Battery amplifiers for outdoor use with accordions

[wirralaccordion]

We might have touched upon this already and so apologies if we have..
Can anyone recommend a battery operated amplifier for use outdoors with accordions? All the ones that I have seen are mains powered which requires the use of a generator. In UK we are talking 240V single phase a.c. but I guess battery powered would be universal, say 9V d.c.
As an aside I wonder if the use of an amplifier would restrict where you might play an accordion outdoors in terms of the legal aspects. Nobody has ever objected to my playing outdoors but maybe if I used an amplifier I would need permission on pedestrianized pavements say.

 

[debra]

For an amp to be effective it needs quite a bit of power. A car battery (12 to 14Volts) may keep you going for quite a while. But when you consider the cost of an amp (with speakers) a battery plus convertor to 240V may be a better investment than a second amplifier (assuming you already have one that works with mains power).
The legal aspect may differ from place to place, but normally whenever people can hear you you need not only a permit but you also need to pay fees for playing copyrighted music. Whether you use an amplifier or not is of no importance.

 

[JerryPH]

A pretty good article on battery powered amps for buskers.

https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/blog/2016/05/26/start-busking-our-3-best-battery-powered-pas/

 

[pentaprism]

Id take a serious look at this one: https://www.amazon.com/ION-Audio-Road-Warrior-Rechargeable/dp/B00MVPP44E[/url]

 

[losthobos]

Roland Cube's work well....relatively compact and good tone...inc basic effects...reverb, delay...

 

[TomBR]

Roland Cubes work well....relatively compact and good tone...inc basic effects...reverb, delay...

Ive had a Roland Micro Cube for years and been very happy with it. Runs on 6 AA batteries. When I first got it it was a bit bigger and heavier than I expected.

However, a friend has the Mobile Cube and thats a really nice little bit of kit. It looks like a transistor radio so is small and unobtrusive. My friend is a guitarist whos very picky about his amp sound and he loves it.

 

[Keymn]

I had this Behringer, b205 for years and only 150 Watts. Does a great job but not battery powered. So I would think the Mackie Freeplay would be my choice if going into battery power. And it has 300 watts of power!
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...zl_WZ9L8dzOrMBvq0xm5TX5K3QITZOsxoCeQ4QAvD_BwE

Mackie freeplay:

http://www.fullcompass.com/prod/275...aZW5l3Bma84sAJhDlrAELIBYRaW4OqERoCDugQAvD_BwE

 

[wirralaccordion]

Thanks everybody for your answers.
There is a wide range of amplification within the models above. The Alto Transport 12 is 400W whilst the Roland Micro Cube is 5W. Is it really possible to use the Roland Micro Cube for accordion busking?

 

[Geronimo]

Thanks everybody for your answers.
There is a wide range of amplification within the models above. The Alto Transport 12 is 400W whilst the Roland Micro Cube is 5W. Is it really possible to use the Roland Micro Cube for accordion busking?

Looking on the Roland site, I see the Microcube (discontinued) as a guitar amplifier with 2W output power and a 5 inch speaker. Now a guitar amplifier can be quite more efficient than a general purpose amplifier (Id expect it to beat something like a 2x5W rated soundbar), but in my opinion, this is too low in wattage and too small in size (and thus limited in bass response) and too nonlinear in frequency to be useful for accordion except as a dont disturb my neighbors amp for speakerless accordions.

 

[pentaprism]

Is it really possible to use the Roland Micro Cube for accordion busking?

Not for busking. Noone would hear you.

I have a copy of the Micro Cube, used with my FR-1Xb + BK-7m. But since I acquired a used copy of Harman Kardon Omni 10, Ive been using the Omni 10 instead of the Micro Cube.

 

[jozz]

if you wants lots of overhead check this out:

https://soundboks.com/soundboks2/

 

[Keymn]

It is amazing how the VAccordions utilize the 22/25 watts with built in speakers. I think seeing units where guitarist’s or dj’s use often may not be efficient for an accordion. How far do you want to be heard? If I was busking on an acoustic, I would have a unit to amplify small amount but has good EQ and effects.

 

[TomBR]

Is it really possible to use the Roland Micro Cube for accordion busking?

Not for busking. Noone would hear you.

I have a copy of the Micro Cube, used with my FR-1Xb + BK-7m. But since I acquired a used copy of Harman Kardon Omni 10, Ive been using the Omni 10 instead of the Micro Cube.

How loud do you want to be? How many complaints do you want?
It depends where you are.
Most of my busking has been solo acoustic fiddle, I do alright.
Tom

 

[JerryPH]

I don't think the complaints factor is all that important. High volume is like a condom... it is better to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it.

This year I have seen more accordions busking than ever... perhaps a half-dozen in the hallways of the underground metro. Even in these characteristically very echo-filled and relatively quiet areas, the amplified buskers always sound better than the acoustic ones and to get a decent sound for the unamplified buskers, you have to be within 10 feet of them, unlike the amplified ones where you can get decent sound from 50-75 feet away... and they're not all that much louder.

Yesterday I heard a pair of unamplified classical guitars playing away, and there were a LOT of people moving around. From 15 feet away I could not even make out the melody!

Outdoors in a city center, activity, traffic and more people create a much louder environment and on top of that, musical sounds tend to fade a lot faster and even a small amp in the 20-30 watt range would be greatly helpful.

An amp would definitely be a good thing, even if not used at full volume. Even with my 8X, I would prefer additional external amplification unless I was in some very small cramped area.

 

[wirralaccordion]

With regards to complaints I would think that the very worst thing that can happen is that you are asked to move on. However, who would have the authority for even this apart from the police?
As for copyright issues, I haven't yet seen buskers who read from music sheets ( on the job that is )

 

[Pianoman1]

I have both Rolands and they both work well and not too heavy on batteries I use a Microvox pickup on my Hohner Concierto 72 bass and it cuts through a vocalist - electric guitar and bass and drums

I would point out that at 72 I really put an effort into the bellows to generate sound as well - exhausting but it does make a difference you cannot rely on the amp alone

My Verdi 96 is loud enough for most rooms if you give it some welly
I finish most gigs shattered but have put an inch on the shoulders
I also work out with weights as PA is very physical as I am sure you all know

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hi Phil,

As you know, I play outdoors quite a lot. I usually use my 72 Bass at the park, and it can easily be heard at the other side of the lake. (a few hundred yards distant)

I have taken no account of traffic noise, though the car park can get busy at times, but I cannot currently think of a situation where I would need any degree of amplification.

Your audience would be no more than 20 to 50 yards away from you on a city street, and most accordions will easily cover that distance.

As for the Police, their only interest is public safety, nuisance and wilful obstruction of a public highway. As long as people can easily and safely get by you, they have no interest in what you are doing. It may be an idea to ring or call in to the local nick as a matter of courtesy.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[fjsys]

I have a roland kc-110 that is battery powered and works reasonably well. It is nice because it has multiple inputs as well as an RCA jack for your phone or other device to play music as well.

However just tonight I picked up a ION Pathfinder from costco for around $120 that I believe will work well for this when I need it, and has the added benefit of having a rechargeable battery.
https://www.costco.com/ION-Pathfind...table-Speaker---Black-.product.100380778.html

In playing through for a while it isnt quite as lifelike (a little flat/dark without any tone control) as the roland but for around 1/3 the cost I would recommend it.

Ben

 

[losthobos]

Sorry...spaced this thread for a while...sure the micro cube is too small...but the cube is plenty large enough whilst remaining portable
I had this one
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roland-Cube-60-Guitar-Amp-/332490611218?nav=SEARCH[/url]
Though I see they make a busking specific one now
Hope that helps

 

[Medway man]

I play with a folk group indoors we use a mixer and 400 Watts pa but outdoors we find that portability has to taken into account.
Accordions are usually microphone equipped so first check your chosen amp has a mic input, would suggest you try the line in put as well you may find a better sound.
The Roland range all give a good account of themselves but are expensive.
This is our out door set up
Violins each use a Line 6 Micro Spyder.
Guitars, Banjo and Vocal Lacey Audio-lab.
The Cahon and Bodhran go unamplified.
Both amps are battery powered or mains.

These amps use 6.5 and 8 inch speakers which give a better performance than smaller speakers.
Also lift the amplifier off the ground this will improve the sound penetration.

There are a number of larger battery powered amplifiers which come with built in wheels these are very good but are large and heavy. Which with together with an accordion may prove to be to big.

In short look at larger speaker size and lift the amp off the ground.

Apply hunting.