From donniemac88@yahoo.com Fri Feb 17 07:57:50 2006
Subject:Traynor K4 Keyboard Amp -- Initial reaction? Thumbs Up!

A while back I posted here and on other forums looking for reviews of
the new Traynor K4 keyboard amp. Because the amp is so new, it was
hard to find folks who've actually used it. And since no one in my
area stocks it, I couldn't hear one first-hand. So several weeks ago,
I took a chance and ordered one anyway, knowing that if I didn't like
it I could return it and I'd only be out the shipping costs.

My K4 arrived yesterday and, although I was only able to play with it
a short time, my first impressions are VERY favorable.

The K4 has a 3-channel stereo mixer, with a 4th "monitor" channel.
The 1st channel features dual tubes, and has settings for various
preset "voices". It's a stereo amp -- it has a mono 12" subwoofer
with a 4.5" mid and a 2.5" compression driver on either side.

For starters, I plugged my Korg CX-3 into channel 1, dialed up
the "Organ" voice preset and jammed away. It really brought the CX-3
to life. While the stereo separation isn't as wide as my current
setup, which consists of two powered wedge monitors, I could
definitely hear the "motion" in the Korg's Leslie sim. Not only that,
but with the 3-way speaker configuration, I could hear the
Leslie "breathing" (for want of a better term).

After that, I plugged a Roland JV-880 module into channel 2 and
triggered the module's onboard demos. The demos are full arrangements
including keyboard and percussion tracks. The K4 rocked! With 300 W,
it definitely moves the air. And it sounds WORLDS better than the
Roland KC-500 I used to own (which, although it has a stereo mixer,
you need TWO KC-500s to hear yourself in stereo).

My first gig with the K4 is this Saturday, so it'll get a tougher
test. But so far, I'm pretty excited about the K4. If it sounds as
good onstage as it did in my home, it's a keeper. And it will allow
me to replace a mixer and two powered monitors with a single unit.