keyboard amplifier

[zenguan88]

hey guys do you know what defines a good keyboard amplifier?!
there is the peavy KB5 from swee lee , also leslie. but what makes leslie amps more feasible for keyboardist.

i am planning to get a peavy KB5 but i do not have a good knowledge about amps if possible enlighten me

 

[Indigo_blues]

i think leslie amps are more for hammond organs traditionally cause they have these rotating horns that give your the shimmering effect to the organ.. quite rare to see a real one these days actually...

For a normal keyboard amp the peavey kba series is quite good.. my church uses 2 and as far as i can remember they haven't broken down even after so many years.. the sound is 'ok'.. not 'fantastic'..

If you are looking for fantastic sound at home you should go more for those monitor speakers.. more than enuff for home use.

 

[Cheez]

No need for leslie amps since most keyboards with hammond sounds have leslie simulated effects anyway.

 

[iansoh]

KB5 + subwoofer is a killer combination. check out weelee rm 3. the KB5 MUST be used with sub. (passive)

a leslie is only needed for a hammond organ. most simulated leslie effects are not up to par really. esp those on synth workstations. even the NI B4 falls a wee bit short in terms of realism. it's just not the same as a mic-ed up leslie. some organ players play a modern digital B3(e.g. suzuki-hammond) but still hook it up to a leslie.

ok just for interest's sake:
the main driver cone and HF-driver on a leslie are not actually rotating. the main cone fires down into rotating drum called a baffle, which gives the doppler rotating effect. similarly, the HF driver fires upwards into the rotating horns.

the leslie is not an amp by itself. its only a cabinet.

 

[zenguan88]

alright den i guess i will hope to grab one peavy KB5 on sweelee sales den.
subwoofers?! never thought of getting one yet well i will go check up more on them.

i was afraid i get the wrong amp bcos i play lots of high frequencies sounds throught it actually. thjks guys

 

[soft]

are you using this for gig or home use?

 

[zenguan88]

i am using it at home but basically i will finally get to use if for gigs nxt time . its better to invest on a personal amp as i do not want any corp up.

i am just confuse over the different amps. and which to choose thats why. okay i guess i should state what i am looking for, i am looking for something that can hold a good amount of volume yet give my high frequencies its clarity. it would be better if the amp could provide a good bass support as i might have to play a bass sub sometime soon. thats about all. however i would give piroirty to the first that i mention .

 

[iansoh]

you could also consider the wharfdale EVP series amps. wedge-shaped floor-monitor type. luther used to bring them in.

 

[zenguan88]

i know city music do sell them . woah i do not know that they can be use as keyboard amp though well thks for the recomendation i will go look at it hmmm aniway i cannot get into the manufacturer website though it lags out guess i would have to try it tmr

thks dude

 

[sadisticnoob]

how bout some roland amps ? and prolly 2 guitar amps?

 

[Outatune]

City Music sells the Hartke KM series for keyboards, and they are part of the City Music Year End sale that is on now. Check out the KM200 if you think you will use it both for band and home use.

At Swee Lee I'd prefer the Roland KC550 over the Peavey one any day. Its a personal preference but I'm not a fan of PV keyboard amps.

When comparing them all, look for clean, loud, uncolored sound (bring an MP3 player to test them). Look for a comprehensive mixer section, preferable stereo (though the amp is mono, you want a stereo mix buss), and look for a pre volume pre eq Line Out for stage and studio use.

 

[zenguan88]

yea actually i just came back from city music. i don really know how to test amp cos i never played on one before but i guess when i play le i will know. i hope so : P well seriously i wouldnt go for brand but i heard good reviews about peavy though.

thks outa i will keep a look up for the other features thks

anyway can i ask what keyboard amp are you using?

 

[Outatune]

I'm using the Hartke KM200 and I have been happy with it. The Roland KC550 is more rider-friendly, however (ie easier to get from hire companies when you gig). Both have very similar mixer sections and functionality.

FYI I also plug an Ovation Tangent into the amp and it sounds pretty good!

 

[zenguan88]

well guess i will look around first . but other than hartke roland peavy are there any other source which we can look forward to?

and i check swee lee website they don seems to bring in roland amplifier accept for the cube?

 

[Outatune]

Keyboard Magazine recently ran an article called "Keyboard Amps In The Real World" The article is available on their website free of charge. You can read it here: http://www.keyboardmag.com/story.asp?sectioncode=29&storycode=16017

 

[0vid]

Frankly I think keyboard amps are a pointless MI product. They don't give you as much as a pair of powered monitors - which gives you stereo expanse and which have decreased in price - now you have loads of moulded cabs with power amps built in. If you need EQ or some efx, a small behringer mixer gives you more control than a mono keyboard amp.