OK. So I need an amp - I'm considering a powered PA speaker or keyboard amp like a Barbetta. I need it to be able to reproduce transients and low end - good bass. The instruments I'd be running are an analog synth, acoustic guitar, violin, and a sampler used as a drum machine (not all at the same time, mind you). To be used in quiet and loud situations so it needs to have more volume range than just loud and louder. For gigs and home practice.

So - full frequency range, uncolored sound, good low end, transients without frying - that's what I need. Powered PA speaker, keyboard amp? Good reliable brands? Help!

I've been really impressed with the Mackie SRM450 powered speaker. You'd need a small mixer to manage your inputs, but it would make a great cabinet for what you need. It's got some pretty good low end, but crystal-clear highs and good dynamic range.

From my experiemce, yo"ll have a tough time finding a single amp that will do all of that. Guitars, and possibly the violin will want something different than the rest of the stuff mentioned. Probably the closest thing I can think of that might serve all those uses is a Roland JC-120. It will do most of the things you want, but is less than ideal for most guitar sounds, and even less than that on bass, assuming you mean bass guitar, rather than synth bass. I'd look for a decent full range rig, and a cool sounding small guitar amp. You can always mic he amp into the full rage rig, if you need bigger volume.

THe Mackie looks like along the lines of what I'm looking for.. with the frequeny range going down to 45 Hz.

Imagine an 808 kick drum.. that's the type of low end response I need (what's that, around 40 Hz or so?). High end response going up to the threshold of audibility - my analog synth reproduces both extremes of frequency.

Zenanarchist (John Cage, is that you?) - I know what you're saying, but I'll mainly be using instruments throught the amp that I DON'T want tone-shaping on.

Although guitar and bass amps are critical for making a bass guitar sound like a bass guitar, etc.. I'm looking for clean and accurate reproduction. Probably using a little mixer for a bit of EQ filtering on signals such as violin or acoustic guitar, but that's it.

The analog synth would fry a guitar amp like the JC-120 (I did this recently).

JBL Eons are another good option. Ive been very pleased when Ive used them in the past. You will want the newer version (G2 model -- more wattage, darker grey cabinet) of the active model with the 15" speaker.

So in short, you don't want the guitar or bass to sound so good. Rather than get an amp/amps that will do guitar and/or bass well, what you actually want is a PA. And even there, one that will perform quietly at home or loudly with a synth and 808 kick.

I predict that in two years or so, you will look back on this request and say "what was I thinking?!?!"

That being said, there's a new generation of JBL Eon speaker. This is probably what you need. Is this the same kinda thing as the Mackie that was referenced above? I didn't wanna look it up, first and foremost because it's made by Mackie. And second, because it's made by Mackie...

You'll almost certainly need EQ, as you cannot expect to plug a guitar, bass, violin, synth, drum machine straight into some combo amp and have it sound right with any/all of them. That's crazy. Bass amps in their nature do not even try and pull off high mids or high frequencies. I guess you could try and manage your tone with your tone knobs, but I would submit that you're likely to end up with a whole bunch of really loud sounds that don't sound anywhere near as good as they would with a proper amp suited for their function.

scott wrote:So in short, you don't want the guitar or bass to sound so good. Rather than get an amp/amps that will do guitar and/or bass well, what you actually want is a PA.

It sounds like that's what he wants. Re-reading his first post: "The instruments I'd be running are an analog synth, acoustic guitar, violin, and a sampler used as a drum machine"

He's not looking for an amp for electric guitar or electric bass. He's looking for an amp with good bass response. For the instruments he's listed, a small PA would be the best option.

And BTW, while I'm not a huge fan of most Mackie gear, the SRM450's are really good-sounding cabinets. And I've heard some horror stories about the JBL's and their reliability. Plus they're not as clean on the highs as the Mackies.

mccreadyisgod wrote:He's not looking for an amp for electric guitar or electric bass. He's looking for an amp with good bass response. For the instruments he's listed, a small PA would be the best option.

* ding ding ding ding *

we have a winner.

sheesh. I'm glad you understood what I said.. anyhow, if I was looking to amplify electric guitar or bass through a PA (which I'm not), what's wrong with that? - it might be exactly the effect I'm going for.[/i]

mccreadyisgod wrote:And I've heard some horror stories about the JBL's and their reliability.

I have used them quite a bit, in quite a few different settings. Many of these settings have not been easy on them (loud doom bands, church basement hardcore shows, etc). I have had no problems. Eons converted me from my suspiscions and hatred of active PA speakers. They do a fine, fine job and have been nothing if not reliable.

mccreadyisgod wrote:Plus they're not as clean on the highs as the Mackies.

Ive never heard the Mackies; perhaps this is true. The JBLs have fine high end reproduction. You should make an effort to listen to them both if you can.