ass. Not to bad to carry

 

[andyonthepiano]

View attachment 3902

I use a Laney AH-150 for most gigs. It kicks ass. Not to bad to carry

View attachment 3903

Thanks, they're quite popular around my neck of the woods and I know of a couple of people with them.

I hear very positive feedback about them, but I think it may be a bit heavier than I was thinking for a purely practice setting.

 

[jmemcse]

They also make an AH-80. Still weighs 29.98 lbs (13.60 kg) though. I would mention- good at practice, not a lot of fidelity at home - just loud and clear. I honestly don't think a Laney is what you're looking for unless you struggle to hear yourself on stage with others.

 

[andyonthepiano]

They also make an AH-80. Still weighs 29.98 lbs (13.60 kg) though. I would mention- good at practice, not a lot of fidelity at home - just loud and clear. I honestly don't think a Laney is what you're looking for unless you struggle to hear yourself on stage with others.

Thanks for the appraisal.

I'm not sure that I want another big heavy box. In reality the Ashdown cab is probably easier to move as although it's heavier, it's very compact. If I needed something for gigs then I could just buy a more powerful head as the cab is rated at 600w. Or I could borrow a Laney from a friend.

I think that I want either a sma.l(ish) FRFR active PA speaker or else a smaller cab for the Gnome.

 

[mwtzzz]

Electro-Voice PXM-12MP

 

[KMAL]

I'd stick with what you have at first. Meet you're prospective new Group and from the volumes they play at, then decide what you need. I play with 2 singers + 1 12 string acoustic guitar. My keyboard has on board speakers but I found it hard to hear myself over them. (Flat speakers).I Bought a tiny Behringer [150w monitor speaker ] and stand 'n use it to monitor myself. Takes a little adjustment playing with others but all good now. Kevin

 

[mididiot]

I'm very happy with my EV Everse 8. I use it with a Nord Stage 4 compact.

 

[mwtzzz]

Can't go wrong with Electro-Voice. Everse 8 is decent ,but it's designed more for the singer/acoustic-guitar situation, the 8" woofer may or may not be satisfactory for your keyboard on the low end.

Also keep in mind below-$1000 powered speakers are not wood cabinets. If you need better audio quality - which is often the case in a keyboard situation - you'll need to go with wood cabs.

 

[jmemcse]

I should be looking for better speakers for home use. Wish I could rationalize the Nord speakers. I looked at JBL studio monitors. They cost way less. I dunno... Maybe after Christmas... my Nord pianos don't sound the best at home through my stage amps, but it's all I have right now.

 

[happyrat1]

Presonus Eris E5 if you're looking for decent nearfield monitors pn a budget.

 

[andyonthepiano]

Electro-Voice PXM-12MP

Very nice, but I'm not sure that I want to spend €1000 on it.

 

[johnincolorado]

I'm curious as to why I haven't seen the Roland KC series mentioned in this thread. Are they not highly regarded?

 

[andyonthepiano]

I'd stick with what you have at first. Meet you're prospective new Group and from the volumes they play at, then decide what you need. I play with 2 singers + 1 12 string acoustic guitar. My keyboard has on board speakers but I found it hard to hear myself over them. (Flat speakers).I Bought a tiny Behringer [150w monitor speaker ] and stand 'n use it to monitor myself. Takes a little adjustment playing with others but all good now. Kevin

Thanks KMAL. Seems like good advice. It's not like I don't have any options and my only real problem with my Ashdown 4x8 is the weight. I guess I can put up with that for a while.

Two more questions. 1) Is the Behringer the B205D ? I'd actually thought about that as an option. I've seen a few good reviews.

2) whereabouts in Ireland do you live ( rough idea is okay). I live bang dead centre.

 

[mwtzzz]

I'm curious as to why I haven't seen the Roland KC series mentioned in this thread. Are they not highly regarded?

Generally not highly regarded. There were sorta the only game in town, way back in the day. But technology and competition has progressed a lot since. There's much better offerings on the market now.

Behringer is bottom of the totem pole for speaker quality. If that's the only thing your budget will allow, then of course go for it, but if you can afford more, you should avoid Behringer.

 

[jmemcse]

I'm curious as to why I haven't seen the Roland KC series mentioned in this thread. Are they not highly regarded?

Back in the day Roland made the CK series - they were great amps.

I've owned 2 different KC models - they sound good at home but get swallowed up on a live rock stage. But I owned a CK100 and it kicked bootey.

 

[mwtzzz]

My rock band uses two PXM-12MP floor wedges and two Yamaha DZR-12 mains (PA). We put keys, sax, three vocals, and lead elec gtr into it (bass gets its own amp). This configuration kicks *ss for clarity, frequency range, and power. We could easily overwhelm a medium sized indoor space (bar, winery, elk lodge, etc) for volume if we wanted. And it can be heard clearly in outdoor spaces up to 150 feet away.

 

[KMAL]

Hi "andyon.."... I agree with mwtzzz. My Behringer is the little B205D. No it's not top drawer but at the price and 'shopping bag portability', it's very good and does me at practice. But I'm not up against a drummer , bass, elec guitar etc. It's my practice monitor.
I 'm in Dublin city. Our trio just bangs out a few well known easy tunes at small charity events. Opposite end of professional. Just fun.
My main point is that until you know the 'set up of a band' I'd hold off on investing. Perhaps go to a few local gigs where there is keyboards, drums etc. See what their keyboard player uses and see if it meets your requirements. Talk to the keyboardist if you can. See what he/she thinks of their rig. Best of luck. K: