Fantastic review! You're the only one I could find that could give an honest review on the mackie and actually play it. Keep doing what you're doing your reviews are awesome!
This is my go to review on the Mackie and Roland Keyboard amps. Great demo and comparison of 2 amps that produce stereo. I have the Mackie Freeplay and it's great for portability and instant setup. But all the Roland KC's have awesome crisp sound throughout. I play the Yamaha Tyros 5 (not inexpensive) so I want to reproduce the sound from my instrument. I'm saving my money for the Yamaha Genos and will be looking for another small pa and will again look for on of your honest reviews. Thanks again Piano Man Chuck!
I had the KC-110 and sold it for the Freeplay. I'm running a Nord Stage 2, Macbook Pro running Ableton Live and a vocalist. It was able to handle the demands at a higher volume than the Roland. What really sold me was my Nord Piano sounded better on the Freeplay. It's all a matter of personal preference. They are both valid options for small venues. P.S. Gigged with an upright bass player that ran through it with vocals for a restaurant gig at itemized all of us.
on the market for a decent portable amp with stereo separation. what specifically sounded "better" about the nord on the freeplay? like in what way? it would help in my decision
Thanks, I like the spectrum on the Roland better. I just wish the Rolands had a 3 band EQ. For use, I'm wondering if the Roland could be used as a monitor and then mic'd with 1 or 2 mics for performance.
I'm a pro singing double bass/uke bass player and with a view to boosting my income in addition to regular gigs and just plain ol' fun, I've been considering some amps for busking with some friends... I thought I needed a street cube then I saw the EX version and thought, Wow!! Then the Mackie freeplay... but I now think the KC-110 would be the way to go? It seems to breath much more than the other amps and would probably cope with the dynamics of the bass and vocal better, I think. Thanks for your reviews... at the end of the day, the quality of sound is what we're all interested in and the little KC-110 just romps away.
Appreciate the honesty, it is helpful. However I just wanted to draw your attention to something that you might not be aware of. I am not saying you are incorrect, but DC supply voltage does not always relate to power output. Modern electronics is quite capable of internally supplying the same voltage to the amplifier regardless of the DC supply level. Now this is an extra cost in production, and you are correct that many amplifiers do not deal with battery droop issues, but some do. The Roland Street EX for example. I don't know what reality is for these 2 devices in your review, but just wanted to point out the technicalities.
I used a makie for an electric acoustic guitar. It was a shadow preamp with a low resistance nanoflex piezo pick-up. Makie won't amplify the sound of that guitar without humming and buzzing and only with the volume at max. I'm getting a Street Cube EX because I believe Roland is tested their product with guitar preamps.
Without batteries: Roland=16 lbs, Mackie-11lbs. The Roland uses light weight AA batteries, while the Mackie uses either D cell batteries (heavy) or an optional Lithium ion battery.
One note on this review - for Audio power, wattage DOES matter - but it's not the whole picture - every amp is rated for RMS power and Peak power - 300watts peak and 150 RMS for the mackie is realistic... (and only if it's plugged in) BUT also, you don't say at what resistance (ohms) 150 watts RMS into 2 ohms is the same as 75 watts into 4 ohm... I would hope it's not a 2ohm box - since that would kill the dynamic range - 4 ohms is bad enough lol. but these can't be 8 ohm boxes. not with a 150watt rated amp even at 20volts... Also, you don't give this on the Roland - 30 watts RMS is all you gave - the difference between RMS and Peek is the most important rating (if real) because it gives you the real dynamic range of the amp, so it can handle transients without distortion, etc - anyways I kept this easy to read without all the science lol - The Video does at least show what a 1 bar loop sounds like - and the difference - but I bet the roland would still sound better with mics and guitar pickups - looks like they used wood for the cab and not plastic... everything has it's market I guess. Wood will always sound better than plastic in my opinion... yes, even ported, etc - My 2 pennies
Thanks for being honest. I think the Mackie would suit electronic or hiphop dudes better. In these videos, no one seems to address how loud the Roland is...like would it be loud enough around a drummer or in a live situation?
The Roland KC110 wouldn't cut it in a band with a drummer. Its more for solo. But if its just piano and a drummer working together, it could work. You might want to check out the Roland Cube Street EX (the EX version is 50 watts).
Thanks for the comparisons . I 've a battery powered portable and I am looking for a battery powered subwoofer . ¿ Do you and ideas ? I've a T.C.Helicon VL3X with a Roland in the chain . Again thanks for the break down .
Street price on the Mackie Freeplay has dropped by $100 since this video was released! Street price is now $299, while the Roland KC-110 remains at $399.
Fantastic review! You're the only one I could find that could give an honest review on the mackie and actually play it. Keep doing what you're doing your reviews are awesome!
Subscribed. Awesome info, very helpful and presented clearly.
This is my go to review on the Mackie and Roland Keyboard amps. Great demo and comparison of 2 amps that produce stereo. I have the Mackie Freeplay and it's great for portability and instant setup.
But all the Roland KC's have awesome crisp sound throughout. I play the Yamaha Tyros 5 (not inexpensive) so I want to reproduce the sound from my instrument. I'm saving my money for the Yamaha Genos and will be looking for another small pa and will again look for on of your honest reviews. Thanks again Piano Man Chuck!
Thank you, you convinced me to go with the Roland and you earned my subcription .
I had the KC-110 and sold it for the Freeplay. I'm running a Nord Stage 2, Macbook Pro running Ableton Live and a vocalist. It was able to handle the demands at a higher volume than the Roland. What really sold me was my Nord Piano sounded better on the Freeplay. It's all a matter of personal preference. They are both valid options for small venues. P.S. Gigged with an upright bass player that ran through it with vocals for a restaurant gig at itemized all of us.
on the market for a decent portable amp with stereo separation. what specifically sounded "better" about the nord on the freeplay? like in what way? it would help in my decision
Thank you Chuck. I have the Roland KC 110 and i love it.
Thanks, I like the spectrum on the Roland better. I just wish the Rolands had a 3 band EQ. For use, I'm wondering if the Roland could be used as a monitor and then mic'd with 1 or 2 mics for performance.
Hey man you really know your stuff. Thanks for the informative video :)
Hey, thanks!
Fantastic review. You got down to the actual nuts and bolts...especially from a musician’s point of view.
Excellent Review!
I'm a pro singing double bass/uke bass player and with a view to boosting my income in addition to regular gigs and just plain ol' fun, I've been considering some amps for busking with some friends...
I thought I needed a street cube then I saw the EX version and thought, Wow!! Then the Mackie freeplay... but I now think the KC-110 would be the way to go?
It seems to breath much more than the other amps and would probably cope with the dynamics of the bass and vocal better, I think.
Thanks for your reviews... at the end of the day, the quality of sound is what we're all interested in and the little KC-110 just romps away.
For KC110, does each channel have its own isolated reverb and chorus?
No, reverb and chorus are global (applied to all input channels except AUX in).
thx Chuck. useful and informative. merry xmas and safe travels bro.
Great comparison Chuck.
Thanks Chuck, clears things up. Thanks
Awesome review.
Appreciate the honesty, it is helpful. However I just wanted to draw your attention to something that you might not be aware of. I am not saying you are incorrect, but DC supply voltage does not always relate to power output. Modern electronics is quite capable of internally supplying the same voltage to the amplifier regardless of the DC supply level. Now this is an extra cost in production, and you are correct that many amplifiers do not deal with battery droop issues, but some do. The Roland Street EX for example. I don't know what reality is for these 2 devices in your review, but just wanted to point out the technicalities.
I used a makie for an electric acoustic guitar. It was a shadow preamp with a low resistance nanoflex piezo pick-up. Makie won't amplify the sound of that guitar without humming and buzzing and only with the volume at max. I'm getting a Street Cube EX because I believe Roland is tested their product with guitar preamps.
Awesome review. Very helpful.
The Roland is clearer with more response, but that Freeplay is so lightweight!! The Roland is so heavy
Without batteries: Roland=16 lbs, Mackie-11lbs. The Roland uses light weight AA batteries, while the Mackie uses either D cell batteries (heavy) or an optional Lithium ion battery.
I really like the Roland KC-Series ! I bought myself a KC-80 but man it's expensive for a small 50 watts...
One note on this review - for Audio power, wattage DOES matter - but it's not the whole picture - every amp is rated for RMS power and Peak power - 300watts peak and 150 RMS for the mackie is realistic... (and only if it's plugged in) BUT also, you don't say at what resistance (ohms) 150 watts RMS into 2 ohms is the same as 75 watts into 4 ohm... I would hope it's not a 2ohm box - since that would kill the dynamic range - 4 ohms is bad enough lol. but these can't be 8 ohm boxes. not with a 150watt rated amp even at 20volts... Also, you don't give this on the Roland - 30 watts RMS is all you gave - the difference between RMS and Peek is the most important rating (if real) because it gives you the real dynamic range of the amp, so it can handle transients without distortion, etc - anyways I kept this easy to read without all the science lol - The Video does at least show what a 1 bar loop sounds like - and the difference - but I bet the roland would still sound better with mics and guitar pickups - looks like they used wood for the cab and not plastic... everything has it's market I guess. Wood will always sound better than plastic in my opinion... yes, even ported, etc - My 2 pennies
The KC-110 sounds fantastic. The Freeplay sounds congested by comparison.
I actually like the coloration that Roland amps have
Thanks for being honest. I think the Mackie would suit electronic or hiphop dudes better. In these videos, no one seems to address how loud the Roland is...like would it be loud enough around a drummer or in a live situation?
The Roland KC110 wouldn't cut it in a band with a drummer. Its more for solo. But if its just piano and a drummer working together, it could work. You might want to check out the Roland Cube Street EX (the EX version is 50 watts).
Chuck what is the color on the tip of the freeplay power supply input barrel? Having trouble finding a power supply!
Where can I get a kc-110 for $399? All the ones I see on eBay and Reverb are running around $700 and higher
That's because they're no longer made. You can get the new replacement model (KC-220) almost anywhere at current prices.
Thanks for the comparisons . I 've a battery powered portable and I am looking for a battery powered subwoofer .
¿ Do you and ideas ? I've a T.C.Helicon VL3X with a Roland in the chain . Again thanks for the break down .
so the Roland is not bluetooth???
Correct.
really great video! I would ask you instead , what is the more power between freeplay and street cube (no ex but normal with 5watts) ? thanks
I like your comparison br on both
Street price on the Mackie Freeplay has dropped by $100 since this video was released! Street price is now $299, while the Roland KC-110 remains at $399.
cool tks! you are great! love your vids!
Thanks!
Very useful.
Thanks, Chuck.
Nice, i like mackie
You talking to me ? , you talking to me?
Blessed Melonin LOL
MACKIE Freeplay is better for busking