Good gigging amp (or PA)

[Dreamer]

I have two DXR 10 and still the sound of the acoustic grands is not optimal. Let's face it: you have to invest in better stuff. But even twice the price won't do justice. I already thought about some midrange studio gear on poles like Neumann KH 420 but for this I have to win in lottery first.

[Ignatius]

I know it is pricey, but the little Quilter amp I got is amazing for all purposes. Two channels of 100 watts each, one for a guitar, the other for full spectrum instruments - especially pianos - it is a miracle. And if you are freaked out about going through an 8 inch speaker, there is an XLR out for your PA or for a bigger cabinet.

I am running an Electro 2 rack and a Yamaha P-255 through the full spectrum channel - using a small mixer in between. Perfect for small space rehearsals, and adaptable to big venues through the line out. And in the other channel goes my guitar with a full array of features that work fine for my second guitar role in the band.

About $900, so not cheap, but fellow old guys, your back will thank you. Check this thing out. An impossible combination of sound quality and portability.

[Arjan P]

Check this thing out.

Quilter seem to be making quite a few 'little amps'. Which one is it you are referring to?

[Ignatius]

Sorry. The Micro Pro 200: http://www.quilterlabs.com/index.php/pr ... cropro-200

The Full Range 8" is my particular model.

[soulman]

I use 1 eon 612 (considering getting a second). It is decently loud and very clear. Though running directly into the amp isnt as loud as i hoped for it to be (it does get me there with a full band but at max volume), luckily i have small mixer that gives me more headroom, while still staying clean and clear. I think your mackie would probably be better paired with one. Besides most of these powered monitors are meant to be used with a mixer.

[Tommy]

I bought a pair of JBL EON 612's
Really really sweet in stereo.

[mwtzzz]

Following up with this years later... in different band now, different styles, so I want to post an update. For my current band, I've got a pair of Yamaha DZR-12 mains, a EV PXM-12MP wedge, a Mackie ProFX16v3, and I still have the QSC-K10 from years ago as a second floor monitor.

The Yamahas are great, the EV is great and Mackie is great.

I have not been impressed with QSC .. Ever. I've had a chance to listen to different QSCs at different bars and clubs as we play out and just not impressed. The only reason i keep mine is it's just a floor monitor it's ok for that purpose and I don't really feel like going through the hassle of selling it.

Regarding low output from keyboards I finally found a good solution for that: the Radial J+4. This converts a -10 signal (which a lot of keyboards have) into a +4 signal, so you can plug it directly into any LINE level device, there's no need to go from the keyboard into a mixer or MIC preamp or anything. I have my keyboards volume knob set to 60%, plug my two keyboards into Radial J+4, then from there into the two line inputs on the PXM-12MP, adjust the gain on the PXM-12MP up so that the registered input level is high but not clipping. From the PXM there's MIX OUT xlr to front of house mains this is a line level signal it's not affected by the volume setting on the wedge so house gets a line level that they can do whatever they want with and I can adjust the speaker output of the wedge without affecting it. Sending the house the mix from my two keyboards like I'm doing is the best because there's no way they can have one of my keyboards loud and the other one silent (as has happened before) - it's all or nothing.

And regarding playing with considerate musicians who are sensitive to volumes as Pablo suggested, yes this is ideal, I wish it were like this, but it never is, I have never been any band where the guitarist turns himself down so that he gives the keyboard a chance to be heard, it just doesn't happen as much as it would be nice. I just had a gig last Saturday where the house had me turned down way too low. So next gig with the same band I'm going to do like the guitarists do: I'm going to use my EV wedge like an amp, I'm gonna put it behind me facing the crowd, and turn it up.

[Gambold]

My own experience with house "sound guys" is about one good to three adequate to two outright bad. It's not a happy set of ratios. Granted, we don't play in top-level professional environments who have a paid sound staff on the roster - we mostly play in bars, private parties, or fund-raisers. Any sound guy we get there is going to be doing it on the side, not as a career.

The best of both worlds is when the venue has a decent PA and monitors, but we do our own sound. That saves a lot of lugging and we just bring on our wireless Behringer mixer, plug everyone in, and sound check off an IPad. Each band member other than the singer has their own IPad to do their own monitor mixing - THAT is really huge, and saves a lot of time and frustration. No more asking another band member or a "sound guy" to turn up a particular person in your mix - you just do it yourself. Two gigs ago we started experimenting with in-ears (not the singer), and while that's a little weird, your ears thank you for it at the end of the night, and it's bye-bye to floor monitors, surely one of the more annoying pieces of stage equipment.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... ital-mixer

[geonet]

Space station xl will do the job. Even with a heavy hit drummer it can keep up. Used with Vicount Legend and SP 6-8.
Also used an Eon 10 on a stick for some club dates. This will also do the job of strong stage key monitor, but alone, doesn't deliver good fidelity.
Plug: my xl is for sale as my live gigging career suddenly ended. Hope this helps.

[Lofty]

A friend of mine plays an Electro 2 through a KC350, just organ (jazz & Blues), he sounds great, his one mod is to disconnect the tweeter.