• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Recommendation - dedicated keyboard combo for effects/synth, no deep bass?

A

AlexanderB

Feb 25, 2007
4,204
2,181
Sweden
#1
I have realized I might have real use for a separate signal path for my synth and effects sounds from pedals.
Mainly, it is the organs in the BOSS SY-1 that can justify that, in my power trio gig. Yesterday I used the freeze function, setting up an organ power chord, and had the guitar player and myself playing the intro over it.
So, now I am looking for a suitable combo for bass or keyboard.
Gig capable (so I would guess a 12" and 100W or so), reliable, decent sound (like no piezo tweeter) and not over €150 or so. Obviously, used is fine, weight not an issue, rat fur is OK. No need to have a lot of low end.

My smallest bass rig is 300W into a capable 210, so the combo has to have decent output.
Thanks!
 
#2
Are you playing venues with PAs? If so DI to the board, back to monitor for you. As a sound tech I mixed auxiliary sends from bands all the time.

If that isn’t an option I suggest one of your bass heads into as small a cab as you can get away with.
Or….
An economy powered PA cab. I used to gig with a Mackie thump 15 for my moog synth (played with midi foot keyboard when I was playing guitar)
 
  • Like
Reactions: mcnach and AlexanderB
#3
Thanks!
This is for places where I have to carry the room, as PA is vocals only, speakers on tripods, and no sound guy at all.
My reasons to go for a combo are things like accessibility of controls, additional features for a musical instrument, robustness and "stackability" (box shaped combo vs powered PA cab) etc. Also, finding a single, used powered PA cab for 100 Euros would be hard.​
 
#4
Sounds like you know what you want! There are a number of small keyboard amp combos that meet your requirements but not your budget. I’d say look on the used market and wait until something suitable that you can afford shows up.

When I was starting out in music in the early 80’s in the U.S. we were broke and there was a lot less affordable gear around. we would beg, borrow and scrape together whatever we could find to do basement shows. Until you can buy what you want, use what you can to make sound.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AlexanderB
#6
For under E150? Where are you located? I took a quick glance at Thoman and didn’t see anything meeting your requirements and budget.

May make more sense to find some candidates that you think might work and ask about those.

another idea, any reason a guitar combo wouldn’t work? You may be more likely to find an inexpensive but suitable guitar amp than a “keyboard” amp. I’ve played keyboards through bass amps, guitar amps and powered PA cabs and they all have worked to varying degrees.
 
#7
Not new, but used is fine. In Sweden, this site corresponds to craigslist. A second hand Warwick a bit below €100, as an example.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

But I am interested in hearing real life experiences from other performers.
 
#8
The Roland KC series are great! They have lots of mic, line, and instrument level inputs. Plus they have line out and stereo link in/out. So they're stackable in that way - just not into an unpowered speaker cabinet. If you were to find a used KC-300 (12" woofer, horn tweeter, 100W), it'd fit your specific requirements. I use the more powerful KC-550 for both my bass and keyboard rigs and it's more than adequate for my needs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AlexanderB and thunesBARROW
#11
bfields said:
If you don't need much low end, are you sure you couldn't just share the existing PA with the vocals?
Seconding @brianrost, most keyboard players don't use "keyboard amps" these days, they use powered PA speakers.
Click to expand...

Definitely! Most keyboardists I see today have multiple instruments running through a dedicated mixing board that sends the signal out to the PA system. If they do have their own amplification, there are more and better options in powered PA speakers. Many keyboard amps are, in my opinion, similar to modern full range bass combos. But they usually have multiple inputs - similar to a small stereo mixer - plus EQ curves and effects more commonly used for keyboards (reverb, chorus, etc.). If you want simplicity and only have a couple of keyboards, a proper keyboard amp may be easier than mixers, effects loops, and PA speakers, since the keyboard amp is essentially a simplified, scaled down, and portable version of a small PA system. But for a single keyboard rig, definitely consider a powered PA speaker while shopping around.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bfields and thunesBARROW
#12
dalahorse said:
Most keyboardists I see today have multiple instruments running through a dedicated mixing board that sends the signal out to the PA system.
Click to expand...

Well, most keyboards have at least a couple audio inputs, so I usually just do

keyboard 2 outputs -> keyboard 1 inputs, keyboard 1 outputs -> speaker (or main PA mixer).

Effectively using keyboard 1 as a submixer. Some disadvantages (e.g. no way to adjust keyboard 1 volume without affecting keyboard 1 volume at the same time), but it's simple and it works. (And my PPA, like a lot of them, does actually have two inputs, so that'd be another option I guess.)

A lot of things would work, and the OP's budget is on the low side (150€‎) so it may just be a question of whatever's easily available used where they live....
 
#13
bfields said:
A lot of things would work, and the OP's budget is on the low side (150€‎) so it may just be a question of whatever's easily available used where they live....
Click to expand...

That's really what it comes down to given a 150€ budget. I suspect powered PA speakers are more readily available than keyboard amps. But it'll just depend on who happens to be selling what at the moment. So - to the OP - keep your eyes open for both!
 
#14
Thanks, but it seems you are not reading my posts. I need to amplify the output from my BOSS SY-1, an unbalanced, instrument level signal. I obviously need more gain than a typical powered PA cab offers.
Again, getting a single, used, active PA for €150 seems tough. Getting instrument fit EQ would be great, as would ie chorus or over drive.
 
#15
Well in that case, you might need a preamp in front of a powered speaker cabinet. (I’m not familiar with your pedal. But some do have high enough output to drive line level.) I still think a used KC-300 might be a good solution. But you’ll need to shop around to see what’s available used in your area. Unfortunately, It’s entirely possible you’ll need to increase your budget for what you’re wanting to accomplish.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: AlexanderB
#17
AlexanderB said:
Thanks, but it seems you are not reading my posts. I need to amplify the output from my BOSS SY-1, an unbalanced, instrument level signal. I obviously need more gain than a typical powered PA cab offers.
Click to expand...

Way behind the times here, just noting for posterity: I think a typical PPA should handle an unbalanced instrument level signal fine. I use mine that way (Yamaha DBR10).

Again, getting a single, used, active PA for €150 seems tough. Getting instrument fit EQ would be great, as would ie chorus or over drive.
Click to expand...

But agreed that may be a tall order.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back