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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
ARTEC PMD3-8 - New Maximouse?
ARTEC PMD3-8 - New Maximouse?
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FreeWilly
86 posts
Nov 29, 2011
7:48 AM
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Hey guys! Since it's so quite the last couple a days, I thought I could get away with (and possible make some people happy!) with this find:
ARTEC PMD3-8
With the maximouse out of production, I am still looking for a good portable amp that could be taken to small gigs as well.
And I found something perhaps. It's a small 20 Watt PA like the maximouse, but with 4 channels. 1 Hi Z, 2 low Z and an XLR I believe. 8' speaker with a small one added and runs on 10 AA batteries. Only shame is that the line in seems to be mono (could you run a cable from your mp3 to tulips?).
Cool thing is that each channel has a bass, treble and gain knob! And it's only 5 kg..
Does anybody know this thing? I could only find a German test that was pretty excited about it... It looks most like a monitor, but it can be put on its side (like a maximouse) or even on a pole.
Have we found a new maximouse? Could this be something for harp? Perhaps with a pedal for a bit of bit?
---edited to add: There are also small combo's and street amps. See http://artecsound.com/amps/index.html. There are 2 batterypowered combo's (20 and 25 watt) for around 70 dollars.... Tempting or ridiculous to even consider?
Last Edited by on Nov 29, 2011 9:15 AM
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isaacullah
1685 posts
Nov 29, 2011
9:40 AM
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Hmmm... The amount of inputs is pretty good, and Class D is very efficient on power, but I don't think it would have very long run times on batteries. I'm guessing it expects up to 15 volts input (10 x 1.5v AA = 15v), but probably an average of 13v (as alkalines will drop voltage over time), and your 15v will probably get to 10v by the time the batteries are drained. If you use 1.3 v rechargeable NiMh batteries, they will yield a steady 13v (they don't drop voltage), and would be much more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. So either way you would only get approximately (13v*2.5aH)/20W = 1.625 hours of play time on batteries, which isn't all that good.
Also, it doesn't look like it's available in the states....
Personally, I've been looking into the Crate Taxi series and the Traynor TVM series amps. Both have internal Sealed Lead Acid batteries with much higher Amp-hour ratings (probably something like 7aH), so you get more like 5-8 hours playing time and don't have to worry about replacing the batteries every few hours. Probably the Crate TX15 is the closest in spec to this amp, although it only has two inputs. The TX15 is priced at about $170, so very competitive with this ARTEC. The ARTEC does win out on number of inputs and flexibility of tone controls, but I think the TX15 is a better deal because of the run time.
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oldwailer
1780 posts
Nov 29, 2011
10:44 AM
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I had a chance to play through a TX15 a few years ago when they were a new thing--just guitar and voice, no harp. I didn't think the sound was all that good and ended up going to a Hog 30--(which, it turned out, is not totally the sound I want and not enough inputs or controls and very heavy). Then I went to a 25 pound power supply and a mixer and a regular amp--which works fine--but a lot of stuff to carry around when you add a bag of harps and a couple of guitars and a mic stand and all that!
Anyway, I am trying to reduce the sheer weight of my street rig now and I have gotten very interested in the TX15 again--I have heard that it sounds a lot better, but haven't had a chance to try it out.
I've even been considering going totally acoustic--but the tips do tend to decline in direct proportion to the volume knob setting, in my experience.
I would be very interested to get some direct feedback on this amp--or any portable amp that could do the job--especially with guitar, voice, harp, and maybe some foot drums through it.
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Oldwailer's Web Site
Always be yourself--unless you suck. . .
-Joss Whedon
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FreeWilly
88 posts
Nov 29, 2011
12:51 PM
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Isaac! I didn't know that. Only thing I could check was the 15V and you are right about that... If you're right, and I presume you are (also: nothing on the website indicates a battery-life..), that option is a goner :) Same with the small combo's: 15 V and 10 batteries. Thanks for the warning!
The Crate is not available in Europe..
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eharp
1593 posts
Nov 29, 2011
2:25 PM
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you might want to check out the roland street cube.
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oldwailer
1781 posts
Nov 29, 2011
8:40 PM
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Dammit Isaac! I'm an electrician, not an electronic wizard! (joking)
Thanks for the information--I'm pretty well settled now on the TX15--I just want to sell off some other gear before I increase my volume of stuff in storage, but I'm thinking I'll get one before I hit the Spring opening of the busking season--(around April up here).
I'm also looking into getting a 6-string banjo--(way louder than the reso guitar I usually use)--and just using a little Honeytone for the harp and vocal mic--my goal is to get my street rig down into a backpack and a guitar--something I can haul around on the bus easily and move out fast if the cops give me any shit. . .
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Oldwailer's Web Site
Always be yourself--unless you suck. . .
-Joss Whedon
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