Roland BA-330 Stereo Portable PA System 

Comments about Roland BA-330 Stereo Portable PA System:

After 2 years of using the BA-330, I am still amazed out how beautiful this system makes me sound. It enhances my voice and has truly launched my solo career as a result. Warm, rich tones. I LOVE this system. Big thanks to Roland from the bottom of my heart.

Comments about Roland BA-330 Stereo Portable PA System:

If you are looking for quality sound in a battery operated system for smaller situations, this is your solution. It's a bit pricey but you get what you pay for. Best features: multiple inputs for music, mics, instruments, a vocal effects option, uses 8 AA batteries. No need to worry about a built-in battery eventually not holding a charge. Perfect for DJ's who do outside ceremonies.

Comments about Roland BA-330 Stereo Portable PA System:

For me - BEST IN CLASS. Extrememly happy with the product's excellent sound, light weight and ease to use. I read somebody's rating and they were critizing the bass range... but, I have no complaints. The room LIGHTS UP with AMAZING acoustic brilliance, when I play and sing.
Everything you need to keep it simple and sounding sweet!
Good Qualtiy... and LIGHT WEIGHT!
I'm not saying it's not worth the money... but, come on - it probably cost them $100 to make.

Comments about Roland BA-330 Stereo Portable PA System:

5
Where to begin...

Aesthetics/Form4.5/5

The Roland BA330 has a very well designed exterior and a simple, easy to use mixing section. Clear function and legibility is obviously a strong point for this "mobile PA'. It has a very comfortable carrying handle on top as well as a convenient place to set your mp3 player so it doesn't fall on the ground when you decide to put it on the amp. The face of the unit is sleek and simple. Thick rubber feet and a truck-liner coating insure durability. Lastly there's a kickstand that allows it to be at an angle as a floor monitor... but you have to bend way over to position it.

SuggestionsSlice a side of the cabinet so it can lay on its side for floor monitoring position and lose the kickstand? Maybe make the mixing panel removable like the STAGEPAS? it's kind of a pain to go behind it to make an adjustment.

Features3.5/5

Two mic/inst channels and two stereo channels make this a reasonable tool to any keyboardist who may also sing or play guitar. The Aux in is very flexible with stereo RCA or a single 3.5mm jack with a small attenuation control knob. Master High/Low equalizer are OK. anti feedback system works, but doesn't save problem feedback, just kills it a little after it starts... but not flawless.

The effects section is a simple rotary knob controlling both amount and what kind of effect (reverb, delay, wide). Reverb is OK, but I couldn't get the delay to work. WIDE effect isn't noticeable if you're within 5 feet, but is slightly noticeable further away. Effects are ON/OFF per channel. line out to send mix to a house system. Stereo Link function is cool... but I never got to try it out.

One flaw is that the EQ knob is not very musical. Boost the lows and lower the highs... or boost the highs and lower the lows. Not my favorite way to find a sound. The battery powered feature is a huge success. It worked just as they say it does... Runs for about 9-10 hours on eco mode (which slightly reduces the max output. only wish the compartment were easier to remove. Power supply is a small external box befor you get to the wall with a heavy duty XLR type connector.

SuggestionsWhy is there not headphone output? Direct outputs would be awesome. Effect amount knob per channel? Easier to remove battery compartment. Two band EQ.

Sound/Performance.3/5

When I plugged this this in I gotta say I was really excited... After reading all the reviews I was ready for my mind to be blown. I first tried my korg SV1 into ch.3 (the first stereo channel). Volume about halfway, my piano sound came through clear and robust, but I noticed that when the signal entered the PA a hiss was produced... nothing terrible, but a slight hiss none the less. Organ sounded great. So i plugged in my mic and checked it. Clear b ut a little bottom end boost that wasn't pleasant. so i turned my EQ knob up and got a close to desired sound.

At this point I hit a major turn around in my experience with the Roland BA330. I turned up the volume. Vocals compressed automatically, and badly. Distortion from both the limiting and speakers occurred when my master volume was at 3/4 level and my channel levels were at about 2 o'clock. And there was no volume change between 3/4 and full volume. I was amazed. How can something sound so great at low levels then crap out where it counts? I expected more from Roland. Bottom line... I bought 70% of an amp.

Performance3.5/5

I put this thing to the test at band practice. I sing lead vocals and play keys. Once we started I kept having to re position the amp so the rest of the band could hear. We play loud, but not THAT loud. loudest thing in the room was a 30watt fender amp on 5 and it was twice as loud as my BA330... which was set at its highest level before limiting. again this is about 75%. Practice was difficult.

Overall I give this amp a 3/5. It has a FANTASTIC set of features. Needs a few things here and there but everything is super easy to use and is housed in a great box. But unfortunately the box is about the best part of the amp. Granted at lower levels it sounds pretty good, but i wouldn't play anything other than jazz or solo piano through it. Granted my review was rough on the poor Roland. It just wasn't made to stand up to playing with a band. It's definitely more of a solo PA for a small crowd... maybe 30 people.maybe more in the right room... Either way, Im returning it and getting a JBL powered speaker and a small format mixer. Probably start building a solid PA for the whole band.
4
6

Comments about Roland BA-330 Stereo Portable PA System:

Performed 1st gig with the unit, at a large-ish upstairs tavern in Manchester, NH. last night, for 100 or more patrons - in a loud, high-ceiling, mill building, w/ lots of reflective surfaces. I expected the unit to be operating at the edge of its abilities, and it was... but it still handled the job. I did notice a bit of pre-clip compression towards the end of the night, when I was performing more 'up-tempo' rockers w/ backing tracks ("Give Me Some Water" & "I've Got A Line On You"). Next time, at this club, I'll use 1/2 of my larger system (1000 watt mixer & one 15"/horn enclosure, with a small floor wedge), for this venue. But, as I purchased the roland specifically to cover the smaller venues (50 people, small space) I'll give the BA-330 a solid 'A' for working well beyond its intended parameters. I just wanted to see what it could do. And it rocked the house!

Comments about Roland BA-330 Stereo Portable PA System:

This is a fantastic PA system in the portable battery powered category.The sound output is excellent and it drew attention from people on how it was powered. Eight AA batteries and you are set for many hours of jamming. Using this unit outdoors playing with guitar and a CD backtrack, I walked around with a long patch cord and at 30 feet away, the sound was superb.Typical Roland product, built solid / top quality.RCA hookups for AUX IN are a huge plus. Much better than 1/8? input jacks that you see on other company brands. You can also adjust your auxiliary input for bass & treble. Another huge plus! I achieved perfect backtrack sound utilizing a small CD player with decent volume from the headphone jack. So basically it was CD headphone out on a 1/8? stereo jack, then split to RCA jacks to the back panel of the BA330. (You won?t get high output or sound quality if you plan to use a small MP3 iPod). Utilizing the controls correctly and it has great bottom end and sparkling highs.Takes my Boss ME70 pedal perfectly which is also battery powered.I play Jeff Beck style music, electric blues and progressive art rock (YES, ELP, Zep) and as a soloist, this unit wins hands down.The BA 330 and other portable Roland products fill a niche. I can travel outdoors now without searching for an AC wall outlet. Perfect for the soloist. And with small AA batteries... Roland certainly optimized the technology for sound output.A very fine product. I own it and I've mastered it.

Comments about Roland BA-330 Stereo Portable PA System:

The concept is good... a portable small PA that can be used for situations like an acoustic guitar / vocalist in a coffee shop. However, this unit has NO bottom end at all. Just to be sure, I plugged my iPod through it and turned the volume up only to find that the bass "farts out" way too soon. My small computer speakers can put out way more volume, warmth and clarity. I would not recommend this for any use.

Comments about Roland BA-330 Stereo Portable PA System:

I guess I am just spoiled with my home setup. I am looking for a warm portable PA, and this thing offers all the features you would want.. but it does not have a FULL range. There is no warmth you can achieve with this Amp. It is great if you are a strummer and I would say it is better than the Bose or Fishman which I would rate even lower than this item based on my personal needs. This PA may fit your needs and is worth a look if you are in the market for one.

Comments about Roland BA-330 Stereo Portable PA System:

Our church bought this unit for us to take into the state prisons. We perform worship music through it and speak as well. The clarity and crispness is outstanding. I have used other comparable portables but this one blows them all away!

Comments about Roland BA-330 Stereo Portable PA System:

Well thought out and designed. Quality sound and feel. very rich full sound but has its limits. clear up to its max volume, but remember 109db is not that loud. works great for the small venues and as fill in. easy to tag into large system for the rest if needed.