Amp monitor

Craig Bumgarner

I use a mic to an IA Clarus amp w/ RENY8 cab for amplification of my Selmer style guitar. To keep down the feed back, I usually set the cabinet in front of me, facing the audience which makes for adequate amplification, but most of the time, I can't hear myself well and neither can the other players. I've been wondering about a monitor. When I use a house PA with monitors, the monitors seem to be big help. Is it reasonable to think I could use a small powered PA monitor off the direct out of my amp?

If so, the PA monitor (Galaxy Audio 170W) I'm looking at has it's own amp and volume control, weighs 6 lbs. $300. Any thing else out there that would do the job better or for less $$.

Craig

Stringswinger

Why not just use another RE NY-8 as the monitor (have it face you and the band)?

A lot of jazz guitarists use a RE Stealth 12 for the audience and a RE NY-8 for the band. I have done that myself (with an archtop) and it worked great. A Selmac might present some feedback issues at certain volumes. It would be wise to borrow another RE cab if you can and try it.

Craig Bumgarner

H

Stringswinger wrote:

Why not just use another RE NY-8 as the monitor (have it face you and the band)?

Okay, just a second cabinet, running off of the second speaker output on the AI Clarus, right? Any way to control the volume of the two independently? I would think the volume of the monitor, pointed at the guitar as it is, would have to be a lot lower than the audience speaker or there would be a serious feedback issue.

Craig

Stringswinger

Perhaps a volume pedal between the monitor cabinet and the amp head?

pinkgary

i think the impedance (or some other electrical term) would be wrong, using a line level volume pedal (or other attenuator) for a speaker level output sounds wrong to me.

I admit my knowledge of electricity is not anywhere near full comprehension, wait and see if someone who understands these things chimes in.

Tele295

Stringswinger wrote:

Perhaps a volume pedal between the monitor cabinet and the amp head?

no No NO!

As pinkgary points out, volume pedals aren't built for that much signal. You will fry it in no time, especially if it's an active pedal with a battery. Plus, the impedence on the output transformer on the amp will get all crazy, which can create lethal problems.

If you want a separate volume control on the speaker, get a power attenuator with a level control. That way the amp will always see the proper load on the output transformer. I've used the THD Hot Plate for this application.

Craig Bumgarner

To close the loop on this, I found two other options besides the Galaxy Audio PA6S 170W powered monitor.

One is the Behringer Eurolive B205D (thanks Dean!), a powered monitor roughly equivalent to PA6S at the half the price.

The other is a Galaxy Audio Hot Spot HSVC personal monitor with volume control. This is basically a small speaker box with a built in volume control (two 5" speakers in a 6" x 6" x 11" horizontal wedge cab) . The volume control seems important for feedback control and adjustment of volume independent of the amp output. I ordered one of these as it was the least expensive option of the bunch ($125), light weight (4.5 lbs) and seems to be a commonly used solution. I'll report back after a couple gigs.

Thanks for the help both via the forum and PMs received.......

Craig