Scot Ranney's LearnJazzPiano.com archive: keyboard amp question

LearnJazzPiano.com archives: keyboard amp question
jwv76 -- 01/11/2007, 17:01:36 -- #32317
I've cross-posted this in a couple other forums now, wanted to post it here. I've asked basically the same questions here in other threads, but still haven't really figured it out. Sorry for top posting. And Scot, I have a hard time using the search function on this site, I type in "amp" and I get a bunch of results like "last week I went cAMPing..." Anyway, I own a Casio P-100. Has anyone ever tried amplifying this keyboard? I bought mine because I felt the action was superb, comparable and even better than keyboards costing 3-4 times as much, I know, action is a pretty subjective thing, but to me the privia is "just right." I also think the piano and the rhodes sounds are great (those are the only two patches I ever actually use on any keyboard), or I thought so when I played them through the onboard speakers. But when I play it through my Roland KC-60 they sound like garbage. There are a number of possible problems here, and I'm trying to figure out which one it is. Basically I can't figure out if the problem is the keyboard or the amp. I know, with the keyboard itself I shouldn't expect to much for what I paid for it, but it makes sense to me that if when I play through the onboard speakers or through headphones it sounds good to my ear, there should be a way to amplify it, yes? Which means the problem is with the amplifier? Since I bought my KC-60 I've seen some reviews online from other users who have had simailar problems with that amp, thin, boxy sound, that it's good for synth sounds but it murders piano sounds. One problem is the keyboard doesn't appear to be designed to be played through an amp, the only output is a headphone jack. It's basically a student model instrument. I'm using an adapter for the 1/8" stereo jack that splits the stereo into two cables with 1/4" plugs on the other side, both of which I have plugged into the amp through two seperate channels. So basically I'm going from stereo to mono. The on-board speakers on the keyboard are in stereo, two speakers, one on each side of the keyboard. I've also heard that with some stereo keyboards you need to have two speakers, one for each channel, otherwise it will sound funky. THe other day I tried plugging my computer's stereo speakers into the keyboard, and it sounded much better than when I just played through the KC-60. The way I see it these are the options I'm looking at, and I'm not sure which one is the right one: 1. Buy another keyboard amp, see if it sounds better, and sell the KC-60. 2. Buy another amp and play each channel through a seperate amp 3. Buy a sound module that is actually designed to be used with an amplifier, use the Privia's midi to control it, that way I still have a keyboard with a feel that I like. I don't know how compatible it will be with a sound module, I just know that it is midi capable. 4. Cough up the dough for a more professional rig. Any suggestions very much appreciated, thanks.
Jazz+ -- 01/11/2007, 17:39:29 -- #32317
1. Buy another keyboard amp, see if it sounds better, and sell the KC-60. You need two keyboard amps for a stereo digital piano. Why can't you try them out at a store? It's hard to find a keyboard amp that sounds good (Motion Sound, Barbetta, Yorkville, Roland, Peavey, Crate) 2. Buy another amp and play each channel through a seperate amp That is a solution. 3. Buy a sound module that is actually designed to be used with an amplifier, use the Privia's midi to control it, that way I still have a keyboard with a feel that I like. I don't know how compatible it will be with a sound module, I just know that it is midi capable. That is a piano sound issue, not an amp issue. 4. Cough up the dough for a more professional rig. That is a possibility (powered speakers by EV, FBT, Mackie, JBL, etc.) How loud do you need to be?
jwv76 -- 01/11/2007, 18:10:42 -- #32317
You need two keyboard amps for a stereo digital piano. Why can't you try them out at a store? It's hard to find a keyboard amp that sounds good (Motion Sound, Barbetta, Yorkville, Roland, Peavey, Crate) Do they make stereo keyboard amps? Or will I always have to lug around two amps? I did try out the KC-60 at Guitar Center, I thought it sounded fine, but it's so damn noisy there you can't really hear anything. I guess I should try a different store. That is a piano sound issue, not an amp issue. So does it seem right, my thinking that my problem is with the amp/setup? When I put headphones into the same jack that is feeding my amp the piano patch sounds good, it's the same signal, I should be able to amplify that sound, right? Thanks.
jaledin -- 01/11/2007, 18:48:06 -- #32317
So does it seem right, my thinking that my problem is with the amp/setup? When I put headphones into the same jack that is feeding my amp the piano patch sounds good, it's the same signal, I should be able to amplify that sound, right? Basically, yes. But live sound is way more tricky than comparing it with even a modest headphone setup -- ask anybody with a 1/2-way decent audio playback system! I think Jazz+ was suggesting that if you really want to use a module, you're fundamentally unhappy with your piano sound -- and he'll correct me if I'm wrong, certainly. You'll never be able to get true hi-fi using pro-audio PA setups for your piano -- I think you must compromise between specific needs you might have (for a certain band, a certain room, for example) and getting the tone quality you want. Jazz+'s fairly expensive EV monitors seemed to be the perfect match for his needs -- he's tried a bunch of stuff, sometimes to very persnickety attention to quality, but I'd pay careful attention to his recommendations, at least until you know your own needs in more specific detail.
Scot -- 01/11/2007, 22:10:28 -- #32317
If I want a great live sound I use two Mackie self powered PA speakers. Pain in the rear end to lug around, but I get the sound I want. As for the search feature, put spaces around your search term if you want to sort it out from other words. Instead of "amp" put in " amp "
Jazz+ -- 01/11/2007, 22:28:55 -- #32317
Motion Sound and Yorkville make stereo keyboard amps. Testing amps in a noisy store is not neccessarily a bad thing, it can simulate real gig environments. Many gigs are in very nosiy places like cocktail hours, restaurants, receptions, parties bars. I find it easier carrying my two 36 pound EV SXa360 powered speakers than most heavy stereo keyboard amps. And they have much better sound quality. Motion Sound KP-200S stereo amp (55 lbs) Motion Sound KP-100S stereo amp (39 lbs) NOT a loud amp http://www.motion-sound.com/keypro_amps.htm Yorkville Traynor K4 stereo keyboard amp (50 lbs) http://www.traynoramps.com/downloads/specsheet/k4.pdf
Jazz+ -- 01/11/2007, 22:34:54 -- #32317
Here is a link to a thread title "powered speakers versus keyboard amp" In this that thread I posted photos, specs, and street prices for most of the powered speakers I have tried. Scroll down towards the end to see the photos: http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/ubb/get_topic/f/18/t/020878.html#000018
Jazz+ -- 01/11/2007, 22:38:00 -- #32317
There are also 10" powered speakers. They are inferior sounding compared to most 12" powered speakers. In order of preference: FBT Mackie JBL
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