Korg Forums

Jugo · Full Member Joined: 14 Sep 2008 Posts: 112

Ok, so what Amp should I buy along with my m50? I just need a simple one for home use, that's all.. was thinking of either M-Audio BX5A or Roland KC-60.. or something in between that price range.. Any suggestions?

FifthElement · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 7:35 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't go for a keyboard amp. The sound quality isn't that good unless you spend a lot of money on a stereo capable one.

Nearfield studio monitors are the best bet unless you intend to play live - then go for powered monitors (JBL etc.) - unless you have access to a PA.

Actually, for home use, a good pair of quality headphones is fine.
_________________
Korg M50-88, Nord Electro2 73, Roland JV-90

Fender Strat Plus Deluxe, Ibanez MESA, Line6 Variax, Line6 POD 2.0

Jugo · Full Member Joined: 14 Sep 2008 Posts: 112

hmm.. Why is an amp bad? What I need is only for use at home, for myself.. no headphones.. (Although I will get 'em eventually) (and I dont have that much money). so.. any other suggestions?

StudioMan · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 11:38 pm Post subject:

I'll tell you what I was doing for the first few weeks of owning my M50, the first pro-level keyboard I've had in probably 20 years.

Near-field monitors are the ONLY way to go to monitor for recording, make no mistake there. Now that my M50 bounces between the recording studio (Sound setups and some experimental recording to date, I use MKIIs), live weekends (Live, whatever PA we are using, floor monitors and I personally play with in-ears) and weekday practices (Practice monitor system for the band, I still use my in-ears).

But like I said, when I first got my M50, I just had it in my familyroom, just to force me to spend even more time playing with it. I actually play Bass in my cover band (Well, Bass and Keys now), so in my family room I have a small/budget bass amp (Acoustic B20, apprx. $120). A year ago I wanted just a small, but decent sounding bass amp for in my familyroom for practice. I read about the B20 in Bass Player mag (It won best overall practice bass amp for 2008). I saw this amp in my local GC one day, and the salesman who I generally buy thru claimed it was AWESOME for the $. I tried it and instantly bought one. FOr what it is, you really would be amazed!

Well,,, when I got my M50, I of course instantly plugged it into my little B20 practice amp,,, and DAMN!!!! I was shocked how decent it sounded (Not for recording setups or anything like that, but just to learn how to use the M50's basics). For what the B20 is, you will be amazed... Again, for what it is!!

The ONE downfall of the B20, there is NOT a pre-amp out (The amp could NEVER be used live since I can't get a good signal out of it to feed the mains). I'm running the new Markbass as my primary bass rig, if something happens, I would just feed the PA and continue to monitor with my in-ears, I really don't need a backup bass rig. The Pre-out meant nothing to me for my planned use of the B20. And my band would probably beat me half to death if I showed up with a $400 amp for a gig. If I showed up with a practice amp, they would probably shoot me!LOL

If your looking only at a $ amount, I seriously doubt you can beat the B20 (Actually, even up to around $200 I doubt you can beat this little practice bass amp). But if you don't have a live rig, and this amp will be your only amp, look at the next models up from the B20, get something with a preamp out. That will permit you to use it live. Then, when you have the $ for a better rig, you still will have a back-up plan in case something bad happens to your primary rig (Backup plans are VERY IMPORTANT).

Just my two cents!

Mike

kev410 · Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Posts: 20

Anyone using or have experience with Alesis M1 Active 520 75W Active Near-Field Reference Monitor? Read alot of good reviews online and priced at $199 a pair.

FifthElement · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:13 am Post subject:

kanthos · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 1:38 pm Post subject:

Stephen · Platinum Member Joined: 28 Aug 2002 Posts: 4709

Take a look at the Behringer B212A, for the last year or so, I've used one for gigs, put an SM-57 in front of it, and plug that into the FOH system, I'm completely happy with it, so much so, that I bought another for the studio, and rehearsals, that can we sing through, and can also act as a spare, or if I should ever need to just push more air on stage.

The Mackies, and JBLs, are great, but too expensive in my opinion.

I use M-Audio BX 5s in the studio for recording, and they work great for the keyboards also.
HTH.
Very Happy

_________________
Stephen
https://www.soundclick.com/artist/default.cfm?bandID=1514031
http://www.soundclick.com/jsf
http://cdbaby.com/all/jstephenfoster

Location Central U.S.A.