Twin Reverb for Moog Voyager, DSI Tempest and Rhodes

[alexdecker]

Hey guys

I only make music in my tiny apartment. I wanted to have a small setup, it doesn't have to go really loud, and I would like an amp that can handle a Moog Voyager and my DSI Tempest too. Not planning on gigging with this setup, so with that in mind, how do you guys feel about using a Twin Reverb for this? Just to jam in my apartment, and if I want, I can record something into my DAW, and take it from there using monitors in my separate studio and such.

Is it a really terrible idea? Will I blow a Twin Reverb using it with a drum machine and a synth? Even if the amp may never be turned past 3?

Any help is appreciated, as I dont have much space, and an amp vs. powered speakers and a audio interface would fit a little better space wise... (and the woman of the house appreciate the less complicated setup, less wires etc...)

– Alex

[mvanmanen]

I am not a fan of the Twin Reverb for apartment use. You just never get to really enjoy the sweet spot of the amp.
I would seriously consider a lower wattage amp (40watts or so) whereby you still get plenty of headroom for cleans yet get to play the amp above "2-3"

As for running a Voyager and Tempest through a Twin, I had run a SubPhatty, Mopho, and various drum machines through my Twin before I sold it.
It definitely works and can produce a nice vibe. But if I had a Voyager and Tempest, I would be inclined to use a power speaker. You could then run your Rhodes stereo with the main signal coming through a guitar amp and use the power speaker as a second source for stereo delay, tremolo, etc. with the right pedal.

Just my 2 cents.

[Alan Lenhoff]

For a while, I had a Peavey KB100 amp that worked well with a wide range of keyboards. I sold it to make room for something else. But after a while, I missed it enough to buy another.   It's amazingly versatile.  You can plug most any keyboard into it and get good results at room listening levels. It'll handle your drum machine and deep bass on your Moog and Rhodes far better than a Twin. It's even good for acoustic guitar or to plug in a mic to sing along.  Headphone jack for late night practice. If you only have room for one amp, it's a reasonable do-everything solution.

They are plentiful, cheap and durable, too.  (Typically about $100 used in the U.S.)

Alan

[alexdecker]

I am not a fan of the Twin Reverb for apartment use. You just never get to really enjoy the sweet spot of the amp.
I would seriously consider a lower wattage amp (40watts or so) whereby you still get plenty of headroom for cleans yet get to play the amp above "2-3"

As for running a Voyager and Tempest through a Twin, I had run a SubPhatty, Mopho, and various drum machines through my Twin before I sold it.
It definitely works and can produce a nice vibe. But if I had a Voyager and Tempest, I would be inclined to use a power speaker. You could then run your Rhodes stereo with the main signal coming through a guitar amp and use the power speaker as a second source for stereo delay, tremolo, etc. with the right pedal.

Just my 2 cents.

Yeah, I know it might not be optimal, but I just liked the idea of having one amp, and then I could use the same amp if I had a gig. I also considered the Fender Bassman, as it might swing a little better with the Voyager, and it is lower wattage than the Twin, but not sure if that would be a good option though. I'll take any opinions about that?

– Alex

[alexdecker]

For a while, I had a Peavey KB100 amp that worked well with a wide range of keyboards. I sold it to make room for something else. But after a while, I missed it enough to buy another.   It's amazingly versatile.  You can plug most any keyboard into it and get good results at room listening levels. It'll handle your drum machine and deep bass on your Moog and Rhodes far better than a Twin. It's even good for acoustic guitar or to plug in a mic to sing along.  Headphone jack for late night practice. If you only have room for one amp, it's a reasonable do-everything solution.

They are plentiful, cheap and durable, too.  (Typically about $100 used in the U.S.)

Alan

Thanks for that advice! I actually looked a little bit at the Roland KC line, and that is probably what fits my needs best. Problem is, they are dead ugly if you ask me! And I kinda liked the idea of a classic Fender amp next to my lovely '72 Mk1

– Alex

[Alan Lenhoff]

The Peaveys are dead ugly, too! 

Practical appeal vs. emotional appeal...  If you want to admire the classic looks of a Fender amp next to your gear, I suppose nothing else will do.

(And, trust me.  I'm not making fun of making an emotional decision. If I were more practical, I'd probably own a Nord Electro instead of a room full of vintage keys that constantly require a soldering iron to keep working.  But there's no way I'd do that.)

Find your classic Fender amp!

Alan

[mvanmanen]

There are so many lovely vintage and new amps that will sound fantastic with a fender rhodes...
My advice is always the same...bring your rhodes to a music store and try out a whole bunch of amps and find the sound you like.

I have a Barbetta keyboard amp that I still use with digital boards for practice...but keyboard amps have never really done it for me asides from convenience or doubling as a stool

[The Real MC]

Those Barbetta amps were the best keyboard kombo amp I ever heard.  Wish they still made them, because the others sound terrible.

[mvanmanen]

My Barbetta has seen a lot of use but still going strong

[alexdecker]

I am not a fan of the Twin Reverb for apartment use. You just never get to really enjoy the sweet spot of the amp.
I would seriously consider a lower wattage amp (40watts or so) whereby you still get plenty of headroom for cleans yet get to play the amp above "2-3"

As for running a Voyager and Tempest through a Twin, I had run a SubPhatty, Mopho, and various drum machines through my Twin before I sold it.
It definitely works and can produce a nice vibe. But if I had a Voyager and Tempest, I would be inclined to use a power speaker. You could then run your Rhodes stereo with the main signal coming through a guitar amp and use the power speaker as a second source for stereo delay, tremolo, etc. with the right pedal.

Just my 2 cents.

By the way, I actually thought that I could enjoy the sweet spot with a Twin Reverb, as the SF usually have a master volume. So I can overdrive the tubes, but still keep the main volume down? That's what I thought anyways.

I heard that most people recommend the SF version with JBL speakers, if you are a keyboard player, and then most guitarist prefer the BF version...?

– Alex

[4kinga]

I've been contemplating a Motion Sound KBR3.  No one around here carries them.  So, testing one out is a purchase and hope situation I guess.  However, it looks like it fits the bill on all accounts.  I've read that it's limited on total headroom.  But, I suppose that's when house sound should kick in.

[Student Rhodes]

The Peaveys are dead ugly, too! 

Practical appeal vs. emotional appeal...  If you want to admire the classic looks of a Fender amp next to your gear, I suppose nothing else will do.

Find your classic Fender amp!

Perhaps a 70s Vibrolux would do the trick?  They're about 35-40 watts and they're a lot lighter than a Twin, as well.

[voltergeist]

I've been contemplating a Motion Sound KBR3.  No one around here carries them.  So, testing one out is a purchase and hope situation I guess.  However, it looks like it fits the bill on all accounts.  I've read that it's limited on total headroom.  But, I suppose that's when house sound should kick in.

I played with a guy who used a Motion Sound KBR3- nice amp.  Personally, I would much rather use a good keyboard amp (the Roland KC500/550 in particular is an excellent amp) than a Twin for synth and drum machine- no question.  A twin can't do justice to a synth's low end.  As for apartment playing, I'd probably go for a good pair of headphones rather than an amp anyway.  If I were getting fancy, I'd go for a good set of headphones and a Buttkicker.  That way you don't get any police visits, the sound is good, the stereo image is good, and you get all the sub bass you could ask for.  If I really wanted to hear the sound in the room, I think I'd go for studio monitors set up for a good stereo image rather than an amplifier.