Which amplifier to buy?

[Mr_-G-]

I do not think that would be a good idea. Sorry.

[ebowen4221]

I use the rotary, but my setup runs through a rack and a mixer (I have up to 4 boards, 2 of them have multiple outputs) and then I hard pan the mixer, left goes to a normal speaker, right goes to the Motion Sound. On the C2 and C2D you can hard pan the outputs, so if you're playing a B3 sound, it'll send audio only to the rotary, and viseversa for transistor and pipe organs.

If you want air to actually move, then a rotary is the only way to go. I'm just telling you the short comings of the Motion Sound pro145. It's pretty weak in the bass department.

If I were to not be as picky (which sometimes I don't want to carry a bunch of crap into a small place) I use a bass cabinet. There's a big misnomer in the amp world with speakers, and high end bass stuff is really just a full range speaker that handles low end better than a keyboard or guitar amp does. I own 2 amps and 3 different cabs (so I can mix and match). There's only the issue of only having 1 input channel on the amp, so a mixer is required, and most of the time I never run stereo, because stereo at a live gig is silly.

I like MarkBass stuff, I have a head and a traveler cab (it packs a punch and is full range!) and I have a head and cabs from a boutique company out of Idaho, Vivid Amps. Both companies make a great amp and cabinets, I'm a little biased to the made in america and lifetime warranty that Vivid offers.

[ebowen4221]

I'm at the music store and the salesman is recommending the Roland KC-550. What does every think?

NOOOOOOO!!!! The worst amp ever!

[coolbreeze]

I use the rotary, but my setup runs through a rack and a mixer (I have up to 4 boards, 2 of them have multiple outputs) and then I hard pan the mixer, left goes to a normal speaker, right goes to the Motion Sound. On the C2 and C2D you can hard pan the outputs, so if you're playing a B3 sound, it'll send audio only to the rotary, and viseversa for transistor and pipe organs.

If you want air to actually move, then a rotary is the only way to go. I'm just telling you the short comings of the Motion Sound pro145. It's pretty weak in the bass department.

If I were to not be as picky (which sometimes I don't want to carry a bunch of crap into a small place) I use a bass cabinet. There's a big misnomer in the amp world with speakers, and high end bass stuff is really just a full range speaker that handles low end better than a keyboard or guitar amp does. I own 2 amps and 3 different cabs (so I can mix and match). There's only the issue of only having 1 input channel on the amp, so a mixer is required, and most of the time I never run stereo, because stereo at a live gig is silly.

I like MarkBass stuff, I have a head and a traveler cab (it packs a punch and is full range!) and I have a head and cabs from a boutique company out of Idaho, Vivid Amps. Both companies make a great amp and cabinets, I'm a little biased to the made in america and lifetime warranty that Vivid offers.

Ok then I'm definitely going with the Rotary. Now I must decide which one.

[coolbreeze]

I'm at the music store and the salesman is recommending the Roland KC-550. What does every think?

NOOOOOOO!!!! The worst amp ever!

Ok I decided to not buy the Roland.

[tacitus]

I've used a Roland KC-300 (I think) and it was OK, but I'd recommend going for a PA speaker unless you're totally sure the Roland will be enough for you for ever. Look at some threads on this forum to see what people have recommended - I personally use 8" actives from db technologies but I have a sub to go with them. A single 10" or 12" active speaker would be good for you now, like the Roland, but you could add the other half later to get the Leslie sim in the C2D to come out in stereo when you want a better illusion.

Also, you can put most PA speakers up on stands, which I don't think is possible with the Roland keyboard amps. Not an issue for home use, but very useful if you are gigging.

And just in case nobody'd spelt out to you the facts of speaker life with the C2D, you get the sound of the organ and the Leslie sim on top of that if you want it, but that signal has to be amplified by an amp and speaker (or just an active speaker) to be heard aloud. You can of course use headphones - great for home use - but will need some sort of a speaker system for others to hear it.

[coolbreeze]

I've used a Roland KC-300 (I think) and it was OK, but I'd recommend going for a PA speaker unless you're totally sure the Roland will be enough for you for ever. Look at some threads on this forum to see what people have recommended - I personally use 8" actives from db technologies but I have a sub to go with them. A single 10" or 12" active speaker would be good for you now, like the Roland, but you could add the other half later to get the Leslie sim in the C2D to come out in stereo when you want a better illusion.

Also, you can put most PA speakers up on stands, which I don't think is possible with the Roland keyboard amps. Not an issue for home use, but very useful if you are gigging.

And just in case nobody'd spelt out to you the facts of speaker life with the C2D, you get the sound of the organ and the Leslie sim on top of that if you want it, but that signal has to be amplified by an amp and speaker (or just an active speaker) to be heard aloud. You can of course use headphones - great for home use - but will need some sort of a speaker system for others to hear it.

Ok you just helped me understand better, especially last paragraph.

[coolbreeze]

It looks like this is what I will be buying. Any input would be appreciated before I make the purchase.

Nord C2D $3195
Leslie 3300 $2249
Nord 27 Bass Pedals $1795
Yamaha Motif Xf6 $2195
Nord 1/2 Moon Switch $199.00
Stand $340
Case For Nord C2D $349.99

[Mr_-G-]

Have you tried the C2D to decide if you really need the Leslie?
Are you going to put the Motif through the Leslie as well? If so, does it have more than 1 input or do you need a mixer too?

[coolbreeze]

Have you tried the C2D to decide if you really need the Leslie?
Are you going to put the Motif through the Leslie as well? If so, does it have more than 1 input or do you need a mixer too?

I have not been able to try the C2D because no one has it in stock where I live. Someone I know in a different state who is very experienced is highly recommending to it me. I am also impressed with the videos I've seen on the Internet, especially this one:

In the video he his running the C2D through a Leslie 122XB. I want the same sound but I need a portable Leslie. Thus I settled on the 3300. This rig will get used occasionally at some large venues. So I think I need the Leslie.

To be honest, I only asked the salesman if the Motif could run through the Leslie and he said "yes". I'd better check and be certain. Thanks for the advice.