Anyone using a keyboard amp? Something like the Roland 350 or 550?

Many are using some form of line array or an amp like the Space Station V.3; HK Nano etc.

I'm just wondering if anyone is using a keyboard amp anymore?

Not me. I sold my two Roland amps. Too heavy and not clean and clear enough. I prefer powered studio monitor speakers, which is what I use most of the time----other than Bose Compacts for larger settings.

I use a Traynor K4 keyboard amp with my classic rock band. A fantastic stereo amp. The only downside is that it weighs almost 60 lbs. But it is so much better than Roland keyboard amps. http://traynoramps.com/keyboard/product/k4/

+1 on the Traynor K4.

chas

And you know if chas agrees with me it definitely is a winner.

A keyboard amp like the Traynor K4 which I had also & gigged with although a bit heavy to transport every day is very good in a band situation as the vocals go thru the pa separately and the amp can be miced monitored also thru the main FOTH PA,....but as a solo power single act with vocals a PA system is more suitable, powered/passive, or line array IMO would give you a better result overall.

The Traynor seems to get good reviews at Musiciansfriend

Interesting thought.

I would value the opinions of veteran pros that we know here over those of unknown posters on a dealer website!

I would always prefer the FBT J5a over any keyboard amp.

First, depending how much power you require.....for small venues a Roland CM30 and others would do....but for larger venues....
I would consider the Yamaha DBR series....active speakers, there is a 10, 12 and 15 inch, the smaller has 700 Watts, the larger both have 1000 Watts, and can be use in different ways, like a wedge monitor, or if needed as a main, can be put also in a speaker stand and the best part that is very light in weight in comparison to the Trynor amps that are more suitable for guitar.
Keep in mind that when a manufacturer makes an amplifier, the speaker is also designed to handle those particular frequencies, the guitar has highs and middle range, the keyboard has a much wider range, therefore, the speaker has to be different.
Just my 2 cents.

I agree FBT makes great speakers I love mine..

The only dedicated keyboard amps I've owned were Peavey's KB-150 and KB-500. Both were brutes to haul around, the vocals were always muddy sounding, and the keyboard, at performance levels, sounded distorted.

Gary

Donny, while the KC-110 boasts that it is 30-watts, that is strictly peak power - not RMS. And, it is rated at 15-watts per channel, which is about the same as your keyboard's onboard speakers.

I can't say anything about the Traynor K4, mainly because I don't know anyone that uses one and have never heard it. However, I'm always a bit skeptical about stereo amps that are in a single housing. Just don't make sense to me.

All the best,

Gary

I bought my K4 for use with keyboards as one of several configurations of Sound Reinforcement systems. I've used it alone and with two powered 8" monitors on the wing (it facillitates this very nicely in case you need more coverage). Since I quit gigging, I use it for my E-drum kit (DM10 Pro) where it sounds terrific. The guitarist that I most often work with absolutely loves it and thinks it works extremely well as a guitar amp (he loves the sound with the tube channel).

I'm not promoting it as an 'end all' solution for keyboard amplification as I personally prefer my SXa250 powered 15's. On gigs I always used an organ/Leslie (3300) combo so I'm mostly talking rehearsal and practice with the other sound stuff. Still, the K4 is a largly unknown, unhearlded little Jewell IMO. Heavy as hell but sounds great.

chas

Chas, old guys don't need heavy!

Gary

You are right Donny. I only use my K4 for keyboard amplification, not vocals. No-one would want to hear me sing

Nigel I can always give you a few singing tips! Lol