The debate will go on...and on...and on! What's right is what's right for each person. I DON'T use MP3s or MIDI files of any kind. My choice is to use left handed bass and either a real drummer or arranger drums only 40%, arranger function 30% and classical guitar or piano with no assistance at all 30%. That's my choice and it works for me. But, I'm not an entertainer, and the kind of jobs I do are right for this approach. This is my way of dealing with the demands of the marketplace. It works...I turn down a lot more work than I take.

This approach may change over time, but right now, this is what I do to keep working and feel good about the music I'm playing.

Russ

All valid points from the pros....I agree with all approaches because I personally use them all specified above including recording SMF files to Mp3's for backing tracks....but not the same percentage MIX every gig....all the methods mentioned should be in your "TOOL BOX" at the ready to entertain depending on what specific needs arise in any one gig.....you need to be proficient in all of them & be ready to utilize them at a moments notice in order to survive in this business as a pro vs a weekend warrior.....its all about "MAKING MUSIC" my friends in whatever way possible with whatever gear you want....bottom line is, having a good sound
FOR THE PEOPLE!!!



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 07-03-2006).]

Anything that continues to blur the line between arrangers and SMFs is a good thing, IF........ it adds more options to playback, not less.

One of the coolest features I've read about, but not seen yet is (and I'm sorry, I don't remember which arranger has this feature) the ability to switch off your SMF's drum track, and have the arranger play mode for the drums, WHILE your SMF is playing. Brilliant!!

This makes it easy to replace poorly made SMF drum tracks (unfortunately the rule rather than the exception) with your choice of patterns and fills, and, hopefully (not sure if the keyboard does this) record the performance to your sequencer to edit the SMF.........

What would any of YOU like to see help blur the SMF/Arranger line.........??

Well Said!!

Some may not want to admit it is cheating but that is what it is. Most of the time, a one man band keyboard player is cheating not because we are born cheaters, but the demands of today's market place and the financial benefit of cheating makes it much better for us to make a living out of a one man band set-up. It is also good entertainment for people who come to see us. They love to see how one person is doing all that.

If you look at it from just an entertainment point of view, it really does not matter if you use midis, arranger mode, mp3s or just standing up in front of the equipment pretending to play, just as long as you keep your fans happy, dancing and wanting to come back for more.

If you do have some type of musical integraty, you can use midi files and actually play something all at the same time.

One example is while the midi file is playing, you can split the keyboard so you have one sound in the left hand and another in the right and play those while the file is playing.
So you can play a bass in the left and piano in the right and play along with the midi file.


It is not a question of whether midi files are better than arranger mode, but how well do you use those modes.

IF you are a professional entertainer, then it should be all about the audience, not YOU. If you are an ARTIST, then it should be about YOU. Can an artist be entertaining? Of course, but that is not the ARTIST's main objective, as opposed to the PROFESSIONAL ENTERTAINER (Brittny and Madonna are entertainers, Winton Marsallis is an artist). Can one be both? Yes, but not at the same time. Being a musician, I am not your typical audience so the following is mostly irrelevant; however, I would not walk across the street to see a guy playing an arranger OR midi files whereas I would shower, shave, dress up, and drive across town, to see a good jazz trio (with or without a vocalist). The audiences that are attracted to a OMB/arranger player/SMF "cheater", are usually the same ones that would be entertained by a good DJ. Don't be offended by this, I own two arranger keyboards which I use mostly for composition and arrangement (also "cheating") but have never played out using one. This doesn't mean that I don't clearly see the advantages of arrangers (and SMF) in OMB applications but I still believe that it's main advantage over the DJ is the visual effect (in that sense, the DJ is more "honest"). Of course, I'm really off-topic here anyway as the original question/debate was style-mode vs. SMF. The real answer; WHO GIVES A S---? Certainly not a clueless audience.

Peace,

chas

I like that chas... I have always felt that I am a MIDI artist - I create and perform with my own MIDI files exclusively using my own unique arrangements of popular and original music. My canvas is the music technology at hand and every single note is a product of my imagination and ability. I'm equally capable of making music with nothing more than a basic piano or keyboard and would probably command the same fee and respect as an artist, but since I can imagine full arrangements in my head I choose to use technology to share that sound with my audience.

If you or anyone else would "not walk across the street" to see me perform with my midi files that would be your loss. I play for hundreds of people nightly and the people that hire me could easily afford to hire a trio or whatever musical act they think would entertain the most people... they chose me. If they are willing to bet their business on the quality of my music, don't you think it's worth gambling a few precious minutes of your time to see why?

If I had the time...I would travel to Hilton Head to see you...

I would even travel to Valrico to see Chas...

[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 07-04-2006).]

If you or anyone else would "not walk across the street" to see me perform with my midi files that would be your loss. I play for hundreds of people nightly and the people that hire me could easily afford to hire a trio or whatever musical act they think would entertain the most people... they chose me. If they are willing to bet their business on the quality of my music, don't you think it's worth gambling a few precious minutes of your time to see why?

Ditto. I've traveled all over the east coast and central U.S. to see dozens of OMB entertainers, and every one of them was worth the time and expense to see, hear and talk with. I had hoped to see Esh and Vern on my last trip, but conflicts and time constraints made it impossible. Hopefully, I will get to see them sometime in the near future.

Cheers,

Gary

------------------
Travlin' Easy

Though I perform primarily (90%) in arranger mode, I too will utilize custom pre-sequenced midi backing tracks for certain songs, to free me up to play in a more traditional solo piano style, and/or to allow me to step out into to the audience to sing directly to them.

Play solo keyboard, play in a band with other live musicians, or play in arranger mode and/or utilize midi backing tracks, but more importantly, be honest with your audience to gain their respect. The type of CHEATING entertainers I hate are the ones who deceive their audience into thinking they're actually playing (on the keyboard)the part/parts played by a pre-recorded backing track.

Scott

Scott, who cares what the "entertainer" is playing...Guess what? The audience doesn't care..

I play 100% of the time with SMF's..Sometimes I will play only to my ears[headphones] while a SMF is playing, if what I am doing will not necessarily improve what the audience hears.

Using the DisCover 5 has made this easier for me, showing chord changes a measure ahead, while playing sequences.

Scott since you are "honest"...do you have a sign hanging out front that says you are not playing the parts that the audience hears, but the machine is playing all those nice "backing tracks" in arranger mode?

Or maybe, you make an announcement before you perform explaining that what the people hear is not you playing..

Of course you don't!!! And why? Because it really doesn't matter.. You are there to entertain, not to be "honest"...