Gear on the Go: Astounding Rigs That Can Be Battery Powered

It doesn’t matter where you’re performing — at a wedding in the park, busking on a street corner, or rocking out in the middle of Tristan da Cunha — you want to be heard. But what if there’s no AC power available? Sweetwater has the solution. Whether you’re a singer/songwriter, guitarist, or keyboardist, we stock a ton of great-sounding battery-powered rigs that will deliver top-notch sound anywhere you perform.

Singer/songwriter and acoustic performances
Acoustic singer/songwriters can give a coffeehouse-style performance anywhere if they have the right rig. Sweetwater carries several 2-channel acoustic amplifiers that can accommodate your guitar, as well as a microphone for your vocals. We also stock 1-channel amps that are optimized for acoustic-electric guitars (great for Andy McKee-style virtuoso playing). Many of these amps also boast built-in effects, so you can deliver a polished performance in any environment.
Roland AC-33

The Roland AC-33 is a full-fledged mini PA with features tailored toward acoustic musicians. Its two channels offer inputs for your guitar and microphone. It supplies you with 8–9 hours of battery life, so you can play long sets without relying on AC power. An auxiliary input allows you to plug in your smartphone or media player — great for backing tracks or break music. This 30-watt (20 on battery power) stereo amp is loaded with an array of built-in effects, including a 40-second looper.

Yamaha THR10

If you’re an instrumentalist rather than a singer/songwriter, you don’t need a mic input — you just want killer acoustic guitar tone. That’s where the Yamaha THR10 really shines. This 10-watt, 1-channel stereo amp weighs a mere 6.2 pounds and provides you with up to six hours of continuous playing time. An auxiliary input makes playing along with your personal music player a breeze. Complete with Yamaha’s Virtual Circuitry Modeling and a range of studio-grade effects, the THR10 is a feature-packed acoustic-electric amp rig.

Cranked up tones for electric guitarists
Plopping down a Marshall stack on a street corner isn’t realistic. It’s heavy, and unless a friendly shop owner is letting you siphon his electricity, you have no way to power it. Luckily, today’s battery-powered guitar amplifiers are capable of delivering powerful tone with just enough volume to thrill your audience.
Blackstar Fly 3

If you want a simple, great-sounding guitar amp that you can take anywhere, you’ll love the Blackstar Fly 3. This pint-sized 3-watt amp packs separate clean and dirty channels and an array of tone-sculpting features, including Blackstar’s popular Infinite Shape Feature. A built-in tape delay effect adds depth and resonance to your playing. Its batteries last anywhere from 50 hours (at low volumes) to four hours (cranked). You also get an MP3/line-in jack and Bluetooth connectivity for adding backing tracks and an emulated headphone output for private practicing.

Roland CUBE Street

If you sing as well as play, the Roland CUBE Street accommodates a microphone and instrument simultaneously. This 2-channel, 5-watt guitar amplifier achieves up to 15 hours of use with six AA batteries, so you can take your performance anywhere. Roland’s acclaimed COSM modeling is onboard, along with an array of cool effects, giving you a broad tonal palette to play with. If you want versatility, the CUBE Street is a wise choice. It even sports a built-in tuner!

The key to awesome-sounding keyboards
Keyboardists are often asked to perform at weddings and other special occasions. That’s fine if you’re in a church or community hall, but what if the ceremony is in the midst of nature? Odds are, you’re not going to hire a crane operator to drop your piano on top of a mountain. Your digital stage piano is probably not a good idea, either. After all, how can you use an electronic instrument without AC power? Read on.
Roland V-Combo VR-730

First things first. If you’re going to deliver a spectacular piano performance, you’ll need a battery-powered keyboard with top-flight sounds. Well, Roland’s V-Combo VR-730 definitely fits the bill. This keyboard features 73 waterfall-style keys and serves up incredible piano, organ, electric piano, and synth sounds. The VR-730’s grand piano is truly epic, employing stereo multi-sampling that rivals Roland’s dedicated stage pianos. The organ emulation provides you with nine drawbars for realistic control, and Roland’s acclaimed SuperNATURAL engine ensures superb quality throughout. You also get a healthy sampling of effects. And the whole thing weighs about the same as a cocker spaniel.
Behringer Europort MPA100BT

Behringer’s Europort MPA100BT is a complete 100-watt, 4-channel PA — more than enough power for parties, coffeehouse gigs, or intimate outdoor performances. Four channels is enough to accommodate your keyboard, a microphone, and more. Its full-range frequency response can reproduce your keyboard’s array of sounds beautifully and accurately. It also includes a wireless microphone and Bluetooth connectivity. And because you can run it for up to 20 hours on battery power, you can use it anywhere. Beyond that, this lightweight system weighs less than a wiener dog, so it’s easy to transport.

Great sound in a portable package
Back in the days of Mr. Microphones and transistor radios, you had to sacrifice sound quality for portability. And battery life was a joke. These days, battery-powered rigs can give their AC-powered counterparts a run for their money, and their batteries will typically outlast your smartphone’s. So if you gig in places that are off the beaten path, get a battery-powered rig. It will make your life much easier.
Need a portable setup for your next gig? Give your Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700. We’ll be happy to find the perfect battery-powered rig for you.
The post Gear on the Go: Astounding Rigs That Can Be Battery Powered appeared first on inSync.