Modular Synth Amplification

[Bartimaeus]

For very small shows (small enough that they lack a PA) and practice sessions, what should I use to amplify my modular synth (as well as a few other things)? I am hoping to play a few shows with a friend, and so I need a something to make my modular audible, as well as probably my laptop running Kontakt and Ableton. I'm using the modular for conventional leadish synth stuff and likely also percussion.

It seems that powered speakers are the best option, but which are a good choice? QSC? Yamaha StagePas or MSR or ? Mackie? Does anyone have any recommendations.
I'm hoping to spend no more than $500 if I can.

Thank you!

[John Noble]

Powered PA speakers make the most sense to me, too, but most of them lack bass for electronic music. IMO you need at least a 12" woofer, no matter what claims are made about DSP, etc.

QSC's K Series is of course highly regarded but I find them hyped on the top end. They are a good sounding speaker, though, and the 12" has good bass. I think others are doing better for the price.

Yamaha MSR seems wimpy without the sub, which defeats the purpose IMO. The DSR and DXR series are worth a listen.

JBL has/had a few in this range that sound decent (NOT the EON--try PRX), but I found they were a little light on the bass.

Mackies ... well, they do get loud.

Most other quality options are more money, some are lots more. Anything less isn't worth spending the money for.

I ended up with an Electro-Voice ELX-112P after a shootout with various QSCs, Mackies, etc. It just sounds great, gets very loud in a clean way, and has enough bottom end to play by itself. I actually use it as a "studio monitor" with the modular, and it's really nice in that role too. I used it for a neighbor's back yard party (they had belly dancers!) a while back, and that single speaker was easily good enough for a crowd of 60+ in a 50ft X 50ft outdoor area: coverage is nice and wide, too. They can be had for less than $500 new; I paid $400 used for mine. The larger ELX-115P doesn't seem to give that much more bass for a large increase in bulk, weight, & cost.

E-V ZXA requires the ZX sub to compete with the ELX-112P, and it just barely competes at that. I haven't heard the new E-V ZLX series.

Hope this helps!

[Just me]

I use a Peavey Combo 300 for the bottom end and using its crossover, feed everything above 400hz to a 100 watt 1-12" guitar combo amp. Plenty loud, plenty bottom. Usable for other things as well. (And under $300)

[Bartimaeus]

Thank you guys for the input!

I am currently using a bass amp for my modular, and I don't really like the sound of it, though tbh it isn't a great bass amp, so I don't really want to go that route. Running through the guitar combo is a cool way to make sound better, but I want to have as little stuff as possible to lug around (I will probably get a Sansamp and run it into the same thing as the modular).

The ELX-112P looks like a good choice for me, light enough to be portable, but good sounding and loud enough. I can get a new but open box one for $465 on eBay, so I think I'll pick one up and see how I like it. I shouldn't lose much selling it even if I don't.

Followup question: if I want to run a few things into the speaker, any recommendations on a mixer?

[John Noble]

Followup question: if I want to run a few things into the speaker, any recommendations on a mixer?

Look at the back panel for the ELX-112P: it's basically a small mixer. You could conceivably run four mono line level sources into it if some of them had their own volume controls. Most other modern powered PA speakers have similar facilities.

For small mixers, I like my Mackie 802-VLZ3 for price, size, features, and performance. One of the little Yamaha mixers with onboard compressors might be an option if you mic stuff up a lot.

[Just me]

I use a Roland as it has the same effects as their big recorders and mixers. For me, it also has R-bus, spdif and adat so it will slave with the VF2480 and my DR8.

[Bartimaeus]

Which model Roland are you using? I like the idea of some on board effects, if only just to easily put some reverb on stuff.

I also like the idea of the Yamaha's compression, since I am performing with a vocalist and so sometimes a mic might be needed, as well as if I play some sort of acoustic instrument.

[Just me]

VM-3100Pro. It has 2 mono compressors. EQ for each channel and the two of the VS8F effects. Built in patch bay and scene memory. (Very handy, I can set a scene for each song in a set and it will set the eq, comp, effects, routing and faders to whatever they were when the scene was saved. (32 of them) used it great advantage in last nights show as I needed wildly different effects for each song. Takes about 2 seconds to completely reset. Oh yeah, many of the effects are multi effects, and a ton of tweakability to them. Reverb has some 30 or so parameters.

[Bartimaeus]

That Roland looks v nice. Thank you both for the helpful input!

I currently have a ELX-112P on the way to me!

[Summa]

Fender Blues Jr here, love it!

[Bartimaeus]

So I got the ELX-112P. It's a little bigger than I expected for some reason, but it's really nice. Extremely clear sounding. I haven't had a chance to use it at high volumes yet, but I really like what I have heard.

Fender Blues Jr here, love it!

Do you not use it for bass stuff? I would worry about ruining the speaker.

[subultresk]

it might be not the cheapest solution, but i really love that system - i use Nexo PS8. I've got two of those PA's (for 4-channel amplification). They are just perfect for small venues. I use the "old" Nexo PS-8 amps. LOVE IT!!!

A very important part of the sound is the bass - most PA's are using such big subwoofers that you will need roadies and a truck... ;-)
The Nexo LS 400 (subwoofer) is small, fast and tight!

The PA sounds terrific and clean - like HiFi but stronger.

http://nexo-sa.com/en/products/21/ps8-r2/




I also use a Traynor K4 (with Fender Rhodes and MiniMoog). It's a great combo which even can be used as a kind of mini-PA - but of course it's not comparable with Nexo PS8...

http://traynoramps.com/keyboard/product/k4/



My experiences with powered speakers are not so good on gigs because most of them don't sound "far enough" - only to the third row or so. The whole presence just wasn't strong enough. There might be better ones today - those experiences are about 10 years or even longer ago...

[John Noble]

So I got the ELX-112P. It's a little bigger than I expected for some reason, but it's really nice. Extremely clear sounding. I haven't had a chance to use it at high volumes yet, but I really like what I have heard.

Good, I was hoping I didn't steer you wrong. It will get shockingly loud, enjoy!

This rolling bag fits it really well:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GPA712SM

I got mine for $119 shipped last December, looks like it went up a little.

[Bartimaeus]

Thank you for the input, subultresk. I already decided an a PA, but I like having other options known!

Good, I was hoping I didn't steer you wrong. It will get shockingly loud, enjoy!

This rolling bag fits it really well:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GPA712SM

I got mine for $119 shipped last December, looks like it went up a little.

Thanks for the recommendation? Did you get the large or small version? Large I assume?

Also, do you think that there would be sufficient room to tie a 6U case to the top of that case, by those metal bars?

[John Noble]

Thank you for the input, subultresk. I already decided an a PA, but I like having other options known!

Good, I was hoping I didn't steer you wrong. It will get shockingly loud, enjoy!

This rolling bag fits it really well:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GPA712SM

I got mine for $119 shipped last December, looks like it went up a little.

Thanks for the recommendation? Did you get the large or small version? Large I assume?

Disregard Gator's recommendation for the large version. I called them direct and asked them about it, and they admitted the small would probably be a better choice. That turned out to be true. I just checked my Sweetwater invoice to make sure and here's a copy & paste:

Product QTY Price Total
Gator GPA-712SM (Small) 1 119.99 119.99

Also, do you think that there would be sufficient room to tie a 6U case to the top of that case, by those metal bars?

The collapsible handle is just like what you'd find on carry-on luggage. I would not tie something heavy to it if you expect it to last.

[Bartimaeus]

Alright, cool!

That makes me unsure, though. The case looks great, but I need to carry a modular, the amp, and a keyboard to gigs (I live in a city and so walk). I also often will have a guitar on my back, so I somehow need to combine two of those things so that I can carry one in each hand, or else just hope that someone will help me whenever I have a gig.

Any advice?

[John Noble]

Alright, cool!

That makes me unsure, though. The case looks great, but I need to carry a modular, the amp, and a keyboard to gigs (I live in a city and so walk). I also often will have a guitar on my back, so I somehow need to combine two of those things so that I can carry one in each hand, or else just hope that someone will help me whenever I have a gig.

Any advice?

I'd get a flatbed cart or wagon with pneumatic tires. The rolling bag would not be great for very long distances.

[aen]

I know this is out of the OP's price range, but I use a big damn GK bass head, and an ampeg 8x10 for synthwork, unless I'm recording directly. Sounds great, but yeah, expensive. Obviously I got that rig for bass guitar, and now it happens to do double duty.

[antofthesky]

So I got the ELX-112P. It's a little bigger than I expected for some reason, but it's really nice. Extremely clear sounding. I haven't had a chance to use it at high volumes yet, but I really like what I have heard.

Fender Blues Jr here, love it!

Do you not use it for bass stuff? I would worry about ruining the speaker.

i have one of these for guitar, never plugged my modular into it for the same reason.

[meatbeatz]

I've been using a 2x2 Juke Case and it rocks. 16hr battery life and good for small gigs.

http://jukecase.com/shop/

[Summa]

So I got the ELX-112P. It's a little bigger than I expected for some reason, but it's really nice. Extremely clear sounding. I haven't had a chance to use it at high volumes yet, but I really like what I have heard.

Fender Blues Jr here, love it!

Do you not use it for bass stuff? I would worry about ruining the speaker.

i have one of these for guitar, never plugged my modular into it for the same reason.

obviously, NO bass, well not really low-low end anyway, played a lot live with it with zero issues, it's not a modded version (been considering that for a while) but the reverb is great and it's really loud if you want to.. a bit on the heavy side though, I'm considering using my Fender Vibro Champ which is a third in watt but a nicer "vintage" tone. No reverb though..

[Bartimaeus]

I've been using a 2x2 Juke Case and it rocks. 16hr battery life and good for small gigs.

http://jukecase.com/shop/

Ooh, those look very nice (SO PORTABLE)!

[pedromonkeyfinger]

Most of the time I use a GK MicroBass combo. 200W, decent bass. It's small and reliable - I usually wind it right out. I guess it's limiter helps with that. For most shows it's good enough, and if there's a PA it sounds good mic'd. I just tip it on it's side and sit right on it to play since the best place for the synth is usually right on the floor. For other shows or when it makes sense to get really loud I beg and borrow to get an Ampeg SVT 8x10". For a show back in the spring I was able to get 2 such beasts and lashed the cabinets together and Y'd into the amps. I exceeded 143dBSPL at 1m!
But the little GK is still pretty good, and you can get them used for pretty cheap, within your budget anyways. Bass response seems to get down to around 45Hz.

[ersatzplanet]

I have a set of Mackie C300 which are the passive versions of the SRM350 an they are great speakers. Small, can be pole mounted, full range, and east to pack up. They have a good dispersion so work great in most venues. I play stereo so I spread them out behind me and use them as monitors too. The power amp I have is OK (a Crate solid state one I got really cheap) but I would like to get a better one. I don't do EDM, so you might what to get a sub if you are into disrupting people's internal organs or breaking up kidney stones.

Powered speakers are very nice, they typically have more control over the sound since the electronics are geared for the drivers and are most likely bi-amped or tri-amped too. They add the hassle of needing a power outlet near buy, an preferably one on the same ground leg as the rest of your gear. Get long extension cords or keep them near. The power in clubs is notoriously bad and for some reason, powered speakers seem to be more sensitive than an amp running passive ones.

[davydka]

Orange sp410 and terror bass. It shakes.

[knows]

No mention of the peavey kb 300, cheap reliable 1x15 and a horn with multiple channels (1 xlr) and reverb and eq. I use two in stereo. You could roll em of a truck or down a flight of stairs and probably still play the show. I in fact got one for free that looked like it fell down a flight of steps, still worked. They are heavy but have casters. Did I mention they are inexpensive?

[Little Otik]

There is a certain quality to a good amplifier which can't be matched by a sound system, in my opinion. The rawness of a great guitar amp (with noisy textures, especially) is unmistakeable. You lose some precision, but you gain a presence. I have a TA 30 Mesa amp that I love. However, no stereo. When performing with a group, I might opt for the amp quality. More visceral.

When performing solo, I want a stereo field. I've performed many sets with JBL powered monitors, and a few with Mackies.

Sometimes I think players worry too much about getting exactly what they want or are used to hearing in performance, and don't work enough with what they have at the precise moment. The space one is playing in should have more to do with your performing choices than the gear you are using.

That's my take.