I do not post much on here, (mostly lurk), but wanted to give my opinion on this little amp. I have been using it on my nursing home gigs for about 6 weeks now. Before that I was using a pair of CM-30 Cube Monitors and occasionally one of my FBT Max 4A's. Bottom line, for this type of gig, I absolutely love this little amp. The tone, even at very low volume, is very clean and crystal clear. The bottom is very smooth and low. My S910 sounds fantastic and vocals (not that I am a great singer) sound really good.

I have some smaller venues, that I really never bothered taking a speaker, and got by using the speakers in my keyboard. I am now so spoiled, I take this little amp, whether I need it or not. That's how much I enjoy the sound coming from this little thing. I average about 30 of these type gigs a month, and only one time, have I ever felt I was pushing it to the max. Normally, my volume is set 50 percent or slightly more..Bass usually 12 or 1, and treble around 2. The tone knob, turned slightly to the right around 1 seems to add a little to the high end which I like. I usually use the wide effect.

Bottom line, for me, one of the most satisfying musical purchases I have made.

I agree with you...I love the BA330...

sounds like a nice amp and I hope to try one soon... I have a Roland SA 300 amp. I do like it but it does make alot of white noise. Does the BA 330?

Count me in, too, in praising the BA-330. I like it equal to my Bose for solo gigs.

I've really been intrigued by this amp sounding so good with only 30 watts of power. Been trying to hook up with Fran C to hear his. Price is going down too.
I just have to hear this thing kick out some bass with an up tempo tune. I love my Crate KX220 but its damn heavy.
Anyone found a deal on the case for the amp? The one by Roland's is way overpriced for basically a suitcase with wheels.

Bill in NJ

My custom made cover...It has a velcro closing pocket for adapter etc..It is also padded on the back of the unit tp protect the controls...Heavy duty commercial vinyl..





[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 03-25-2010).]

[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 03-25-2010).]

On the gig it seems quiet, usually on the floor behind me, angled up. At home I can hear some noise, but this is true for every amp I have ever plugged in here for some reason.

I was strongly considering the SA300, but opted for only one piece to lug around with the BA. I was curious though, how does the top unit sound by itself. Does it sound pretty decent without the Sub, if you wanted to use it in a small place?

I don't think the SA 300 sounds good without the sub. Maybe it would work for an acoutic guitar/vocal but not keyboards.But the sub is so light anyways...

As far as the white noice, I used my Bose Compact at home for the first time and it made alot of white noice too. I haven't noticed this on gigs. Maybe it's the grounding at my house?

[This message has been edited by montunoman (edited 03-26-2010).]

I called Roland the other day and got a very helpful rep on the line. We talked about the GW8 and the 330 and the 300.
His views--I'd miss some of the real time features (Buttons) of my G1000 if I went to a GW* -weight being the only big advantage.
On the 330- great small amp but really designed for small outdoor (battery) gigs for an acoustic gutiar or what ever. It may be good for arrangers in small situations. I'm still probably going to get one.
On the SA300. Forget it without the matching sub and as stated the sub is so light you may as well bring it. Not really for my Hammond XK3 but good for arranger/vocal in a small/medium situation. Two of them would be killer.
He sent my # to the East Coast sales rep to see who had one I could actually hear. Waiting for a call

Bill in NJ

Bill, did he/you mention the SA1000. Same as SA300 but optimized for organ. I've never been able to find one. Did it ever come into production? I'm no longer considering it as I'm happy with the Traynor K4 for my organ (Nord C1). I will occasionally hang two Podium 802's off of it (the K4) for more coverage. That configuration sounds pretty good. That darn Traynor is pretty heavy, though.

chas

Chas

No, he didn't, and I think that model would be even harder to find than the SA300. I'm thinking the SA300 is an updated version of the 1000 to appeal to a bigger crowd. All 3 of them!!! HA!
I know what your saying about the Traynor. My Crate KX220 (and I have two of them for stereo) is small and compact but 70lbs. They kick a** with anything I plug into them. . They have wheels but its still hard to manuverer out of the car and on steps.
The rep and I had a good discussion about cabinet weight being necessary for bass response and in fact he still uses two heavy JBL cabinets form the 70's!!! He said that the SA300 would be a drop off from the Crate but for the weight thats the trade off. He also said two would be great.
If I could only hear just one!!

Bil in NJ

Bill in NJ, let me know where the Roland rep locates a SA300 in NJ. I too want to take one for a test ride.

BillH

Roland did call back and J&R in New York has a SA300 and the rep also told me about a little shop in CLifton NJ that might have two. His name is Bob Dunchan and I believe he is the East Coast sales rep

Good luck

Bill in NJ

Hello All,

I was actually torn between getting the BA 330 or a KC 110, since they both could do the battery thing. I didn't relish the idea of having to pay an extra 280 USD over the price of the KC 110 to get the BA 330...especially since they are both rated at 30W. So I went ahead with the KC 110.

After playing on the KC 110 for a couple of days, I found that the KC 110 is indeed a good amp...but it didn't have the power to compete even with my old Roland Cube 30x. So I called the music store and they graciously said that if I wanted the BA 330, they would let me just pay the difference and I would just need to bring the KC 110 back to the store, which I did.

I am glad I made the switch. I really could tell the difference....even though the wattage is the same. The bass is larger sounding (of course...it has more speakers there) and the overall quality is there. Yes, it is not the cheapest 30W PA in the world, but it isn't your regular 30W amp. While I won't be plugging in guitar, bass and vocals and keyboards and expect it to cut through my PDP loud-assed drums.....it really can put some sound out there....and quality sound.....that's the best part.

In terms of dynamics....it seems that during the higher levels of signal, be it from vocals or guitar, there seems to be some sort of compression (perhaps to keep the PA from blowing out a speaker) which I guess is understandable, given the 30W that it has to play with.

But I am happy I made the switch. I'm going to blast the PAs tonight....let me know if you can hear me!

Peace out,
J I N X

I must be the odd one here. Just got my BA330 on Friday. Busy weekend so not much time to play with it. However my first impression is it just doesn't have enough guts to handle my G1000 and vocals. I may send it back.
I'm thinking maybe a small powered mixer and one of my Carvin LM12's from my main PA would do a better job for the small gigs.
Wanted to use the BA330 on a stand behind me but if you take it off the floor you loose bass response big time
Again only a quick first impression. I have to spend more time with it.
In the mean time can anyone recommend a good small powered mixer to check out? Something to drive a single 12" or 10: speaker.
Thanks

Bill in NJ

Bill, I've been using the little 6 channel 200 watt Carvin for years. Usually, I set the head on a Carvin 12 cabinet and use a little Hotspot monitor pointed towards me. The little powered mixers are $299.00, have OK on-board effects,RCA in, a line out, are small and weigh about 13 lbs.

I've never fried one, but have replaced 2. An assistant left one out on a patio all week-end in a two day thunderstorm (just forgot to take my equipment inside), and a drunk kicked one into a swimming pool (actually, it bounced off a brick wall first). The ones I have now are 4 years old. I have used the main one for over 1200 jobs.

One unit with two 12 cabinets does fine for 300 folks on a patio. I generally use a small Roland CM-30 monitor.

On one of my jobs, I use both with two monitors and 4 speakers for a patio and a terrace where the place does 600 dinner covers a night.


Great little portable unit at an almost disposable price.


Russ

[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 04-19-2010).]

Bill, I sometimes just use the little CM monitor with a small piano for small jobs (quiet-dinner jobs, usually-up to 50 people), or two of them for slightly larger jobs. this gives you nice stereo separation.

Two "go to" units for me.


R.

[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 04-19-2010).]

Bill something is definitely wrong...check your settings..again...
Are you using a low impedance mic? into the mic channel , switched to mic gain?

I have set the G70 channel volume to 1-2 O'clock, channel 4,..the Samson Q7 mic to 12-1 O'clock in channel 1....and the master volume to 1-2 O'clock..this gives me plenty of volume and head room to boot..

I can understand if you are not getting the Big bottom you are use too...but volume should not be a problem...

I also use the Edirol(M-10dx) mixer once in a while...it gives additional gain/control without the worry of peaking out..

Also are you running on AC or using battery power (it is fine), but maybe the eco switch is on to preserve battery life..it will diminish volume some..

Did you buy a new unit, or possibly a refurbished unit? ..It should not make a difference anyway..

Capt. Russ
Love the Carvin stuff. The LM12's are killer for the price. They don't make that $199 mixer anymore. Smallest one now looks nice but is $350. I may go for it anyway and have a backup to my main system.

Fran--Mic sounds fine. Reverb is OK and usable. Used only AC power so far. For G1000 Main vol. on full/channel 4 on about 2 o'clock. Bass and treble on about 2 o'clock also. Tried it on a stand first then on the floor.
Yes -new unit from Sweetwater.
Soon as I post this I'm going downstairsto the studio and hope I'm wrong about it. It would fill a nich in my setup
Why don't you come over and show me the error of my ways HA!
Thanks

Bill in NJ

Well, I can't be specific, but I thought the BA330 was "O.K." I only tried Bill's in my office, and it was sitting next to a Bose Compact, so it wasn't comparing apples to apples.
I certainly wouldn't buy one unless I specifically had to have battery power.
Nothing in particular, just overall less than spectacular and at that price I'd want spectacular at least.
DonM

The BA330 for my intended purpose..is a perfect match..I wanted a all contained PA system, that was stereo, has a mixer with multiple channels and effects..

The fact that it is very portable and battery powered are pluses...


My need was to have a quick set up for the 80 or less as spec'd by Roland...audience..

I also consider it a great value even at $500 or more...at least it is discounted...and I am not paying list price as the Bose owners..
For this under 80 people venue..I take the BA330 over the Bose Compact....features, and a quicker, easier set up, makes the difference for me..and the extra $500 can go to my "toy budget"...fund..

I also played the BA330 and Bose compact...side by side for several hours..finding the BA330 fuller and warmer than the Bose.....The Compact has a bit more power, but is tuff determining at what point before it does not handle the sound source...It easily started to clip, where the BA330 did not..

Now after we did the RAC feature of the Edirol mixer on the Bose..it came to life and added the fullness that I thought was over matched by the BA330 initially..

BTW: the RAC also does magic on the BA330 too....but my purpose is mostly to use it as a self contained mixer/pa...

Well I did what I said and tried the BA330 again with different settings and sound sources. Vocals - very good, Organ -forget it, Piano- good, G1000 - not good. Surprizingly it sounded best with a CD player doing some Groove Jazz with heavy bass.
I did an A/B against my Carvin LM12 hooked up to may Yamaha 68S mixer. Now I know the Yamaha has a lot more power so I tried to keep that in mind. The LM12 just blew the socks off the BA330. I then tried it against one of my old Peavey Impulse 100's, a 10" PA speaker. Again the BA330 came in second.
My feeling is the BA330 has a fantastic mixer section, good reverb, great portability, built like a tank, and would be great for some light keyboard and vocals in a small situation. Unfortunatley even in my NH gigs I kick it up with some good shuffles or whatever that have some solid bass/drums. .
Where I really see this thing shine is using the battery power for an outside gig for an acoustic guitarist/singer.

So I'm now in the market for a small powered mixer that can act as a backup to my Yamaha EMX512 and then be used with just one LM12 for the small stuff. Two pieces instead of one but thats the tradeoff. I'm trying to downsize and have the least amount of gear.
Next up- the keyboard that will do it all and replace some of the ones I have.--Lookout-, here we go! [url=1http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/icons/icon10.gif][url=1http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/icons/icon10.gif][url=1http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/icons/icon10.gif]1http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/icons/icon10.gif[/url][/url][/url]

Bill in NJ

http://www.onlyfactorydirect.net/p/12%22+USB+Port+Active+Speaker+JUST+ARRIVED%21++%7C+PP1204CA/powered+speaker+active+loudspeaker/218/

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 04-20-2010).]

Bill, can you determine what is different between the Roland piano, that sounds good...and the Roland g1000, that does not?

Have you changed the EQ settings of the G1000 in the user programs...or do you need to?

What is the problem when you say not good? Is volume the problem, unbalanced sound?

Maybe if there is a specific thing to address we can figure it out..

There are no miracles with sound systems..if it does not meet our needs..find something that will...We have to use the right tool for the right job..

As for miracle sound systems...they stopped making one in the 80's..Roland Cube 100....still the best "big gun" for me even today...

Like all sound systems there are limits...The intended use of the BA330..I think it shines...when you exceed the designed use..as in other gear.....the shine is not as bright..

[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 04-20-2010).]

DNJ Thanks for the link. Looks like a killer unit for the price. I'm trying to have my equipment cover as many bases as possible. Downsized my car now have to downsize my equipment. I already have two great 12" speakers so by adding a small powered mixer I can get by using one for small stuff even if it means carrying two pieces instead of one. I also bring along the Crate KX220 which serves as a backup PA, addition to the normal PA, or a good standalone for a small gig. But damn its heavy.

Fran

What I meant was the Roland piano is just that , only a piano. That and a vocal would sound OK with the BA330. If I go to the G1000 and add in the style backing it doesn't cut it. Anyway its gone and I got killed on the shipping. Have to pay Sweetwater their shipping cost to me of $21 then my shipping cost to them which was $38. with insurance. An expensive experiment.

Thanks for the input.

Bill sorry to hear the B330 didn't work out for you.....ask Fran about the Power Podiums he uses them with his band.

I'm snake bit now. I'm not buying anything till I can see it, touch it, hear it, ,etc.
Store just don't carry the stuff we are interested in. No GW8, Roland Amps, whatever. Two powered Podiums run off the stereo outs of my Crate KX220 sounds intriguing but will 8" speakers handle the bottom end. Had a pair of unpowered 8" in my studio with my Yamaha mixer and they sounded great f but no real bottom for the arranger.
Now if I could only get together with FRAN and demo his revolving circus of new stuff I'd be a happy guy.

Bill in NJ

Bill....tell Fran you'll buy Waffles & Ice Cream for breakfast and you might get that chance..

Bill, I occasionally hang two 8" Podiums (on poles) off of my Traynor K4 (on the floor, angled up) and the combination sounds great. However, I rely on the K4 for bottom (not that the Podiums don't have any) and I'm not trying to blow any walls down either. It really is a cheap and flexible solution. Since I'm using them for organ only, I keep them within about 8 ft. apart.

chas