Keyboard players. A question about amplification

[Bonhomme Richard]

Our band added a keyboardist who has not done gigs and at our gig last friday I let him plug into my roland jc-120. I want to recommend that he get some sort of amplifier to use playing out and I would like to point him in the right direction as I'm not much of a keyboardist. Last friday he used his roland keyboard and my korg triton.

Any suggestions?
Thanks

[ProfessorGAC]

1. Here's What I've Done In The Past

I've some pretty elaborate amplification systems when i was playing a lot as a keyboardist.

The biggest one i had was a pair of TOA 380Z's (18" three ways) with a QSC 300w x 2 for low end and a mono QSC 180w for the mids and highs. But, that's probably overkill for most folks. Plus, we were running the keys in stereo through a 9,000 watt PA system.

Before that, i used the same mixer and same QSC to power a pair of Bose 801's.

I've also used a slant front monitor and a simple mono amp (at least 150 watts) for convenience.

I can tell you that most streamlined thing he can do is to plug into the PA, and then bleed some keys into the monitor, or use the Roland strictly as a stage monitor (tip it back and face it at him) so the keys project to the audience through the sound system.

And, i've even used a small bass amp when sitting in with someone when i didn't quite care enough to haul a bunch of gear. But, even then i DI'd to the PA.

But, if he's looking for something new, Peavey, Roland, and Yamaha all make keyboard amps. They have typically 4 channels, each with their own passive EQ and usually have a reverb at the tail end. The are usually slighted slanted back, and are about the size of a combo bass amp. Those i've seen the most have a 15" with a horn or a piezo.

If i were still playing keys regularly, and we were scaled back, i'd probably get the Yamaha. We've had their power amps in the past and found them to be very rugged and roadworthy.
The Professor

[Bonhomme Richard]

2. Thanks. At pratice he just plugs into.....

my PA (Mackie 800M) and I wasn't sure if he could get away with that at the gig so I had him plug into my roland amp.
He does have a bass amp (he also played bass - before he cut off some fingertips on his left hand) so maybe that will do. Anyhow, the guy is a doctor so he can afford whatever he decides to go with.
Thanks for the suggestions.

[leftofthedial]

3. the best solution varies according to your band and the venues you play

style of music, how loud the band is, are instruments always miked, etc.

There are lots of good choices.

[MilesColtrane]

4. I've been impressed by the Motion Sound combo amps.

I've done gigs with a guy running stereo through the KP-200S.

It's got two 10"s and two horns in a angled cabinet.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KP200S/

They also make a economy model with less wattage and features.

[Swamp Rat]

5. It depends a lot on how portable vs. how much power you need

Some Roland keyboard amps:
http://www.rolandus.com/products/productlist.php?ParentId=418

Behringer's largest combo amp: ULTRATONE K3000FX Ultra-Flexible 300-Watt 4-Channel PA System / Keyboard Amplifier with FX and FBQ Feedback Detection
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/K3000FX.aspx

Peavey bass combos:
http://www.peavey.com/products/kbseries/index.cfm

Check out the amps by Gallien-Krueger:
http://www.gallien-krueger.com/products_mb.html

Gallien-Krueger has a simple amp head, the MB200, that is 200 W at just 2 lbs.!!:
http://www.gallien-krueger.com/products_mb.html

Hartke:
http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1733&brandID=3

Laney:
http://www.laney.co.uk/show_prod.php?prod=ah200

[old mark]

6. Peavey makes dedicated amps for keyboards - the prices are reasonable, the

amps are incredibly well built and the sound is great -- and they are available used on ebay and such readily.

Not a keyboard player, but I have 2 of their amps, both 20 years old +.

mark

[lukasahero]

7. I always used a small (15") peavy amp

through my own mixing board but also ran direct out from my mixer to the main board. If you're mixing all your sound through a main system, this will work fine for keyboards - let the main speakers do the work but take one direct out from the keys - you don't want to give too much control to the sound man. ;)

If not, then he'll probably want to invest in a powered mixer and either a bass or keyboard amp big enough to match the sound of your guitars/bass/drums. That will vary according to the volume and style of the band as well as the venues you play.