Keyboard amps?

[smile_man]

I don't know, but I always see bands using Fender guitar amps when playing synths and stuff.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

yea i think u can really use anything. i've used bass amps for synths...hell ive even used bass amps for guitar...not as sparkly but gets the job done.

i think a keyboard amp has a wide frequency range, like a bass and guitar amp combined

[Astricii]

Possible different input impedance?

[bigchiefbc]

Most synths run at line level (0 dB), and most guitar amps are expecting instrument level (-15 to -20 dB), so a synth may overdrive the hell out of the preamp of most guitar amps. However, if it has an effects loop, you could run your synth into the return of the loop, which is usually at line level. I've done that before when running my Nord Lead into my bass head. That works fine.

[Sockgazer]

Generally keyboard players will want a full range sound and control the frequencies entirely from the synth. You don't really want flutes that sound like they're being put through a cranked AC30. Well, not generally.

Putting it into the FX Return is a good idea but the speaker will still be very mid voiced and you could blow it if you're playing Synth Bass.

Using a dedicated keys system, or a PA/powered monitor, or a Bass amp is a much better idea. Though a Bass amp will still colour your tone quite a bit.

[effetebomb]

we always use bass amp. bass amps are surprisingly wide frequency, esp with a 10 or 12 inch speaker

[smile_man]

we always use bass amp. bass amps are surprisingly wide frequency, esp with a 10 or 12 inch speaker

Vocals through bass amps = every experience I've ever had with bands. Youth FTW!

[oinkbanana]

I use an Orange OTR head and a Mesa Rectifier 4X12 oversized Cab
I love how it sounds
but we've been talking in my band how i've got a huge boost at 200hz & 500hz
and i'll agree that those nodes are problematic..

maybe an eq pedal will help?

[tuffteef]

di box through the p.a and let the mix master engineer do the work

or a bass amp

or if its something cool like a rhodes or whurl a nice tube amp

[bigchiefbc]

Most synths run at line level (0 dB), and most guitar amps are expecting instrument level (-15 to -20 dB), so a synth may overdrive the hell out of the preamp of most guitar amps. However, if it has an effects loop, you could run your synth into the return of the loop, which is usually at line level. I've done that before when running my Nord Lead into my bass head. That works fine.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention, I'm using a Peavey Mark VI, which is a pretty clean amp, and my cabs are a 15 and 2 10's. The frequency response is more than adequate.

[smallsnd/bigsnd]

di box through the p.a and let the mix master engineer do the work

in my opinion, that is always a terrible idea, unless it's your own soundperson... they have no idea what you sound like, where you should be in the mix, what your keys' timbre sound like, etc etc. no guitarist/bassist would want to go direct, why should we?

so many options out there, it depends on the music and the application, though. style of music, your role in the band and the size of the venue are all important roles to consider...

roland kc-500 is good for a no nonsense SS amp for small to medium clubs - jazz chorus or even fender acoustasonic are also reasonable SS amps with a few standard "amp" features you won't get with typical keyboard amps.
low wattage tube amps sound great for wurly if you're playing a club where it's mic'd. ampeg gemini is super nice.
high wattage tube amps are great in general for some power as well as tonal options. fender twins, fender pa heads, etc are better for cleaner sounds. you can play some pretty deep bass through a twin, btw...

the great thing about keyboards through a tube amp is that you can easily overdrive the preamp and get some nice distortion without even using any pedals...

[bigchiefbc]

di box through the p.a and let the mix master engineer do the work

in my opinion, that is always a terrible idea, unless it's your own soundperson... they have no idea what you sound like, where you should be in the mix, what your keys' timbre sound like, etc etc. no guitarist/bassist would want to go direct, why should we?

I agree with this point, and will add the following: unfortunately, bassists are almost universally forced to go direct. We really are the second-class citizens of the live-sound world. I have never played at a place that had a soundguy that didn't force me to DI. And then he scooped out my signal and made me inaudible. Because all soundguys learned how to mix in the 80's, when it was apparently passe to actually hear the bassist.

But this is a rant for a different thread

[Chumley]

A powered mixer and speakers.