Today I played a gig using only the built-in speakers on my S950. Actually it was a complete accident. I always arrive and setup early for my gigs and if folks start wandering in I'll play a few requests until the official start time arrives. Today I had not turned on the Bose and completely forgot about and played the entire gig with just the built-in speakers. Guess what? It was just fine. The folks could hear everything and it really didn't seem to make much difference. It was a small room and in the future I'll play it without the Bose Compact. I have several venues like this one and my guess is it will work the same for them too.

Deane

Deane, I have a couple of rooms that I use only the S 950 without the Bose. It sounds really good and fills the room. This was a hard sell for me, But once I got the nerve to try it, I really liked it.

Joe

Hi Joe,
Yes, I would have never done it except by accident. But it sure did work out ok. Saw your post in the retirement posts. Sounds like you and I have a lot in common. If you ever get to Dallas give me a call - would be glad to treat you and your wife to dinner.

Deane

Wow! I will try that. I did two small rooms at health care facilities today, and I brought in my two FBT Maxx 2As which weigh like 25 lbs each. It's a no brainer when I think of all the time I spend with the cables.

Thanks!

with the S950 a "VERY small room" it's ok .... but if you sing bring a speaker.

Yes, I've done the same with the S950 for small dinner parties. Also, for a super easy set-up, try adding a couple of small, powered computer speakers at your feet, or nearby, and blend that with the onboard speakers. Sounds great. I use the Bose Companion speakers in such cases. Around $90 at Best Buy.

By the way, the new PSR-S750 (basically the innards of an S910 without the mic/VH) has the same speaker system as the S950.

Ian

Larry,
I have been using the Bose Companion 3 speakers for my home sound system since I sold one of my Bose L1 Compacts and they really sound great. I actually thought about using them for small gigs.

Deane

You guys have me thinking about my small room NH venues. I might try my S910 and one or two CM30's, as I sing half my numbers. I am not sure what I would gain over my Bose compact except stereo.
Bernie

Hi Bernie,
I have several senior venues at which very few residents turn out for events. These are places where the residents are not in very good shape and generally need help getting around. If the staff is not very active in getting them to events they just don't go. Anyway, it is a very good place to use just the keyboard's built-in speakers. Last week I had only 4 people at one of these places. Actually, it was a lot of fun. We moved them right up to the keyboard and they were very curious about how the keyboard worked so I took the time to show them. I played a lot of requests and one of them even sang for us.

Anyway, it sure is nice to have less gear to carry around.

Deane

On board speakers can sure come in handy. That's one reason sometimes I considering trading in my T2 for a 950.

I too sometimes play for very small audiences at the NH. Sometimes in small areas for folks the have memory problems or also in places where the AD locks themselves in their office and the staff doesn't do anything to help residents to the performances... But anyways, it does sometimes seem overkill to lug around a full PA system. One of my saxophone/singer colleagues that plays just about daily in the NH only uses a small boom box for his backing tracks and no mic for his vocals. Alto sax in one hand, boom box in the other- that's it. No speakers, mic, stands, lap top, books... He's in and out pretty quick. Me on the other hand, I have my T2 in a huge flight case, a keyboard stand, mic stand, pedals, books, cables, power strip, a banner... all strapped on to a cart. It looks like I'm moving into the place. Hopefully that won't be happening anytime soon (knock on wood)

It looks like I'm moving into the place. Hopefully that won't be happening anytime soon (knock on wood) [/quote]

That's funny. Several years ago I would always say, save me a room. Now that I'm old enough to live in these places, I don't say that anymore.

Joe

Bernie the Cm30 speakers do a nice job in a small room.

Bernie, I owned and gave high marks to the CM30's, but the Compact remains easier to tote and set up, as is a BA-330, IMHO. They're much more versatile and again, easier to tote around than two separate units. For a small venue I would still suggest an additional compact amp. Unless the people are in a very close space, a 950 or similar keyboard and vocals need the body boost from being amped up.

Without offending anyone, might I say that anyone who insists on carrying a full size PA to NH-type jobs is working much harder than he has to. I agree that those units could very likely be overkill. Unless you have no other choice, go with a smaller setup.

A note on the Bose Companion speakers. I tried them with music on my computer and TV and returned them as unacceptable. I went with a better sounding and less expensive Logitech system, and would use them with my s910 only if I absolutely had to - and then I'd consider using the keyboard alone.

Donny has a point about singing to a room, but not every room has the same requirements, and not every singer can fill the room the same way.
I sing in many laid back rooms with just the on-board speakers in the s950, and that's the main reason I have one. I have grown all too accustomed to having that "in my face" monitor, and I really miss it when it's gone. The natural acoustic sound of my voice can fill many rooms without amplification, so adding the extra sizzle of the speakers and effects is a nice blend for small rooms and background situations.

I also play my guitar AND my iPad thru those same speakers ... I need to hear the whole mix before I send it to whatever house system I use (the Bose Compact most times). I use the Bose T-1 Tone Match mixer to feed the Compact and the "aux out" feeds back INTO the Yamaha.
Here's the layout:
Ch1- AKG dual wireless mics (for guests) WMS40 Pro mini2
Ch2- My Line 6 modeling guitar, or new Roland G-5 modeling Strat
Ch3- iPad (DJ tracks and custom backing tracks I've made over the years)
Ch4- Yamaha s-950 (aux out is MUTED - very important to avoid a feedback loop from hell)
***Channels 1,2,&3 have a dedicated aux send that feeds directly into the Yamaha aux INPUT, and I have control over volume, EQ and effects from the Bose Mixer.
I keep the main volume of those 3 channels at "0" for most rooms because the combined output from the Yamaha is feeding the Bose Compact and it's already premixed. In unusually loud circumstances, where I need to pump the guitar or DJ tracks or the best man is speaking too softly during his toast - I simply turn UP the main feed to the Compact and the extra volume doesn't overdrive the on board Yamaha speakers. What I hear is always a nice blend, and what the crowd hears is what they NEED to hear.
It's a little confusing to anyone who hasn't used a submix before, but it's VERY versatile.

Anyone need advice on this type of hookup with your own gear ... please give me a shout and I'll talk you through it. Sometimes, having that extra control at my fingertips makes all the difference between sweetness and struggling. C'mon ... to be fair - Yamaha never intended these speakers to handle the load I give them, but with proper care - it's a great setup!

My use of the Bose Companion speakers is for quiet dinner parties, where the music is all instrumental. Their sound augments the onboard speakers of the S950 and provides a fuller sound overall. However, another option I use (with vocals, too) is a pair of 150 watt Behringer B205D monitor speakers. They will get loud, but, for sure, weak in the bass response. But, they are very light weight and easy to carry. Mackie makes a monitor that looks just like it. Size and weight are big deals for me. That's the first thing I consider before buying any new gear.

On several occasions, I've used the speakers alone, but added a small bass amp or home sub to add some punch without making the top end blare into the room more. That's a great option for fullness, and the Bose compact with no sticks installed, kept on the floor works great for that. Does wonders for the drums and bass.

I'm a big Carvin fan. Decent prices and good stuff. This is a nice small gig solution plus it can drive another speaker or passive monitor. 35lbs.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/AG100D

Joe,
I had to laugh at your post. I am constantly being asked if I am "New Here" when I arrive at gigs. The residents don't miss a thing.

Deane

Thanks UD

I believe you gave me the answer to my small venues. How do you handle your vocals? Through your KB or send to Bose?

Bernie

we used that Green Carvin ag100 amp many years ago... I traded mine to uncle dave ... ......I think Book had one also? great amp for acoustic guitar and low vol KB..

Bernie,
I have tried both ways with voice/vocals and I prefer running them directly through the Bose. I sing very seldom and don't have any use for vocal effects.

Deane

If you wish to sing, forget using just the keyboard speakers - you're going to experience feedback. Of course, there is a workaround. You can mount deflectors over the speakers, which look a lot like air scoops on cars. This helps prevent feedback by sending all the sound forward toward the audience. Additionally, you can lower the mid and high mic EQs, and raise the mic's low EQ setting, but only the men in the NH audience will be able to hear you sing. This is because nature and the aging process causes men to loose high frequency hearing sounds, while women tend to loose the lower frequency sounds. I told my wife that was the way God intended it to be - I can't hear her, and she can't hear me!

Gary

The Mayo Clinic did an extensive hearing study some years back and of the 100 couples they studies, exactly half reported the husband lost the ability to hear their wife first.

Two guesses which half. ;-)

Bill G

Bernie,
My voice goes into the internal speakers through the dedicated mic input. The (s-950)aux in takes a signal from my Bose mixer that has the iPad, guitar and guest mics.
I never set feedback, and I have a great representation of the total mix BEFORE it goes to the house ... if at all. Tonight, I'm at an upscale country club at the Jersey Shore. Upscale means they hardly talk to me, all dress alike and tip better than average. (weird, huh?) I'll use the Bose angled away from me to point into a second room, and I rely on the Yamaha internals to cover the room I'm in. It's a background situation and the first 2 hours are quiet and reserved. I sing almost every number, but it's easy, middle of the road stuff that kinda "sits" under their conversations, rather than crashes on top of them.

The Bose Compact will hardly be turned up at all .. it just adds some fullness and bottom to an already "READY" mix.
Good luck!

Thank you, very interesting.

Well, if tips are any indication of success - tonight's "extra pay" totaled almost 40% of the house pay - I guess they liked the sound.