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Review of CPS Spacestation V.3

Postby cphollis » 29 Oct 2014, 03:04

We've been talking about it for a while over on the Keyboard Corner forum. I spent a few hours with mine last night, and wrote up the results here: chucksblog.typepad.com/late_bloomer/2014/10/cps-spacestation-v3.html
Last edited by cphollis on 29 Oct 2014, 03:06, edited 1 time in total.
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Review of CPS Spacestation V.3


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Re: Review of CPS Spacestation V.3

Postby Marlowes » 29 Oct 2014, 08:08

Hej Chuck!

Great blog with lots of interesting thoughts ... :thumbup:

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Re: Review of CPS Spacestation V.3

Postby AlQuinn » 29 Oct 2014, 14:27

Nice Blog Chuck. Thanks!

It seems the new version of the Spacestation is much improved. I bought one about ten years ago and returned it because the sound quality was disappointing. I did like the spatial effect though -- very clever and effective. Like you I need a great acoustic piano sound so, based on your review, I don't think this amp is for me.
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Re: Review of CPS Spacestation V.3

Postby mtier0067 » 07 May 2015, 15:14

Oh my. The cps v3 is beautiful. Selling all other amps I have... I put the Nord stage's pianos and synths straight into it and put an art tube mp pre amp before a vent 2 into it. It is absolutely the best sound I have heard. I don't really think it's the same as a rhodes, grand, upright, or leslie sitting next to you but it is equally fun to play. It envelops you and it is very musical. Best addition to the rig possibly ever... I can stop searching!!!
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Re: Review of CPS Spacestation V.3

Postby AlQuinn » 08 May 2015, 15:41

I recently bought the cps spacestation v3 also and am loving it! Very reasonable price too.
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Re: Review of CPS Spacestation V.3

Postby okiechris » 12 Jun 2015, 15:20

After reading cphollis' awesome blog, reviews here and parts of that novel over on keyboard corner I picked up the spacestation. It's really incredible. The Leslie, vibe and tremolo effects are just amazing through it. Amp hunt over.
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Re: Review of CPS Spacestation V.3

Postby RedLeo » 12 Jun 2015, 18:30

I read your blog and checked it on on Youtube, and it certainly does sound impressive for Hammond. I could certainly see a case for using one for organ and regular powered speakers for everything else, but I suspect that there has to be a real-life limit on the output level available. My EV ZxA1 is realistically about 100-200 watts and it doesn't hold up beyond small local gigs. I'm guessing that your average Marshall stack death-spewing rock band (my kind of music) would leave the Spacestaion behind, like my EV, which is a shame as it seems like an interesting alternative. I imagine a large wattage version would be impractically heavy and expensive, though. But it does sound like a lot of fun.
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Re: Review of CPS Spacestation V.3

Postby orcoaffamato » 12 Jun 2015, 19:32

okiechris wrote:After reading cphollis' awesome blog, reviews here and parts of that novel over on keyboard corner I picked up the spacestation. It's really incredible. The Leslie, vibe and tremolo effects are just amazing through it. Amp hunt over.


Do you use it in combination with a subwoofer?
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Re: Review of CPS Spacestation V.3

Postby cphollis » 13 Jun 2015, 00:20

Glad you all are enjoying this fun little amp unit. It's almost like it was designed for keyboard players who love stereo :)

I've picked up a Behringer B1200D-PRO ($299 in US) which I'll use occasionally. It's light, cheap and does the job. It also has a 100Hz highpass filter, which is awfully handy. It filters out the low frequencies, so the SSv3 only has to handle the higher ones, making the SSv3 a bit fuller, cleaner and louder -- maybe a 20% boost?

Routing is stereo: Nords > small mixer > BD1200D > CPS SSv3. The BD1200D has XLRs out, and the SSv3 expects 1/4" in, so you'll need a special cable pair -- otherwise it's an easy setup. Both units are easy enough to wheel around with one of those small, foldable luggage carts. You stack the SSv3 on top of the sub, and it doesn't take hardly any stage space. Looks pretty cool as well.

Soundwise, you dial up the sub until you can just hear it, and then the SSv3 takes over from there. The sub never gets all that loud. Then again, I don't do heavy bass or synth -- just want a fuller, richer sound.

I don''t use the sub all the time, just when I think it's going to be louder than usual. Most of the time, it's just the SSv3 all by itself. Think of the sub as a booster to be used when needed, not essential.

As far as volume levels, it gets surprisingly loud -- in the same league as my QSC K series. The characteristic of its loudness is very different. Most self-powered PAs are directional, the SSv3 is omindirectional -- the sound spreads everywhere. It takes a while to calibrate your stage volume as a result. You think no one can hear you, but everyone can, and clearly. If you set the level as you're used to with powered speakers, you'll end up overpowering everyone else. I've done this more than once.

I play with a moderate-loud band with multiple guitarists, horn players and an enthusiastic drummer. I never go much beyond 12 o'clock -- plenty of headroom. And everyone can hear me: the band and the audience.

I also should point out I don't use my QSC K series units hardly at all these days.
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Re: Review of CPS Spacestation V.3

Postby AlQuinn » 13 Jun 2015, 13:40

I have the SS V3 and B1200D-PRO also and agree with everything cphollis said.

I'd like to add that for jazz organ trio gigs I learned that it sounds better to route organ->SS->BD1220 rather than organ->BD1200->SS. When routed the second way some of the mid frequencies of the LH bass get lost and, as a result, the LH bass lacks definition of pitch. It's still plenty loud routed this way but likely louder when routed the first way (i.e., I haven't actually tested this myself).
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