As you know, I purchased HK Nano from DNJ. It sounds really good, so I decided to simplify everything even more.
I took one of the new Casios home on trial, and hooked it up to the Nano. Wow, this thing blows me away!
I just plug the Casio into the Nano, plug my mic into the mic input on the Nano and GO! It doesn't have effects, but I find my voice is so good that it really doesn't need any help. I have decided to only do songs for which I remember all the words and chords from memory, so don't need the laptop any more. I already know how good I sound, so I don't need a recorder either.
Just in case, for backup, I'm taking a portable CD player with a couple of Donny Pesce's sets recorded on CD. I can just act like I'm playing and singing. No one will know!
The entire rig only weighs about 25 pounds or so, and the cost is minimal, considering the Casio is only $300. Also, I wll no longer carry around a keyboard stand or stool. I'll just use whatever is available at the venue. There is always a table and chair not being used.
If I ever get another paying job, I may well change my mind about all this.
Happy First Day of April.
DonM