This video is very useful. Just to sort this out for my old brain. 1. You have 2 cables going in. One for the mic. One for the guitar and Bluetooth for the backing track? 2. The battery is rechargable. 3. You have two main input channels so are there two speakers inside. Therefore the overall wattage when using one speaker for a mic and one for a guitar would be half that in terms of max volume than only using one input ? Thanks
I use one of these and find it superb. Sound is powerful & rich with plenty bass if needed. Even done noisy bar/party gigs with it. Only problem is the Di box needed to bring guitar signal into line with microphone (as per instructions), once this is achieved, you are up and rocking. The smartphone thing is only for setup & bright sunshine is rare here in the UK. Don't use the 8 "D" cells, they have internal resistance ad hold back the voltage (and the sound). I did a conversion on mine to keep the "full sound punch" for battery busking. Ugly black plastic thing? I love it.
Aaron Short I never got the dedicated battery pack, I connected a 12 volt motorcycle battery (small battery) into the multi cell connections, this gives the same volume/power as the mains a/c plug in adaptor. Free play is good & plenty loud for me, pity about the guitar needing more gain, but a di box gives this perfectly. good luck. The dry battery cells don't work too good.
The actual playing presentation on this demo is severely lacking! I tried one of these yesterday by just playing some thump tunes on my iPod through it and it kicks ASS! I will likely purchase one for my solo gig. However, this "demo" does NOT demonstrate what the unit is capable of in terms of volume and especially of it's ability to handle bass. I should do a demo of this thing!!
Awesome... I was going to buy the fantastic SRM150, but this has way more features incl bluetooth, double the power and the APP... for practically the same money !?!
Max exudes a little rock n roll danger with those tatts, but mellows his gangster image with an approachable demeanour. After work though, it's a different story. We're likely to see him on his way to rehearsals in a ripped singlet, spiked leather collar and studded belt wearing doc m 12's. Stylin' bro! ty 4 review
Hi Mick. Apologies for the delayed reply! You can absolutely use a loop pedal with the FreePlay. However, this particular FreePlay is no longer available I'm afraid. It's been superseded by the new FreePlay LIVE: polar.uk.com/freeplay-live-2049700-03
I have one and it is all nice but, my problem is that we have to perform many gigs in one night running around places, so we would love to have one EQ configuration for all night but guess what? When we move to another location we have to turn it off and on again so we loose the original equalization setup and we don't have time to be turning the phone app again, connect again, and start configuration again... a total pain that's why we don't use this much anymore. It's a nice system but I have not looked into fixing my problem.. lol.. oh well..
Nice demo Max. :-) Can you tell me, if I were to purchase three of these units for use as monitors for live band use, could I control all 3 from one app on my phone? Allowing me for example to trigger the feedback destroyer on any or all of the 3 monitors. Thanks, Kit
+Kit Keen Hi Kit, I am fairly certain that the Freeplay can only be connected to one device at a time, it is designed as a portable, streamlined unit so it would not make much sense to use it for monitor mixing. You would be better off with a DL series mixer a few Thump or SRM speakers for those sort of FOH applications.
+POLARaudio Thanks for your reply. I already have Thumps for FOH. When the ProDX8 mixer finally ships i will be using that to mix and 3 Freeplays as monitors for vocals and horns, because of their streamlined size and portability. I'm in a 7 piece band playing pubs and small clubs, so space is a premium! Any idea when PRODX8 will be in stores here?
150W is the combined output of the LF Driver (75W) and the HF drivers ( 2 x 37W), which is a pretty standard way of rating output power - for example a 4 x 12 guitar cab with 4 x 30W speakers would be rated at 120W. The BA-55 is not really a fair comparison as it is twice the weight and almost double the price, not too mention being discontinued according to the Roland website.
+Elton Carr The battery life is up to 10 hours with the optional rechargeable Lithium-ion battery pack, or it can be powered with 8 x standard D-cell batteries - which will vary depending on brand, type and the volume you play at but should give a minimum of several hours use at full volume.
Hi Joseph, the song is called 'The Life I Know' and it is an original song written by me (Max). If you PM your email address I can send you an mp3 if you would like? Thanks
You could certainly use a bass guitar with the Freeplay, although as a portable PA with an 8" driver you wouldn't expect the sound to be earth-shaking with low end. As a stand-alone portable bass amp their are better options designed specifically for the task, but for busking in a duo or performing at small venues it would get the job done pretty well
Hi Tex, the app adds additional control and FX but you can use the Freeplay perfectly well without a phone or tablet using the controls on the back panel, as I explain around 2m50s
Hey, I'm using this Mackie free play too. I'm happy for the sound. I like it so much. Thanks to my husband bought this speaker for me.
Great demo, cool song too!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
This video is very useful. Just to sort this out for my old brain.
1. You have 2 cables going in. One for the mic. One for the guitar and Bluetooth for the backing track?
2. The battery is rechargable.
3. You have two main input channels so are there two speakers inside. Therefore the overall wattage when using one speaker for a mic and one for a guitar would be half that in terms of max volume than only using one input ?
Thanks
I use one of these and find it superb. Sound is powerful & rich with plenty bass if needed. Even done noisy bar/party gigs with it. Only problem is the Di box needed to bring guitar signal into line with microphone (as per instructions), once this is achieved, you are up and rocking.
The smartphone thing is only for setup & bright sunshine is rare here in the UK. Don't use the 8 "D" cells, they have internal resistance ad hold back the voltage (and the sound). I did a conversion on mine to keep the "full sound punch" for battery busking. Ugly black plastic thing? I love it.
Aaron Short I never got the dedicated battery pack, I connected a 12 volt motorcycle battery (small battery) into the multi cell connections, this gives the same volume/power as the mains a/c plug in adaptor. Free play is good & plenty loud for me, pity about the guitar needing more gain, but a di box gives this perfectly. good luck. The dry battery cells don't work too good.
Hi mr music. how did u connect bike battery to the mackie? where exactly? thx
So I cannot just connect a guitar to it without Di ?
The actual playing presentation on this demo is severely lacking! I tried one of these yesterday by just playing some thump tunes on my iPod through it and it kicks ASS! I will likely purchase one for my solo gig. However, this "demo" does NOT demonstrate what the unit is capable of in terms of volume and especially of it's ability to handle bass. I should do a demo of this thing!!
Hi, do you think is enough powerful for light dj set with ipad? in a small pub like 8mt x 13mt?
Can anyone show this Mackie volume and bass handling test possible that will many others thankyou
Awesome... I was going to buy the fantastic SRM150, but this has way more features incl bluetooth, double the power and the APP... for practically the same money !?!
Will they ever come up with a remedy for squeaking guitars?
Where is the kick coming from?
Max exudes a little rock n roll danger with those tatts, but mellows his gangster image with an approachable demeanour. After work though, it's a different story. We're likely to see him on his way to rehearsals in a ripped singlet, spiked leather collar and studded belt wearing doc m 12's. Stylin' bro! ty 4 review
TheBlueskyson hello buddy. Do Canada and UK have same voltage?! Thanks
Attention seeker are the words you're looking for.
Does the product also charges R20 rechargeable batteries when plugged in? Thank you!
Hi Max, it's awhile since this vid was put up but i would like to ask can i use a loop pedal with this device?
Hi Mick. Apologies for the delayed reply! You can absolutely use a loop pedal with the FreePlay.
However, this particular FreePlay is no longer available I'm afraid. It's been superseded by the new FreePlay LIVE: polar.uk.com/freeplay-live-2049700-03
great stuff
wow
I have one and it is all nice but, my problem is that we have to perform many gigs in one night running around places, so we would love to have one EQ configuration for all night but guess what? When we move to another location we have to turn it off and on again so we loose the original equalization setup and we don't have time to be turning the phone app again, connect again, and start configuration again... a total pain that's why we don't use this much anymore. It's a nice system but I have not looked into fixing my problem.. lol.. oh well..
Bro you dont want a PA system you want a sound engineer inside a PA system to work for you all night lmao
Nice demo Max. :-) Can you tell me, if I were to purchase three of these units for use as monitors for live band use, could I control all 3 from one app on my phone? Allowing me for example to trigger the feedback destroyer on any or all of the 3 monitors. Thanks, Kit
+Kit Keen Hi Kit, I am fairly certain that the Freeplay can only be connected to one device at a time, it is designed as a portable, streamlined unit so it would not make much sense to use it for monitor mixing. You would be better off with a DL series mixer a few Thump or SRM speakers for those sort of FOH applications.
+POLARaudio Thanks for your reply. I already have Thumps for FOH. When the ProDX8 mixer finally ships i will be using that to mix and 3 Freeplays as monitors for vocals and horns, because of their streamlined size and portability. I'm in a 7 piece band playing pubs and small clubs, so space is a premium! Any idea when PRODX8 will be in stores here?
+Kit Keen The first batch are due to arrive in the UK during the first week of July so should be in stores within a few days of landing.
Thanks 🙏🏻
Its good! But 150W is more like marketing. If you want something powerful much louder with 8 hours battery powered go for Roland BA-55
150W is the combined output of the LF Driver (75W) and the HF drivers ( 2 x 37W), which is a pretty standard way of rating output power - for example a 4 x 12 guitar cab with 4 x 30W speakers would be rated at 120W. The BA-55 is not really a fair comparison as it is twice the weight and almost double the price, not too mention being discontinued according to the Roland website.
Glorified boom box
Battery life?
+Elton Carr The battery life is up to 10 hours with the optional rechargeable Lithium-ion battery pack, or it can be powered with 8 x standard D-cell batteries - which will vary depending on brand, type and the volume you play at but should give a minimum of several hours use at full volume.
POLARaudio Thanks!
good!!!
what song is this xD ?
seriously interested
Hi Joseph, the song is called 'The Life I Know' and it is an original song written by me (Max). If you PM your email address I can send you an mp3 if you would like? Thanks
POLARaudio Well alright I will send you a notification to your email on sales@polaraudio.co.uk
could you please send me the mp3 as well ?
what about with bass guitar?
You could certainly use a bass guitar with the Freeplay, although as a portable PA with an 8" driver you wouldn't expect the sound to be earth-shaking with low end. As a stand-alone portable bass amp their are better options designed specifically for the task, but for busking in a duo or performing at small venues it would get the job done pretty well
ta
150 rms
I hate that’s Squeak on your guitar.
squick... squick... squick..
The mic is not on point
totally useless for busking.too complicated.you can't see phones etc in bright sunshine.
Hi Tex, the app adds additional control and FX but you can use the Freeplay perfectly well without a phone or tablet using the controls on the back panel, as I explain around 2m50s
Solo Is not for Singers.