Stage amp for keyboards?

dtscape · Post by **dtscape** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 11:13 am

What amp do you use for on stage?

McHale · Post by **McHale** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 1:18 pm

Yamaha StagePAS 250M. I have 2. I always use 1 as a mixer/monitor and 99% of the time, I then feed the leads from that through a DI into the house PA. If I have to amp myself, I use the 2nd StagePAS.

-Mc

Rob Sherratt · Post by **Rob Sherratt** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 1:59 pm

I use the Yamaha StagePas 300 bundle, purchased here:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/yamaha_stagepas_300_bundle.htm

Plus case/ trolley:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/yamaha_trolly_ ... as_300.htm

The '300 delivers 300 W total which is fine for weddings, small parties etc.

If you have a larger venue, consider the Yamaha StagePas 500.
http://www.thomann.de/gb/yamaha_stagepas_500_bundle.htm

Plus case/ trolley:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/yamaha_trolly_ ... as_500.htm

I would prefer the StagePas 500 to my StagePas 300 (if I had the money) since the speaker stand supports are integral and internal and the extra 100 W per channel is needed for large venues. A slight criticism of the StagePas 300 is that the speaker stand supports are external bolt-ons and they prevent the speakers being stood on the floor unless you remove them.

MC's option to get two StagePas 250M's is also a good one and is very similar to the StagePas 500 ... but each of the two amplifiers provides a mono speaker output unlike the StagePas 500 in which the amplifier / mixer is stereo with two speaker outputs L and R each 250 Watt. So I think it is easier to do stereo mixes for live performances using the single stereo StagePas500 mixer/amp than with two separate StagePa250M mono mixer/amps. Having said that, MC's set up is better if you want to use the two StagePas 250M's as separate mono monitor amps for individual band members. Another advantage if you go down the route of using two 250M's is that you could buy one now and one later if you need to spread your purchase.

The StagePas design is very nice, it's almost equivalent to having powered speakers but with the advantage that you can remove the mixer/amplifier module if you wish to have it closer to your keyboards.

If you do decide to purchase a Yamaha StagePas product, have them power up the amplifier with the speaker vertical, and check there is no fan noise. There have been some examples - mine included - where the fans were faulty and the bearings squeaked when the speaker was used vertically with the amp/mixer module in the back of the speaker.

Best regards,
Rob

McHale · Post by **McHale** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:04 pm

+1 Rob.

I play in a band situation where I feed into a much larger house PA. The reason I'm a fan of 2 StagePAS 250M's over the StagePAS 500 is the 250M is really designed for keyboardists. The 10 channel mixer on the 150m and 250M eliminates my need for a standalone mixer and I can use it as a stereo set like the 500 for a full 500 watts (and 20 channels combined) or 2 individual seperate mono PA's. Most of the time, I only use/need one as a stage monitor/mixer and the 2nd is a spare.

Out of curiosity Rob, how old is your 300? My 250M's don't have fans in the amp/mixer. I wonder if all newer StagePAS' are the same way...

No question, I'd buy a StagePAS over a keyboard "amp" any day. They sound great, are very light, pole mountable, VERY versatile, and come from a reputable company.

-Mc

Rockitman · Post by **Rockitman** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 5:10 pm

If you need more power than the Yamaha Stagepas, you might consider the EV. I use the Electro Voice (EV) SxA360. EV lowered the price to $800 street. It's 500 watts 150 Hi, 350 Lo. It's a 12" woofer for better lows, and it is the clearest sounding cabinet I have ever heard. It also only weighs 37lbs. and is stand mountable. I compared it to the Mackie SRM 450 and it was way clearer in the highs, and had much more bottom end. It only has a single comination 1/4 , XLR input, But this amp rocks if you need the power, it can get loud.

samoo451 · Post by **samoo451** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:27 pm

In the past year I have settled on the Traynor K4 300w Stereo Keyboard amp.
Here is the link to The K4.
http://www.traynoramps.com/products.asp ... =57&id=340

I have used PA system type of setups( EV cabinets with Mackie Mixer-Amp combo,) regular mono keyboard amps as well as the Motion Sound KP100 but the Traynor is the most ergonomic and possibly cleanest and most powerful of all the dedicated keyboard type amp-speaker combos I`ve used.

The only negative is that there is not much separation with the stereo sound.
On the Motion Sound amps you can really hear a Rhodes stereo vibrato sound shifting L-R.

Overall for size, sound, stability and price I would recommend the K4..

a.schemkes · Post by **a.schemkes** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 12:10 pm

No stage amp, but in-ears!!! Better sound, better stereo images, and keeps the noise of the drummer down. Trust me, you feel much better after a evening performing with in-ears, than with loud drummers and speakers near to you.

McHale · Post by **McHale** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 12:08 am

I tried them a long time ago and couldn't get used to them. I am going to try them again as it would be SO much easier than lugging a PA and my mix would be so much better for me.

ksounds · Post by **ksounds** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 1:09 am

In-ears all the way. Far better sound (means greater inspiration when playing) and less likely to damage your hearing if you set sensible levels.

dtscape · Post by **dtscape** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 10:12 am

I'm intrigued by the Traynor amp (although I will find it difficult to buy over here in the uk!!!!). I've been looking at the Roland KC550 as well... Also the Hartke KM200. None of the reviews help really as some say they are good and others say they are not.... Who do I believe?

The problem is that there are no local shops that sell these type of amps... So I am unable to try them.
The In Ear monitors sound great but they are no good for small venues were I don't have a pa to go through as well....
Out of interest what in Ear Monitors do you use? I've tried some in the past but they were cheap and sounded very thin.....

Randelph · Post by **Randelph** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 7:17 pm

For those of you using in ear monitors, what brand/model are you using?

Is there a provision for getting the mix you want as well as sending an independent mix for the house mixer?

If you've got in-ear monitors, how do you hear other band mates that are using regular monitors- of does this presume that everyone is using in-ear monitors?

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 8:04 pm

Randelph wrote:For those of you using in ear monitors, what brand/model are you using?

Is there a provision for getting the mix you want as well as sending an independent mix for the house mixer?

If you've got in-ear monitors, how do you hear other band mates that are using regular monitors- of does this presume that everyone is using in-ear monitors?

I just use normal earphones on stage, connected to my submixer.

everyone else uses the floor monitors or their guitar amplifier. Obviously unless you have a completely DI signal chain its kinda difficult to get the guitar to shut up. I also send a click out to the drummer's headphones.

The advantage of earphones is that you can hear everyone else as well if you haven't got them in your mix

because the phones are on the control room headphone output on my mixer, it is useful because I can solo certain synths when I need to focus on what is going on or check something, or mix in some of the click, etc - that doesn't affect the main outputs.

a.schemkes · Post by **a.schemkes** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 2:12 pm

Randelph wrote:For those of you using in ear monitors, what brand/model are you using?

Is there a provision for getting the mix you want as well as sending an independent mix for the house mixer?

If you've got in-ear monitors, how do you hear other band mates that are using regular monitors- of does this presume that everyone is using in-ear monitors?

I use shure's. Forget about the type (210 i think) They're wired, to a small mixer. I use the headphone out of my synth to go directly into the mixer. (so i have stereo from all my synth's) Th eline out's go to the main PA. I get a return from the PA man, with the other player that i want to hear. I can mix it together with my own synth's.

Advantage: Always hear yourself good and in stereo and you can mix the rest in (just as loud as you want it)

a.schemkes · Post by **a.schemkes** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 2:14 pm

dtscape wrote:...
Out of interest what in Ear Monitors do you use? I've tried some in the past but they were cheap and sounded very thin.....

Duh, cheap and thin. Buy some good ones (shure) and be sure to fit them right in your ears. Them you'll have maximum isolation and best bass response.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 3:20 pm

Rob Sherratt wrote:I use the Yamaha StagePas 300

So do I--for coffeehouse and similar sized venues. Works quite well in small rooms.

Korg Forums

Stage amp for keyboards?

Stage amp for keyboards?

EV SxA360

Traynor K4