Nord User Forum

[damasp]

To save my back, I'm thinking of slighter powered speaker on this cyber monday
The QSC 10 and the Yamaha dxr 10 seem like good powerful choices. My EVs weigh around 40lbs and I"ve been carrying them up anf down 3 flights each time playing out.

The Evs are 12s and I really like the sound. I'm thinking I can use a smaller 10 as a monitor though. I play in a 5 piece classic rock band.

Not sure which brand would be better. The Qsc are popular but more expensive.

Anyone have any thoughts on this
Thxs!

[damasp]

Anyone using the yamaha dxr 10 or the Qsc 10 as monitor? What is your experience? Loud enough?

[cphollis]

I own a pair each of the K8s, K10s and K12s. My go-to amp for small gigs these days is the Spacestation v.3. I assume you're just interested in monitors, and not stage sound? The SSv3 is not for you.

If we're talking stage sound, if I'm not bringing the SSv3, I'm either bringing a pair of the K8s, or the outrageous FA12ac units. The K8s work well as they have great dispersion (nice for smaller gigs), are reasonable accurate, and are a feather to carry around. Also more than loud enough unless we're talking major stage volume. The K12s are big boomers, overkill for a bar band. The K10s are sort of a compromise.

As a mono monitor, the K10 has more than enough oomph.

Can't comment on the DXR10s, other than I've heard them live (sound great) and lots of keyboardists like them. You play mono or stereo? Haven't tried a single unit (other than the SSv3) so can't comment.

[Rufus8102]

I play in a 10 piece band with 4 horns, 2 guitars, drums and bass for instrumentation and I play through a QSC K10 as a stage monitor. It has more than enough power for any situation...even outdoor gigs. Of course I line out to the FOH PA system, but as a stage monitor it has more than enough power. It's relatively lightweight also....I believe it's 32 lbs.

[damasp]

Thanks for your replies. I mostly have played small and medium sized events. Mostly mono. When playing a larger event, I always feed the FOH, either the back output of my speaker or a line from my mixer. Some want outputs into their Di box first. I haven't had the opportunity to do a stereo gig yet.

The K10s are popular and it's good to hear they are powerful and well liked.

I'm leaning towards the Yamaha dxr 10. The only thing I don't like is the inputs in the back. They have 3 input channels and one is xlr, one in 1/4" and then
RCA. If i were to use a couple keyboards in mono (without a mixer), I would have to use a channel with 1/4" input and convert the other 1/4" to RCA inputs.

[Spider]

For medium-small gigs, consider also the EV ZX-A1.
Unparalleled weight-price-sound quality combo.
Not as loud as the QSC K8, but much lighter and cheaper.
A pair of them will cost and weigh barely more than a good quality 12' speaker, and be more portable and flexible.

[harmonizer]

I have the EV ZX-A1. The sound it delivers for acoustic piano at the light weight of 19 pounds is excellent.

I use it for my on-stage monitoring of my keyboard (I use both my Electro 3 and a supplemental synth module. The EV ZX-A1 has a low gain and the Electro has a lower output signal than other keyboards and synths. It's fine for me for on-stage monitoring, but if you wanted to get maximum volume from a ZX-A1 while it is taking a signal from a Nord Electro, to create the only sound your audience hears, you might need a supplemental mixer to boost the gain between the two of them. I play in a 6 piece covers band, and I have never needed such a supplemental mixer (see the next paragraph).

There are only two inputs on the back of the ZX-A1. I use it to pre-mix the output from my sax mic and the line out from my keyboard, and then send a single line out from the ZX-A1 to my band's mixing board.

I have never tried the QSC, so I cannot offer an opinion on how they rate compared to the ZX-A1.

[damasp]

The EV ZX-A1 sounds good, but it may not deliver enough power for me, with my current band. The 20lb weight would be a welcome relief.

I'm hoping that the 10" models will be enough and I'm thinking it could act as a stage monitor or just as an on stage amp, when we aren't going through a PA or if the venue isn't too large. I almost bought a Yamaha DXR10 last night. Its 32lbs, similar to the QSC k10, but less expensive. I may make another offer today. Friday night we are playing at a Pub/Restaurant and a good 10" speaker would probably be just right.

[theGman]

I have used my K10 as a monitor, but about a year ago I went a different direction and switched to a little Mackie SM150? monitor mounted on a mike stand with a weighted base (smaller footprint) alongside me at about shoulder level. I play standing up, 2 boards. I set it up on whichever side is more out of the way...at the edge of the boards, under 2 feet from your ear.

I made a "safety cable" from some medium size black zip ties in a chain link style, with 2 big plastic spring clamps to keep it from the possibility of being bumped over. Clamps to the end of my Spider Pro stand, and the mike stand. The stand also is a perfect location for one of those springy looking drink holders too, since it is so close to you.

By having this small, lightweight, but pretty darn powerful unit just a few feet from my head, the closeness easily compensates for the extra power which was needed to drive the K10 from farther away, even though it was up on an amp stand, positioned just behind me. Also takes up MUCH less overall stage space, and the lower volume level necessary doesn't interfere with the other band members at all, and you can easily fine tune your balance adjustment on the fly with the 2 channels in.

Also, by having the top of the little amp at shoulder height, it doesn't block your view in any way.

[envy77]

I use a DXR10 and it's massively loud, you'd have to be playing next to a 747 taking off to run it out of headroom. If weight is a concern Yamaha also do the cheaper DBR10, which I've also used and found very satisfactory - it's not quite as crisp or loud as the DXR10, but it's nearly 5kg lighter and honestly sounds absolutely fine for monitoring. The inputs also seem better for you, in that it only has two channels but they are both jack inputs.

Review here: http://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/yamaha-dbr10