HA76 & KC350 bad sound

[danrv]

Hi
I used my brand new Nord Stage 2 76 for the first time at a gig last Saturday but found it sounded pretty bad through
my Roland KC350.
I realize that the Nord keyboards, at least the Stage, needs a little more time and thought regards monitoring.
The KC amp is really useful for sending a stereo mix to FOH but obviously you're monitoring in mono.
This has never been an issue with my Roland XP80 and Korg Triton Extreme. Sounds great like this and
also on it's own for Jazz gigs (using L/mono output on the boards).

The Nord seems to be different in that it has no mono output. I send stereo to FOH as our PA is stereo and the Nord
sounds much better like this but for me on stage, the sound is bad.
Piano's don't cut and the tone is uneven. One of the notes on the Rhodes sound is almost inaudible due to the
phase cancellation.
Wah clav tend to grind on the ears a bit also.
Mono button doesn't help much plus you lose the stereo sound FOH.

I know that quality stereo monitoring is what's needed which is a shame as I have a perfectly good amp.
Apart from the MotionSound amps (not available in UK) I don't know of any decent stereo combo keyboard amps.
The 200 model is 1 kg heavier and a little more bulky than the KC350.
The only other option is a pair of 8" or 10" powered cabs such as the QSC K series or Yamaha StagePas. No doubt would sound great
but together with all my PA gear for the band it's extra stuff to lug about.
Plus how to you get stereo to FOH and monitor in stereo also with that setup?

Other than that, the Stage 2 is a brilliant keyboard.
Anybody using a Stage 2 with the Roland KC350?
Any help appreciated.
Dan

[whitenoise]

Hi there. A lot of people favor electro-voice zxa1 for it's portability, power and sound clarity. In most cases a stage monitor will work better then any keyboard amp. All keyboard amps tends to distort the sound. I've been using many keyboard amps: Roland KC350, 550, Traynor K4, Phil-Jones briefcase, suitcase. Some of them work good for some sounds but not for piano. Base amps typically work good for organ sound. Even with a single but good stage monitor you can get excellent sound. If you need a built in mixer check the QSC K series or consider to get a small mixer.

[huckrex]

Hi, since 2006 I use two Roland KC350 amps, in stereo link mode. I gig with Yamaha Motif XS7 and Virus Ti2. Indeed a single KC350 sounds "flattish", however 2 amps stereo linked together make a huge difference. Especially with rhodes or hammond sounds. However I am not Stage user (as yet). I am patiently waiting for a new version of Stage (either 2EX or 3 - whatever they will call it), so I can get on board Nord fans community. Hope sooner than later.

[danrv]

Hi, since 2006 I use two Roland KC350 amps, in stereo link mode.

Thanks for the replies. Yes that would sound good and would be easy to send stereo to FOH.
Is that for band use or solo?
I do have a KC150 also I could try. Doesn't have the stereo link but I do have a handy Toa D3 rack mount mixer
I could use.
The guitarist and sax player often can't hear the keys due to lack of monitoring so an amp over their side of the stage
would be the solution.
It's a lot of gear for a keys player though.

[huckrex]

No need a mixer for a single keyboard. Your line-outs should be enough for both amps and the PA. Also you may use the headphones-out as well. Keep both amps closer to you, so you have better control. The band will hear you good. Well, size of gear depends on where you play. As a space-rock keyboardist I got 2 keyboards on stage + korg kaoss pad + hammond xk3c + Soundcraft mixer. As much as fits in me car. lol

[danrv]

Thanks
I run and play in a 6-8 piece function band and also have a side project band (cut down version of the function band) that plays Jazz funk/rock.
Play a lot of marquees, hotels,private do's with the function band but also pubs with the other. Minimum gear is required here.

At the moment we divide the gear between 3 or 4 cars as we've recently sold our van due to the dreaded rust so a bit tight for space.
Should be getting another van soon but I'm not sure about 2 KC350s. It's not going to be practical in many cases.

I always use 2 keyboards unless for jazz so do need mixing capability.
I do agree that a good powered cab like the EV ZXA1 would handle better. I've already had to replace the tweeter in the KC.
I have a pair of Mackie SRM450s that we sometimes use for PA but would need to use a mixer.

I'll experiment with the kit I've got but I think the minimum setup of the Nord and one amp for jazz and the like won't sound good.

[FunKey]

One of the notes on the Rhodes sound is almost inaudible due to the phase cancellation.

Wait... are the Rhodes sounds really in stereo? How does that work?
I know some of the effects have a stereo output; supposedly these can cause phase cancellation, but I haven't tried.

Anyway, I have always had good results using just one channel for monitoring. The easiest way might be to plug a mono cable into the headphone jack, but that shorts one channel to ground, and I don't know if that could break anything in the long run (probably not). Another solution is to use a splitter or custom cable.

[danrv]

No they're probably not. Maybe I had a stereo effect on or something. Too busy playing.
I'll be glad when I've sorted this as my Stage 2 is all cased up in the genuine Nord case and ready to go.
Got 2 gigs at the weekend and I'll probably be using my good ol' XP80 instead because it's no fuss plug 'n' play stereo/mono whatever.
Much prefer the Nord action though.

[Ledbetter]

Are you using two channels or one? If not, try using two channels, one for left one for right.

[danrv]

Hi
Yes, using 2 channels 1L 2R into KC350 so I can then send stereo to FOH.