Anyone play with multiple boards?

Just curious. With the difficulty of finding one suitable board to do everything, I was wondering if anyone lugs in (2) boards for 1-hour shows - maybe a couple times daily?

zuki

for 1 hr shows?

why would you want to drag around two kb's?
especially for a nursing home 1 hr gig.....
I could see it for a 1 hr Solo Concert Show for some serious moolah....but otherwise I see no benefit in it with all the work involved in transort & setup.

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 02-24-2008).]

I do...

I am a Instrumental musician, I do not sing, and as a former Pro organist, I so used to multiple keyboards.
At one time I had on top of my Hammond X66, couple synths and 2 Drum units.
I am glad those days are over, I did only play in Hotels, and Lounges....I did my share of traveling with that setup.

Now, I use my T2 as my main keyboard and the PA800 or the Ketron SD5 depending what kind of event is.

Is a lot of fun for me, because some of my following sometimes goes 3 or more days in a row to see/hear/dance, so, I try never be predictable.

You can see my schedule (only dances appear here) at this link, this month (what is left of it) and next, are not my busiest, still around 14 events or more.
By the way, that picture is a little dated, I am going to changed, to start, I lost a little over 40 Lb., and the PA60 has been long replaced for the PA800.
http://members.cox.net/arizonaballroom/Manuel.html

Manuel



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mdorantes

Manuel how do you like the SD5......?

Hi Donny:

As you know, I did have the Ketron X1HD and then 2 SD1s, those models are a little dated, but had more styles and functions or options/features that I did use like the MSP that I did insert it into the styles and some midis.

The SD5 is very nice, and it has some NEW features like the registration (16 buttons and banks), the Riff, and many others, but, to MY needs and playing style, I find it a little limited in resources. Whatsoever, I do love the Ketron Sound.
I hope I will be able to get the Audya when it comes out.
For the time been, I alternate the PA800 and the SD5 along side of my T2.




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mdorantes

I'm considering it. A T2 and Pa1x.

Manuel......thanx for the reply...
as an Instrumentalist vs a Vocalist player we all have different needs & use the arranger Kb to play in different ways to achieve our musical goals on stage...although using two KBs is not needed for me I can see that an instrumentalist would gain flexibility by using two.......maybe if they start making modules again it would cut down the gear ration & transportability.

Stay well

Manual,

I do instrumental music exclusively, and all I need is the Yamaha PSR-S900...does it all with room to spare.

I love the SA voices.

Ian

Zuki,

I used to lug a PSR-5700, PSR-500, Ultimate 3-tier Stand, Peavey powered mixer, 2 Peavey SP5Gs, and loads of other stuff for those 1-hour jobs. It took a half-hour to set up, 8 trips to the van to haul all the stuff in and out of the venue and by the end of the day your butt was dragging so far behind you that it didn't get home until 20 minutes after you arrived.

Then I came to the stark reality that in all the years of performing I never had a keyboard failure on the job--not once. Cut back to a single keyboard, streamlined the rig, lowered the weight of everything and never looked back. And, with a single PSR-3000 I could play instrumentals all day long, have little or no dead space between songs, and never repeat a song. You don't need two keyboards--just a little advance planning.

Good luck,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

It's not always about what you NEED; sometimes it's just about what you WANT. Still, when you factor in Zuki's qualification (1 hr.gig/2x day), I have to agree with Gary, it's pretty hard to justify.

I bought a SonicCell to sit atop the C1 for variety in solo voices, but the C1 is such a lousy midi controller plus the SonicCells poor local controls, made it just too cumbersome for realtime. I AM thinking about taking out the VP550, though. It has great 'gimmic' appeal and is really fun to play. It's a terrific tool for lousy singers; some of you should try it . (Oh, Oh, duck. Here it comes). Respond to that last statement only if the shoe fits.

chas

Chas, I think the VP550 might be a useful tool as a second keyboard. Besides the vocal processing, does it have other sounds. Or can you midi it up to a Sonic Cell or Sound Canvas?

I use a Tyros 1 and a Ketron Midjay which weighs only 7 lbs. The Midjay takes the place of a laptop for me. It has all the MP3, Wav, and midi files. It also has great styles, and it will record the job as well. I don't use it on the really small jobs.

Ciao,

Joe

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Songman55
Joe Ayala

Cass, it has a great Scat voice called Jazz Scat, and a couple of choir/chorus voices and s couple of Strings. It's probably a worse midi controller than the C1, though, so it's probably only good if you plan to use it as a stand-alone unit. It's compact, at 49 keys, but heavy as h---, like most Roland products. It's like someone put a G70 in a trash compactor; smaller but still weighs the same .

It does work very well when it is the unit being controlled. I've used one of the PA1xPro parts to control it but you need to keep your concentration. BUTTTTT, if you've got some cash burning a hole in your pocket and want to seperate yourself from the herd, this is the way to go, plus, the fun factor is off the charts.

If you really want one, rather than pay top dollar, I'll try to sell mine to Donny, who will in turn sell it to Zuki who will then part with it for a song (or use it as a down payment for a used GEM).



chas

Chas - don't kick me while I'm down. Amusing, but not funny.

Sorry Zuki, no malice intended. I know how traumatic it can be having all those keyboards forced on you at gunpoint. Uh, can I just apoligize in advance for this post?

Hey, lighten up Bro, it's just money. And at 50 gigs a month, that shouldn't be a problem, right?

Hey Zuki, I'm feeling especially bored tonight 'cause there's nothing on TV tonight but the Oscars and I haven't seen any of the movies. Forgive me.

chas

Chas,

No apology necessary. I'm just ticked off at myself and blaming everyone else. It'll all work out, but that was the LAST TIME I will buy a keyboard, sight unseen. No way - learned my lesson the expensive way.

From now on, I buy only with a 30 day return policy, even if retail. I'd rather relinquish the "goat' role to others.

zuki

Zuki, believe me, I understand. I have at least 2-3 cases of buyer's remorse per month. It's endemic among musicians and gadget freaks. Luckily, it only lasts until the next purchase .

chas

Cgiles, I watched a basketball game and part of a golf tournament. Kept falling asleep, but still better than watching the Oscars.
Zuki, for quite some time I used arrangers as the "top" keyboard and a DX7, later other synths on bottom. In addition I was midied out to drum machine, piano module and tone module.
I used a midi foot controller to change patches on a pitch shifter for vocal harmony. Thousands of dollars invested. Now it's all included in the arranger. PSR900 has all that for maybe 1/5th the price, and 1/10th the weight.
If you like the sound of the Yamaha drums and bass, and can live with the vocal harmonizer, it's very simple--it's all in the S900!
BTW, I have one for sale. Sorry, couldn't resist.
DonM

I use a Tammie DGX-500 as a controller and a Pa1x-Pro as the slave. I get an 88-key Pa1x that way. I also like the grand piano on the Yammie FAR better than the pa1x -

I'm working on a PC that will be for music only, and I'll run in on stage using my new Yammie YPG-625 as a contoller and so I'll have 3 kb's on stage as well as a PC. I'm deciding whether to go with all software synths for the PC or running a Korg M3 module.

Anyway, I've always run multiple kbd's anyway, and for my job, I never know what I'll need to play. The sounds/ styles could need to be changed on the fly, even make up new stuff on the spot.

jeff

Don, I played with a 3000 and for the last year, since introduced, have used the 900 only. So, I know about it. The drums could be better, as the harmonizer, but I can live with them and appreciate everything else offered. I want the T2 next and will keep the 900 in the studio.

This whole mess started when I unloaded one of my 900s for Donny's 800. It got worse from there and now I'm going full circle.

If you want (2) SD-5s, maybe we could work something out?

zuki

Almost always use at least two keyboards. don't do many 1 hour jobs and have three standing jobs where I leave equipment, so that makes it a little easier.

One house job: B-3. Rhodes and Sh-201. Another: MS-60 and a midi controller with Yamaha Tone generator. Another: Another MS060 and GW-7 on my right hand. Sometimes Iuse three: Nord Electro or Hammond/Suzuki on the bottom, SH-201 on the top and GW-7 or similar on my right hand.


I just like to do things that way, and I have a sound person to set-up everything.


R.

In all due respect Russ.....in regards to Zuki's original question...toting & setting up TWO Kb's plus sound gear in & out of NH facilities all day 2 or 3x is not fun at all for only 1 hr gigs.....house jobs are a totaly different scenario.

Sorry, Donny. I have my sound people set up multiple keyboards at ALL my jobs, including the short ones. And I do lots of pre-dinner corporate jobs and many 2 hour parties, happy hours, etc. I also use at least two guitars (a nylon string and a double-neck) on all of them. That's what I get paid for. I'm not in the $100.00 "in and out" business, and can afford to get things set-up exactly the way I want. Part of it is show to justify the price.

So, yes, I do use multiple keyboards on short (sometimes 1 hour) jobs.


Russ



[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 02-25-2008).]

Russ, beginning immediately, I will have my sound people start setting up both SD5 and S900.
No wait, she's at work.
DonM

Smart ASS! (Great humor-writer...I grudgingly give you that one!)


R.

Zuki,

What is the issue with the boards that you have????

I personally use the VA76 ( for sale now) and a Triton, which is a beautiful combination!

How about considering a strong LapTop + One Man Band ( yammie styles )+ emu 1616M audio card + some VST's, and problem solved!
Every time you have the desire to change the boards, just go ahead and buy a new VST-instrument, and you got new sounds!
Endless posibilities!!!!!

Hit man that sounds all well & good on paper but I have yet have anyone show me via demo or on video or in person use these vst combinations & a KB in a SEAMINGLESS continuous performance scenario on stage with out any difficulties, time-lapses in between songs, & many of the problems associated with this kind of setup especially in the NAVAGATION department...in a OMB Dancing or fluid concert venue......

Can you provide any demos.

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 02-25-2008).]

@ DNJ,

No buddy I don't have a setup like that so I can't provide any demos!

But, I know few guys that use a setup like that and it is amazing!
The only thing is that you gotta have a strong computer ( Intel quad and up)!

p.s. yes it is a lot of work, but once you set it up, it works like a charm!

Chek this link out! I know it is in a foreign language! http://www.yumidi.com/forum/agaton-aranzer-t11904.html

These guys are almost done with the project, and will be offering few different set-ups with OMB10.

Plug and Play !

A lot of Wersi performers use VSTs live, (Colossus, Kontakt 3, B4, Real Guitar etc) however you don’t notice it on the Videos or recordings as they integrate seamlessly.
Have a look at http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/Forum37/HTML/017078.html to see how easy it is to load up.
Also if you want 2 keyboards for about the same weight as a G70 (Couple of pounds heavier) try the Xenios http://www.wersimusic.com/new.html which also comes with a powered 10” touch screen.

Bill