Synth at band levels: PA, Amps; what you using?

[Faldoe]

I'm curious what you all are using to project your synths/keys when playing in a band setting? I'm specifically wondering about folks that play loud/with loud band mates; guitar players with 100w amps, hard hitting drummers.

If you're using a PA; what kind and what is the wattage/speaker configuration. Do you find it carries the low end enough for heavier synth work? If you're using a guitar/bass/other amp; what are you using, and same question aforementioned questions.

[Deltaphoenix]

I use a PA but I have used an amp before. If using an Amp, I find that a bass amp is best.
My PA can handle lots of lows, I have 2 speakers with 2-12s.
I have a 400 watt Carvin amp and a Heath & Allen ZED 24 mixer.

[ThurberMingus]

When I got my Microbrute, I just used my guitar rig, consisting of a Musicman HD130 with my Orange 2x12. There was a definite lack of bass,and my drummer wasn't there at the time, but it sounded good with guitar and bass.

What I really wanna do is get a proper 15" for my old Peavey cab and use my PA100, but I'm very much an amp guy, and not much of a PA guy, despite the PA 100 being originally intended for vocals.

[tremolo3]

I'm not there yet (still thinking in what synth to get lol) but I'm thinking in using a JC120, I'm a litle bit worried for the low end though.

[Faldoe]

I use a PA but I have used an amp before. If using an Amp, I find that a bass amp is best.
My PA can handle lots of lows, I have 2 speakers with 2-12s.
I have a 400 watt Carvin amp and a Heath & Allen ZED 24 mixer.

So is the Carvin a power amp used for/with the PA speakers? What about the PA speakers? You find those 2x12s handle the lows well; they full-range speakers? I'm assuming they area.

[Deltaphoenix]

The mixer isn't powered so the Carvin is the power amp.
The speakers are a low cost brand but they are tuned nicely, the speakers have 80oz magnets and they are full range with a horn.
I like 12s because they are punchier than 15s and have a deeper low than a 10, a good median.

[PeteeBee]

Just posting to say I too am curious about this. I'm looking to get a little synth set up because there are a plethora of guitar players in my life

[rfurtkamp]

JC-120 will work, providing you can work around it and don't need to get blisteringly loud.

Mostly it's a case of "have enough PA wattage" and somebody who can mix FoH correctly.

[BoatRich]

I've been having this same issue. I'm looking into these http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/LS1503 powered by either a Fender PA100 or one of my bass amps.

[Faldoe]

The mixer isn't powered so the Carvin is the power amp.
The speakers are a low cost brand but they are tuned nicely, the speakers have 80oz magnets and they are full range with a horn.
I like 12s because they are punchier than 15s and have a deeper low than a 10, a good median.

Is the Carvin a SS guitar/bass amp?

[Bartimaeus]

Bass amps work well. PA's are excellent, but can lack the special punch that bass amps can have if they are good ones. Guitar amp could work if you aren't playing any bass. AVOID KEYBOARD AMPS are they are basically just bad PA's.

The ELX-112P has served me very well with a fairly loud band, amplifying synth and vox. 15-inch version could be even better.

If you have the money, probably the best thing out there for this application is the Traynor K4.

[bigchiefbc]

We've always run our synths either straight into the house PA or through my bass amp. That's really the best way to do it. Guitar amps tend to make synths sound really honky with not much low-end.

[aen]

To be safe, and successful, I insist on a powerful bass amp for synth/keys. The PA I use for practice is pretty weak sauce, and most PA's I've encountered at clubs are equally weak, if not worse. Providing your own dedicated amp also allows you to place said amp in a spot where the band can hear it too, as opposed to fighting over the two tin can "monitors" at your local dive bar. Of course, when you play a venue with a real PA, it feels pretty awesome to pump a Moog bass so hard it shakes your poop loose. In that case, the sound guy will probably roll his eyes a lot less if you bring a DI box.