Keyboard/synth amps

[Errant Tiger]

So I've just acquired a Yamaha Reface CS and am absolutely in love with it. My only challenge is what to run it through. So far the two options I can think of are

1. Just get two more Katana 50s. Benefits: cheap, I love the sound, and this would mean I would essentially have two half-stacks of Katanas (I already have two for the guitar);
2. JC-22. I've never been able to come to terms with JCs on guitar but I remember hearing that the 120s, at least, make good keyboard amps. No idea if the 22 would do so as well.

In a single amp, stereo capacity is important, as is price (under $500). Size is apartment/small gig compatible. So what keyboard amps would you recommend?

[echorec]

Someone asked about this in the last year or so, but I can't find the thread. The strongest consensus tends to lean towards getting a PA speaker.

I still haven't pulled the trigger on one, but I was recommended these two models by someone whose opinion I trust. Get a 12", not a 10".

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... -bluetooth

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... ed-speaker

[Errant Tiger]

Someone asked about this in the last year or so, but I can't find the thread. The strongest consensus tends to lean towards getting a PA speaker.

I still haven't pulled the trigger on one, but I was recommended these two models by someone whose opinion I trust. Get a 12", not a 10".

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... -bluetooth

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... ed-speaker

Hmm, I was wondering about that option. A pair of those wouldn't be too expensive, though it would make it trickier to trade.

[Errant Tiger]

One of my local shops has this:

https://reverb.com/item/18778290-peavey ... -amplifier

[backwardsvoyager]

FWIW I think that the double Katana approach only makes sense for stereo guitar where it's harder to get a good sound out of a PA system, you'd be sacrificing the frequency response too much with synths.

+1 on a portable PA system. You get a lot of utility there, can use as a vocal monitor, foldback monitor, as a normal stereo system etc.

[Errant Tiger]

FWIW I think that the double Katana approach only makes sense for stereo guitar where it's harder to get a good sound out of a PA system, you'd be sacrificing the frequency response too much with synths.

+1 on a portable PA system. You get a lot of utility there, can use as a vocal monitor, foldback monitor, as a normal stereo system etc.

That's a good point. Though it's highly unlikely I'll be playing anywhere with a PA anytime in the foreseeable future.

What about that Peavey I linked to? Any thoughts about that?

[backwardsvoyager]

Those Peaveys sound fine and will probably provide better bass response (Roland KC series might be better quality though), but they weigh a ton. The speakers echorec linked would be more portable even if you got 2 of them.

[Errant Tiger]

Those Peaveys sound fine and will probably provide better bass response (Roland KC series might be better quality though), but they weigh a ton. The speakers echorec linked would be more portable even if you got 2 of them.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Fuck 80 pound amps at my age. I might just get a JC-40, who knows.

[jirodreamsofdank]

A JC will still have the frequency response of a guitar amp even though they're cleaner.

PA/FRFR speakers are relatively cheap and easy to deal with - two Headrush 108s would be plenty loud and together cost less than a JC40.

[Errant Tiger]

A JC will still have the frequency response of a guitar amp even though they're cleaner.

PA/FRFR speakers are relatively cheap and easy to deal with - two Headrush 108s would be plenty loud and together cost less than a JC40.

Yeah, good point. Part of the problem is that the bulk of my funding for this comes from trades, and there are significantly more amps around than PAs.

Regarding those Headrushes (and any PA, I guess), would you say the 8" speaker handles lows well, or is it worth shelling out for a 12"?

[Bartimaeus]

jbl eon or similar is really the way to go. do you definitely need stereo? for a subtractive synth like the CS, i think you'd do fine with a single 12' speaker, that'll give plenty of bass.

even roland's dedicated keyboard amps like the KC series are a bit gritty and noisy. nice for a more vintage sound, but in this era of endless dirtboxes, imho it makes more sense to get the clean pa speaker and use pedals when you want grit.

[le lambin]

So I've just acquired a Yamaha Reface CS and am absolutely in love with it.

I know it’s been a while but are you still liking the CS? I’ve been looking for a smallish synth to loop with and the user interface/simplicity of the CS looks very appealing for just plugging in and making sounds.

[Errant Tiger]

So I've just acquired a Yamaha Reface CS and am absolutely in love with it.

I know it’s been a while but are you still liking the CS? I’ve been looking for a smallish synth to loop with and the user interface/simplicity of the CS looks very appealing for just plugging in and making sounds.

I am still liking it! I don't use it much but that has nothing to do with the instrument. I definitely recommend it.

A friend of mine - who was my inspiration for picking one up - just put out an EP which features the CS pretty heavily:

https://pinerelic.bandcamp.com/

[le lambin]

That sounds fantastic thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to mess around with one!