Re: [Harp-L] Minimum amp requirement for using an RP?

[Eric Nielsen <ericbarnak@xxxxxxxxx>]

I had a KB2 years ago and loved its versatility. Knowing that I was playing
both harp and guitar, a music store employee suggested I try out a keyboard
amp.

We used it for vocals at practice sessions--and in a pinch it doubled as a
bass amp. I even ran my little CD player through it at home. Only sold it
when I moved cross country.

 Eric



On Tue, Sep 2, 2014 at 7:10 PM, Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

> martin oldsberg wrote:
> <Lately IÂve been playing a few coffee-shop gigs just using my Roland
> Micro Cube (5W). ThereÂs no PA.
> <  It works OK for such small rooms, a bit low perhaps -- but IÂm slightly
> annoyed that I canÂt add my RP 150 (with Richard HÂs settings) to it in
> <order to get a somewhat broader palette of sounds. (ItÂs feedback from the
> very start almost; couldnÂt even reach convincing volume levels if the
> <gigs were in my living room.)
> <
> <Question: How strong an amplifier do I need to fill say, an 80 square
> meter room with, say 50 people in it? And I mean when also using the RP?
>  < Impossible to answer precisely?
> <
> <  Yeah, I know -- but roughly: 15 W? 30 W? (I understand from RichardÂs
> instructions that a keyboard amp can be a way to go, but how powerful?)
>
> A keyboard amp is indeed the way to go.  Keyboard amps tend to escalate in
> power in tandem with speaker size.  I've found that a keyboard amp with a
> 10" speaker--which should put you in the neighborhood of 40-50 watts--is an
> ideal compromise between size, weight (around 35 pounds), cost (around $250
> new), and power.  The Peavey KB2 is the one I use, but similar models are
> available from Roland (slightly more money) and Behringer (slightly less
> money).  These amps also generally feature multiple inputs and a simple
> mixer, so they're very useful for one-man shows where you sing, play
> guitar, etc. along with the harmonica.
>
> Look for the following when you buy:
> - a 10" speaker at least.  One 8" speaker ain't gonna cut it, especially
> when you kick in octave doubles, and the power output will be too low for a
> room with 50 people in it.
> - 40-50 watts of output power
> - at least 2 inputs with their own volume controls, ideally 3
> - a line out--either via balanced XLR, or 1/4", or both--so you can run
> the amp as an onstage monitor for bigger gigs, with a line-out to the PA.
> (The Peavey offers a balanced XLR out and a 1/4" out via the FX send.  I've
> used both on gigs with rock bands.)
>
> I recommend that you check the user reviews at musiciansfriend.com and
> other online dealers to see what buyers are saying about the amp(s) you're
> considering.  When I was shopping, the KB2 reviews convinced me.  (I now
> own two of them.)
>
> Regards, Richard Hunter
>
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