I have posted two versions of Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain, done on different keyboards.
Each was recorded live on the job on different nights of course.
For those who have nothing else to do, please listen to both and tell me which you like best and why. I have thick skin.
If you can't guess I'll tell you later what the keyboards are. http://donmasonmusic.com/Keyboardtest/
Thanks,
DonM

Don, I like the 2nd version better which I believe was played on the Audya. Seems the version is more laid back and appropriate for the tune. The guitar and instruments sound more authentic.

The first version guitar work is very Roland sounding possibly your E50 or is it an E60 you have? They are both nice pieces of work, but the edge goes to the #2.

Don,

Perhaps No2 but little difference - slightly softer Guitar sound on 2.

You’re a star you Don, both sound good, I do hope we get our Audyas fixed and know yours is Ok but there are others that are not.

Happy new year to you and your Family Don

Good Luck for 2010

Tony

I think I prefer #2 because it sounds more like real drums. The guitar on #1 sounds better, kind of like a dobro. Although, it sounded a bit too hot. Harmonizers on both sounded good.

Both good. #2 a little more enjoyable IMHO due to more realistic and not-so-harsh guitars. #1 actually sounded to me more like banjo pickin'.

#2's rim clicks on drums was a bit annoying in the first verse.

I'm guessing #2 is Audya. No clue what #1 was...but it wasn't a Yammie.

Eddie

Don, your versions remind me a lot of Willie Nelson.
The 2nd one is my favourite if I have to pick one, and my guess is that
Audya are your "backing partner" at that one.

Cheers
GJ

Don:

The vocals were great on both. The second song was slightly shorter but the real difference was in the guitars. In the first, there was even a dobro sound in a couple of sections. The guitars in the second version really began to "kick-in" during the second half of the song and I expected to see Willy and Waylon step out center stage... LOL! Nice job on both. If I had to choose... it's version two... but I really liked that dobro sound in the first.

Great job, my friend. The VH was top notch... no doubt from years of practice or from using VH from another source other than a KB. Happy New Year, Don. Give Hank my best wishes for recovery.

Dave Rice

Don I liked the second version more..It was warmer..I also think the vocals and harmony were better too...

My guess is the second song was the E80..

V Nyl+steel..tone.. and country ballad style....Key of D...



[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 12-28-2009).]

This is not a 'cop-out', but I really liked both ... it's the PERFORMER not the INSTRUMENT!!! ...

But I guess overall, it's #2 ... but not by much ...
t.
PS ... another addition to the iPOD ... ...
t.

[This message has been edited by tony mads usa (edited 12-28-2009).]

Don - as always, super super job on both cuts! I enjoyed them both, but I liked the balance and guitar sound better on version #2. You put two EXCELLENT recordings together! Great work all around!

Randy

IMHO, the guitar in # 2 is superior...

Wish I had a nice voice like you do , Don,
Nice work.
Lee S.

Don. I enjoyed both versions but the edge goes to version #2. Thanks for sharing.

Scott

yes don the second version is ever so slightly. the guitar in the first one sounded a little GM ish. The second one had a better balance of sounds .

Well Willie, er Don, the second version has a more pleasing sounding guitar. Both versions are great, but #2 is better. Thanks for sharing.

I really appreciate all the help. Sometimes I can't trust my own ears. I didn't expect it to be so unanimous!
Number one was Roland E80.
Number two was Ketron Audya.
Both boards have a lot going for them, including excellent vocal harmonizers.
Maybe the E80 versions suffered from my choice of guitar sounds?
Thanks again,
DonM

Honestly, I listened to both tracks before reading your last post Don I recognized "my" E-80, had some doubt if it could be a E-50/60 but the drums gave it away. The guitar sound you used in the E-80 is not my favorite, it's too "harsh".

The Audya has a good guitar. But all in all, I like the E-80 better. Audya's version seems "unbalanced", the guitarist and drummer are on stage, the rest of the band is in another room , and the overall sound is "thin", too thin to my liking anyway.

Great voice Don, great playing, and that's what counts MOST after all

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- THE DUTCH KEYBOARD FORUM
http://www.keyboardforum.nl
Happy owner of a Roland E-80 V2

Hi Don:

I knew immediately what keyboard in each of the songs, I like more # 2(Audya), BUT, the Harmonizer & Vocals on #1(E80) where more real/present, in the Audya, was not as clear, in witch you had more reverb.

And yes, I think the guitar sound on the E80 was not up to date "guitar" sounds.

One thing, you are the best keyboard player that knows how to make real sounding guitar licks.

Manuel

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mdorantes

Thanks for all the kind comments and the help. I have taken the suggestions and implemented some needed adjustments in balance.
DonM

I enjoyed your down home country vocals Don, as always. As far as the music is concerned I liked the second one the best although the guitars just don't do it for me, especially the latter of the two in the song. The E80 guitar was the most underwhelming of the bunch of course as other members have noted.

It seems like in this day and age producing authentic sounding guitars by the Big Three and/or Ketron, etc., would be the norm instead of the exception. Needless to say, it hasn't gotten to that point yet.

I'm also really surprised by that paltry guitar offering from Roland on the E80 too. Of course, the E80 is a few years old now so I expect the G70 successor will experience better acoustic guitars on it when it comes out > with the E80 being discontinued and all, and with no replacement for it 'ever' from what I understand. Although if the G70 successor only has 61 keys then I guess you could consider that a true E80 successor right? But if it only has 61 keys... well, you know the rest.

All the best,
Mike

PS: Really enjoyed your git pickin' fingering finesse too Don.

Thank you!
After hearing the comments about both guitars, I have revisited both keyboard and found more appropriate sounds for the song.
Always trying to learn!
DonM