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Hi. I tried the Roland KC350 keyboard amps on a Motif XS at a local music store, and was impressed with the sound. I preferred the playing experience thru the KC350's over listening to my Motif thru my Event 20/20 monitors. The keyboard amps seem to have a "punchier" sound that i enjoyed more than playing thru a refence monitor. So I'll be getting a pair of keyboard amps; but I need some advice from others.



I think I've narrowed my choiced to a pair of 1) Roland KC-350's, 2) Traynor K2's, and 3) Hartke KM200.



Since I'm only able to hear the Roland KC's, I was hoping some of you might be able tell me how the Traynor K2's or Hartke KM200's compare as a stereo keyboard amp solution.



Thanks!

I've never been much of a fan of the Rolands, don't know about the Hartke's, but the Traynors are first class equipment. I personally use a pair of Electro Voice SxA100+ powered PA with good results. Keyboards are a Nord Electro 3 and Kurzweil PC3.

What kind of sound are you playing, grand piano or some EPs? I don't think keyboard amps are good for grand piano and classical music What to get kind of depends on the sound you want. Next is "how much sound" A small room or a big outdoor venue?

When you listen let the keyboard play a MDI file and you walk way out in front to as far as people in the last row will be and listen from there.

Keyboard amps like Behringer and Roland are fine for organs, Rhodes, synths but for VI's like Ivory or better acoustic piano samples, they will sound thin, tinny and very sterile, "too digital", rather than a warmer sound like an actual acoustic piano. And keyboards always sound optimal running out in stereo.

It is better to go with one of the portable Fender or Yamaha PA systems which actually run about the same price as one of the more powerful keyboard amps. Possibly two JBL EON 10" powered monitors might be also something to look into, but they are expensive. The Bose L1 system is also popular but those go for about $2500

katt

I have some friends who find this Roland unit excellent for smaller gigs...and it weighs less than 30 lbs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afzkkXvRFIg

Snazzy

Yes, basically all the KB amps on the market today are all very good, Roland, Behringer, Traynor, Barbetta, Centaur. It depends on what type of music you are playing, how much power you need to cut through the mix, size of the events or rooms you're playing, weight of the amp. Also, most KB amps have a Line Out to run through a club PA.

When I play live gigs, I use a Centaur 100w with an installed HD Carvin bass 12" speaker for LH bass and a 300w Behringer 12" powered monitor so I can run L/R outs from my keyboards to get stereo image. I could get by with just the Centaur and have done gigs with one amp and it's basically ok, but running in stereo makes a definite difference in sound quality and output.

katt

My Korg M50 88 has a mono piano program designed for one amp if you don't want to have a stereo PA or bring 2 KB amps. Yamaha Stage pianos also have a mono piano for the same thing.

katt

Another amp I've tried myself, is the Traynor K-4 Stereo Keyboard Amp.

It is basically a combo amp, a tad heavy, and is designed for stage pianos, organs, and synthesizers.

Exceptional stereo sound, no shortage of power, lots of connectivity, and built like the proverbial shrick bithouse.

I've also used Yamaha Stagepas 500/300 which both do an excellent job with pianos.

Again, as the previous poster suggests, it will depend on type of music, venue size, and probably budget as well.

Snazzy

Snazzy, I have heard a lot of positive reviews on the Yamaha StagePass series. They are portable enough to move around and do a fine job getting an optimal stereo sound out of digital pianos, VI software, organs, etc. I've also hear that there are some portable Fender PAs that do a fine job as well.

I would like to try one out. Perhaps our local GC has one hooked up to a keyboard that I could demo. I'm still looking for a small stereo speaker system for live gets that puts out a great sound.

katt

I appreciate all the comments! Based on what I read in various discussions (most folks advising a P/A setup over the KC range), I went to my local store and tested the QSC K Series. I was very impressed, and noticed superior clarity up and down the keyboard range, and no undesirable coloration on the acoustic piano sounds. I've purchased a pair of QSC K10's!

Follow up question. I'd like to pair my new QSC K10's with a subwoofer. However, the QSC Sub is expensive and big - perhaps overkill for me. What do you guys think about pairing a studio reference subwoofer with the QSC K10s? Will, say an ADAM SUB7 or SUB8 work just fine? If so, any other good subs you might recommend?

(Dont worry, I wont be gigging with the sub.)

Again, much appreciated!