#1833316 - 02/06/23 07:17 PM
Anyone using Alto TS408s?
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Jazzooo
Loquacious Planeteer
Registered: 05/18/02
Posts: 55396
Loc: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico ...
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Thinking of getting a pair for my keyboard rig.
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#1833328 - 02/06/23 08:18 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Jazzooo]
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Ismellelephant
Loquacious Planeteer
Registered: 07/10/01
Posts: 55993
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No but I have tried a bunch of different Amps for live keyboards and the Mackie SRM 450 seemed the most transparent.
Probably most powered PA speakers would as well. Something really sucky about amps designed for keyboards.
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#1833332 - 02/06/23 09:50 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Ismellelephant]
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Xenophile
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Registered: 09/27/00
Posts: 19120
Loc: Sacramento, CA, USA
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I have a pair of JBL EON 612s that work great. They're pretty big, though. Kind of overkill for smaller rooms, but they really help me keep up with a rock band. Most of the time, if I'm not using IEMs, I'll just bring one to use as a wedge monitor for myself, and I'll send a stereo feed to FOH.
But stereo piano patches tend to really suck when summed to mono. If I want a big, room-filling stereo keyboard sound, the pair of them make a wonderful sound.
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#1833343 - 02/06/23 11:33 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Xenophile]
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motown59
Planeteer/Artist # 238
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Registered: 03/01/04
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Loc: California
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I have one I use for a fill speaker. They’re ok at best, cheaply made but low in price. Very light too. Can’t handle low end very well. Stay away from the TX8.
I’d opt for QSC CP8 or Yamaha DBR10, or used Yamaha DXR8. $100 more each however. But I really want these things to always work and I tend to be rough with my stuff.
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kel
"I love what you guys are trying to do up there" ...from an audience member at one of my gigs.
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#1833361 - 02/07/23 01:00 AM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: motown59]
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Jazzooo
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Registered: 05/18/02
Posts: 55396
Loc: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico ...
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Thanks, actually there are two things pushing me towards the altos. On the keyboard forum that I spend a lot of time with, and some people really think that the TS… Not the TX… 408 or 410 will be manageable for the kind of shows that I play in the kind of venues. plus I just can’t lift more than 20 pounds anymore without risking hurting my back. I’m working on that, but I’ve got so much shit to set up that I’ve got a keep this is lightweight and small footprint as possible. Kelly, did you get my email?
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#1833362 - 02/07/23 01:05 AM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Jazzooo]
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Jazzooo
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Registered: 05/18/02
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Loc: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico ...
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The longer story is that I have loved my Aspen Pittman designed space station V3, a boutique amp that weighs a lot at least for me. However, one of the weird things about the amp is that if you are within six or 7 feet of it, it really doesn’t sound very good, and it annoys players on either side because of projection in three directions. Out in the house, I think it’s unbeatable. No PA, just fills the room with excellent stereo sound.
But it’s gotten long in the tooth and I’m starting to get mystery distortion and other problems, and shipping it to the states for repair is ridiculously expensive and then I’m screwed anyway because I won’t have a performance amp. And most of my gigs are in smaller venues where I can’t get the proper distance from it. I need to get something that I can get repaired down here, and alto seems to be very popular with a lot of players.
I’m sure it’s hubris, but my whole life I’ve managed to get great results from inexpensive gear. I won’t buy these unless the store gives me the option to return them after a couple of days.
Edited by Jazzooo (02/07/23 01:12 AM)
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#1833527 - 02/08/23 02:21 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Jazzooo]
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Vanillagrits
Planeteer
Registered: 11/09/04
Posts: 21561
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I'm sure you'll do fine with the Altos.....but I think the QSC's are a definite improvement in both sound and durability. Worthy of your consideration if you can get them down there.
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#1833545 - 02/08/23 04:40 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Vanillagrits]
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Xenophile
Planeteer
Registered: 09/27/00
Posts: 19120
Loc: Sacramento, CA, USA
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QSC seems to be the go-to powered speaker around these parts. Kind of expensive, but they sound great, and seem to be super reliable.
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#1833549 - 02/08/23 05:26 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Xenophile]
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Jazzooo
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Registered: 05/18/02
Posts: 55396
Loc: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico ...
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Yeah, I can't spend that kind of money for QSCs right now and not for the foreseeable future. But I pulled the trigger on a pair of Alto TS410s which should be here next week and will report back. Thanks all for your comments.
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#1833550 - 02/08/23 05:34 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Jazzooo]
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Ismellelephant
Loquacious Planeteer
Registered: 07/10/01
Posts: 55993
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I bet they work out fine, certainly weight wise. You aren't playing with a hard rock band.
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#1833564 - 02/08/23 08:01 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Ismellelephant]
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Jazzooo
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Registered: 05/18/02
Posts: 55396
Loc: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico ...
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No, at my loudest it's a pretty powerful fusion band, but then I can run a line out too a house system.
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#1833566 - 02/08/23 08:37 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Jazzooo]
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Vanillagrits
Planeteer
Registered: 11/09/04
Posts: 21561
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The TS410 is a better choice than the 408 IMHO.
The Bluetooth interface might prove useful as well.
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#1833567 - 02/08/23 08:53 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Vanillagrits]
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Marty Gilman
Official Planet Sax Monster - Planeteer/Artist # 117
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I tried Altos, meh.....
I now need to buy another keyboard/monitor set too. I was thinking Yamaha but might buy whatever good box i can find used for a good deal.
I sold my JBL Eons to buy the EV speakers for mains. I am getting into a new scenario where I need monitors too. Used might be the best way, QSC nice.
-m
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#1833575 - 02/08/23 10:09 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Marty Gilman]
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Jazzooo
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Registered: 05/18/02
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Loc: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico ...
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You have higher standards than I, Marty.
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#1833800 - 02/10/23 06:46 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Marty Gilman]
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Jazzooo
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Registered: 05/18/02
Posts: 55396
Loc: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico ...
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Did you use the TX or the TS, Marty? There seems to be a difference.
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#1833809 - 02/10/23 07:21 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Jazzooo]
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Marty Gilman
Official Planet Sax Monster - Planeteer/Artist # 117
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Loc: Palm Beach, Florida- U S A
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I tried the TS, but would advise to buy the TX for its more powerful amp.
-m
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#1833814 - 02/10/23 07:40 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Marty Gilman]
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Jazzooo
Loquacious Planeteer
Registered: 05/18/02
Posts: 55396
Loc: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico ...
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I think that's backwards--the TS are the newer ones, more powerful amp unless I've got something terribly mixed up.
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#1833850 - 02/10/23 09:46 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Jazzooo]
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Marty Gilman
Official Planet Sax Monster - Planeteer/Artist # 117
Loquacious Planeteer
Registered: 04/05/00
Posts: 26531
Loc: Palm Beach, Florida- U S A
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sorry, you are right.
-m
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#1834034 - 02/11/23 10:24 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Marty Gilman]
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Jazzooo
Loquacious Planeteer
Registered: 05/18/02
Posts: 55396
Loc: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico ...
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Well, they showed up. I wasn’t expecting a learning curve with speakers :-) but to be honest, it’s about the Bluetooth capabilities, which include an app on your phone for fine-tuning equalization. An hour and a half later, and I barely figured out how to do it with one speaker, can’t figure out how to link the speakers or to access them separately via the app.
Speakers are loud enough for sure. I am going through a huge adjustment, not having my my amp behind me, or to my side, projecting in three directions. I remember why I loved the space station so much, the simplicity of one box that acted as both a monitor and an amplifier for the audience. Now I wonder how the audience will feel if you’re not sitting in the sweet spot of a stereo signal.
Standing on the ground, they were too far from my ears to be satisfying, unless I pointed them more towards me, which doesn’t help the audience. I put them on speaker stands, and it’s much better, but that’s two more things I have to bring to a gig, and I’m already doubling the amount of amplification I’m bringing to a gig. I will try them in the wedge position and see if that’s a good compromise.
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#1834039 - 02/11/23 10:55 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Jazzooo]
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Xenophile
Planeteer
Registered: 09/27/00
Posts: 19120
Loc: Sacramento, CA, USA
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I usually put my JBLs on the floor like wedges, and they seem to fill a room quite nicely, with sound bouncing off the ceiling and walls. I bring speaker stands with me for outdoor gigs if we’re not putting instruments through a PA.
I have one of those Space Station things in the garage. It never worked for me on the kind of gigs I play. If it was far enough away from me so that I could hear it right, it was too close to other players and it annoyed the hell out of them. Also, not loud enough for a rock band, even with a subwoofer.
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#1834466 - 02/13/23 05:28 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Xenophile]
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motown59
Planeteer/Artist # 238
Planeteer
Registered: 03/01/04
Posts: 17848
Loc: California
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Only you will enjoy a stereo sweet spot for the rig, the audience won’t, regardless of how you configure the monitors. That’s simply by virtue of distance from the sources collapsing the stereo field, just like listening to your near fields from even like 15 feet away. Most of the rigs I encounter use the powered speakers in wedge monitor configuration, providing a satisfying soundscape for you, the player. I get rigs with speakers on stands too.
But my experiences are 90% on medium to large PA systems. The keys always go through the PA with exception of the smallest venues. In most cases I suggest to the player to not put your speakers on stands aiming at the audience. That just smears the clarity in the house, having the same sound coming out from different distances.
If you’re paying gigs with a PA , then I’d just create a satisfying soundscape and run a couple XLR cables from the speakers to a couple panned channels…that is only if the PA is configured in stereo. Most of what I see on your gigs are small “use your own rigs” affairs with something modest to chat with the audience.
You’re looking to bring less, I understand that. But, if you want the audience to experience dramatic stereo I’d set up a speaker on a stand for you and run the other across the stage. One becomes your monitor. That sacrifices your aural experience in favor of the audience’s.. and in this config, you can now plug in a mic.
Edited by motown59 (02/13/23 05:30 PM)
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kel
"I love what you guys are trying to do up there" ...from an audience member at one of my gigs.
Gear: Fender Medium pick
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#1834472 - 02/13/23 06:29 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: motown59]
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Jazzooo
Loquacious Planeteer
Registered: 05/18/02
Posts: 55396
Loc: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico ...
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Thanks, that’s very helpful although discouraging at the same time. I wish you could have run sound at one of my gigs where my space station was healthy. I never needed a monitor because everyone on stage could hear it, including me. And if I had sufficient distance, it sounded great. Like I said, the problem is when the stage is small enough that we’re sitting on top of it.
Setting them up on the stands, which I have, it’s going to take some getting used to because they’re either right next to my ears or far enough away that I feel slightly disconnected. The finger to key to sound connection on an acoustic piano is, of course, nearly instantaneous. Anything longer than that starts making me a little squeamish.
But since my all in one option is causing the problems now, I guess I just have to deal with it. Let me try it on a gig and I will report back, and I truly do appreciate all the input.
And Kelly, let me ask again did you see my email?
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#1834473 - 02/13/23 06:31 PM
Re: Anyone using Alto TS408s?
[Re: Jazzooo]
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Jazzooo
Loquacious Planeteer
Registered: 05/18/02
Posts: 55396
Loc: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico ...
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And to make things weirder, with Mo Ritmo, I have a third keyboard, which requires me using a little mixer, which I have Velcro’s to my pedal board anyway. That has lines out, I would probably send to the house, and I will plug my microphone in there.
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