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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
 Posted - 09/03/2008 : 09:35:00 AM
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Over the last year, my interest grew in battery powered amplification.
The ukulele presents itself as the perfect instrument for busking:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busking
I have played in community events with the Moonlight Beach Ukulele
Strummers, Ukulele Society of America and represented the Ukulele
Underground at a BakitWhy beach party. Amplification has been a must,
due to the ambient noise of large crowds outdoors.
Here are some short reviews of battery powered amps I own and others I
tried:
Danelectro Honeytone:
Loudest of the "pocket amps" I tried. I own two of these. 9 volt battery.
The volume needs to be turned all the way up, for the cleanest possible
sound and use the overdrive control from about 0 to 2 to adjust the
volume. It eats batteries rapidly, so I use MiMH rechargeables. These
last about an hour each. I used one of these attached to my belt at
a Carlsbad Village Farmers Market luau concert and changed the
battery every hour. There is no really clean sound available, but it will
help you cut above the ambient noise.
Roland Microcube:
Works well with uke. Muddies up quickly with the bass notes of an
acoustic guitar. This won't be an issue, if you're playing blues. It has
onboard effects and can be plugged into a larger P.A.. It runs on readily
available AA batteries. Light weight makes it suitable for carrying in your
luggage. Long battery run time - 10+ hours
Roland Street Cube:
Similar to the microcube, with the addition of a controllable microphone
input. It has two speakers, for improved bass response. It handles an
acoustic guitar OK, if you don't play too loud. It runs on readily
available AA batteries. Light weight makes it suitable for carrying in your
luggage. Long battery run time - 10+ hours
Line6 Micro:
It's advertized at 6 watts, but has similar acoustical output as a Roland
Microcube. Works well with uke. Muddies up quickly with the bass notes
of an acoustic guitar. This won't be an issue, if you're playing blues. It has
onboard effects and can be plugged into a larger P.A.. It also has a
controllable microphone input. It runs on C batteries. I would use AA
adaptors (see the photo on the Vox DA5), as AA batteries are available
everywhere. Light weight makes it suitable for carrying in your luggage.
Long battery run time - 10+ hours
Vox DA5:
This amp has a marked increase in acoustical output, over the Roland
Microcube, Roland Street Cube and Line6 Micro. It does better than them
with an acoustic guitar, but is still not ideal for that application. It has
onboard effects and can be plugged into a larger P.A.. It also has a
controllable microphone input. It runs on C batteries. I would use AA
adaptors (see the photo on the Vox DA5), as AA batteries are available
everywhere. Light weight makes it suitable for carrying in your luggage.
Long battery run time - 10+ hours
Roland Microcube RX:
The RX does a great job with an acoustic guitar. It lacks a microphone
input, but has onboard effects and an onboard drum machine. There are
4 speakers. It can can be plugged into a larger P.A.. It runs on readily
available AA batteries. It might be a little heavy for your luggage. Long
battery run time - 10+ hours
Roland Microcube RX Bass:
The RX Bass does a good job with a bass guitar. For it's size, we are all
surprized at it's punchy bass tone. It lacks a microphone input, but has
onboard effects and an onboard drum machine. There are 4 speakers. It
can can be plugged into a larger P.A.. It runs on readily available AA
batteries. It might be a little heavy for your luggage. Long battery run
time - 10+ hours
Crate Taxi TX30:
Plenty of acoustical output. No effects. It has a seperate controllable
microphone input. It runs on an internal motorcycle size battery. It can
also double as a powered monitor wedge. It might be a little heavy for
your luggage.Long battery run time - 6+ hours
Carvin S400D:
Best battery P.A. I tried. Hands down. It will play 6 hours at full power
(with the extra internal motorcycle size battery I bought), which should be
more than enough for most gigs. It has 4 channels with various
combinations of XLR, 1/4" and RCA jacks. The "D" model I bought has
onboard "D"igital effects. I also bought the stands and extra speaker, for
more coverage. It is definately too heavy for your luggage!
Setup on the bar at the Ocean House. There was a reggae band set up
on the main stage in the same room. This was the first all battery
powered kanikapila at the Ukulele Society of America. Left to right:
Roland Microcube RX Bass, Roland Microcube RX, 2 Vox DA5's, Crate
Taxi TX30, 2 Danelectro Mini's:
Back of the Carvin S400D battery powered P.A.:
Playing to a crowd of 100 on battery power:
The regular stage at Ukulele Society of America is now completely
run on battery power (Mikalele's mom sure can belt out da' blues!):
At the BakitWhy picnic, Bolsa Chica State Beach, California playing
for 3 seperate beach groups. The audience total was about 100. The
vocals were run through a Crate Taxi TX30, the acoustic guitar was
run through a Roland Microcube RX and the ukuleles were run through
Vox DA5's.:
http://www.bakitwhy.com/2008/08/the-bakitwhy-socal-bbq-a-succe.html :
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It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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Tonya
Lokahi
USA
177 Posts |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2008 : 11:28:09 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by ricdoug
Roland Microcube RX Bass:
...It lacks a microphone input...
Mine has one; I wonder if that's a recent change?
Quoting from the Roland site: Inputs --- The MICRO CUBE BASS RX’s line input lets you plug in a guitar, bass, or microphone.
Missing from your list, for the sake of comparison, is the good ol' classic Pignose amp. |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2008 : 12:44:42 PM
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quote:
Mine has one; I wonder if that's a recent change?
Quoting from the Roland site: Inputs --- The MICRO CUBE BASS RX’s line input lets you plug in a guitar, bass, or microphone.
The key word here is "OR" microphone. If I use the input to play my bass, I cannot sing along with a mike. The aux input is low level and has no level control. I just took this photo:
Notice the back of my Vox DA5 has a seperate microphone input and level control. I can play my uke and sing through the amp at the same time and keep them balanced, with seperate level controls:
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It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2008 : 1:15:08 PM
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Very thorough and useful info. Thanx!
I appreciate the tip about using AA's w/ adaptors in place of C batteries. Slick!
One thing I'd add-- I've used the Roland Microcube Bass for acoustic guitar as well as bass. And I recently lent it to a bud who played electric archtop through it-- sounded just fine, with plenty of volume to cut over horns. Handy little amp.
Also, the Crate Taxi has a couple of different models, including a very good mini-PA w/ FX. Loud sucker.
Now how about some solar panels for those beach gigs? |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2008 : 2:30:26 PM
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| Ah. A separate microphone input; that's a different beast. |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2008 : 07:22:17 AM
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Those who are looking at this thread to help choose an amplifier should also know that there have been several discussions on amplifiers before. Of course this thread is about battery powered amps in particular and I am a proponent of these as well. Mark and I both have S400D systems (unless Mark dumped his) and they are a good value for the money.
Here are some links to other amp discussions: (maybe Andy ought to make them sticky in the "Gear" category)
http://www.taropatch.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5879
http://www.taropatch.net/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=1458
http://www.taropatch.net/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=1078
One note about the S400D: My battery charging circuit for my unit has now failed twice (is currently broken again). Being an E.E., I repaired the circuit myself. The design of this circuit has some faults, and when I fix it again I will make a custom mod to fix the design mistake. Nevertheless I just used the unit (sans batteries) recently and it still works fine on AC power, and sounds good too. Maybe they have fixed the design error on newer units (mine is about 4 years old), but maybe not.
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
Edited by - Lawrence on 09/04/2008 07:31:22 AM |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2008 : 07:49:21 AM
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quote:
Mark and I both have S400D systems (unless Mark dumped his) and they are a good value for the money.
Actually, I do not have one- I have a Carvin AG100 3 channel guitar amp/mini PA. Similar, but no battery.
I do like the S400D systems, tho every single one I have seen has developed the same issues with the battery charger. It's not a flaw, it's a feature!
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kawikasurf
Aloha
USA
28 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2008 : 05:41:14 AM
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Ric -
Brilliant post. The definitive guide for anyone who has attempted (unsuccessfully, in my case) to pierce the veil of mystery cloaking the topic of ukulele amplification. Thanks for making this available to all of us. Note: Ric generously provides his expertise as well as his valuable amplification equipment to his ukulele club, the Ukulele Society of America, and to various events throughout Southern California. He's a venerable presence in the ukulele community,
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2008 : 1:19:48 PM
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David,
Good to see you back on the patch.
Mike |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2008 : 1:31:55 PM
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| Would any of these work with a guitar as well? |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2008 : 5:18:17 PM
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quote:
Would any of these work with a guitar as well?
Yes, of course Wanda (still thinking of Christmas Gifts, maybe? ).
However, since the Guitar has more bass output, the ones with bigger speakers, in general, will deliver the bass a little better.
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2008 : 5:47:37 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by wcerto
Would any of these work with a guitar as well?
There are only 4 I recommend for acoustic guitar, Wanda. I have not
yet had the opportunity to test/buy a Vox DA10 or Vox DA20. I'm still looking for them locally. The DA10 has two 6.5" speakers and the same 5 watts of power (5 watts using battery. 10 watts using AC)
as the DA5. The DA10 has two 8" speakers and the same 5 watts of power (5 watts using battery. 20 watts using AC) as the DA5. With the larger amount of air moved with the extra speaker coverage of
the DA10 and DA20, it's probable they'll do a good job with the
acoustic. If you want to use a microphone along with the guitar, the Crate Taxi or Carvin S400D are the options.
If you don't play too loud (small coffee house venue):
Vox DA5:
This amp has a marked increase in acoustical output, over the Roland
Microcube, Roland Street Cube and Line6 Micro. It does better than them
with an acoustic guitar, but is still not ideal for that application. It has
onboard effects and can be plugged into a larger P.A.. It also has a
controllable microphone input. It runs on C batteries. I would use AA
adaptors (see the photo on the Vox DA5), as AA batteries are available
everywhere. Light weight makes it suitable for carrying in your luggage.
Long battery run time - 10+ hours
For louder venues, I've used the following to play acoustic guitar in a large club, in front of medium sized audiences. Last night I played acoustic guitar solos through a Roland Micro RX, during the break at the Ukulele Society of America:
Roland Microcube RX:
The RX does a great job with an acoustic guitar. It lacks a microphone
input, but has onboard effects and an onboard drum machine. There are
4 speakers. It can can be plugged into a larger P.A.. It runs on readily
available AA batteries. It might be a little heavy for your luggage. Long
battery run time - 10+ hours
Crate Taxi TX30:
Plenty of acoustical output. No effects. It has a seperate controllable
microphone input. It runs on an internal motorcycle size battery. It can
also double as a powered monitor wedge. It might be a little heavy for
your luggage.Long battery run time - 6+ hours
Carvin S400D:
Best battery P.A. I tried. Hands down. It will play 6 hours at full power
(with the extra internal motorcycle size battery I bought), which should be
more than enough for most gigs. It has 4 channels with various
combinations of XLR, 1/4" and RCA jacks. The "D" model I bought has
onboard "D"igital effects. I also bought the stands and extra speaker, for
more coverage. It is definately too heavy for your luggage! |
It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2008 : 6:21:16 PM
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After reading the threads Lawrence provided the links to, I'd also
like to point out weight. Airlines have a 40 pound limit on luggage.
The Vox DA5 only weighs 8 pounds, which leaves you about 30 pounds
for clothing, cosmetics and sundries. I use AA to C battery adaptors
in my DA5's, as AA's are available everywhere in large quantity and
I have probably a hundred of them in rechargeable NiMH. Ric
http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_nkwZbatteryQ20adaptorQ20cQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZQQ_sopZ12
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It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2008 : 10:53:29 PM
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| Thanks ricdoug and Lawrence. Sssssh. No tell any secrets to Paul. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2009 : 10:24:38 PM
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Saturday was a busy day for the Ukulele Society of America.
We had two gigs lined up. The celebration of the 50th
anniversary of the McClellan Carlsbad Airport and a luau at
Deb and Gary’s. We played a 1 hour set at the airport to a very
large audience. Our stage was a patio area next to a incomplete
restaurant. To run power there would have required a couple
hundred feet of AC extension cords that would have crossed a
lot of foot traffic. No problem, as we used a Carvin S400D
P.A. system running on batteries. We also used three Senheizer
cardiod microphones. These have a wider pickup pattern than
super cardiod microphones, such as Shure SM58’s, making
them ideal for acoustic music. We used one for the conductor,
Dede, a second for the emcee, Tom and a third for the rest of
the band. The bass was played through a Roland Microcube
Bass RX. We set the pace for the rest of the festivities. The
Airport and Chamber put a lot of planning and work into this
event. We should have some photos next week.
Next, it was on to Deb and Gary’s for a private luau. Deb and
Gary found us through:
http://www.ohanacreations.com
They’ve both since bought ukuleles and have been playing at
the Ocean House with the Ukulele Society of America on
Thursdays. Deb and Gary are also taking ukulele lessons at:
http://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=237&Itemid=3
Now Deb and Gary told us their house had a tropical island
theme - Kalika and Kepi‘s Tropical Tiki Dinner Party. How
will we notice it?!:
Hmm… they did mention they eould be serving fresh sashimi:
Even a waterfall:
Time to Tiki:
On the menu was Kalika’s seared ahi and tropical sashimi,
Kalika’s baked coconut shrimp and terriyaki chicken kabobs
in lettuce leaves, w/veggies, mango salsa and Thai peanut
sauce, Kalika’s baked asian scallops with Kepi’s mango salsa,
Hawaiian taro chips with Kepi’s artichoke dip, Kepi’s
“onoliscious” ono and mahi mahi lau lau w/cocunut rice,
Kalika’s Hawaiian Kalua pork sandwiches w/Kepi’s Thai cole
slaw. Tropical “libations” - Kalika’s mai tais, Kepi’s “wahine
martinis”, tropical tiki grog, Long Board Island Lager & Fire
Rock Pale Ale, Guava, Volcano Red and Symphony Mele
Wines from the Big Island’s Volcano Winery, Kona Coffee
w/Kona Coffee Liqueur. Tropical Desserts - Kalika’s
Hawaiian banana foster with coconut gelato, Kepi’s tropical
fruit with Chocolate Macademia Nut Liqueur fondue. We
arrived at their door with our “Will work for food” smiles on
our faces:
Notice the tiki huts throughout the backyard pool and patio
area:
Next, we began setting up the stage and sound. Two Senheizer
microphones through two Roland Cube Street amps and the
stand up bass through a Roland Microcube Bass RX. All these
amps were run on battery power. Each of these amps will run
on 6 AA alkaline batteries at full power for 15 hours:
The audience was forming:
Time for da’ jamz!:
Teaching “The Hukilau”:
“Everybody does the Hukilau”:
The new halau:
A big thanks to the McClellan Carlsbad Airport, the Carlsbad
Chamber of Commerce, Deb and Gary and of course, all
the musicians! Ric |
It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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Battery powered ukulele amplification...
