Hey guys!

I just bought a new keyboard (MOX8) and need to buy an amp. I will be using this 95% in my home office/studio/spare bedroom and the other 5% might be taking it to a few friends places to play a bit. No real Gigs… just for fun.

I’m curious if the guy at GC was right when he said I should be more than happy with a Roland KC-150 or Kc-350?

Would either of those be plenty? Would I be missing out at home by not having a pair of speakers (Stereo) instead of one of these single amps?

I guess the Mic plug-in is nice, in case I wanted to add a mic.

What would you use for these needs?

Thanks!!

Jon

Hi. I use a KC-350 for church duty, and am pretty happy with it (for a band setting environment)) It’s built like a tank. But sound quality can’t really compare with a good home stereo system. I put my MO6 through a pair of old Polk studio monitors at home. I’m sure Guitar Center would let you put one through a workout. Do your homework before a purchase. I’m sure others will contribute suggestions. Good luck! G.P.

Yamaha stagepas300 or 500. There is no other choice in my opinion. Considering that your spare room is no doubt a fairly small space verses an outside event at your friends BBQ, this system will serve you well in both settings. The 500 has more power and additional connections to the mixer. I quite often play on a Stagepas 500 (just yesterday in fact) and think they are perfect for smaller spaces.

Another major consideration with moving your stuff around is weight and overall portability. The Stagepas system is really nothing more to carry that two fairly small speakers. Add two light weight speaker stands, and you have a system that works well in a party-like setting because the speakers are up off the ground and can be easily placed at head level for those listening,

Keyboard amps tend to be larger floor mounted things that are heavy, hard to carry and won’t fit in most cars along with all your other stuff. (I personally think that Roland keyboard amps are one step above white noise generators, but that’s just a opinion.)

Powered speakers are another choice, but require a mixer in between you and the speaker to be effective, and they are heavy.

Of course there are other systems out there by Fender, etc., but whatever you do, make sure you maintain a true stereo connection. Plugging left and right into a non-stereo system is not stereo - it’s just a really bad sound. 

Bob

The only kc amp any good is the kc880!  if u play out of a kc 550 u sound bad and most keyboard player sound bad because of there amp.

Though a new s90xs owner, I’ve used a KC-300 for years. For small/mid-size rooms with my P30 piano I get comments that it’s the best piano sound people have heard. For large gigs, it’s my stage monitor. I’d buy another (a 350 now) for larger and stereo benefits.

Just my opinion,

I own two Barbetta Amps (Sona 41c).  They have 550 watts of brutal, but clean sound.  I highly recommend these amps, however I cannot say that I am pleased with the service.

Check out http://www.barbetta.com

Kenny

Behringer KX 1800FX.  I have had two of them for going on 3 years and I love them.  Very clean sound (unlike my experience with Roland’s!) and decent enough power for most needs.  Tons of routing/mixing capability with 4 channels.  And yes, I’ve used at TRS cable to connect them “in stereo” and it works swimmingly.  Really love me these amps.

We’ve used them to simply amplify keyboards as well as for smaller rooms...acting as our entire PA.  Wouldn’t want to do that with only 1 of them (which is why I bought 2).

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/K1800FX.aspx

Sincerely,

Kevin B. Selby

Based on the description of what you’ll be using it for, I’d say those amps will be just fine for you.  No need to spend the money on anything more.

dmc

I play through a KC550 (Roland) on stage and agree it sounds like crap.  At home I only use headphones to practice, and I always run through the PA mains whenever we play live.  I just use it for my stage monitor, which I guess is how I justify this atrosity.  I’ve not had people comment but I hear it.

I’d like to upgrade someday, perhaps this year, and like the OP, I’m not sure what I should upgrade to.  I play venues between 100 people and 500 people, typically.