Small PA Instead Of An Amp?

The Master

Hi guys long time lurker here got something to run past you all.
Please bear with me I'm terrible at explaining things:o

My current set up is as follows:

Guitar with Roland GK3 Pickup

Into a Roland GR20

The Guitar Out and Mix In jacks on the GR20 are used to
Add a multi FX to the signal chain.

The left and right outputs or the GR20 then go to
1)A mixing desk when I'm recording
2)Or an amp when I'm rehearsing/gigging

Now when the signal is sent to a mixing desk(In Stereo)
It sounds fantastic,
The synth sounds from the GR20 are crystal clear
and the sounds from the multi FX are superb.

However when I have to use an amp for rehearsing/gigging
It's nowhere near as good as it could be.

So , long story short for live/rehearsal work I want the same sound I'm getting in the studio.

These are the options I think are open to me

1) A stereo guitar amp - Like This
2) A stereo power amp - Like this

Or option number 3 that has me thinking

Could I simply use a small PA system(power amp/speakers)
As my main stage/practice amplification?

All of the sounds I use are generated within the GR20 and the Multi FX unit so a regular guitar amp with 2 or 3 channels for clean and drive sounds and built in reverb and the like are of no use to me.

Sorry that was so long , but would this work?
Sound good?
Am I crazy?

Thanks

Rob

darrenw5094

I saw a guitar player recently plug his guitar into a Line6 Pod XT Live and then straight into the live mixing desk. He uses his monitor to hear himself. Sounded ok to me.

son.of.jimi

Those links are borked so i can't see which products you were linking too!

But Given the setup you have I think you should get a Roland JC120. THE best clean sounding amp and THE best amp for use with the Roland V-synth range.

Benefits are that it's one piece of equip, less hassle for setup, plus if you do want to have a real crunchy tone, you can with this amp, it's still one of the best amps you can use for modelling with too.

The Master

Links are working fine for me mate

The only problem with the Roland JC120 is that although it
is a stereo guitar amp it doesn't actually have stereo inputs.
I takes a mono signal and makes it stereo and that's not what I'm really looking for.

Eoin Madsen

Would this work? Yes.
Sound good? Maybe.
Are you crazy? No.

People are a little too afraid to be unconventional. See what works.

Guitar amps deliberately shape the incoming tone quite drastically, and guitar speaker cabs tend to have a strong roll off of high frequencies. If you have the right tone, and your signal is at line level, then the ideal is to have as linear an amplification as possible (as per a PA system).

Just don't skimp on the gear, or you won't ever really find out if it was a good idea. I'd suggest a single powered monitor rather than a "PA system". You won't need a mixer for this to work, and you don't need a pair of speakers on stalks. Monitors can be pointed at you or put on their side and pointed outwards, which makes them a lot more useful than speakers designed purely for front of house. Active speaker is just more convenient and to the point than buying a stereo power amp and a passive speaker.

If you get a cheap one, you'll also need to buy a graphic EQ to make it sound more linear.

Eoin Madsen

Obviously though, you will need two (active) speakers if you want to preserve the stereo output. Or a pair of passives and a poweramp. But the practicality of your system should be high on your priorities list if you're planning to gig this. Going from a guitar amp to full range is a distinct change and improvement for a signal requiring linearity. The improvement of mono vs stereo may be relatively marginal.

Alter-Ego

Surely putting the signal straight into the FOH mixing desk would be the easiest option. No?

The Master

Alter-Ego wrote: »

Surely putting the signal straight into the FOH mixing desk would be the easiest option. No?

Yes in a gigging situation (if the PA was up to it)that would be the best option.In some of the gigs we do the PA can be a bit hit and miss.
Monitoring can sometimes be unexistant to.

I tested this the other day in the rehersal studio through a few different amps and really didnt like any of the results.
I set up a small PA system and tested it and it was fantastic sounding
(I think I'm just in love with stereo sound)

I was thinking of building a small PA system into an amp like cabinet
to keep it as portable and practical as possible.
Good idea?
Bad idea?

Savman

The Master wrote: »

Good idea?
Bad idea?

It's an idea. Your results will determine whether it's good or bad, so try it out and let's know how you get on.

GazPat

darrenw5094 wrote: »

I saw a guitar player recently plug his guitar into a Line6 Pod XT Live and then straight into the live mixing desk. He uses his monitor to hear himself. Sounded ok to me.

I heard something similar from a mate of mine at a live gig.
I thought he was mad when we were doing a sound check and when we finished a lot of people complimented him on his sound..
Needless to say he still does this from time to time.