• From: Probably Somewhere
  • Registered: 2010-12-09
  • Posts: 2,446

Topic: PA Question, Your Input Needed

Hey all.

I'm preparing to start gigging again and I've been thinking a ton about the kind of small PA I'll need.

While I was setting up my keyboard in our new music room over the weekend, I took a gander at the small Roland amp I use (https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KC60) and noticed that it has 3 inputs (plenty for my purposes), independent volume controls and a master control.

Do you guys think I'll be ok plugging a mic and my acoustic into this little sucker for smaller gigs? Any downsides other than the obvious (no monitors, no FX loop, etc.)

Thanks in advance for your input!

Mods if this belongs elsewhere feel free to move it.

  • From: The Land Of Song
  • Registered: 2007-12-10
  • Posts: 5,649

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

I had a quick look via your link, it's a 40 watt amp but Roland are a good make still the bass guitar notes may cut into your vocals and cause some distortion/drop outs. So I would advise getting a proper rig and on the smaller gigs just use one speaker.

Ask not what Chordie can do for you, but what you can do for Chordie.

Phill Williams's Website

3 Reply by Tenement Funster (edited by Tenement Funster 2017-06-12 19:53:05)

  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

If the Roland has enough clean volume to fill your venue, shouldn't be a problem ... although 40 watts solid state seems a bit light.

I run a headset mic & acoustic guitar through my Traynor Acoustic amp (150 watts solid state), and it works fine in a church or community hall type of setting. One important thing would be to not use any of your amp's built in effects, or all of your instrument sounds would be equally affected. I'll put my Boss pedal-board between the guitar and amp for effects, so that my voice doesn't end up with wah / phase / delay / etc. (although any of that would be an improvement smile ) And you might have to fiddle with your EQ settings, to find a happy compromise that suits your voice, keyboard, and guitar simultaneously.

  • From: Probably Somewhere
  • Registered: 2010-12-09
  • Posts: 2,446

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

I was going to use an in-line EQ on the guitar, EQ the amp for my voice and then make any mods necessary for the guitar.

And this would only be for very small venues...small coffee shops, tiny bars, etc.

  • From: West Georgia
  • Registered: 2006-10-14
  • Posts: 2,557

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

I saw this answer, Rick and it immediately made me think of the ENDING to this song from long ago. Did these guys use instrumental effects on their voices?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tkXtMnSi64

Bill

Tenement Funster wrote:

If the Roland has enough clean volume to fill your venue, shouldn't be a problem ... although 40 watts solid state seems a bit light.

I run a headset mic & acoustic guitar through my Traynor Acoustic amp (150 watts solid state), and it works fine in a church or community hall type of setting. One important thing would be to not use any of your amp's built in effects, or all of your instrument sounds would be equally affected. I'll put my Boss pedal-board between the guitar and amp for effects, so that my voice doesn't end up with wah / phase / delay / etc. (although any of that would be an improvement smile ) And you might have to fiddle with your EQ settings, to find a happy compromise that suits your voice, keyboard, and guitar simultaneously.

Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com
  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

Strummerboy Bill wrote:

I saw this answer, Rick and it immediately made me think of the ENDING to this song from long ago. Did these guys use instrumental effects on their voices?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tkXtMnSi64

Bill

Hahaha ... as soon as I read your post, I immediately thought of "Crimson & Clover". They most certainly would had to run voice through a tremolo / vibrato. The only other way would be to sing while using one of those old waist slimming doo-hickies.

Observant call, Bill.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/11/30/article-2241075-1649F7BB000005DC-793_306x423.jpg

  • From: The Land Of Song
  • Registered: 2007-12-10
  • Posts: 5,649

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

Bill....most certainly a vibrato unit turned full up by the sound of it!

BGD, they would need to be very small, the Venues I mean lol.  Someone once said "you can always turn down for smaller places but you can't turn up for the bigger ones". I like my sound to be right wherever I play and if I can't get it right I get very tetchy. The wife asks how did it go and I say crap and she says did they ask you back and I say yes then she says it can't have been that bad then?

This is me....if you are happy that's all that counts. Will you record any shows?

Ask not what Chordie can do for you, but what you can do for Chordie.

Phill Williams's Website

  • From: Probably Somewhere
  • Registered: 2010-12-09
  • Posts: 2,446

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

Phill Williams wrote:

Bill....most certainly a vibrato unit turned full up by the sound of it!

BGD, they would need to be very small, the Venues I mean lol.  Someone once said "you can always turn down for smaller places but you can't turn up for the bigger ones". I like my sound to be right wherever I play and if I can't get it right I get very tetchy. The wife asks how did it go and I say crap and she says did they ask you back and I say yes then she says it can't have been that bad then?

This is me....if you are happy that's all that counts. Will you record any shows?

I will and they'll wind up here. 

Sounds like I should invest in a small system.

9 Reply by Russell_Harding (edited by Russell_Harding 2017-06-13 13:44:37)

  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,862

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

phonic makes a nice dual purpose rig 4 channel 100w head (with effects) 2 12" speaker cabs with horns for under 200.00 I have one and the cabinets do not weigh very much easy to move. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi … adType^PLA

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • From: Probably Somewhere
  • Registered: 2010-12-09
  • Posts: 2,446

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

Russell_Harding wrote:

phonic makes a nice dual purpose rig 4 channel 100w head (with effects) 2 12" speaker cabs with horns for under 200.00 I have one and the cabinets do not weigh very much easy to move. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi … adType^PLA

Thank you for that link. I've been researching but hadn't found a well-reviewed one under $400-$500. I'm going to pick this up today.

  • From: West Georgia
  • Registered: 2006-10-14
  • Posts: 2,557

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

Tenement Funster wrote:
Strummerboy Bill wrote:

I saw this answer, Rick and it immediately made me think of the ENDING to this song from long ago. Did these guys use instrumental effects on their voices?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tkXtMnSi64

Bill

Hahaha ... as soon as I read your post, I immediately thought of "Crimson & Clover". They most certainly would had to run voice through a tremolo / vibrato. The only other way would be to sing while using one of those old waist slimming doo-hickies.

Observant call, Bill.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/11/30/article-2241075-1649F7BB000005DC-793_306x423.jpg

Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com
  • From: Probably Somewhere
  • Registered: 2010-12-09
  • Posts: 2,446

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

Russell_Harding wrote:

phonic makes a nice dual purpose rig 4 channel 100w head (with effects) 2 12" speaker cabs with horns for under 200.00 I have one and the cabinets do not weigh very much easy to move. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi … adType^PLA


Bought it! NPAD coming to a Texas home year you in 48 hours!

  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

Baldguitardude wrote:

Do you guys think I'll be ok plugging a mic and my acoustic into this little sucker for smaller gigs? Any downsides other than the obvious (no monitors, no FX loop, etc.)

Put a pre-amp on the acoustic and plug it into one of the line level inputs, and it should be fine.   And you could run outboard effects or a monitor on that, too.  For a monitor, just take the line level output into stage monitor.  If it's an effects loop, make sure your effect inputs are line level and route it's output back into channel III.  Mix to your heart's content.  If you really wanted to get fancy you could buy a small mixer and use that for your outboard effects.

The only thing I'd worry about is if 40W is big enough.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

jerome.oneil's Website

  • From: Probably Somewhere
  • Registered: 2010-12-09
  • Posts: 2,446

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

Yup that is my worry too... so I just bought a system.

  • From: The Land Of Song
  • Registered: 2007-12-10
  • Posts: 5,649

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

well done, you should be safe there. so happy new PA day

Ask not what Chordie can do for you, but what you can do for Chordie.

Phill Williams's Website

  • Zurf
  • Zurf
  • Blunt but well meaning moderator
  • Offline
  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

Looks like I'm too late.  My wife bought a Harbinger system for my birthday a couple years ago. I like it. I don't use effects, but am thinking a chorus pedal for voice would be cool after Topdown and I saw a guy at a winery here in Virginia make excellent use of one.

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

Happy you found a solution, BGD. What did you end up getting for a system?

  • From: Probably Somewhere
  • Registered: 2010-12-09
  • Posts: 2,446

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

The one Russell suggested above! For the price point why not?

  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: PA Question, Your Input Needed

Zurf wrote:

Looks like I'm too late.  My wife bought a Harbinger system for my birthday a couple years ago. I like it. I don't use effects, but am thinking a chorus pedal for voice would be cool after Topdown and I saw a guy at a winery here in Virginia make excellent use of one.

We just added a vocalist, and he's got one of those things.  It's pretty dang cool.   It doesn't hurt that he can actually sing, either. big_smile

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

jerome.oneil's Website