Nord User Forum

Those of you who have followed me know that I am on a quest for the best ever amplification for my Nord boards. And today, another tool in my arsenal arrived. A pair of RCF TT08a units.

A bunch of other forum dudes had been pointing me to them for a while. So I pulled the trigger and spent the dough. No regrets, really.

For a pair of 8-inch speakers, they will blow your socks off. More than my pair of QSC K8s. Way, way more than my CPS SSv3. But not as much as my pair of Fulcrum Acoustic FA 12ac units.

All the Nord APs are freaking amazing, even with no EQ and zero effects. APs, EPs, organs, synth patches, samples, etc. All complete sonic ear candy.

People, once you've got the killer boards, spend on sound.

Works for me.

Good for you...Are the fulcrum in the same league price wise of the RCF? And why did you buy that much different monitor sytems? I mean, the spacestation, the RCF, the Fulcrum? I have a yorkville 10 inches, Parasource PS-10P, 1000$ CAN$ for one. I know that the price doesn't mean anything but I put them in the same league, even a little bit better than the QSC but if I have the chance to listen to the fulcrum and being blown away by them, I might be tempted...

By the way, the blog I found with a lot of thoughts about amplification and the Bosendorfer etc, it's you right?

Hi Cphollis, I have been thinking about A pair of RCF TT08a too.. Can you please tell me where you purchased them? and how was the buying experience. Thanks,Andy

Hi Andy. Drop me a private message here, or on the Keyboard Corner forum, and I'll get you all the details.

Quai34 wrote:Good for you...Are the fulcrum in the same league price wise of the RCF? And why did you buy that much different monitor sytems? I mean, the spacestation, the RCF, the Fulcrum? I have a yorkville 10 inches, Parasource PS-10P, 1000$ CAN$ for one. I know that the price doesn't mean anything but I put them in the same league, even a little bit better than the QSC but if I have the chance to listen to the fulcrum and being blown away by them, I might be tempted...

I wrote a longer comparison post here: http://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthread ... mplificati

Bottom line, each of my rigs has significant price (and functionality) gaps, just like steps on a ladder. However, even though you can pay 2x-3x more, it doesn't mean the result will be 2x-3x better.

Why do I have four (or more) separate amplification setups? Just like having multiple keyboards, different tools for different situation. So far this week, I've used the RCFs for one band that has heavy AP content, and the SSv3 to rehearse with another band where it's all about stereo synths.

Hi Cphollis,
Ok, I understand...I really like the way you analyze your different set up, especially since I understood that you are the PA guy for your bands. I never had a chance to compare the QSC with the EV, Yamaha's or RCF. When I bought the Parasource, there were not a lot of reviews around about them, so, I tried them in the store for AP as well, knowing that it's the most difficult one for amplification. The reference I had in mind was my two Genelec 8040A in my studio. Finally, for the price i paid (2200 CAN$ for the pair), they are very bood, I'm not disapointed. I know as a matter of fact that before putting more $$ in a PA/monitors, I will have to make my guitarist understand that whatever the speakers we have, if he's too loud and always wanted to be "at the front" even when it's a pure "Keys song", our sound will always be crap. He bought recently an Allen and Heath QU16 to replace the old powered Peavey mixer he had previously, but he doesn't even take the time to learn how to set it up, he has asked a guy he knows to install it for him...Our PA is a pair of Parasource PS-15P which sounded very good last time we used them but the sound was too messy with his own guitar Amp pushed too much on stage and bleeding in the vocal mics and so on...So, I gave up being the sound check guy. But with the new Party band that I'm currently working on, I should be back to the task, that's why your severalsreviews and tests are worthy a lot, thanks again.

https://www.thomann.de/gb/rcf_tt_08.htm

So your pair of 8-inch speakers, lovingly hand-crafted by sound gnomes, cost...$3500 in US dollars?

There is a point where one can sail off to the Island of the Ludicrous. Now, if you are one of those who every time he snaps his fingers, a hundred dollar bill appears, you can go there. The rest of us, I suspect, will need to stay here on dry land

It seems there are more folks who will spend $3,500 for keyboards than will spend a similar amount for amplification. This doesn't make sense to me. Why buy high end keyboards if not to hear then in their full glory through amplification that can be moved without straining your back? I have a pair of TT08As and love them!

> if not to hear then in their full glory through amplification that can be moved without straining your back<

1) I don't know that moving them is an issue. 8" monitors are not going to be a stage solution unless you are performing solo or with a very acoustic combo* including a drummer who was born before 1960. Finding work for this kind of outfit is no easy task. I'm guessing most of us who play are in electric groups where scoring a community tent show is a big deal.

2) If you are playing with electric guitars, bass, and a drummer who clubs his heads, in yer typical sports bar or the aforementioned outdoor stage in the town square, the full glory you paid so dearly for is going to be totally lost on your audience, the rest of the band, and you. For most of us in a live environment, the problem is not uber-fidelity, it's getting heard clearly over the din - and making sure the "sound guy" doesn't bury us in the mix.

3) So I would argue that these are very expensive studio monitors, purchased in lieu of an actual acoustic piano. Great for sitting at home and playing Chopin with your Imperial XL sample. But for banging out Little Queenie with the Blue Swede, at home or on the road, it's a super-pricey way to rinky-tink on three chords.

*I JUST CHECKED YOUR SITE (http://www.alquinn.com/live/), YOU GUYS SOUNDED GREAT!