Hi Larry. Interesting to hear that the 38 lb KP-100S stereo PA unit can function both as a 'monitor' and 'sole sound source' for the smaller venues. I trust, as you explained, that its bass response will be impressive, but . . . I'm concerned about potential feedback when placing the KP-100S 3 feet directly behind me, with the microphone effectively pointed in the direction of the speaker.

The nice advantage of the Carvin system is that it's 18 lbs lighter than the Sound Motion KP-100S. In this biz there are so many widely varying venues to consider, yet not one PA system seems suitable for all of them. My pocketbook and closet space isn't big enough to hold them all, so . . .

In larger venues I have used my 2 JBL Eon 10 G2's as monitors and my 15's as the house speakers. Based on the Pro's recommendation (thanks!) I recently tried the KeyPro KP-200s amplifier and ended up purchasing one from Dano to replace the Eon 10's. The KeyPro is functioning as both my monitor and the house speakers in smaller venues. I set the KeyPro in front of me (not behind as Motion Sound suggests) because I don't want that much volume behind me. I place it on the floor to decrease the treble (since my ears are sensitive to higher frequencies) and also to avoid carrying a 2 foot stand to put the amp on. I find that the sterio image effect is present behind the speaker also.

By using the KP-200S I can avoid carrying a mixer and the Behringer Ultramizer Pro I had been using for sterio enhancement. I replaced a BBE 264R single channel sonic maximizer with the Ultramizer because (to my ears) the BBE added to much high frequency to achieve the sterio enhancement. To my ears the KP-200S creates a wider sterio image than the Ultamizer Pro and adds less high frequency. On the KP-200S, the high EQ can be reduced to compensate for what ever high frequency is added without taking the sparkle out of the sound.

My sound module is an X4 (the keyboard is an accordion). One of the reasons I started using a mixer was because I felt the X4 sounded better through a mixer (compared to going directly into the Polytone "Accordion" amps I was using at the time.) I find the X4 sounds great going directly into the KP-200S.

I use a VoicePrism also and a problem I had using a mixer and the JBL's was hearing the accompaniment when I was singing (since I was hearing my voice directly and also through the speakers). I don't have this problem with the KP-200S - perhaps because it is closer to me than I placed the JBL speakers. When I used the JBL 10's as monitors I had still had the problem unless I had the monitors fed from the Aux out and mixed the accompaniment louder than the mix for the house speakers.

Didn't mean for this to get so long - do talk to Dano about trying a KP-200S before you make a final decision. Or, talk to him about a KP-100S for that matter.

Barbetta amps have been mentioned in some posts. I talked to an acquintance who plays keyboard professionaly in a combo and also rebuilds Hammond organs and he uses a KeyPro KP-200S on the job. He had been using a Barbetta amp (don't know which model) and says there is no comparison. Course, we all have different ears.

Good luck!

RJM

Hi RJM

In which way is there no comparison between the Barbetta and the KP200? Are you saying he thought the KP200 sounded better than the Barbetta?

Thanx

Scott Langholff

In fact already have 'pre-ordered' (a couple of weeks ago) the KP-100S from our good buddy DanO, and looking forward to receiving mine when Motion Sound ships out it's initial release in Mid-April. RJ: Like you, one of the reasons I went ahead and pre-ordered the smaller KP-100S (both unseen & unheard) was based on the Pro's recommendation of the 200S. I hoping the smaller version will be adequate to handle the smaller rooms, and now after reading your post, that it can act as a stereo stage spot monitor as well. I'm particularly encouraged to hear (from you) that the KeyPro Unit can even be situated in front of you facing the audience and still act as a monitor as well. Thanks again for your input. - Scott

Scott... A pair of PM5s should work OK for a very small > 30 venue... again, minus bottom end (for me, a big sacrifice and I would only use for a small nursing home gig), but great for monitors. They cover vocal range very well.

I've never used them for keyboard only, but PA monitors for myself and vocalists, run thru the Carvin PA1200. However, they would produce significantly better than the XD9 speakers. I'd A-B them for you, but I'm in sunny Fla for March. Again, for the price, weight, and quality it's hard to go wrong.

Reply to Scott Langholff: Didn't mean to be cryptic. I debated even including the comment in my post since it was somebody else's comment and I don't know which Barbetta amp he compared the KP-200S to. He thought the KP-200S was much better than the Barbetta amp he had been using. He now uses the KP-200S amp. He also sells Motion Sound products so there may be a bit of bias. But, I accepted his word that he wouldn't sell it if he didn't use it. (Maybe I'm niave - I live in Minnesota.) Motion Sound's other products are geared toward the Hammond organ sound and he is a Hammond rebuilder so the product line is a natural fit. I am reminded of some prior posts in which JBL Eon speakers were compared to other brands and it wasn't stated which JBL Eon's were compared - the original or the G2. I haven't heard a Barbetta amp so I can't make a comparison. I do know the KP-200S sounds much better than a Polytone Taurus Elite amp. But, probably only accorion players have ever heard or heard of the Polytone line.

RJM

Maybe for smaller venues you could use Advent Powered Partner speakers. I think the 550 model is rated at 35watts per channel. You can daisy chain these powered speakers. From my experience, you can't turn them up all the way without distortion, but they can get pretty loud. They weigh 8lbs apiece. Maybe they could fit on your Tyros' speaker brackets.

I use a headset mic which is right on my lips, so I have never had feedback. But I will try putting the Motion Sound KP-100S amp in front of me when I get it.

Beakybird
Beakybird

RJM,

I used a Polytone Mini Brute for years and loved it. Some thief took it out of my garage. It weighed 30 pounds and kicked a..! I'd still use it if I had it.

Tom

Polytone Mini Brute

Yamaha has introduced a new powered speakers called the MSR100. This is a 24lb 100watt monitor or main unit featuring 1 XLR or 1/4" mic or line input, 2 1/4" line inputs each with their own volume controls and a master treble and bass control plus a master volume control and a 1/4" link out jack. There is a 8"bass woofer and a 1" titanium driver. The cabinet can be mounted on a speaker stand with two supplied threaded holes on the bottom or it can be laid down on the floor as a stage monitor with it's slanted design. It has a suggested retail price of $479.00. One, two or several of these could be used as needed. I've been using these in a keyboard setup at my store using a small behringer mixer and then taking the link outs to a larger system. It's been hard for customers to tell if I'm playing from the smallish MRS100's or from a pair of Yamaha S15e speakers and a EM68S powered mixer.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California