Amplifier for C2D

[dynanord]

A Leslie 760 isn´t so expensive. I had one and it was wicked . The neighbors in the next house were knocking at the wall and came over to me.
Perhaps a Leslie (or a clone) would come cheaper than a PA (of course you need two speakers).

[AlQuinn]

For at home use a real Leslie is by far the best choice -- the sound is magical! The only reason not to use a Leslie is if you have to move it. Then powered speakers are a practical alternative. I use a real Leslie at home rather than my powered speakers.

[tacitus]

My Leslie clone is on wheels, so moving it isn't really a problem. I use PA because the p=ipe organ sounds pretty feeble through the rotary, and the Leslie sim is fine for home practice (for me, that is). If my only pleasure was playing it at home, I'd have Leslie and PA speakers set up so that Hammond and pipe organ sounds both worked well.

Most active PA speakers have some sort of arrangement to cope with them receiving anything from 'domestic' -10db level to 'pro' +4db level. As well as a mic/line switch, mine have a volume knob which is marked with approximate positions for the various input levels. I don't think there'd be much practical difference with a hotter signal input other than slightly lower noise levels. With a full +4db signal and my speakers cranked up to 10 (or 11, even) I don't think it would sound very nice, though I've never been short enough of volume to prove that conclusively. At a proper gig I"d have the full PA setup anyway.

[orcoaffamato]

For at home use a real Leslie is by far the best choice -- the sound is magical!

I play the pipe organ mostly, so I don't really need a real Leslie.

[tacitus]

Having bought my C2D - as I thought - for the Hammond and the Vox sounds, I thought it would just be nice to have the baroque organ and save buying another module for the odd times I thought I'd need it. However, I have ended up playing it an awful lot and am using it more than all the others put together - at home. Out gigging or rehearsing with other bands, I use the Hammond most. So you can see that the Leslie is not top of my priorities for playing at home.

[AlQuinn]

I incorrectly assumed Hammond Organ rather than pipe organ. Sorry about that. Please disregard my comments regarding the Leslie as they were not intended as pipe organ feedback.

[Mooser]

Get a 3300. Only way to go.

[ChrisBart]

...or a 122 XB (11 pins).... amazing!

[The Franchise]

I've been running my C2D thru a pair of QSC K12's both at home, and at gigs - both inside and outside. No mixer necessary, at all. And I believe the use of a NEO is a total waste of money. That C2D has as killer a Les SIM at one could ever ask for. After all, the NEO is simply that - a leslie simulator. As far as power, the QSC's are 1000W's each. There's no "EQ" per say, but you can choose from a "vocal boost" or "flat" or "Sub boot". In addition, the 3 band EQ controls on the C2D will give you all the control you need. I've also run thru a nice mixer with will admittedly give a bit more control. But again - just not worth the extra money and set up hassle. I used the mixer when I wanted to record. Other inputs like drum and guitar mic's, etc. Then, it makes sense.

[tacitus]

I mostly agree with The Franchise, but I do think a mixer is a good investment, even if you don't use it all the time. As it happens, I have half a dozen mixers for general PA use, so I'm never short of one, but my little Yamaha MG102 gets a lot of use with my C2D as well as for other projects. The extra control is well worth having, though going straight into active speakers is pretty good. The payoff, though, is having extra inputs should you need more keyboards or a mike, for example, and boing able to warm up the signal a bit if you want to bring the roof down.

Of course, if your budget is limited, it's not totally essential, but you can get a small mixer for about 5% of the C2D's cost, so well worth considering unless you only ever use the thing at home or in one situation where none of none of these things could ever apply.

And if you gig with others, you do have a two-channel DI, don't you?