Amplification for keyboards, synths and digital pianos 

I use amplified monitors: JBL 305, Yamaha HS5, Presonus Eris E5 and JBL 104 on my diferent locations. All of them are fine. The JBL 104 are surprissingly good for their size and price

Hi woody. Good video on a subject that seems to be overlooked for some reason. I am a gigging keyboard play and have a home studio and home keyboards so in a good position to comment. For many years I used a Peavey KB100 keyboard combo and still use it in my studio for bass guitar. I thought your comment on using a mono signal was interesting as I have have the complete opposite experience. I always run my synths in mono live as a stereo image would get lost in a public space and trying to get your audience to all sit in the middle of the venu would be unrealistic. I am now using a Yamaha Powered mixer and a set of whafdale 12” speaker for my own personal monitoring and sending a mono signal to front of house. It works a treat. I also think using a guitar amp can be a minefield and cause more problems. Maybe for that dirty Rhodes sound it would be ok but a guitar amp is designed to create the guitar sound and you don’t get the full range with lake of bass and no treble horn a piano sound would sound terrible, I know from experience, trust me. Studio monitors are great for home use. I would like to see more videos of this subject and interviews of keyboard players with what they use. Some good information in this video. Thanks again, Doug from the UK

WOW, very informative and helpful , thank you.

I recently purchased an electronic drum kit to add to a growing list of instruments that I cannot play. It's sometimes suggested that an amp for a drum kit will also be suitable for keyboards. Having a Yamaha MODX8 I was able to test this theory. I should say that I was looking for amps for home and not for gigging. I first tried a Yamaha MS45DR which is a 2.1 system marketed for drums. I found the set lacking for drums but happened upon a video of an identical set being used at a NAMM convention with a Yamaha keyboard. So I tried it with my Yamaha keyboard and thought it sounded great. But, I still needed an amp for my drums. My next purchase was a Simmons DA2012B amp for drums. And I'm glad to say that it works great with my drum kit. But, it doesn't sound so great with my keyboard. So, that's been my experience looking for amps for keyboard and drums. Previously I was using a pair of Yamaha HS5 monitors with my keyboard. But, since they lack bass, I've ordered a HS8S to go with the HS5 speakers.

Wow! I learned a lot. That was so thorough and you explained everything so well.

I find it ridiculous that people pay thousands of dollars for keys and then start struggling to invest at least a thousand dollars in reasonable aktive monitors… it’s like buying a fast motorbike and saving on great tires😂😂😂😂

I like your tips for home use. As a gigging keyboard player I do not recommend using a guitar amp. Most keyboard players require several sounds to come out of one keyboard and if through a tube guitar amp the piano, strings, brass, ect will sound like crap. If you are only running a single keyboard into the tube guitar amp that sounds good with a little tube crunch like a fender Rhodes then that would probably work for you. I highly recommend a bass amp that has a tweeter in addition to the woofer. Also a powered PA wedge is awesome. I currently use an in-ear monitors with a ls well as a powered Electro-Voice 12 inch wedge so there is some stage volume in my corner of the stage.

Good video, Woody. I would just add one tip. I find synths sound better through a solid state bass amp than through a guitar amp. Bass amps can handle lower frequencies better without getting flubby, and they're more powerful than guitar amps. A tube amp can sound nice, but I think they add too much coloration to the sound. Also, a keyboard amp (with a large enough speaker) can be used as a bass amp. I used a Peavey KB100 as a bass practice amp for quite a while, and it sounded great.

I will address this question from the angle of keyboard sound systems for live performance situations. I have played keyboards in bands for near 50 years. And, to some of you, I know, that means I’m probably an old fart that couldn’t know much. LOL!!! But, to this day I still play live and have continued to stay at the front edge of technology. I have played in various sized venues. But, the average sized rooms I’ve mainly worked in, seating capacities ranged from 150 to mostly under 500 people. On a couple of occasions, I have played through and heard other keyboard players using ‘Keyboard Amps’ from Roland, Peavey, etc. These boxes are usually heavy, awkward, expensive and mostly pathetic sounding. The truest and most pleasing sound production will come through the use of a decent quality pair of powered PA speakers. I have found that a system with a high frequency horn loaded driver and a 12” subwoofer work quite well for rooms of the above size. There are many companies making similar units like EV, JBL, Behringer and the like. Obviously, large venues will require a bump up in size and wattage. But, my advice is to go the powered PA speaker route. You need a wide frequency response with absolute minimum distortion or coloration.

Very good introduction to the subject Woody. Before anyone goes out and actually throws their checkbook on the counter, I recommend that you contact your local college or university and through the music department hire a couple of hours of one of the keyboard students time to walk you through the business. Their is no substitute to actually twiddling the knobs and hefting the equipment. A student is usually in a position to tell you what you can get by with and what would be optimum and a lot of what is in between. The choice is not much available these days, but if you are hauling equipment from one venue to another, you want your speakers to be in PLYWOOD cabinets. Sadly almost all the manufacturers have switched over to particle board, which is acoustically better, but a single drop from clumsy fingers will destroy the cabinet. Plywood will bounce where particle board crumbles. Actually glass fiber filled concrete is the best thing acoustically from which to make speaker cabinets because they do not resonate with human hearing range, but they are way too heavy to drag around. I have bought particle board cabinets, torn the drivers (the actual loud speakers themselves - woofers and tweeters) out of the cabinets, and built replacement cabinets out of flooring plywood (1.25 inches thick). One has to maintain the interior volume and port sizes exactly, but you will have drop resistant cabinets which will not lose any sound volume in vibrating the cabinets. If you can tolerate lugging these monsters around, you will never lose a speaker to a four foot drop. If your foot is underneath it when it falls, it will involve several surgeries to rebuild the foot. I used to design loudspeaker systems (both drivers and cabinets) so that is why I am crazy enough to go to all this effort. You normal, sane, people probably will be happy with the equipment right out of the manufacturer's box. Best of luck.

This video is timely as I was looking for a way to amplify my keyboard on quick gigs. I am currently looking into Vox Vx50kb keyboard amplifier because it's lightweight and the sound quality and loudness is satisfactory (I tested it with a Kross88 in a store). At home, I'm using an amp with 2 generic bookshelf speakers. I'm probably upgrading them to JBL Series 104 monitors soon because I need more accurate sound. I tried connecting to a guitar amp and for me it sounds horrible. Too tinny and it doesn't have too much dynamic range. I've tried connecting to a PA speaker and it's fine and loud, but it's too heavy for me so it's not an option.

My head is spinning in indecisiveness. 100% confused now.

If you're a gigging keyboardist, consider stage footprint and setup time. You really don't want much low bass unless you want to piss off the bass player (and sound mam). Watch the left-hand pinky. Obviously if you/re playing big and loud joints, plug into the FOH and fold-back in monitors until rest of band bitches. Demand your own monitor mix. A single point source cab in stereo will give best rotary effect. All the high-end stereo key cabs are way overpriced. Sure, run your own stereo PA if you have space. II've never seem a key rig with big trees. Bring all your keys and don't forget your Rick Wakerman cape. At home, run stereo into whatever can take the punishment

do NOT use guitar amps for keyboards. The lower frequencies on pianos and EPs will absolutely destroy the speaker in the amp.

For gigs try a Turbosound Midas 10 £244: Loud, two inputs (inc mic)...one of the best small Active Speakers I have used...(I once worked for Celestion/Kef in quality control and was a PA engineer in a past life!)...get a pair for less than £500 and you will have a very good, professional PA it is more than enough for an audience of 200.....I have used them in my home as they also sound good at low volume. Cheers !

I had two Roland amps (KC-350 and smaller KC-150) and I did not like them. They are covered with that crappy carpet/cloth and they did not sound good to me. I guess I will look into a stereo PA next.

For home use, a pair of vintage Roland Cube amps (30 Watts) will do an amazing job for most keyboards. Roland amps get bashed a lot for a reason but the 30 Watts Cube is really an exception. Otherwise, a pair of decent two-way-PA-speakers is a necessity. The companies to look at are Yamaha, QSC and JBL. They deliver a great sound, high volume level and very good built quality for up to 1k $ à piece. High-end two-way-PAs go for around 3-4k $ à piece (Meyer Sound, KS Audio, Nexo, Seeburg, RCF, etc.). I'd go for a 2" horn and 12" or 15" woofer. With this, one should be able to amplify the entire frequency range of a keyboard. For real electric pianos (Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Vintage Vibe), clavinets and Hammond organs a guitar amp might be really great. In case of electric pianos and clavinets a Fender tube amp or Roland Jazz Chorus is spot on, for Hammonds a Marshall Plexi top with cabinet. Though, for Hammonds I'd prefer a tube-amp-driven Leslie speaker (122, 147, 251 or custom-built) any time.

I think a combo bass amp is a better option then a guitar amp. The bass amp's lower frequency range works way better for a keyboard.

some real info,, from us to you all.... if u play synths... get at least 10 inch or more woofers... to stay cheap,,, suggest diatone or other such big,, clear spkrs... with proper amps.. try the t - amp... we also use bass guitar amps.. usually better than guitar amps... u must try...anyway...

So if I understand correctly, it's possible to connect external studio monitors/speakers straight to the keyboard, without an audio interface? The reason I ask this is due to the fact that I don't do much music production, but rather just play to enjoy and also because I play at a home congregation/"mini"-church. I recently bought a Yamaha MODX7 keyboard, which I'm very impressed with and satisfied with the quality it has. However, it has no built-in speakers, which means that I need external speakers. I've been deciding whether to choose from the Yamaha HS5 White Studio monitors or the KRK Rokit 5 G4 studio monitors, and if it turns out to be true that I don't need an audio interface, and can just plug in the monitors/speakers into my keyboard and just play, that would be fantastic.

Using a pair of KC-350's here. Solves the L/R issue nicely! They kick ass.

If you gig alone - keys, plus a Mic, maybe, also consider the Bose L1 series. Great sound, very light. We have an EV system - 15" active speakers, 18" active subwoofer, Mackie mixer. With two extra active speakers chained into it, we can handle a 700 person room at dinner party levels. When not being used on gigs or conferences, it lives in the living room, and my wife uses it as a (very loud) home stereo by plugging a bluetooth adapter into it...

It's important to remember that £1000 monitors don't mean anything if the room isn't treated properly

Oh dear, had to stop watching when the dreaded Roland KC Amp was shown. Awful sound. Speaking from experience I moved to powered speakers Yamaha DXRs with full range sound. Never looked back although I know use IEMs playing live

I tried plugging in my niece Marley Bluetooth speaker to my synthesizer and it could not handle the sound, it was distorting and not working at all. Well it would work but I just could not handle the depth of sound. I'm surprised because the Marley speakers produce excellent sound. So what's wrong with that set-up.

Woody, just want to say this channel has been a Godsend for a tech novice like me. Just bought my first professional keyboard (Roland D50), largely thanks to your comprehensive review vids. Now I'm looking for an amp, and here you are helping me pick one. A big thank you from Chester, England!

How would like say, some EAW speakers work as far as keyboard amplification?

weirdest thing is when I plugged my headphones into my amp with my keyboard it's picking up an FM radio station like I can hear two guys talking and I got no TVs on in my house.

OK, just ordered a pair of Alto TS315 powered PA cabs, while they're on sale. I have the prior version Alto, with a sub ( a pair of Alto TS210 and one Alto TS212S sub), but I wanted a more portable and dedicated system for my digital keyboards, primarily organ, and other instruments without needing a dedicated sub. I've had my current Alto rig for at least 4 years now, and I use it for everything from my computer rig, keys, guitar and bass. Sound great to me, at a great price. Worth a look.

Too much talk and not enough sound. For this review it would have been so useful to have some kind of fair sound recording.

Hi I have a clavanova and I want to add speakers for more stereo sound which speakers should I buy pls advice

a little hint when using headphones - sit on the cable, but make sure it's in your bum crack for comfort!

And i plug myself to my cheap guitar amp in the clean Chanel because I don’t have money for another amp.

Interesting video. I have a Kawai MP11SE, which I mostly use for playing acoustic piano in a home environment. I bought it with a Roland KC-220 stereo keyboard amp, and I must say it sounded pretty good. However, I believe it's safe to say I let myself getting carried away with all the hype surrounding studio monitors that I sent back the KC220 (which gets destroyed in about every review I can find) and bought a pair of iLoud Micro Monitors instead. Now, these actually sound good and are good value for money, but I have a feeling they sound less realistic than the KC220. By realistic I mean less than a real acoustic piano would sound, with the sound resonating from the soundboard, basically surrounding you. For this reason I think I might replace the Micro Monitors with a pair of Roland CM30s connected in stereo mode. Maybe this is an idea for a future video, sort of like a spin-off of this video : how to make your digital piano sound like a real one (or at least, as close as you can get). Been looking at the iLoud MTM speakers, which you can calibrate to the room you're in, but I think those will be too flat as well in the end. In any case, love the channel, keep up the good work !

Guitar Tube Amps... gig worthy... a lot more than $300.

Wow what a comprehensive video! Just what I was looking for as I start to expand my keyboard game

If ya don't care about bass, try a pignose amp. They make synths come alive. Also, bass amps are a great option.

I use two Alto TS-12 's and an Alto mixer. Best keyboard amps iv ever had. Been playing in bands for 30 years. Iv had so nanyvsmps but they ne er seem to " cut the mustard "

Hi woody, what mixer do you use? I am looking at connecting my two other keyboards up, to my PC speakers, that I have my Kurzweil connected to, and it would be nice to rock the 3 through a set of head phones, if i want to do some late night practice, when i come home, from work, after been on the late shift.

Those amplifiers with the 'chimney' sticking up out the top (JBL?) sound incredible. Once you get over the fact that it looks like there's a log burner on the stage, the sound is just stunning.

I once had a Roland Cm30 as a floor monitor, it was great...now I am searching for something portable for the rehearsals only

for home use with a Yamaha digital piano i used Audio Engine 5 bamboo speakers with the sub. Sounded fantastic.

I use a Nord Stage 3 plus a pair of good quality Yamaha powered PA speakers for live performances. However I'm sure I could improve my sound through correct positioning of the speakers - something I cannot find any advice on. Some suggestions here would be welcome.

Why is a keyboard amp frowned upon? I really don't understand it. But a tube guitar amp is great? What?

13 08 .... mixering or mixing? I’ll have to try mixering a cake one day :)

I use a Roland BA330 it does a pretty decent job for keyboards and its stereo.

I have a pair JBL self powered monitor speakers smaller one.It sounds great

My newest monitoring system is a Behringer B1200D subwoofer, feeding two Bose S-1 Pro. For the large gigs I use a pair of Bose L1S with B1 subs. I really like the Bose sound, nice and clear, easy to hear myself over guitars and what not. I find most full range power PA speakers get really directional at high volumes (beamy), where they sound good rather far away and just hurt up close. I really enjoy hearing my keyboards in stereo, mono just doesn't cut it anymore.

have a Roland KC500 and a KC550. big but awesome sound

Really nice video Woody. I´m just in the right moment for buying an amp that I can carry with me without using my hands. And in the era of all this bluetooth systems with brands like JBL and Bose; I´m considering the idea about going for the Bose Revolve+. It looks like it will do the light part of the job (It has a 3,5mm imput, fits in any backpack, you can use it with internal battery, it´s range seems to be very wide, is omni directional, is light weighted, etc). It costs 229 euros aprox.

Tight budget so for home I use a thrift store Sony stereo amp and 2 paradigm bookshelf speakers. For gigging I have a pair of Alto TS312 powered PA speakers and they are great. I often place them with the guitarists amps and I can usually balance the sound very nicely. I have to reduce the bass using my mixer. Not the worst problem to have. Why don’t I plug into front of house? I can’t mix it myself that way. Either everyone into the main board and have a sound guy or play like the guitarists do and place my amp with theirs.

I have the same headphones. Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250 Ohms, They're great sounding.

Hi there, I have a Kawai CA59 and whilst I love the piano the sound from the built in speakers just seems to a fall a bit short. They are technically 50w each speaker. My question is, would you recommend that I get external speakers and if so any makes recommended? Also what is the minimum Watt per speaker should I go for. Thankyou.

Hi Woody, thanks for the video! I do think your comments about stereo sounds canceling each other out is incorrect. First, many keyboards have a summed output (L+R) available, which is a mono output. Second, what you may be thinking about is phase cancellation, and there isn’t any reason why the L and R signals would be out of phase; if they were going to cancel each other when combined electronically, they would also cancel when reproduced via speakers. Technically, you could have a summed signal (L+R), and a differences signal (L-R). The summed signal is monophonic. Combining the summed signal with the differences signal gives you each discrete channel (e.g., L+R+L-R=L).

Ive been playing guitar for 30 years and have wanted to get into synths, drum machines, and so on and my main concern is volume, I want something that can be heard when going toe to toe with my 4x12 100watt guitar stack. Looks like a PA is the way to go

genelecs too

Everybody I know and myself use Roland KC or similar amps. You don't want to amplify a keyboard in stereo on stage, you get a lot of artifacts and distorsion that way. Mono is the way to go, you can ask any technician about this. BTW, don't buy the Roland KC110-220, it's stereo but underpowered and makes the high notes on piano samples sound brittle. your option is KC80 and above.

1:33 It amplifies the power not the voltage. That means it amplifies the current and the voltage because Power = Voltage * Current. Finally I got to use my awesome electronics knowledge.

so I should buy pa system for my digital piano

Thanks! I hooked up some logitech speakers & subwoofer that I wasn't using for my computer and my synth sounds soo much better than with the mini amp I was using!

I’m just playing in my bedroom. It’s old Casio and doesn’t sound that good. But it has a line out, and I’ve been running in through my guitar reverb pedal, a carbon copy delay, and a small guitar amp. It sounds much better. I’ve got a few guitar amps but I feel like there’s a better choice. Maybe even one that would work for keyboards, and acoustic guitar. That’s why I’m looking to see what the options are for keyboards.

I have a stereo set of Bose PA speakers. They sound horrible with an acoustic guitar pickup, so a preamp/DI is a must. Otherwise, the PA system is incredible. I might connect a home theater subwoofer to a mixer RCA out, as the Bose speakers are not very big.

Hi Woody I've just bought logitech z623 on the back of the sub it has a red and white socket, my Novation ultra nova has a red socket, plus all the other sockets of course, so after plugging into the red to red I have no sound, could you please help me. Regards Lee.

For better or worse, I’ve always liked built in speakers. Then I fell for the korg sv1, and had to dive into the wonderful world of monitors. Luckily, with the latest version, the sv2, they have a version that now comes with really good speakers built in. 🤷‍♂️ultimately, great video bro. Love it.

Hi Woody, I want to get an older synth from the 90s and connect directly to my home theatre AV receiver. How can I safely do that, with what cables? I've read one needs to be careful as you can damage the amp/speakers. Thanks!

I recently played my stuff thru a Roland KC-600 that a drummer friend had set up for me. It sounded horrible. Too much mid almost no highs at all. The eq on it barely even changed the sound. I really wanted to like it but no way would i get Roland amps again. Especially since I heard a JBL eon tower array that freaking kicked ass, saving up for one of those.

Won't you blow out your guitar amp speakers if you plug-in line level inputs from your keyboard into instrument input?

To be honest it does make sense to worry about home setting primarily, in my (long) experience, on stage nothing beats good IEM with moulds for keyboards. You'll hear yourself far better than with an amp or a PA speaker. And the other musicians should worry about hearing you if they want to. They can have you (or not have you) in their wedge or IEM. If we wanted to fight guitarists to be heard and showcase our ego we would have played guitar guys 😂😂

Great video. I love my JBL 710. But my all time favorite was my vintage Leslie cabinet rotary speaker. Nothing else is close. You'll need an amp tech to set it up for 1/4" Jack's.

like is a must for this vid!!!

Hi woody, good video! What about stereo pre-amps? I was about to but two ART V3 budget pre-amps, would you recommend something else? Thanks so much!!

I'm primarily an organist, which makes portable amplification difficult; the lowest note (C1) on the Hammond pedals is 32.69Hz, many subs don't get there, and I don't want to schlep a sub. My current home setup has a 12" sub that gets down to 42 Hz. I want stereo separation. I'm currently looking at powered PA speaker cabs with a 15" woofer. A 3-way would be great, but they get expensive compared to a 2-way. Open to recommendations.

Hi, thanks for the useful video. I would like to connect a Korg D1 keyboard to a pair of Presonus Eris 4.5 monitors. Do I need to buy a pair of TS or TRS cables? Thank you.

my personal beliefe is that the best amplification for a keyboad is a powered PA speaker + mixer. and i would also opt for a minimum 15" +horn sytem, 10" and 12" in my opinion will not reproduce the extra lows of a keyboard. i would also recomend for a giging musician to get the most powerfull you can affoerd as you cant have too much power though you can quite easerly be underpowered. i personaly use a pair of RCF375's which are £780 each which i know will be over exspensive for most so if you cant afford thoses get something at the maximum that you can afford. cheap mixers like the behringer xynex 1202 FX that i use at only £70 is quite suitable and will exsept 6 stereo keyboards which should be sufficiant for any one excepting rick wakeman ! now for home the use of a normal hi-fi/studio monitors is easerly surficiant, i use a pair of behringer truth B2031A at only £300 the pair but also cheaper monitors would also be quite useable in a home envirament.. note i used to use for gigging a pair of roland KC550 now discontinued but found them not suitable for me as i play bass parts on keyboard and they couldnt quite manage it at high volume levels hence i got the RCF's but if you are not playing bass parts and cant afford powered PA speakers i would still recomend the KC roland range or the now updated replacements, but make sure you get the 15" if doing gigs and 12" are ok for at home if you cant afford the studio monitor/hi-fi route. well thats my opinion on this well arguede debate.

Howabout a pair of KrK 4th generation monitors? I am torn between them and a pair of JBL 305p to amplify an Electribe 2 (blue) I'd appreciate any recommendations or advice from folk who have experience with this equipment or any other. I would also plan to use them as monitors for mixing down and mastering music, and therefore I am prepared to make compromises in terms of the way whatever I will buy will perform in each area. Help! 😬

Just needing an amp I have a eurorack modular synthesizer, specifically the correct amp that won't be damaged or damage.my system, & correct schematic is there specific amps that avoid using g a mixer ?

That helps to clarify a few things. I've always used dedicated guitar amps for guitars and bass amps for bass. Then I started playing the Chapman Stick, which has two separate channels: one for bass and one for the melody. I tried using a mono output to a bass or guitar amp, but I found that the bass amp is not optimal for the melody output and the guitar amp couldn't really handle the bass. For the stick the solution is simple send the melody side to the guitar amp and the bass side to the bass amp. Problem solved!. Then I started playing synths which have a range even wider than the chapman stick. However, unlike the stick, the stereo output of the synth is simply a left and right output, not a bass and treble output. I do not understand why the synth output is stereo when the synth signal path is not. I am wondering if the stereo outputs could be sent through a stereo equalizer to separate the bass from the treble sounds, then feed them to two separate amps; one bass and one guitar. Is that possible and would it be useful? It certainly makes a difference with the Chapman Stick and the range of frequencies coming from a synth is even wider than the Stick.

Re: Previous post I meant to type Dave Davies not his brother Ray. Ray Davies gets enough credit as is, didn't mean to give false credit.

Use 10$ amp made in ch*** and 15$ passive speakers.. hahahahaha if someday broken i dont care as long my keyboard was stereo and can do rotary effect

IEMs are the best. If a guitar player sees you with an amp or PA system you'd better be prepared for the volume wars. IEMs alleviate this. You'll need to work out the monitoring system. With a little ingenuity you can get a mix that satisfies you and helps save your hearing. And a sound tech won't have to deal with your stage volume because there won't be any.

What do I use if I am using Dexed with a Laptop and MIDI Keyboard, and how do I connect the laptop to the speakers?

Dump keys into my KB2....low impedance to a DI box...into the PA.. works every time!

what i can use with the nord stage 3 I'm thinking about studio monitor i don't like amplifiers

Cool. Nice video. I’ve been using a Fender tube amp for my synths and also love it.

I just got a Bose Acoustimass passive set consisting of 2 speakers and 1 subwoofer. Maybe these could be suitable for my synths running through a powered mixer. I've tried typical keyboard amps but the sound has not been the best, though.

Hi Woody, I’m interested in buying a Hammond SKX or a Nord C2D , cannot seems to find a good comparison between these. What would you suggest .(if you have any experience of either please )

Hi Woody. What type of lead do you use to connect to the MODX to the Logitech Z623

You didn't discuss running keyboards through a bass amp, which is quite common among keyboardists (used bass amps more plentiful & cheaper). As long as it has a horn, it's a good option. I know Yorkville & Peavey have made amps designed for both purposes in the past.

Thanks Woody for all this great info. I just want to be sure before buying. I have a yamaha digital piano that doesn't come with speakers. I was using a pair of normal box speakers but would like to replace them for better quality sound. Will monitor speakers be appropriate? Do I have to buy a pair or just one? Thaks much,

Thank you very much for this greatly informative video. Yes, this has reinforced my predilection for PA speakers. My question to you folks, if had to choose between a QSC CP8 or a JBL IRX-108 - which would you choose?

What about connecting a synth to a jbl charge 5? Would it sound good for home use?

I use a single PA top for live if not going to the desk. Yes its mono.... BUT using the Left out only from my boards I dont get the cancellation - because your not summing the signal. Stereo is nice - but live in a small band/venue its not needed really. Bigger ones you'll go through the main PA so can go stereo. At home, Its stereo into a mixer then studio monitors and sub.

The best arrangement is a powered mixer driving a pair of home stereo speakers. This gives excellent sound at a reasonable cost and the ability to add other instruments or record.

Note, for those of us that are deaf in one ear, (and there probably isn't a lot of us here maybe?). Headphones will probably not be an option because some synths (like the Yamaha MODX) are running not only stereo, but stereo effects as well. What I have done with my setup is run amp speakers on my terms. For example, I'm deaf in my right ear so I run the speakers on my left.

Are those Wharfedale fit to a lounge/cocktail fancy piano solo gig?

slaving a KB into a smaller boombox, bluetooth audio a possible! Nice work and video-

🤗👍🏻

why bluetooth audio speakers do not work with midi keyboards

what about room acoustic treatment? I is quite important for sound quality

Very nice! A good solution is a pair of good speaker boxes (passive) with a D-Class amp (Dayton Audio, Nobsound, SMSL, Lepai) and an active subwoofer with power level sub-channel extractor. I'm looking into using soundbars - I already found 2 channel audio inserters into HDMI (since soundbars usually don't have RCA/TRS inputs) and now I have to find out if the soundbar will extract the subwoofer channel. Subwoofers are really important because the lowest piano key is close to 30Hz. When I have more information I'll come back and comment. I have a Dayton Audio DTA-100 (out of catalog) getting the signal from a Mackie Onyx 820i and sending directly into a pair of JBL LX200 I bought from a church sale for 10 dolars - and they sound great! The DTA used the old T-Class amp chip.