From shrockrob@aol.com Tue Dec 13 17:37:08 2005
Subject:Re: Keyboards Amplifiers

I have a pair of Mackie SRM450s, and I like them quite a lot. They are pretty natural-
sounding; a little edgy on top and fairly bass-heavy on the bottom, but there is a hi-pass
at 70 Hz that reduces the bass if it's too much for your style of music. They are easy to
transport with built-in handles. That's about as good and loud as you can get in a rock
band without going into a much more substantial backline system. The JBL Eon G2s are
very similar in sound, price and size to the Mackies, as well.

I tried the largest of the Roland Keyboard amps (KC150, I believe) and immediately
returned it after the first rehearsal with my band. It sounded decent (at best) on its own,
and I liked the built-in mixer functions. However, as soon as I got in the room with drums,
electric guitar and bass the Roland folded. It just compressed, starting breaking up and
simply couldn't cut it at rock levels.

It sounds like you're in a similar situation. I don't think the Behringer or similar will cut in a
band setting, either. The Mackies have no problem taking your head off, if that's what you
want/need.

I'm using a CX-3 and Speakeasy, as well as a few other keyboards, so a small Behringer
mixer will serve you fine. They are cheap and sound really good. I have one velcro'd to the
top left of my CX-3 next to a small Fatar 610 controller (that is also velcro'd to the CX-3).

The only thing about my Mackie SRM 450s is that they only provides XLR inputs...at least
the versions I have; so you'll need either XLR outs on your mixer OR special cables that
have 1/4-inch connectors on the other end. (A disaster waiting to happen, unfortunately;
if you forget those cables for a gig, you're screwed!) I'm under the impression some of the
later SRM450s have dual the inputs, so this may not be an issue anymore.

Regards,
Rob Shrock

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