Nord User Forum

jeffkeys wrote:Just picked up a Motion Sound KP-612S for use with my NS3. It’s absolutely a state of the art combo! Best sound by far I’ve ever had, especially when using the new White Grand!!

Hello all, just wanted to chime in and say that after using many, many different amplication setups for digital piano/keyboards throughout my 35 years of professional playing..and in search of the very best sounding, high volume, no distortion whatsoever, regardless of volume level, regardless of cost...I finally believe that I cannot get better than what I now have... the JBL SRX835p.....a 3 -way powered cab which employs an internal 2000 watt Crown amp. Heavy? Yes..85 lbs.. absolute clarity regardless of volume? YES. More power than what I could ever need? Yes.. Expensive? Yes. If there was anything out there, in a single powered cabinet that would deliver more clarity, accurate sounding faithful replication and voulme,... I would be using it. This is posted not to start an argument, nor to brag, but to simply express one keyboard players experience in the relentless search for the ultimate stage monitor, self contained, with no regards for brand. I realize people have budgets and there are many choices out there within all budgets, but I personally was hell bent on what I was after. I've had many players "set in" on my rig over the last few years and none have heard anything better. I suspect any Nord piano would sound awesome thru this box even though my piano is one of the new 88 keys made in Italy. Thank you for allowing me to express my experience to this forum.

I’ll go ahead and put in a plug for custom mold IEMs. I’ve been using them for almost 10 years and it’s the best gear investment I’ve ever made.

@MarcusM

Glad you found something you really like with the SRX835p units! I too have long in pursuit of the ultimate sound for my boards, but ended up discovering is that the best answer is "it depends" -- what material you're playing, what types of venues, how much you want to carry, etc. So I've ended up with multiple "best" answers.

I won't argue with you, the SRX835p's certainly have outrageous volume, range and clarity, thanks to the 3-way design and ample power. I used a pair for both keys and FOH a while back and they're everything you say, and more. At 137 dB peak each, there wasn't a lead guitarist that I couldn't intimidate.

A pair can get up to 140 dB -- so please wear your hearing protection at all times.

I also owned the somewhat similar QSC KW153 with my preference being the more-powerful JBLs.

But neither the JBL SRX835p's nor the QSC KW153's are around any more. Gone, gone, gone. Not that I didn't like them, though.

First, you would agree they are physically large. Moving a pair of them consumed a good portion of a pickup truck bed and became physically taxing to move. The last thing I wanted to do after a long, late gig was haul those beasts back out to the truck. Oh yeah, even better if it's snowing and slippery outside.

They were also very beam-y, with a 60 degree dispersion angle. That's great if you're trying to bounce sound off of the back wall (or playing an outdoor festival) not so great if you're looking for a wider, tastier fill.

Otherwise, I found them way, way overkill for modest venues, and they just couldn't be used for tiny venues -- but super nice to have when playing loud electric outdoors! I ended up selling them because they didn't get used a lot, and -- when I did use them -- they were a serious pain in the back to haul around.

My personal recommendation for ultimate sonic joy for modest gigs? Other than custom molded IEMs, which certainly rock

A pair of Fulcrum Acoustic FA12ac units. Mine were around $3700 each back when. Your ears won't believe what you're hearing. Unfortunately you have to work a bit to hunt them down through pro audio channels.

And if you get interested in playing smaller venues at lower volumes, there's always the acclaimed RCF TT08-a. And, in the bang-for-buck category, I still think the QSC K8.2s bring serious, impressive game.

Upwards and onwards!

Some good ideas you present. I must say I only use the SRX835P as a personal monitor, so regardless of stage volume I can always hear what I'm doing and at a superbly clean volume.
The JBL SRX835p is still very much current and also featured on the JBL Pro website as their top of the line. It's been there now for at least 2 years and still featured as such.
It hasn't mattered what venue or genre of music that I put through the cab...low, medium, loud, country, rock, cLassi call or jazz....doesn't matter....it's simply superb and I couldn't ask for more.
If lower volume for a particular gig is the call, then I simply turn down and larger events simply turn up. I'm not concerned with the FOH or if the crowd hears me...that's being handled elsewhere..my only conern and quest was to have the best sampled piano reproduction in a single powered cab with more than enough power for headroom/clarity regardless of volume level, which I've yet to max out. This is a personal keyboards monitor which is tilted and sits behind me about 3-4 feet. But again, this model cab is still currently JBL'S top of line 3 way cab for 2019. Thanks and peace.

You must have referring to their dated SR4735 series, which were excellent also in that day.

jeffkeys wrote:Just picked up a Motion Sound KP-612S for use with my NS3. It’s absolutely a state of the art combo! Best sound by far I’ve ever had, especially when using the new White Grand!!

The new Motion Sound amps do look interesting. 2 pairs of stereo inputs on each channel too.
If the KP-408S had’ve been available a few years back when I bought my 2 Yamaha DXR10s, I may have opted for it.
I often just use one DXR10 for small/medium gigs as I have the band PA to cart too, so alas mono only.

I appreciate all the insights in this chain.
I'm playing an Electro 5 HP.
Previous keyboards I've played had a mono channel....I sent that signal to the PA mix and the other channel to my Roland amp.

The Nord obviously does not have a mono channel.
should I run one line to the PA and another to my amp to use as a personal monitor, or is there a better way to obtain the stereo sound all round?

Thank you.

I have been performing in bands for years now and always used my own amplifiers. Over the years I have played lead, rhythm,bass and even drums. Now I play keyboards and as usual put the keyboard through my own amplifier.
We went to a recording studio and after talking to the sound engineer we made major changes.
I use a pro DI box for the guitars and put everything through the PA.
This means we can have a sound person in the audience who can change any level on the fly with an iPAD.
I would recommend it to anyone. Not even having to carry equipment about is a bonus in itself.
Everyone is happy with the sound. We use Proel speakers and a Presonus PA.

I run a di to the pa system then use a personal 10" monitor on a stand right in front of the keyboards facing me so i can only hear it at my desired volume.

TonyB06 wrote:This means we can have a sound person in the audience who can change any level on the fly with an iPAD.
I would recommend it to anyone. Not even having to carry equipment about is a bonus in itself.
Everyone is happy with the sound. We use Proel speakers and a Presonus PA.

Been using Wifi mixing/soundman with my band for a few years now. Not required on small gigs but for larger ones it’s the way to go.

I don't trust the sound people and always bring my own monitor regardless.

We just did a street fair gig this past weekend. Full FOH with a company we've worked with in the past. They're very good. Despite that, I brought my Mackie SRM150 with me, plugged my Stage into that and gave them the line out of the back. Even though they're generous with the keys in the monitors, I don't want to have to ask them to turn me up or down, and can always hear myself through the Mackie.

I set my initial levels for them, and then the master volume control on the SRM is independent of the signal level out the back. I don't touch the Stage's volume control, but can always hear myself and have full control over that.

And, to be honest, I don't care what it sounds like out front. That's their problem.