Best small amp for keyboards

[Todd.L]

I understand you perfectly. I solved that problem with a powered speaker. There are many brands to choose from. I went with the QSC K12(K10 and K8 also available). It has 2 inputs, and many cool features and its with 1,000W Class D amp, is very light and very powerful and sounds great. You can use it stand up, wedge or with a tripod stand. Will never go back Keyboard amps, ever.

I just found this thread. Wanted to say thanks for the info as I have been playing with a band for 3 years now. On stage I use a Roland KC. And it is really heavy. I am also looking at a lighter replacement. Someone told me to use one of our monitors and just run my keys through it. I'm not sure that it will be sufficient. But I am going to look at the QSC K12s

 

[GigMan]

I just found this thread. Wanted to say thanks for the info as I have been playing with a band for 3 years now. On stage I use a Roland KC. And it is really heavy. I am also looking at a lighter replacement. Someone told me to use one of our monitors and just run my keys through it. I'm not sure that it will be sufficient. But I am going to look at the QSC K12s

Unless you need a lot of bass, the QSC K12's are overkill for a keyboard rig. I use a pair of QSC K8's and it sounds great! - running from the keys to a little sub-mixer, then to the K8's. I have also tried using a pair of QSC K10's - but it seems like the K8's do the job fine & are less weight to carry around.

Although often times I will go for the simplicity of my Motion Sound KP-408S stereo keyboard amp: only one cabinet, no mixer required. Plus, I am often "The PA Guy" on many of my band gigs & my QSC K8's are tied up being used as floor monitors for vocals & the QSC K10's are used as Mains/Front of House for the PA system!

 

[keymaninaz]

I'm concerned the Bose S1 may not handle the bass if I use it as the only keyboard speaker. I mostly use the automatic rhythm function on the Roland BK-9 and as such don't have direct control over the bass notes it plays. Do you think the keyboard is likely to select notes below what the Bose S1 can adequately handle. I've seen the Bose S1 used for guitar and vocal gigs (very impressed), but not for keyboard.

I used just S1 pro one time on a gig. Bk-7m arranger module, Roland FR4x accordion and mic. Sound seemed clean playing in a hall with about 100 people. Well received by the audience. Not something I would use regularly, But if in a small restaurant this may work very well. I would then use it all the time.

 

[RedEyeC]

Hello, I am getting up there in age, I use a Roland KC550 for my main stage amp. Its just gettin too darn heavy to load. I am looking at the Headrush 112. (35 lbs less ).
I only need 2 inputs and most of our shows are small to medium small club venue. I can always take the mic output to the PA to give me a little more head room. I tried a Headrush 108 and it sounds pretty darn good. What do you people think, Any suggestions? Thanks Scott

Go line array PA. I use a Harbinger MLS1000 - eliminated the extra keyboard amp AND in-line mixer.

 

[RedEyeC]

Go line array PA. I use a Harbinger MLS1000 - eliminated the extra keyboard amp AND in-line mixer.

 

[Diallady]

I think I remember recently someone talking about Roland KC 200. Can't find post. Am considering getting this one for my Nautilus 61 AT. Am wanting to take some virtual one on one lessons on the Nautilus in the future. Will need some amplification for keyboard since I do not have studio monitors. Can't watch via Zoom and have keyboard sounds etc. on headphones. Just won't work. Besides it would be nice to get away from headphones for a while. Would like some feedback on this amp before making purchase.

 

[anotherscott]

There are better suggestions in this thread. If you want something small and self contained in that price range, I'd look at the Bose S1 Pro+.

 

[Diallady]

There are better suggestions in this thread. If you want something small and self contained in that price range, I'd look at the Bose S1 Pro+.

What are the differences between this and the KC 200 - price, specs etc?

 

[Biggles]

There are better suggestions in this thread. If you want something small and self contained in that price range, I'd look at the Bose S1 Pro+.

I go to a bi-annual event (think small scale NAMM) where as part of the event acts showcase themselves vis a Bose S1 Pro set up.

25m x 12m hall and a minimum of couple of hundred punters.

Sound quality is excellent and there is plenty of headroom.

Another system worthy of consideration is a Yamaha Stagepas, there are different sizes and it includes a detachable mixer. Again great sound quality and the design includes inbuilt socket to pole mount.

 

[happyrat1]

I think I remember recently someone talking about Roland KC 200. Can't find post. Am considering getting this one for my Nautilus 61 AT. Am wanting to take some virtual one on one lessons on the Nautilus in the future. Will need some amplification for keyboard since I do not have studio monitors. Can't watch via Zoom and have keyboard sounds etc. on headphones. Just won't work. Besides it would be nice to get away from headphones for a while. Would like some feedback on this amp before making purchase.

Don't get sucked in by big names in amps these days.

Literally any home hifi stereo can be used as an amp and speakers in a pinch.

Keyboard amps and stereo sets deliver equal spectral response with negligible, inaudible distortion numbers and identical input impedances.

This means with a proper cable, adapter plugs and an optional mixer, you can plug into any powered speakers you'd like.

When I started out I was using a 2.1 computer speaker set for my music.

Plus you get the full effect of stereo and a sub as a bonus.

 

[Diallady]

Don't get sucked in by big names in amps these days.

Literally any home hifi stereo can be used as an amp and speakers in a pinch.

Keyboard amps and stereo sets deliver equal spectral response with negligible, inaudible distortion numbers and identical input impedances.

This means with a proper cable, adapter plugs and an optional mixer, you can plug into any powered speakers you'd like.

When I started out I was using a 2.1 computer speaker set for my music.

Plus you get the full effect of stereo and a sub as a bonus.

Ok given that theory how would one go ahead and accomplish that?

Currently have a Klipsch reference series set up connected to a Sony receiver. And the cable wires connected to speakers are Monster cables.

Seeing I am not that savvy in this department I need specifics in order to set it up. I believe that we currently use banana plugs to hook up.

Thanks for any help.

 

[happyrat1]

Ok given that theory how would one go ahead and accomplish that?

Currently have a Klipsch reference series set up connected to a Sony receiver. And the cable wires connected to speakers are Monster cables.

Seeing I am not that savvy in this department I need specifics in order to set it up. I believe that we currently use banana plugs to hook up.

Thanks for any help.

Klipsch speakers are amazing indeed. I own a sub/satellite set patched thru an Onkyo receiver. Incredibly crisp highs and earth shaking lows.

You would probably use RCA to 1/4" TS cables for a direct cable from the Nautilus L/R outs to the tape/aux inputs on your Sony. Unless your line input is on the front panel with a 1/8" TRS connector.

I keep a box of these types of connectors and adapters handy for convenience.

here are examples.

Amazon.ca : 1/8 trs to dual 1/4 stereo audio cable

Amazon.ca : rca to dual 1/4 stereo audio cable

Amazon.ca : rca to 1/4 adapter

Amazon.ca : rca to 1/8 stereo adaptor

A lot of stereos these days use line level inputs for MP3 players and such.

your mileage may vary.

 

[Diallady]

Klipsch speakers are amazing indeed. I own a sub/satellite set patched thru an Onkyo receiver. Incredibly crisp highs and earth shaking lows.

You would probably use RCA to 1/4" TS cables for a direct cable from the Nautilus L/R outs to the tape/aux inputs on your Sony. Unless your line input is on the front panel with a 1/8" TRS connector.

I keep a box of these types of connectors and adapters handy for convenience.

here are examples.

Amazon.ca : 1/8 trs to dual 1/4 stereo audio cable

Amazon.ca : rca to dual 1/4 stereo audio cable

Amazon.ca : rca to 1/4 adapter

Amazon.ca : rca to 1/8 stereo adaptor

A lot of stereos these days use line level inputs for MP3 players and such.

your mileage may vary.

Ok I am going to show my ignorance so bear with me.

How can this work with speakers hooked up to stereo and keyboard at same time? Or is it an either or situation? I still use stereo to play music from my phone.

I've had these speakers since 1997, so have connections changed thru the years? I can send pic of the back of speaker if you want.

I guess this might be above my pay grade!

 

[Diallady]

Klipsch speakers are amazing indeed. I own a sub/satellite set patched thru an Onkyo receiver. Incredibly crisp highs and earth shaking lows.

You would probably use RCA to 1/4" TS cables for a direct cable from the Nautilus L/R outs to the tape/aux inputs on your Sony. Unless your line input is on the front panel with a 1/8" TRS connector.

I keep a box of these types of connectors and adapters handy for convenience.

here are examples.

Amazon.ca : 1/8 trs to dual 1/4 stereo audio cable

Amazon.ca : rca to dual 1/4 stereo audio cable

Amazon.ca : rca to 1/4 adapter

Amazon.ca : rca to 1/8 stereo adaptor

A lot of stereos these days use line level inputs for MP3 players and such.

your mileage may vary.

Ok here is pic of back of speaker. And the Sony stereo is from approx 10 years ago. Ok I can't figure out how to include pic.

 

[happyrat1]

Unless your stereo has a tape monitor and an aux input this is where you add a mixer to the setup. In my case I hook up the keyboard and the CD Player to a small mixer and feed it into the CD input on the stereo.

In your case, I would attach the MP3 player, the CD player and your computer and your keyboard into a small 8 channel stereo mixer and you'd control the input with the mixer out to the CD input on the on the Sony.

Amazon.ca

Cables and adapters would have to be adjusted accordingly.

 

[happyrat1]

You connect NOTHING to the speakers. All signals are routed thru the receiver.

 

[Diallady]

Unless your stereo has a tape monitor and an aux input this is where you add a mixer to the setup. In my case I hook up the keyboard and the CD Player to a small mixer and feed it into the CD input on the stereo.

In your case, I would attach the MP3 player, the CD player and your computer and your keyboard into a small 8 channel stereo mixer and you'd control the input with the mixer out to the CD input on the on the Sony.

Amazon.ca

Ok would I be convoluding things if I said I had a Zoom Live Trak 12 mixer/recorder? Would this play into the equation?

 

[happyrat1]

Here's an American link for the mixer.

Amazon.com

 

[happyrat1]

Ok would I be convoluding things if I said I had a Zoom Live Trak 12 mixer/recorder? Would this play into the equation?

In that case, plug all those inputs into the Zoom and the Zoom's output to the CD IN on the receiver.

Easy peasy...

 

[Diallady]

You connect NOTHING to the speakers. All signals are routed thru the receiver.

Ok the back of the receiver has RCA jacks.