Topic by aandrmusic

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  • aandrmusic
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  • Registered: 18-04-2010
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Topic: Keyboard amps - again.

It is time to admit that technology (or the application of it) has moved on since I bought my Peavy KB100.
It is still "OK" but I have been chasing ground hum this week, some of the pots are noisy and I just feel like getting a new amp anyway.

So, I have been looking at the Behringer ULTRATONE KXD15 and it seems to be about the right power, size, etc.
Probably a lot more features and pre-sets than I'll ever use, but why not ? <g>

Anyone here using one ?
or its predecessor ?
similar larger or smaller models ?

Any feedback (opinions, not electrical or acoustic FEEDBACK) appreciated.

Reply by beakybird

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Re: Keyboard amps - again.

This is for live play, right? For home, it's better to use nearfield monitors.

The Behringer looks like a good buy. I think that the JBL Eon One http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EONOne would be better for a live audience. I'm thinking of getting one.

Pianoteq 6 Std, Bluthner, Model B, Grotian, YC5, Hohner, Kremsegg #1, Electric Pianos. Roland FP-90, Windows 10 quad core, Xenyx Q802USB, Yamaha HS8 monitors, Audio Technica
ATH-M50x headphones.

Reply by aandrmusic

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Re: Keyboard amps - again.

beakybird wrote:

This is for live play, right? For home, it's better to use nearfield monitors.

The Behringer looks like a good buy. I think that the JBL Eon One http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EONOne would be better for a live audience. I'm thinking of getting one.

Thanks for the input.

I want it for home use, not "gigging out".
The JBL looks interesting, but   ...I probably have deep seated and out of date notions about BASS response - and in the book of old timers anything less than a 12 inch bass speaker doesn't do the job.
That belief was probably PART of what helped me get the KB100 with its 15 inch bass speaker all those years ago.
I can see that the "tower" for the array of tweeters probably helps projection in halls, etc., but I suspect that it would be a little bit WEIRD to have the bass frequencies at my shins and the highs skimming over my head - I play for ME, there is no audience per se.

Reply by beakybird

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Re: Keyboard amps - again.

aandrmusic wrote:

I want it for home use, not "gigging out".

Then a keyboard amp might not be the best choice. An amp is made to project sound across a room. A studio monitor is made to provide a faithful production of the original signal to the listener with as little colorization as possible.

I would recommend getting a pair of studio monitors on tripods along with a subwoofer to reproduce the lower octaves of your piano. If you're on a budget, the KRK Rokit 5's + the Rokit 10S subwoofer might be a great choice. Definitely wait until Black Friday.

Many on this forum who are very knowledgeable on this would perhaps have other choices,  maybe better ones.

Pianoteq 6 Std, Bluthner, Model B, Grotian, YC5, Hohner, Kremsegg #1, Electric Pianos. Roland FP-90, Windows 10 quad core, Xenyx Q802USB, Yamaha HS8 monitors, Audio Technica
ATH-M50x headphones.

Reply by jcfelice88keys

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Re: Keyboard amps - again.

Although I am not affiliated with any organization, have you considered telephoning "Sweetwater"?  They sell a full line of amplification equipment for guitars, PA systems and keyboards.  I would suggest you tell them what environment you intend on using Pianoteq (home studio, live gig, etc.) and let one of their specialists make one or more suggestions for you.  Of course there's no obligation for you to purchase anything.

Cheers,

Joe

Reply by cpcohen

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Re: Keyboard amps - again.

FWIW --

I think my EV ZXA1 (8" woofer, horn-loaded tweeter) is adequate for Pianoteq.   While piano fundamental frequencies reach down to 27 Hz, because of the position of the hammer on the string, there's not much energy at that frequency.

Try a 10" Behringer powered PA speaker (B210D) or their 10" powered monitor (B2031A @ $200) -- you might be pleasantly surprised.  My guess is that the PA speakers have better high-frequency dispersion than the "monitor" speakers (hence, they're better for "covering a room"), but I don't have data to back up the guess.

.      Charles