Which Amps do you folks like here?

[dwtomsun]

I was about to purchase a Roland 880 for my Nord Stage 2 when I began to read this forum and I see that the consensus here is that it is better to go with two powered PA speakers (QSC and EV seem to be the favorites) if you want a stereo monitor. My question is this- If I go with two powered speakers, how do I get a mixed mono signal to the soundboard? The reason I was going to go with the Roland 880 is that I would get to enjoy a stereo mix on the stage, but that amp will mix the signal to mono to send out to the house. However, I don't want to sacrifice overall sound quality by going with an amp over speakers.

Sometimes I have to play a smaller venue where it's just me and the Nord and a vocal mic, so the ability to use the amp/ speakers as a small PA for the room when required is also important. Again, the 880 fits the bill, but from what I read here I will be disappointed in the acoustic piano sound.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[dwtomsun]

Most of the active speakers have a balanced di out to carry the signal to the main mixer.
If not, you can use a double in di box, connect your nord in the box and take from the other in connector the copied signal and connect your amp from there.
I send a stereo signal to the pa mixer and have an active jbl eon 15 clone, with jbl original driver, and a Yamaha mg802 to mix if i'm using more than 1 keyboard. I don't get worried on the perfect sound on stage, i just wanna hear what i'm playing over the drummer and guitar amps!!! The pa operator has the good signal in his hands.

[dwtomsun]

Leo, thanks for the response and yes, I could take the balanced di from the speakers, but that still will give me two lines to the house PA, and they will typically only want one from me. I can't find a double in di box that does what you described. I would need it to give me two lines back to me speakers, but one line to the house. Do you know of such a device?

[dwtomsun]

Given that, find a less-lazy sound tech or use a little mixer to feed the l -r monitors ans the pre fader aux to the sound board. The mixer will do a mono mix of al the channels in use.
Just my opinion!

[Six-string-man]

Try having a look at the Radial Stagebug SB2, about £60 over here, so I guess under $90 for you. Very small, very neat, very effective. Should do what you want. There is a demo on You Tube. Like all Radial products, built to last for ever.


SSM

[dwtomsun]

The Radial is just a mono input. No help there.

[dwtomsun]

Incorrect. If you read about the product info, you'll find out that you can use it for mixing stereo to mono by connecting the other channel to the thru socket.

[Six-string-man]

What Mr G said.

Like most of Radial's DI boxes, you can set it up two or three different ways to suit differing configurations. AS I said in the earlier post, check the video demo. Also, look at the instructions from Radial when you google "SB2 Stagebug"


SSM

[dwtomsun]

ah, I see it now! Thank you, I do believe this will solve my issue!

[koloman]

I use since many years Motion Sound KP 100 s and I am very satisfied. Clear piano sounds and also for fine Synth sounds very good and transparent.
Maybe a little bit too weak if you play in bigger Venus. For home it is for me perfect.
Wolfgang