From joequinn@rocketmail.com Fri Dec 06 09:22:50 2013
Subject:Re: Amplification Options: Was RE: New hammond xk3c


I am a huge fan of the QSC K line. I have been using a single K12 for a couple of years with my XK3C and SK1. I have used it with and without an external monitor with excellent results. I use a Vent with the XK3C but not with the SK1 (when I use the SK1 I am trying to be as small as possible and the leslie sim is pretty good I think) I think it is a tremendously smooth speaker/amplifier - has plenty of bass and is a comfortable size for transport. I also have a pair of K10s that are excellent as well and I've used them as PA Mains and also for keys depending on where I'm playing.

Additionally, I picked up a pair of Mackie DLM12s along with a single DLM12S Sub. I was looking for something smaller. I am often called upon to play left hand bass and what I had been doing was midi-ing the lower manual of the XK3c to a Motif to supplement with a bass sound that I would run through a separate SWR 10" bass amp (not ideal bass amp for this but it's what I already had when filling in on bass for some small gigs). The Mackie setup with the subwoofer has some benefits.

Comparing the K12 to the DLM12 (without sub), the K12 is the hands down winner for sound quality and build construction. The Mackies are a bit harsh in comparison and also have a more prominent hiss. The K12 is just incredibly smooth and pleasing. However, there is a tremendous punch that the Mackie has in cutting through a mix (a loud blues band) so depending on where you play and what kind of band you are in, the Mackie can be beneficial. It really does cut through. The Mackie seems to have more/deeper bass to my ears (without the sub) so for playing left hand bass, it might be a better choice, again even without a sub. Both cabinets have worked well for me running direct from the XK3C to Ventilator and direct to the speaker without mixer. As for build quality, what bugs me about the Mackies is the cabinet's grill rattles and at various frequencies, it's really annoying. Taking off the grill eliminates the problem but the grill is a bit of a chore to take on and off and I certainly wouldn't transport it without the grill.

When gigging, I also am typically playing piano as well as Hammond and the above comparison holds true for piano as well. At home I'm running synths quite a bit and in that environment, I prefer the K12 or K10s hands down. But that is a more critical environment and I'm not trying to compete with loud guitars/drums on stage.