Members heath_eld Posted July 18, 2016 Members Share Posted July 18, 2016 Hey, I busk every now and then with my wife. We need a decent, battery powered small PA. Currently we use a little Behringer MPA40. It works ok and sounds decent for what it is, but has no reverb and very basic controls. The options seem to be the Roland BA330 or the Mackie Freeplay. With accessories they are about the same price. The Roland having 4 usable channels vs the Mackie 2 is a selling point. We are mostly one guitar one voice but who knows when an extra channel or two would be helpful. Which one of these will perform better for volume, sound quality and battery life? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FloridaFrailer Posted July 19, 2016 Members Share Posted July 19, 2016 Hi Heath! I was looking for something similar for beach weddings.... Funny, I was just looking at some of the Carvin stuff. Seems pretty cool, I was about to come on here and ask if anyone had used them? I was looking at the S600 series.. anyone use it? I have used a Fender Passport mini, for very small groups (like about 8) and it did ok, though I pushed every bit of the 15 watts I could out of it. Not really the best for a loud environment, but fun none the less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members heath_eld Posted July 19, 2016 Author Members Share Posted July 19, 2016 The s600b looks awesome - doesn't seem to be available in Australia though and the importer really isn't interested in returning my phone calls or emails about when it might be coming... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FloridaFrailer Posted July 19, 2016 Members Share Posted July 19, 2016 I also use a H&K Lucas Nano, which is NOT battery powered. Have been thinking about an AC inverter. I love this little 300 watt PA and understand they have come out with a 600 watt version of the same. Good luck down under. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted July 19, 2016 Moderators Share Posted July 19, 2016 There are other options, although wha tyou can find inthe land of Oz I can't say. Also, how many watts you need to busk is relative. I saw a guy demo-ing a Peavey 'Solo', which is a 2 channel battery powered amp, but only 15W. It would certainly be louder than an acoustic guitar, and sounded okay for vocals...much like the Fender 'Pisspot' mini...IMHO, barely adequate volume and underwhelming tonally. Roland also has the BA55, which comes with its own wireless mic and has built in reverb. There is also the Roland Cube 'Street EX', which I have not seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Etienne Rambert Posted August 6, 2016 Members Share Posted August 6, 2016 Buy the Roland stuff. They make good, flexible gear for buskers. Their Cube Line is an example. Their acoustic guitar anps in the AC line are some of the best keyboard amps I've heard. And they're designed for acoustic guitars. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/sear...cube&Go=Search Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members steve mac Posted August 7, 2016 Members Share Posted August 7, 2016 I second the recomendation for Roland. I still use my Roland Ac60 for small venues and it's clarity and power is a thing to behold. I believe that they do an Ac30 that is battery powered which I am confidant would be just the job for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mikeo Posted August 7, 2016 Members Share Posted August 7, 2016 I have an ac 33 that I have hit the streets with. It's not super loud but works. I looked at the BA 330 at one time online, but never bought. Since it's was only me. The BA 330 can go on a stand which is nice. It's not exactly louder, both are 15 watts x 2. The BA 330 is 15 watts over 2 speakers. The ac 33 has an extra inputs that are in the back, so you can plug in a cd player for backing track, and I think you can plug in a stereo keyboard too in the back. I have not tried it. The looper is ok, but short on time. Fine for creating some on the fly back beats. If you plan on using the looper you want the FS-6 foot switch too and a stereo 1/4 in cable that splits into 2 mono plugs into the foot switch. It is kinda what it is, and if you added up the price difference between the AC 33 with the foot switch for the lopper, and the BA 330 you might be looking at 100 bucks difference. It might be too loud to play places like in San Francisco that limit the wattage. I tossed my AC 33 in a Coleman soft side cooler bag, that fits it perfectly, plus there's room for the footswitch and cables . With guitar in hand, plus a mic and stand, I'm ready to roll and have some fun. Both units are light on the bass side, but are fine. [video=youtube;aDYxfplBe-A] [video=youtube;WWWw1BD2464] Peter Luha, I actually emailed and he got back in touch with me.[video=youtube;1AhTIUDVyOc] [video=youtube;GrJRfYOsuCs] [video=youtube;gHU7a-usI38] [video=youtube;6QqBM9nEqns]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QqBM9nEqns [video=youtube;esfi-wWVGks] ac 33 verses the Street Cube[video=youtube;Dah_vQMw_VQ] Sorry for the number of vids, but I want you to be informed about the bennies and limitation of the Roland stuff. Look up a guy named Guy Thackham, on youtube. He's my fav at what I kind a do with my AC 33. [video=youtube;7nhDMEdNcuU] [video=youtube;EKpvXyXYNuI] [video=youtube;xmkMWjThDW8] I have never had and issues with a Roland product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mikeo Posted August 7, 2016 Members Share Posted August 7, 2016 Mackie freeplay Claims 300 watts, I say no way Folks are loving it http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/mackie-freeplay-personal-pa-system [video=youtube;m9o7r3J1qeU] [video=youtube;LzN6M25jOvY] [video=youtube;eMrP1XAU3jw] [video=youtube;2pfi_mETwFg] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members heath_eld Posted August 7, 2016 Author Members Share Posted August 7, 2016 Thanks for those! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mikeo Posted August 7, 2016 Members Share Posted August 7, 2016 more info on the Freeplay[video=youtube;z274UPmM3rQ] My fav is the AER Compact Mobile At a price tag of 1800 bucks, it not cheap It has a rechargeable battery [video=youtube;ScV9-Ch6dms] I'll stick with the Roland AC 33 This might be worth checking out too. Research it out and see if it will hold up. Could be and option. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Mobile-Power-Instant-Boost-400-6-in-1-12-Volt-Battery-Jumpstart-System-with-Built-in-110-Vac-Inverter-and-Air-Compressor-2001/203751005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted August 7, 2016 Moderators Share Posted August 7, 2016 the problem with videos is that camera mics are all limited, so you can't really get a feel for live comparisons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mikeo Posted August 7, 2016 Members Share Posted August 7, 2016 the problem with videos is that camera mics are all limited' date=' so you can't really get a feel for live comparisons.[/quote'] correct. So what do you recommend for a buskin rig? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted August 8, 2016 Moderators Share Posted August 8, 2016 see post #5..also the Street Cube looks good, again though without seeing one demo'd live, I won't endorse it, but I would certainly go check one out if I were looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members heath_eld Posted August 8, 2016 Author Members Share Posted August 8, 2016 I've got to say on the videos the Mackie sounds better. Interesting. The Roland certainly looks more "legit" to my eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mikeo Posted August 8, 2016 Members Share Posted August 8, 2016 I've got to say on the videos the Mackie sounds better. Interesting. The Roland certainly looks more "legit" to my eyes. At lower volume the vids I have watched, the Mackie sounded better, but as you pushed the volume a bit, I thought the Roland sounded better. However, that was with the keyboard vid demo. You'll need to use your smart phone with the Mackie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members heath_eld Posted August 26, 2016 Author Members Share Posted August 26, 2016 I brought the BA 330. Will write a proper review when we've had a busk with it. Thanks for the pointers all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted August 26, 2016 Moderators Share Posted August 26, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Voltan Posted August 29, 2016 Members Share Posted August 29, 2016 is it time yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted August 29, 2016 Moderators Share Posted August 29, 2016 apparently he has not 'busked' it yet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Voltan Posted August 29, 2016 Members Share Posted August 29, 2016 still.no word? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members heath_eld Posted August 29, 2016 Author Members Share Posted August 29, 2016 Probably be a few weeks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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