Busking/Recording/Practice Amp

[Rayzcane]

These questions have been presented here several times since the inception of this forum:

What is a good amp for busking (Sidewalk Playing), camping, fishing, outdoor parks, small coffeehouse gigs, etc.?

What is a good amp for recording?

What is a good headphone amp for silent practicing?

Since busking and total portability is prime criteria, let's add to that, "in the under $200 range".

Also, we will need two inputs for playing a stereo touch-style instrument (of any kind). A mic input would also be nice for singers, or to use your voice to hawk tips..... :)

I think I may have found a new product that will fill the bill. It is called the Vox DA-5. You can read all the specs here:

http://www.music123.com/VOX-DA5-i280273.music

List Prices vary from $190-230. Street price is $139!!!! Wow! What a great number.

It has a standard guitar input and an aux input for the second input. It has a mic input. It runs on AC current or with 6-C cells. All of the above sounds pretty dang good, right? Not to mention, a line out/headphone jack.

BONUS FEATURES: It emulates 11 different amps (sorta like the Line 6 Pod). It has 11 different effects (sorta like stomp pedals). In a nutshell, it sounds like a dream in a small package (at less than 8 lbs.). The battery life can be extended by setting the switch to .5, 1.5, or 5 amps. It is in a comparable price range to the Roland Micro-Cube, but it is so much more! Can anyone see anything wrong with this picture? I can't. At this point, I am not associated with any Amp company, or any other company for that matter.

I have not heard it in action, but I will VERY soon! Maybe as soon as today at my local Guitar Center. I first heard of this super piece of gear in the May, 2006 issue of Guitar One Magazine. This magazine comes with a CD. The magazine costs $7.99 USD. I got it because of an article promoted on the cover: "Eddie's (van Halen) Style! TAPPING, Harmonics, Speed Picking...".

On the CD was a section on new gear. Several amp emulations, and effects for this product, were demonstrated by the reviewer in a video clip.

Am I merely a fish with the hook in his mouth or does this truly have merit for touch-style players everywhere??????

One last thing...... If you are playing a standard guitar, you can use the Aux input to play Band-in-a-Box files (or similar) while you jam along with your "axe' and a mic. In other words, you have 3 different inputs. The line out can be used for recording your masterpieces on the computer OR as a headphone amp. The little speaker may be only 6.5 inches, but the Roland Cube's speaker is a mere 5 inches!!!!!!

So, who will be the first to burst my bubble? What is wrong with this picture that I have formulated in my mind? PLEASE, speak up if you have anything at all to say on this. Is it too good to be true, or is just what many of us here have been looking for?

Ray Langley

[traktor]

I got myself over my fear of playing in public by going to San Francisco, putting out a hat for tips, and playing at the wharf, at Ghirardelli Square, and at the Embarcadero Plaza.

At that time, I had a mouse amp, which contains a rechargable motorcycle battery. It did the job, though its tone certainly doesn't compare to 'real' amps of greater size.

Recently, I've seen two amps which contain modelling technology. One was by Line6 if I remember correctly, and the other was from Fender.

A trip to harmonycentral.com would probably find namm reports on these things, and reviews.

I think both these modelling amps use disposable batteries. One thing to research is: how long do the batteries last? This can cost a fortune, so caveat emptor. (Which means 'The necktie is empty' in French, I think.)

[Igos du Iskana]

I've been using a simple Roland cube30 guitar amp with my megatar. It's not a stereo amp. I put the two jacks in a simple y-conector, and this goes straight into the amp, oh wait, goes through my brand new, totaly sweet Boss OD-3 Overdrive stompbox, and then into the amp.
I really think this is a good solution. The roland amp packs quite a punch, even the bass comes through realy good. I'd suggest looking for a simple guitar amp for practice or busking. it gets the job done much beter than expected for that price.

Auke

[GaryOpenhill]

Originally posted by Rayzcane


What is a good headphone amp for silent practicing?



Well, i have the newest bass/guitar pandora thing from korg, px4d. (the black one, not red or blue) it works fine for silent practice, its a lot cheaper than the old versions (at least here it is) and have rythm and bass even, if you should want that and lots of other stuff. i just clip it on the megatar strap. eats battries alive though.



Also, we will need two inputs for playing a stereo touch-style instrument (of any kind). A mic input would also be nice for singers, or to use your voice to hawk tips..... :)


I guess, but if you're a simple person, like me, you could also just use a stereo to mono plug and run it trough one mono amp. less knobs to worry about.

that vox da5 get pretty good user reviews over at harmony-central.

btw, for playing out with a battery, isn't the Crate taxi/limo things pretty good? i see some of them on ebay. they have a tweeter and works for bass, so that would be good for a bass+guitar kinda tapper. I hope someone have tried one of these and can give some feedback.

http://www.crateamps.com/html/series.cfm?sid=4

i think the TX50DBE should work!

[rjgoos]

The Roland mini-cube works for a practice amp for me. The Y-plug thing works OK.

Regarding headphones, I just plug my headphones into my Zoom effects pedal. For a stereo instrument, I run the inputs into a rolls mini-mixer first. That's all my wife and I use for recording by the way....her guitar and my instrument into the mixer, into the pedal, and then into the computer. I feed the sound out of the computer into the Roland mini-cube as a monitor.


Jay

[Rayzcane]

Thanks to all for the great suggestions and comments! This is a very important subject that needed to be updated. The wonderful world of electronic gear changes drastically every few years.
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Traktor asked: I think both these modelling amps use disposable batteries. One thing to research is: how long do the batteries last? This can cost a fortune, so caveat emptor. (Which means 'The necktie is empty' in French, I think.)
=====
Yes, aftermarket costs are a serious consideration. Here is a review of the Vox DA-5:

http://www.imuso.co.uk/directory/reviews/equipment-reviews/vox-da5.htm

This little amp can be set for .5, 1.5, or 5 watts output. This reviewer says that the expected battery life is: 18 hours, 25 hours and 30 hours respectively. So, the cost of batteries could indeed add up over a period of time.
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Jay Goos said: The Roland mini-cube works for a practice amp for me. The Y-plug thing works OK. (And): Regarding headphones, I just plug my headphones into my Zoom effects pedal.
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Hi Jay, I also considered the mini-cube. But, the DA-5 is loaded with features, including 2 inputs and headphone/line out.
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Gary mentioned: Crate Taxi/Limo amps.
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Great! This one has a rechargeable battery. And, it has a great feature in that you can plug it into the car cigarette lighter to charge it on the way to a gig. That is one great feature.
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Auke mentioned: Roland Cube 30.
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Hey Auke.... that is a nice amp too, but it is not portable. My requirements are: True portability, 2 inputs, headphone jack for silent practice, and cost under $200. Of course, GREAT SOUND would also be quite acceptable........
=====

A few years ago I thought I had found a viable option for portability while camping/fishing in proximity of your car. I bought a 12v to 120v Inverter that plugged into a car cigarette lighter. I had set up my strat with high action and fat strings to play some Elmore James stuff. Unfortunately, the noise this "system" produced was much louder than the sound from the amp. :(

Ray

[GaryOpenhill]

Originally posted by Rayzcane

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Gary mentioned: Crate Taxi/Limo amps.
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Great! This one has a rechargeable battery. And, it has a great feature in that you can plug it into the car cigarette lighter to charge it on the way to a gig. That is one great feature.
=====


Oh yeah, thats a great feature. recharge as you drive. perfect. Also i now see that the 50w version has a several effects onboard, wich makes it even more desirable. Since this one amp can responde to such a wide tonal range, it seems like more than a perfect sidewalk amp. I saw some stick player over at the stickwire that have used this outside for a long time (not continually :P ) and love it.

[Rayzcane]

Hi Gary, you can download the manual in .pdf format here:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Crate-TX50DBE-Limo-BatteryPowered-Amp?sku=487761&src=3AXCAWXX&src=3WDTWXX

It is out of my price range but it does sound like a great amp.

Ray

[GaryOpenhill]

Originally posted by Rayzcane
Hi Gary, you can download the manual in .pdf format here:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Crate-TX50DBE-Limo-BatteryPowered-Amp?sku=487761&src=3AXCAWXX&src=3WDTWXX

It is out of my price range but it does sound like a great amp.

Ray

Yeah, i see now that they are more expencive. but the 15w version goes for under $185, so.... also i see 3-4 of them on ebay. could be worth a try.

[Rayzcane]

Well, I took the plunge and opted for the Vox DA-5. I'll let you know how it goes. I like the idea of the very light weight, emulation of 11 amps, and 11 effects. Those are all great features, but the most important consideration for me is the fact that it will run up to 30 hours on a set of batteries. I am a long ways from being a performer. It is highly likely that this little amp may be relegated to fishing and camping duty. Also, it is small enough to fit in the overhead compartment of an airplane. And, it seems to workout well in a car for road trips.......

On a side note, I convinced my local Guitar Center that I would buy it right now if they would toss in a cable. They did. :-)

Thanks to all for suggestions on portable amps!

Ray

[GaryOpenhill]

About batterydriven amps for outdoors and busking.
I see now that Roland released a new version of their microcube, the micrucube rx. With four speakers, two channels and a higher watt.
Also theres now even a bass version of it. So now they sould be able to handle the bass side better if you use one of each. Should be interesting, am i right? ANyone experinced them?

http://www.roland.com/products/en/MICRO_CUBE_RX/index.html
http://www.roland.com/products/en/MICRO_CUBE_BASS_RX/index.html

[lactose]

For a while I was using the little Roland Micro Cube. I got together with the Long Beach guitar Meetup group and we would play in the park by the ocean.

I was surprised how long the batteries lasted, it was several months before I changed them. The new Micro Cubes look interesting for the Megatar.

[GaryOpenhill]

Originally posted by lactose
The new Micro Cubes look interesting for the Megatar.

Yeah, i think i will get it. Been calling around today, and they say it will come to the stores here in april. Microcube gets good reports all over. I really wanted the 30 or 50 watt crate, but half the reports say they break down easily. This new guitar version handles bass tones better too. Im getting that first, since i dont really need the bass version with my mono-meg.

I live close to the wolrds longest pedestrian shopping street, and its great for street performance. Going to try out busking this summer, im planning. ( i said that last summer too, but...) Theres no cars, so i think these new microcubes can be heard there. Maybe im wrong.

[PhoBucket]

If you have more budget, you could pick up a Phil Jones Briefcase (http://www.philjonesbass.com/PRODUCTS/SPEAKERS/Briefcase.htm) . I see them listed used on ebay and bassgear.com for about $425 from time to time. Great sounding little 100W amp. Runs on a motorcycle battery.Phil Jones Briefcase (http://www.philjonesbass.com/PRODUCTS/SPEAKERS/Briefcase.htm)

According to the manual, internal battery life is 1 hour or more before recharging, longer playing time can be gained by using an external battery.

[lifestudent]

Im using LINE6 Pocket POD for rehearsals;
get more out of it by using eneloop batts

http://www.eneloop.info/

[Krappy]

pretty cool

https://www.audiolinks.com/tek9/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jocpjqn8&gclid=CNOqkr6Pj5ICFQ1vHgodzn-f7g

[Utmotrix]

I used to use a Hog30 to play on the Staten Island ferry.
8 inch speaker and rechargable. I hate buying batteries.
Had a nice bass to it. It's been in my garage sealed in a garbage bag for the last 10 years. ..

[adde65]

Hi,

Busking with a Stick has been my #1 source of income for the last 14 months. I've commented on this in the past, but since it comes up every now and then, here are a few basic observations:

- I would rather not bring an AER or PJB out on the street. "Audiophile" quality makes very little difference in this setting, and there are too many risk factors for me to worry about bringing high end gear along. Another factor is that neither unit holds a charge long enough for me.

- Crate Taxi 30 amps have been THE choice among street musicians and other performers for many years. The reason for that is that they are loud, versatile and hold a charge forever. The old Limo amps are also great workhorses (Stick player Eliah uses a couple). HOWEVER: Crate Amps are now made in China by "LOUD Technologies". The famous Taxi 30 has been discontinued, and the new Limos do have a reputation for being fragile. Only time will tell if this is the beginning of the end for the Taxi line.

- The little Microcubes, Voxes etc. which run on regular batteries can make good busking amps IF you don't need BASS RESPONSE. They work fine for 6-string guitarists and would probably be great for a Box or Alto Stick tuning. I would NOT recommend these amps for serious busking with a full-range instrument.

Cheers,
Andy

[GaryOpenhill]

Originally posted by adde65
Hi,

Busking with a Stick has been my #1 source of income for the last 14 months. I've commented on this in the past, but since it comes up every now and then, here are a few basic observations:

- I would rather not bring an AER or PJB out on the street. "Audiophile" quality makes very little difference in this setting, and there are too many risk factors for me to worry about bringing high end gear along. Another factor is that neither unit holds a charge long enough for me.

- Crate Taxi 30 amps have been THE choice among street musicians and other performers for many years. The reason for that is that they are loud, versatile and hold a charge forever. The old Limo amps are also great workhorses (Stick player Eliah uses a couple). HOWEVER: Crate Amps are now made in China by "LOUD Technologies". The famous Taxi 30 has been discontinued, and the new Limos do have a reputation for being fragile. Only time will tell if this is the beginning of the end for the Taxi line.

- The little Microcubes, Voxes etc. which run on regular batteries can make good busking amps IF you don't need BASS RESPONSE. They work fine for 6-string guitarists and would probably be great for a Box or Alto Stick tuning. I would NOT recommend these amps for serious busking with a full-range instrument.

Cheers,
Andy

Thats some very useful info, andy.

Also, congrats on actually making an income on busking. Im planning to do the same during summer moths, so youre my hero.

I was suspecting something along the lines of what youre saying here about teh crates. Also, some say the lack of decent alternatives to the crates is another reason why they are so popular among streetperformers. Ive read that youd better buy two and have a budget for repairs ready if you buy them, according to several users.

Im wont be getting the microcube, as we know them. But the new 2008 microcubes with 4 speakers, that also have more watts are already ordered. They say that the guitar version also can be used as a bass practice amp now, but not only that, they now make a microcube bass amp. Both of them have the essential effects (and even some rythm stuff), so to have both of them, one for each stick side, should be cool. I havent actually tested them so i take a chance. but they are not expencive, and i firgure they can easily be resold when i get something bigger.

The problem is the batteries that youll have to b uy all the time. But i figure that they now make great recheagable batteries too.

When you tour europe, pls go to copenhagen and play on "ströget"! You can stay in our house if u want if you give me free lessons!

[GaryOpenhill]

Man, Roland must have had great success with their microcubes. Their now releasing ANOTHER super small portable keyboard/anything cube amp too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bb_sBmaEMw

And THIS street cube too (also with a tapping demo in it), i've never seen it before even tho its been on the marcet for amost a year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4e0ECG-eic&feature=related

This street version should be a nice alternative to the crates?

[adde65]

Hi Gary,

Thanks, and I might just turn up in Copenhagen one of these days since most of my childhood friends live a short walk across the frozen sea in Sweden...

The Roland Cube Street is the amp that interests me a lot at the moment. With an Alto Stick on order, this amp is a strong contender for a truly portable setup (I might even be able to ditch the trolley).

Cheers,
Andy

[GaryOpenhill]

Originally posted by adde65
Hi Gary,

Thanks, and I might just turn up in Copenhagen one of these days since most of my childhood friends live a short walk across the frozen sea in Sweden...



well i live near Malmö on the sweden side. And btw, they have a bridge now between copenhagen and malmö so you dont have to risk your life getting over the sea. To drive over cost all your money you made that day, but the train isnt that bad.
Do you still speak swedish?



The Roland Cube Street is the amp that interests me a lot at the moment. With an Alto Stick on order, this amp is a strong contender for a truly portable setup (I might even be able to ditch the trolley).

Cheers,
Andy

Well, if you get it or try it, pls tell us what you think about it. I concidered it, but im still landing on the new microcube rx, and then get the bass version of it later, so i can run the two sides independantly.

[adde65]

Hej Gary,

Jag pratar svenska men inte "skånska"!

I've heard about the bridge; I still remember taking the boat (and that end-of-school trip!). We always knew it would happen sooner or later, Denmark was so much more fun than Sweden! Apologies to all my ex-pats.

I'll let you know if I get my hands on one of those amps.

Cheers,
Andy