Señor Carango, I suggest that you don’t think so much in terms of heavy vs. lightweight gear. Think more in term of efficiency. In other words you should want a rig that you can set up and tear down quickly. Forget about laptops, vocal processor units, extra pedals and other stuff that you have to plug in. I think an important part of these types of gigs besides playing/singing great old tunes is to somehow be socially engaged with your audience. That’s hard to do when you’re busy setting up/tearing down. Try to keep that to a minimum. If I had your gear (and I wish I did!) this is what I’d bring:
Roland BK 5. The mp3 player will be GREAT when you’re setting up. I try to get to my gigs early. The thing is once the old folks see me come in they all start heading for the rec room. It sure would be nice to have some nice background music on while they are waiting around.
Roland BA 330. Just plug your keyboard and your mic and your ready to go. No need for a mixer or vocal processor. It already has good reverb. What else do you need?
Keyboard stand with a attached mic stand (something like Uncle Dave uses)
There you have it- a keyboard, speaker, KB stand with a mic stand, a mic, a mic cable, and KB cable. Hopefully you don’t have to read charts like me but if you do the BK5 has a music rest which you can put your book or ipad on.
Keep it simple and welcome back to the senior circuit.
That was my exact intention..your proposed set up...and that is exactly what I used today..without a single problem
Knowing this room now...I know the BA330 and BK5 can do the job....but I did not know earlier, so I packed up a Roland Cube in case I needed more sound power..and they weigh 70 pounds each.
Set up time was about 5 minutes, including the V-Stand and mic boom....BTW: the G70 and a Cube on the V-Stand is just as fast, maybe a bit faster
When I am set up, the comfort level on the G70 is far and away better for me.It is not just the harmonizer, but mic volume control and effects as well as any balance I need to adjust is right in front of me....I can use play-list on both units (BK5 and G70), but the G70 gives me more flexibility...and the search feature is better on the G70 for special request...
I didn't even touch base about the advantage of the superior 76 keys compared to the lighter touch 61 on the BK..
What I am saying..there are concessions using the BK5 that I use and enjoy with the G70..
Is it worth hauling a heavier keyboard...To me YES...it is not a big deal for me to lift a 46 pound keyboard up on a stand...when everything is on board the G70..
If I would use the G70..I would pretty much always use a Cube..I just like 15's, and I know I have the coverage...
The last 6 locations I played in senior centers...the BA330 was more than enough, although this was the first of the six jobs that I used the BA330..(I chose to carry the Cube)...I split the keyboard duties 3 and 3..
Don't get me wrong..I enjoyed playing the BK5 and BA330...they did the job,, sounded great too...and for a one hour in and out job..I guess I shouldn't complain...I am just spoiled..