Vintage Synth Explorer Forums

Hi guys, newb question here. I play music with my roommate – typically just guitars, bass, drum machine so far, but we’re looking to add a synth element. I’d like to get a synth keyboard (leaning towards Juno 106, Alesis Ion, or something in the Nord Lead line), and I would also like to make use of some software synths (we use Logic Express for sequencing and recently acquired Reason but haven’t had a chance to use it yet.)

My question is what sort of setup we need, in terms of amps/speakers, to play software synths as instruments, alongside other live instruments in a practice/recording setting. An extremely high recording sound quality is not necessarily of the essence, since our main goal is to prepare to play live shows. Basically I would just like to be able to treat the computer as another instrument, playing pre-sequenced drum/synth parts as we play other instruments live and sing.

Now, as far as I can tell (and I know almost nothing about this; hence my asking for help here), there are basically three kinds of speakers typically used: studio monitors, PA speakers, and desktop computer speakers. Now, of course we already have a pair of desktop computer speakers, but I fear they will be underpowered alongside our guitar/bass rigs. The downside of studio monitors, as I understand it, is that they are mainly geared towards recording, and hence might not sound quite right alongside the ‘live’ sound of the other instruments. PA speakers would seem to be geared more towards this, but I think a full PA setup would be a little overkill for our apartment.

All that said, I’m really not sure what the purpose of these different types of speakers is, and what they require in terms of amplification. So, I would really appreciate any input you guys might have. Again, the basic question is: what kind of amp/speaker setup do I need to play pre-sequenced drum/synth parts through my computer alongside live instruments in a practice setting?

Thanks.

You could always get some cheap but powerful hi-fi speakers and hook them up to your synths as an affordable solution. You'd need a stereo amp though.

There's also keyboard amps too, but I think the PA option would be the best bet.

if your needing to be budget minded....just plug into one of the amps thats alreday in use until you research in depth on what you really want and what your willing to spend. just keep the volume down on the synth


forgot your going to be using a drum machine too....then I would say get a keyboard amp or PA....

Fender Keyboard 60 in a really good keyboard amp......no desire from guitar players so they can be picked up for next to nothing.....3 inputs each with indv volume and reverb, line out, rca out in and in, effect loop in/out....it sounds good too....you fnd them at pawnshops, ebay, used music stores....I would assume 100 to 150 for it tops.

Thanks very much for the replies, guys. Based on what has been said, I think the first thing I will get is a keyboard amp. Certainly we will need this when we get a hardware synth, and it sounds like in the meantime it will work to run the software synths through it. Is that right?

I've been looking at the Roland KC series of keyboard amps, in particular the KC-550. Has anyone used this or other amps in this line? If so, would you recommend one in particular? I was thinking of the 550 because I don't want to be underpowered, but would this be going overboard? It's not like the rest of our setup is *super* loud.

Additionally, I have a Fender Twin Reverb. Would this be workable as a synth amp, or do I definitely need to get a keyboard amp?

malingered wrote:Additionally, I have a Fender Twin Reverb. Would this be workable as a synth amp, or do I definitely need to get a keyboard amp?

this will work fine but I wouldnt play any bass patches thru it or drum machines.