Customer Reviews

Roland Cube Monitor / PA

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm frankly sick and tired of showing up for a gig and having my keyboard run through the P.A., thereby in essence causing me to forfeit all control of the instrument to the bandleader (or board op). Still, I've had to concede that the amps I've been using--a Roland KC150, then a KC350--had plenty of power and pop but no sonic attributes that would recommend them above the Bose P.A. set-up the band uses. Then, because I needed a small amp with an XLR connection for use as an emergency P.A., I picked up this relatively new item from Roland, which prominently describes itself as a "monitor" amp (i.e. meant only for the performer's ears).

Was I surprised when I got this thing home and put it through some rounds with a Kurzweil PC2 and SP2. It's little more than a compact brick, but it appears to have the power of my KC150 and, more importantly, in terms of "listenability" it sounds like its several heavens apart from the KC 150 or 350 (those ever-present Roland KC amps will make any piano, including Rolands, sound uninspiring if not boring during the course of a four-hour gig). This latest contender covers the entire piano range, effortlessly, smoothly, providing rich yet responsive bass where its needed and brilliant but not strident highs. Perhaps some would judge the sound a trifle "colored." If so, I'll take the coloration any day to the untempered sounds I've been getting from electric keyboards. The mid-range is tight and controlled, with the upper register "growing out" of it gradually but unmistakably. By contrast, the upper register on the heavy-duty KC amps strikes like a serpent, leaping out of the mix like home-brewed white lightning hitting the palate after it's just gotten accustomed to a vintage Bordeaux.

I even compared this little thing to my previous standard--the Roland Cube 60 that had preceded the KC150 (which has been around too long). This new one was smoother, bending to the bass notes like a gracious willow and springing to the top ones like fresh spring birch. In other words, even the Roland Cube sounded uneven and rough compared to this latest overachiever, which handled the tones of the scale like a single portamento, revealing no holes in any of the registers.

Playing any instrument or amplifier on the job can lead to a judgment radically different from the one made at home. If my instruments (I'm usually playing 2-3) have to be mixed through the P.A., fine. I won't have to listen to them. They'll be processed by this monitor, which will be facing and playing for me before it kicks out the stuff that the bandleader deems worthy of the public's ears.

This is a really neat product. I got one in a hurry because I needed a microphone and amp to help my in-laws who were in a jam with guests needing to speak at a memorial service. It worked so well for that (great sound, rugged, easy set up, allowed easy connection and mixing in of an iPod for the musical part of the service), and I was so impressed with it, that a few weeks after the service I actually went out and got a second one and a pair of stands for the two of them (any generic microphone stand with a threaded top where the arm connects will work with these - they have a fixture built into the bottom like a camera/tripod system). With one of these you have a nice compact punchy little amp/monitor that has a really handy built in four input mixing board. But with two of these, you can link them together and you now have a twice as powerful stereo sound system with really flexible virtual "mixing board" built in - you can accept, mix balance, amplify and simultaneiously record up to 8 separate inputs. It is a really cool and flexible little system. Power with one is plenty to fill a decent size room, and with two it is more than enough to fill a large crowed hall. Very clean well-defined and punchy bass, smooth clear uncolored mid range and nice crisp clear extended high end. These kinds of systems are designed to be rugged and handle over driving, not compare with an audiophile grade stereo system, and yet they sound really amazing in their own right. And for situations where you need even more power, you could always use these as your mixing console and for near-field monitoring and plug the outputs into a much bigger guitar amp or the like. Good stuff! I now have them in the kids' playroom on stands, and they have plugged their keyboard into them, have a couple microphones (one for singing and one for when they play their guitar or two for duets) and they put an iPod into it for fooling around with karaoke. And of course with school aged kids this is a really useful thing to have for the inevitable charity auctions, carnivals, talent shows, etc. Everybody wants to borrow these. One minor thing I have to note, though: I agree with the other reviewer who noted that the stickers peel the paint off - it is true. Doesn't show at all from a couple feet away, but happened on both of mine too. Not a biggie - doesn't take away from the 5 star rating!

The product arrived intact and in a timely manner. The sound quality is excellent for a portable monitor - highs are crisp and the bass is decent at moderate levels. Used it for two dj gigs and it worked perfectly. Very portable. I really love the various input connection options (connected my PDA, an electric accoustic guitar and a mixer with no problems). Also allows connections to other speakers. Highly recommended purchase. The only minor issue is that when I peeled off the adhesive label on the front grill, it pulled some of the black paint off. Despite that, it is still deserving of the 5 star rating.

I really love this amp, very powerful for its size. Some have stated that after pealing off that adhesive lable, that some of the paint came off too. Well I thought that too, so I bought some goofoff and black paint, removed the grill to clean it and paint it and found to my glee that all I had to do was clean the area where that adhesive was with the goofoff and there was nice bright black paint there. You see that silver that you see is not the metal of the grill but silver colored adhesive.

I'm a keyboardist/vocalist and bought a pair of these at the suggestion of the dude in the music store, secretly thinking they couldn't handle the full spectrum of keys with my voice. I thought wrong. They work beautifully and are a dream for hauling and setting up as a PA or as monitors. They are exactly what I thought I wanted and function as advertised with plenty of power and input flexibility. The power chords are a bit stiff and kind of short, especially when you want them up in the air...but no biggie...bring a couple of extension chords. Used one as a PA and one as a monitor...both as a PA...both as monitors...they've handled anything asked for so far. One of these puppies fills a 25'X25' room very nicely. Run them through a little pre-amp mixer (Behringer) and get the best of all possible combinations. Way to go, Roland.

I originally used this while playing keys at church. I was so impressed with the monitor that a couple weeks later I bought my own. It is a very portable and able keyboard/vocal monitor. It has it's own power so you can use it as a personal reference monitor or plug it into an aux out on a mixing board and receive a band mix. In addition, it has RCA outs. I can take it anywhere that has electricity and use it as a speaker for my Ipod. Great sound, portable and perfect for a variety of applications.

I use this small but powerful speaker with my laptop to present lectures to groups of more than 100. Mike also connects. You can connect an ipod or cd player as well. Great sound. Perfect for pa use. More expensive than many other amps. but this is top quality and travels very well. Impressive case.

I just wanted to share my review on this item. I have a DGX520 Yamaha Portable Grand Piano, and I wanted to buy some external speakers. I was impressed with the level of input-output channels, and also the control you have with the front knobs. I can turn down the bass and treble if i want more clear sound etc..

I ended up buying 2 of these speakers because i wanted them on a mic stand on the left and right side of the piano for surround sound. These speakers are really powerful for my home and everyone who comes into my house and see my setup is impressed. I recommand this speaker to anyone...I just got these speakers yesterday and playing the piano on it is clear..I really do love them..Great style, great design, and great sound.

I play guitar and sing in relatively small places, such as cafes. I previously used a Fender Acoustasonic Jr and I got tired of lugging it (about 50 lbs) and all of my other gig equipment around. With the CM-30 I can get it (12 lbs), mic stands, music stand, mic, and various cables and etc into a medium sized rolling duffel. That means I can haul everthing I need in one trip. A big plus.

I like the sound quality I get. My guitar is an acoustic Alverez with onboard preamp and my mic is a Shure SM-57. The Roland doesn't have a huge amount of volume, but if you're looking for something that sounds natural and is easy to transport, set up and take down, this is a good choice. (If I used it a with a passive guitar pick-up, I'd want external preamp.) Think of it as as a sound booster for when you are playing in a bigger space than your living room.

I'm also thinking I will use it in larger rooms as a personal monitor with my Acoustasonic Jr.

It looks really rugged, so I'm looking forward to years of happy use.

This product does exactly what it's designed and advertised to do. Would be great for busking, or just getting a quickie monitor setup.