Busking Amplifiers Comparison - Roland AC-33, Samson XP40iW, XP106, Mackie Freeplay.
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- Опубліковано 11 жов 2017
- Jez Broun compares Samson, Roland and Mackie portable amplifiers suitable for busking in his search for the perfect amp for guitar acoustics and control of backing tracks with greatest ease.
www.woodomain.com
Love seeing a new vid, the music makes them!
Nicely done sir. Incredible playing too!
Really nice video. Appreciate the stuff you had to say.
Bless you! Very grateful for your service giving freely of your expertise
It's my pleasure
I went thru the same problem in searching the right PA speaker and the right amplifier. I love my Samson. I use the 50w Expedition Escape+ 50w and i use a Orange Crush Mini with 20w extention cab thru my pedalboard and external Samson mixer. Everything is run on lithium rechargeable batteries. The same power bank that powers my pedalboard also powers my Orange Crush Mini and its Cab. I play both acoustic and electric.
Nice informative review. Good sense of humor always helps a bad situation.
That setup on your guitar is sick!
thx jezza. safe travels mate and merry xmas
Great honest review! : )
Cheers mate great review
Glad you enjoyed it
The Mackie sound so good clean ! I own the first Freeplay in Washington DC !
Hi Jez, greetings from DownUnder. Finding objective reviews of the commercial busking amps is difficult and you've done a good job here thank you. I also like your playing very much. The problem I have is that almost every decent rig available is made for guitar players and I play flute with, like you, my own backing tracks, and I use a condenser mic that needs phantom power. Some reverb on the flute really helps too. It's been a struggle. In the past, I resorted to using small PA gear with an inverter and 12volt deep-cycle battery. Big, heavy, cumbersome though usually great sound and lots of volume. I have a bike and trailer to haul stuff around. These days I'm using a home-made TPA3116 amp with 24volts battery power off small SLA batteries, a yamaha passive 10" speaker and mixer that I can run off 12 volt and that comes up OK. Still, it's too much gear. You're a smart guy; any suggestions on how I can reduce my rig? Your budget for buying new amps seems to exceed my annual income and I'm a "youngster" like you so I'd like lighter as well as smaller without losing too much sound quality. Thanks Jez. I subscribed because I know that you'll get something out of it. Cheers, Don
If you're in need of phantom power, you might consider a battery-powered preamp like the Shure MX1BP. They're available for $40 US on eBay; not sure in Oz.
Thanks. I only just read this five years later. Scary how time flies good choice on the XP 40 IW. I also use a very compact 150 W Samson PA system that is mains powered, but I use a Ryobi power inverter which is amazing. I’ve done a video on it
super helpful! THANK YOU!
I do my best for someone with damaged hearing from years of using woodworking machines!
Great reviews my friends . All the Musician , specially one how busk quite often will benefit with this info. By the way I used to busk around in Boston subway with Roland AC33 and I am in love with it. The loop , the clarity of the sound, the lightness to carry around and its battery powered. What more can you ask for.
Thank you. It is just a limited personal opinion. that little Roland AC33 is exactly what you say - very clear souind especially for acoustic guitar and light and compact as you say. On size it is probably about the best, could do with a little more bass but then I like a good bass.
Nice one Jezza
Thank you! :)
I like that jam at 4:10!
Hi, which model should I buy if I need a
LINE OUT function ? I will use an
external audio recorder to capture the performance. Thanks!
Just got the Samson XP40i. It's a great small PA! :D
Yes, it’s a great little portable amplifier, hardly mentioned or rated by buskers
Very useful. Thanks.
You're welcome!
Thanks for sharing this I am trying to find an amp for chromatic harmonica my amp has just died ,for my backing tracks I have them on an android tablet ,could use a phone ,I have made a stand from a second hand camera tripod cut down and I have a holder for the tablet ,I find this works well for me.
You are amazing!!!!!!
Thanks!
Still wishing to own one of those.. I'm planning to be the first to do busking in our city. But will take me years before I get one..
I am selling my Mackie with lithium battery pack. Please contact me if interested: jb@woodomain.com
I use, for my 6 String Bass, the " Montarbo L206" .Perfekt Sound with deep Bass.
Well. With the Fishman Loudbox Mini charge not to be released for a month after this video was posted I understand why it was not included. Loudbox mini charge has turned into the "go to" acoustic busker amp,such nice, clean sound.
Thanks for adding that (for the benefit of all) - I will check it out. Any particular striking features?
@@WoodomainJeremyBroun Hello Woodomain. Striking features. Battery is lasting an awful long time. The amp is very responsive to each control (gain,low,mid,high,chorus,reverb,master volume) and is very responsive to changes made at the instrument (mine is a Martin D16E) I find I use the lowest gain setting to get the highest clean volume. You can really clean up scratchy mids with a gain reduction. Bluetooth feature works perfect. Just a really nice powerful clean acoustic sound. Downside is it can't be mounted on a stand as easy as the Street Cube. That mounting ability is a great feature. This is a way solid amp,way above amature level.
Dr. Harmonica
Another alternative is the AER Compact 60 mobile. It's expensive but, in my opinion, has a better and more powerful, and well-rounded sound than almost any other battery powered amp. It has a permanent rechargeable internal battery so that saves quite a lot of money. AER can also be powered by an outboard 12-volt battery. Very useful if one has to play for a long time between being able to recharge the amps internal battery. I've had mine for near on 15 years and the only time it broke was when I dropped it. As to maintenance one only needs to change the battery every few years when it begins to run down too fast. For your needs, it might be too large and heavy but for others, with a good trolly, it is, in my opinion, one of the best busking amps.
Yes you are right. In my home city (Bath UK) many buskers use the AER 60 compact. But as you as say very expensive. Since making this video I have made a chipbvoard cabinet for my 40 watt Samson and have added a Samson Express which is perferct for my busking and all fits on my scooter which is very important as I save hours trying to get to the place I play. The Samsons are in effect a PA system and other guitars anfd my Roland GR55 synth can plug in easily. I am making nother video on a compact pedal box with looper!
thank you very interesting review! the smart watch trick is amazing!
Very interesting on such a subjective subject, as was the OnlinePiano&Violin review of the Freeplay. I made a comment on the latter review about it's suitability as a keyboard amp where unlike for guitar a wider frequency response is required. Alison couldn't give me an answer and now that the product has been discontinued by Mackie for a 6"+ 2 x Tweeters model I'm wondering if I should grab the 8" + 2 x Tweeters model whilst retailers still have a few left? Lastly is there much 'hiss' (white noise) when your not playing? Thanks again Jeremy for all your thoughtful insights
No noticeable hiss
Thanks for that.
For general all round music playback do you prefer the Samson or the Mackie? I was just about to grab an xp106 for my mobile studio and dj setup but have since found the Mackie (smaller model) what do you recommend?
Sorry I didn't reply to this sooner but actually a year passing has come up with some unconscious preferences! I seem to prefer using the Samson XP40iW for solo busking even though its not as powerful as the XP106 or Mackie. The Mackie can flatten out when you need the volume. The Samson XP106 has plenty of punch but tends to lack top end. I'm speaking guitar and backing tracks. Its a close call between that and the Mackie as the Mackie is well balanced. Maybe I dont quite get on with the shape and nowhere to rest my foot! For your use? Between the XP106 and Mackie I'd say maybe the Mackie. Difficult! I don't think you would be displeased with either.
A must! AER compact 60/4 amp.🎉
Thank you.
i use Yamaha silent nylon strings .i love this guitar for his power, i use rechargeable 9 volts battery hitech lithium,,i prefer use the Boss loop pedal .the tracks are pre recorded only guitar..
my friend the best portable battery powered for me was the Crate Limo 50 watts, is discontinue since 10 years ago ,that amp had 2 inputs, mic, and guitar input the EQ bass ,med.treble, effects= chorus,delay, reverb hall,reverb room, single gain effect knob for mic, and guitar ..inputs for cd player or other devices.this amp had tweeter and woofer powered by 12 volt acid battery ..there is no portable to this day that match this crate limo..most of the new portable have 2 EQ bass and treble the hard thing is, you have to use your phone to EQ the inst or mic .is so difficult , when you are playing and you need to do a quick change the knobs are better options, and none of this new portables have a "medium equalizer" the Crate Lemo was small potable 24 lb..and bass players used to play with the portable Crate Lemo, you cannot play bass guitar with the new portable...there is a Fishman loud box mini portable, and use a 12 volt acid batery but dont have dont have "delay" and the mic EQ only have high and low, only have reverb and cost 500 dollars
is it great for indoor/ outdoor event with 50people by using aux ch.? i wanna use it for playback the music in aux ch. tQ
"not at the same time that is".... i see you sir
Honest question: For (lightweight/long distance) travelling, a singer/rapper who needs 1 mic input and a mp3 backing track, whats the best amp, Mackey or the Cube? Advice much appreciated.
Perhaps others can answer this question better than me. My experience of the Mackie is this: the shape is awkward! Maybe not what I'm used to and for carrying etc. The sound is well balanced and the equalizer mobile phone app really useful. They say iys good for vocals so check out other reviews. I presume you mean the Street Cub. I havent owned one but I've heard them and they seem impressive. More box more power. Personally I think a hugely under rated amp is the Samson and these are my prefered amps for busking but then I'm using for guitar mainly. My Mackie is up for sale. It has the extra lithium battery. Hardly used. Reading your question again I think weight is obviously a factor so compare the two . Sorry I'm not an expert and I seem to have invested in too much money trying to find the perfect amp!! I now have the Roland BA-330 PA samp. . Absolute beast, plenty of power astonishingly on just eight AA batteries.
@@WoodomainJeremyBroun I'm very interested in the Samson but my main concern is the rechargeable battery. Is it reliable? You save money by not having to replace AA batteries but if the rechargeable battery pack craps out then it's an expensive replacement. Have you had any problems with the rechargeable battery after prolonged use? Thanks in advance.
I recognised Bath there. A lot of the buskers there now seem to use the new Bose S2. Roland street cube seems to be next popular, but sounds absolutely rubbish. Then of course are the really posh players who use AER (or in the case of Ben a Powell, a Shertler).
Great fucking contribution, sir. I see all these affiliate marketing snake-oil youtube vids. It's good to hear the input of a real life busker and DIYr. I'm thinking to build a passive mixer, midi synchronized busking rig, and your video tackles some of the concepts I've been playing with. Thank you so much!
Que tal ese Roland con una pedalera?
Strangely, they're not even marketed to Buskers but the best amp for Buskers is, by far, the JBL Compact One EON.
Which one has the longest battery life would you say?
I think the Samson XP106 at 10 hours and remarkeable for 100 watts.
Any advice what I should use for singing and acoustic guitar? I don't want to use pickup just microphone for guitar. I need for practice and small audience. Should I use acoustic amp or PA and which one you are advice?
Im not an expert as such so hopefully others can add their opion as well. If you miking an acoustic guitar I suspect purists will say use an acoustic guitar amplifier, but for singing as well and for practice and small audiences I think the Samson Expression is superb. It has bass and treble controls. I dont know whether you would want to add echo to your voice but I have recently acquired a Bose S1 Pro which in my city is the buskers' choice and it delivers both power and quality for acoustic instruments and vocals when using the right mic. .
@@WoodomainJeremyBroun Thanks, you been very helpful. I kind of look into Bose S1 or JBL ONE?
Hello, I got the Samson xp 106, I later bought a ibiza port which was a bit more powerful and cleaner sound with more bass than the xp106 BUT, I got stolen!.....
Then, I bought a proel free 6 which seemed to.be the perfect amp, clearer sound and more compact than the xp106. It was obviously more expensive (twice as much) BUT, it too got stolen!.....moral of the story, NEVER leave you amp on a bike rack even if you're running into a store between pitches!.......i might try the Mackie free play next!
Sorry to hear of your bad luck. Im surprised you say the Samson XP106 lacks bass as I find it it is far too bassy and lacking the clearer more balanced sound of the xp140. The Mackie is very good for a remotely tweakable unit but its light plastic feel comes out in the quality of sound so its not quite the perfect amp!! . I am linking the Mackie to one of my Samsons as my best all round portable compact solution. I don't know the Proel Free 6. I wish the controls were on the top or front of the Mackie but yes it a nice little unit, perhaps slightly overstated on power. Im now using it for wireless vocals and the sound is clear.
Woodomain - Jeremy Broun you're absolutely right about the xp106, since I got the last 2 ripped off I am using the xp106 again and the sound isn't too good!....... it's got good atonomy and it's built like a tank but the sound is sterile!
Hello Jazz marcel and Woodomain - Jeremy Broun, I am also looking for a new busking amp.. the old one is dead but was 17 kg really a pain to carry! After looking your useful comparison I have seen there is a new Proel Free6LT, little more powerful with 75w RMS, even better Proel Freepass6 (with mixer but you need external battery) or Laney A-Fresco 2 with 60w and eq-effects or Bose S1 Pro... These seem the best in the 7kg (15 lb) area. Any idea about these.. maybe you have tested them in the last months? Paolo K.
After your video I think I know what its like to be on a LSD trip
They dont include LED lights
this was in 2017. whats the best outdoor busking amp now in 2019?
i'm deciding between bose s1, roland street, belcat busking box or aer?
JBL EON One Pro! Hands down!
What do think of the Roland cube street Ex that is 50 watts, has 2 8 in speakers and 2 tweeters. It weighs 17 pounds.
MrJoeyBoombotz
I have the ex I have not heard the Mackie but the ex I would guess is the next best thing to an aer mobile cube, and has the advantage of unlimited playtime, providing you carry enough batteries, my only gripe would be not being able to use reverb and delay at the same time, I would also love to be able to use chorus on vocals also.
I agree. But a delay set right about 500ms range acts like a reverb as well as a delay, esp. a tape echo. My biggest gripe with it is that their is no separate gain knob, just volume for the guitar. I haven't seen a good video wth electric guitar that shows the 2 gain channels working. That is what is stopping me. What a stupid thing to do. They have it on the smaller model but not the Ex. I really want something with a little more power for the bass. Someone should tell Roland they make more powerful lithium ion batteries that they can have on board that are very light.
So what is your favourite?
The one I use for gigs is the Yamaha stagepas 300 PA system, a brilliant piece of kit for noisy wine bar venues. My favourite battery powered busking amp is the Samson XP40iW which I have just taken apart and put into a custom wood cabinet that will fit in an airline bag. I will give a link to that video when available.
Many thanks - most useful. People rave about Roland Cube EX, but so expensive!.............John
Yes, I don't know why. When I've heard them I think so so. Maybe the brand. I do think Samson is somewhat under-rated certainly in the UK. I love the warm clear sound for guitar. I never seem to experience distortion when I pump them up.
Thanks. They seem to be unavailable at present?
@@johnaustin1825 Yes this inevitably the problem, they come and go like beautiful women. The XP106 is great if only it had a little better top end! Frustrating as the perfect amp seems always elusive.
hi guys! The problem with all...and I mean ALL batery amps is the same;amperes! The amperes gives you power not the watts! I use a ac 33 and after 15 minute if I play more agressive with voice and guitar in the same time, it goes down.I mean,he cut the voice,or giutar,or loop or....
Not to say that if you use also the loop is really shit! The ony amp that I use until now and it was good enough 45 minute it was AER. So,if you wanna have power and more time to play just use an external battery like a 12 v auto.Or something that have more amperes.If you play just a classical guitar ,than is ok.But if you connect an external mp 3 player,voice and guitar....no way! Belive me,I know what I tell you and this is after 25 year on streets....
That happens to my Rolan Street Cube. I thought it was a malfunction...thanks, AER seems to be bit pricey for busking, though...
.....yahhhh.....this is hair- splitting......I take it that at $400 the Roland is a little under- powered ???......Some good info here....
Thanks for that.
For general all round music playback do you prefer the Samson or the Mackie? I was just about to grab an xp106 for my mobile studio and dj setup but have since found the Mackie (smaller model) what do you recommend?
My preference tends to be the now obsolete Samson XP40iW. Lovely clrar, mellow and bassey sound. Rich in a word.