Live amplification, amp or monitor?

groovysphere · Post by **groovysphere** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 3:45 pm

Question for people that use their Kronos with live rock bands, what amplification do you use? Monitors or keyboard amps? What is your favourite brand?

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 3:56 pm

I don't think there's any innate difference between monitors or keyboard amps. I suppose keyboard amps will usually have a small mixer in there, but then again, so do some monitors. Going for (powered) monitors will greatly expand your options, plus they can usually double as a small PA for duo gigs and the like. Do you really need mixing facilities or do you have a small mixer (or no need for one)?

I use an RCF 722A monitor. Gives me a lot of power but sometimes I feel it has too much bass. Although that's apparently what I'm sending to the FOH as well so it's good to be aware I guess.

I hear good things about the Mackie SRM350s. But since I changed to in-ears with my main "loud" band, I've been saving up for a good pair. Unless you really need to have on-stage sound for the other band members, I think you'd be hard-pressed to beat even just decent off-the-shelf in-ears.

mididiot · Post by **mididiot** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 4:48 pm

I use 2 QSC K8's . I love them small and powerful.

Ajbbklyn · Post by **Ajbbklyn** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 4:50 pm

+1 on the QSC K Series.

1jordyzzz · Post by **1jordyzzz** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 4:51 pm

I use laney ah-200, but some PA provider here provide some nice roland KC-550.. I also look forward to try yamaha stagepas series. They are great sounding monitor.

ccmacdon · Post by **ccmacdon** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 5:22 pm

+1 on the QSC K10's.. I've tried most keyboard amps and none compare to the K10's... especially as the volume increases most keyboard amps can't keep up to the monitors.

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Sat Dec 29, 2012 11:08 am

My keyboard amp is also a monitor. I had mine custom made. I have a Yorkville powered mixer to run it and send a pre-mixed signal to the P.A. I run everything through my system first including my guitar and vocals right now unless there is another dedicated monitor for my vocals. I've done a lot of live mixing and really don't trust most other sound engineers unless I've had time to get to know them.
They rarely , if ever, mix keys loud enough in a loud rock band.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Tue Jan 01, 2013 5:35 pm

In general, powered PA cabs tend to be more neutral sounding that the devices sold as keyboard amps, though they are more likely to need an external mixer to have the same input/tone/fx functionality if you need it.

In PA cabs, I found the EV ZXa1 to be noticeably better sounding than the QSCs, especially on acoustic piano (the most demanding sound, I think). However, the QSCs will go noticeably louder. Yamaha, JBL, and RCF make contenders in this area as well, I've tried some of all of those brands as well, but the EV remains my favorite in a small cab. Though, if you have the space and budget for it, my favorite of all is the JBL PRX625. A bit hefty at 60 lbs, but they are floor standing, so at least you don't have to heft them up onto poles as people sometimes want to do with the smaller ones.

Bruce Lychee · Post by **Bruce Lychee** » Wed Jan 02, 2013 4:50 pm

QSC K10s. They rock. Personally I don't like using monitors for anything except near field monitoring applications.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Wed Jan 02, 2013 4:58 pm

I don't think people are talking about near field monitors anyways, rather the stage wedges like the QSC K10s.

Bruce Lychee · Post by **Bruce Lychee** » Wed Jan 02, 2013 5:15 pm

SanderXpander wrote:I don't think people are talking about near field monitors anyways, rather the stage wedges like the QSC K10s.

Ic. My mistake.

I did some extensive testing to find the best setup for my Vintage Vibe 64 and the QSC 10s really nailed it. I was a long time JBL and Mackie user.

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Mon Jan 07, 2013 11:35 am

I use 2 JBL Eon 10s (old series). Have them for about 15 years or so without any problems.

For more bass, use the 15 inch versions, but I rather have light weight monitors.

roly D · Post by **roly D** » Mon Jan 07, 2013 11:54 am

Another vote for QSC K10s.