Keys Amps

My Roland KC500 could be on its way to heaven after this last trip out of town, and it has me wondering what people are using these days. I'm playing a nord electro and a roland fp3. Rarely (basically never) playing the 'acoustic piano' sounds on either.

Is the Roland KC550 the standard now for a gigging player? Does anyone use a Barbetta? Is there another brand that I'm completely unaware of that's really excellent? If I'm buying a new one there's no point in going cheap. What's good, what's reliable in a somewhat abusive frequent-travel situation, and what are you folks using?

I use a Barbetta 41C. My drummer has a KC550 and there is no comparison, the Barbetta is much crisper and cleaner. It's been a solid, great sounding amp for me.

Sorry to bump my own thread, but I'd really like to get a few more responses to what seems like a pretty universal question for keys people. I know almost all of you have amps.... so what do you use?

Another vote for the Barbetta amps. A buddy has a 31C and it sounds great. Way better than anything Roland/Peavey/B-----r makes.

I've been gigging with a pair of Motion Sound KT80s for 5 years or more. Very reliable and they sound great. Not the deepest bass response on the planet, but I appreciate not walking over the bass player.

Regards,

Eric

AJP (guitar/keyboards) in the little duo we have has a Barbetta. My feelings on it is that it is very crisp and needs to have the highs actually rolled off on it. His stuff sounds very good through it. I have a KX1200 Behringer. A journeyman amp that has no real highlight other than it works reliably. His Barbetta was $700. My Behringer was $140.

I took the wife on a $560 B & B weekend. Since both are rigs are carried by the PA (ironically Behringer B300's), the Barbetta is really only for stage volume. Something to consider when thinking about what the difference in money can purchase or be used to smooth troubled waters.

Wes Taggart

Analogics

http://www.analogics.org/

I bought a pair of JBL EON15 G2's 4 yrs. ago - love 'em! Use 'em for PA mains, monitors & sometimes use one as a kybd. monitor if I'm subbing w/a band that has their own PA.

In last 2 yrs. I also picked up the Motion Sound KP200S - great sounding box, has XLR outs on the back to send a feed to PA... Sounds warmer, fuller than the JBL EON15 G2's & is actually a stereo amp (a rarity) - but is not quite as powerful as the EONs. However, unless you're playing w/a REALLY loud band (as I sometimes do w/bar bands) - it does cut through if you elevate it: my method is to sit it on top of a stack of 3 milk crates!

I have also considered the Barbetta 41c - for those loud bar gigs, since it has plenty o' power and is a compact, light little sucker... but I think my wife would disown me if I bought yet another keyboard amp. I also have the Motion Sound KP100S, which is the smaller, lighter version of the KP200S - I use for cocktail hours and other solo gigs.

None of these options are cheap, though:

Motion Sound KP200S - approx. 900 bucks USD

Barbetta Sona 41C - approx. 750 bucks USD

JBL EON15 G2 - approx. 700 bucks USD

I am going to be facing the amp issue here too. I just picked up a roland stage piano. I am cheap so i would like to use any gear i have. I have a couple good bass amps. One tube ampeg with a 15 JBL. Could jack a PA speaker with a horn into the aux out and end up with a workable keyboard set up. Whats the state of the art keyboard amp? What kind of speaker set up do they have.

All of my keyboard playing in bands was prior to dedicated keyboard amps. we ran bass amps with small leslies hooked into the system. Whats the best money can buy and whats the cheap route that sounds good/ rat

Rhat -

You just bought the Roland RD300SX, right?

If I were you, I'd try it through the Motion Sound KP200S - it's a stereo amp and is pretty much state of the art, though it's not screamingly loud like the Barbettas are...

I'll bet the RD300SX would sound pretty darn sweet thru the KP200S amp - particularly the acoustic piano sounds.

Best choices imo are go thru the venues Pa for your sound. Or use JBL Eon powered monitors. Another excellent choice is bass amps by Eden. Very hifi sound Thats also very musically alive & better freq responce then found in most keyboard amps. But again best choice is use the Venues main Pa. Less stuff for band to cart around.

Originally posted by GigMan Rhat - You just bought the Roland RD300SX, right? If I were you, I'd try it through the Motion Sound KP200S - it's a stereo amp and is pretty much state of the art, though it's not screamingly loud like the Barbettas are... I'll bet the RD300SX would sound pretty darn sweet thru the KP200S amp - particularly the acoustic piano sounds.

Thanks ,,, It sounds pretty sweat though the phones .. and it sounds nice when i record it on the digital. I will have to check out the motion sound and the barbettas. I would like to use some of the stuff i already own. The old flip top ampeg with a new JBL in it is a pretty decent vintage amp. 60s tubes. The B3 patch sounds good on the roland though it ,,, they piano is lacking due to no driver horns. I dont think i ever want to be dependant upon a house PA ...It limits your gigs too much. I am not in a band now ,,, but its one of my goals for this next year. So i figure i better start sorting out the amp issue. Any time a venue is able to put a band over the barrel because they own the PA ,, the band usually gets screwed when its time to get paid.

I would never play in a band that doesnt own its own PA. rat