DIY Amplifiers/Roland KC-500

[Patrick O'Melia]

If you are thinking about buying the Roland KC-500:

1. you better plan to do some DIY work on the XLR outputs. They make a
terrible noise,and there is NO ground switch on the Amp.

2.they require Phantom power to be off on a board or channel used.

3. The overall Gain seems low. Channel and Master Volume both have to
cranked  to 8 frequently. Granted this is plenty LOUD, but I've never had
to crank up both Channel and Master Volumes on any other Keyboard or Guitar
amp.

I'm having a technician work on mine and it will probably cost 150$ to
modify the amp to work like it should of in the first place.


>I was wondering if anybody
>has any pointers or advice for somebody with a sudden desire to build an
>amplifier for his synths.  The commercially available products just don't
>seem to trigger any sort of primal urge to spend money.  Maybe I'm looking
>at the wrong amps.  The only ones I like at all are some of the Roland
>models.  (?KC-300?)
>
>Anybody have any recommendations for good keyboard amps, or do you just
>send it through a PA system?  I'd prefer some sort of self-contained combo
>amp without an onboard mixer.  Any books, plans, schematics, links, etc?  I
>really would prefer a DIY solution, as I have some time on my hands this
>summer, but advice about commercial products would also be appreciated.
>Like all things, the DIY job might not be cheaper, but I'd certainly learn
>more.
>
>I hope to hear from some people!
>
>John
>
>--
>"Women!  Now in easy-to-swallow caplets!"
>
>John Randolph Willey
>
>Computist
>	Philosopher
>		 Visionary
>			Jerk
>
>newton+ at osu.edu	The Ohio State University