I'm playing around with analogue synths and I'm considering whether or not to build a dedicated speaker (or two). I figure there have got to be a few people here who have done similar things.
I have a few requirements. If im going to go to the trouble then it should be able to handle practice volume with other musicians. It should be able to reproduce low notes in the range of 20hz (give or take depending on whats realistic), and it needs to be able to reveal the appealing timbres and complexity of a genuine analogue synth. I'd like to keep this under apx $200/speaker but thats a ballpark.
Id prefer not to build a horn but I'm open to suggestions.
Amplification will be some sort of off the shelf thing like a behringer or similar. Active is an option or I can design a xo. I have measurement gear.
Left to my own devices I would likely look at Eminence's 12" pa drivers and a compression horn but I was wondering if anyone has used something like this that they were super pleased with.
I have a few requirements. If im going to go to the trouble then it should be able to handle practice volume with other musicians. It should be able to reproduce low notes in the range of 20hz (give or take depending on whats realistic), and it needs to be able to reveal the appealing timbres and complexity of a genuine analogue synth. I'd like to keep this under apx $200/speaker but thats a ballpark.
Id prefer not to build a horn but I'm open to suggestions.
Amplification will be some sort of off the shelf thing like a behringer or similar. Active is an option or I can design a xo. I have measurement gear.
Left to my own devices I would likely look at Eminence's 12" pa drivers and a compression horn but I was wondering if anyone has used something like this that they were super pleased with.
What you're asking is much more difficult than it would seem. I've seen a number of tweeters
blown out from such use. And maybe a decent 40Hz is possible, if you're lucky. Once you start trying
to match the volume of live musical instruments, amplifier clipping will be pretty much a given,
even with larger amplifiers.
blown out from such use. And maybe a decent 40Hz is possible, if you're lucky. Once you start trying
to match the volume of live musical instruments, amplifier clipping will be pretty much a given,
even with larger amplifiers.
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Tweeters can handle thousand watt PA systems, it is all about design being adequate. Same with clipping. If you want to play loud and don't want clipping, don't use a 100 watt amp.
There are plenty of "Keyboard amplifiers" in the market - combo amps.
I agree that 20Hz is not really reasonable. I mean you can build a subwoofer cab that might suffice, but anything short of that, no 20.
Unless you just crank it to the sky, really I think bass is way more peaky that synth.
Just my opinion, but if you want all the sparkling highs AND the snorting bass of a synth signal, you are asking a lot of a 15" without a tweeter. And a 12" woofer would fall way short of convincing bottom in my view.
When I say tweeter I have compression driver in mind.
Do you play one synth at a time or do you stack a few and use a small mixer?
I like powered speakers. One signal cable and you are connected. Separate cabs and amps is just more stuff. You could build one or two, but really every major speaker manufacturer makes them. Molded ones are easy to raise on poles for better sound dispersion. They sound good and if you don't need a lot of EQ, there you go. If you use a small mixer, that will have some basic EQ anyway.
There are plenty of "Keyboard amplifiers" in the market - combo amps.
I agree that 20Hz is not really reasonable. I mean you can build a subwoofer cab that might suffice, but anything short of that, no 20.
Unless you just crank it to the sky, really I think bass is way more peaky that synth.
Just my opinion, but if you want all the sparkling highs AND the snorting bass of a synth signal, you are asking a lot of a 15" without a tweeter. And a 12" woofer would fall way short of convincing bottom in my view.
When I say tweeter I have compression driver in mind.
Do you play one synth at a time or do you stack a few and use a small mixer?
I like powered speakers. One signal cable and you are connected. Separate cabs and amps is just more stuff. You could build one or two, but really every major speaker manufacturer makes them. Molded ones are easy to raise on poles for better sound dispersion. They sound good and if you don't need a lot of EQ, there you go. If you use a small mixer, that will have some basic EQ anyway.
"Tweeters can handle thousand watt PA systems, it is all about design being adequate.
Same with clipping. If you want to play loud and don't want clipping, don't use a 100 watt amp."
Yes, but he wants it all for $200.
Same with clipping. If you want to play loud and don't want clipping, don't use a 100 watt amp."
Yes, but he wants it all for $200.
When I attended SUNYAB they had a full Emerson show-off Moog in one of the Ellicott towers. On the bill was a 200W/channel Dynaco amp and a pair of large KEFs, with the racetrack passives. Of course, by the time I got there (it was new) the tweeters were blown. "Analog Synth" means continuous wave power handling - looked like someone put 100W squarewave at 3kHz into those KEFs - pffft!
So, you'll need to shop for continuous power handling, versus "music power" or whatever. Maybe have a look at what Peavey has done over the years with keyboard amps, for speaker components. If it was me for $200, I'd shop for a used Peavey KB amp - with a 15.
So, you'll need to shop for continuous power handling, versus "music power" or whatever. Maybe have a look at what Peavey has done over the years with keyboard amps, for speaker components. If it was me for $200, I'd shop for a used Peavey KB amp - with a 15.
$200 was a ballpark. Drivers only.
Forget 20hz for now. I had to start somewhere. Is it reasonable to aim for 40hz. Ideally I'd like something I can play an electric bass or an upright with a pickup through.
I play with an acoustic piano player so were not talking arena volume here. I'm really more interested in clarity, to hear the Interesting layers and harmonics, and dynamics.
I was looking at this Peerless compression driver: Peerless by Tymphany DFM-2535R00-08 1" Compression Horn Driver 2/4-Bolt 8 Ohm
Edit: disregard that driver. The power handling appears to be low.
Forget 20hz for now. I had to start somewhere. Is it reasonable to aim for 40hz. Ideally I'd like something I can play an electric bass or an upright with a pickup through.
I play with an acoustic piano player so were not talking arena volume here. I'm really more interested in clarity, to hear the Interesting layers and harmonics, and dynamics.
I was looking at this Peerless compression driver: Peerless by Tymphany DFM-2535R00-08 1" Compression Horn Driver 2/4-Bolt 8 Ohm
Edit: disregard that driver. The power handling appears to be low.
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If your spl requirements are below 100dB spl, it's possible.
The Linkwitz Pluto subs go to 8Hz -3dB free field, the speaker cost less than $100.
Add a JBL 305 that also cost less than $100 and your there.
Still need to add a dsp and amp for the sub.
The Linkwitz Pluto subs go to 8Hz -3dB free field, the speaker cost less than $100.
Add a JBL 305 that also cost less than $100 and your there.
Still need to add a dsp and amp for the sub.
Meet Mr Hoffman and his Iron Law
You can get 40Hz out of a 6' folded line and a pair of 86db/w 5" drivers. Just don't expect a pile of db. Especially in a large room.
Ignore power handling until you've worked out the db/watt. It's db in your audience's space that matters, not watts.
If you can live with a biggish box or two, and not too many whats, then a half decent 15" PA driver mated with a compression driver in a tractix horn crossed over in the mid 2KHz is probably the path of least expense. (hence why all the cheap and nasties look like this, tho' usually overstretching both drivers in the chase for portability)
By now you've probably discovered why quality PA (which is what you need with synth, sorry) is big, efficient and expensive.
Especially if you're wanting to produce deep and loud sounds of (some) modern dance music.
(Ideally you'd have a Danley SH50 and a matching TH112 :-D or a stack of SH50s and a TH221 sub😀😀 )
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As others said, that's an impossible ask. The closest quickest solution could be a B&C 18PS100 in 6th order alignment or very large bass reflex. biamped to a Faital Pro 10FE200, passively crossed to a Celestion CDX1-1445.
You might be able to put this together with a decent amp and used crossover for $1000.
Otherwise look of Craigslist fora used 15" two way.
You might be able to put this together with a decent amp and used crossover for $1000.
Otherwise look of Craigslist fora used 15" two way.