Latest Lightwieght Rig

SD40 + Korg Microkey61 + TC Helicon FX150 +Shure WH20 mic.

One carry from the car great for the old codger. Back to the keyboard instead of backing tracks. much more flexible.

Works very well for small Gigs for larger Gigs I use my two Maui5's and turn the FX150 round to use as a monitor.

Regards, Col

Awesome! I’d love to hear some of you music that you’ve creating with this set up.

Good luck Col with your new gear!

Does thtst TC Helicon really put out enough sound for even a small group? Its designed for close personell monitoring. If your happy go for it.

Different question... according to the Korg site, the MicroKey61 doesn't have a "real" (DIN) midi jack. How are you connecting it to your SD40? Also, I understand the need for portability, but how do you like the mini keys?

I too down sized. Now using SD40 with M-Audio 49 key controller and a Bose S1 Pro. Easy setup and very light weight for 2 a day gigs.

Ted, I use USB midi connection.

Deane

Hi Guy's

First the FX150 is quite astonishing it's rated at 150w with a 6.5" dual cone speaker.

I've been using a Helicon Singthing for quite sometime now which is a FX150 with the built-in Harmoniser so I knew what the amp was capable of when I bought it. You can also pair the two together for more power if needed.


The Korg microkey connection is an A to B USB cable (printer cable) I used to use a KMA and I've always felt comfortable with the small keys.

montunoman: In response to your request I've just recorded a quick number to try the harmoniser be interesting what you think, it's a bit weak in the middle eight but it was a quick effort. It's also the first time I've used the recorder on the SD40. I just normalised the track using Audacity and converted it to an MP3 file.

https://app.box.com/s/ikmfqqfpbn2nafbbl0lssua9tjr7ffcw

Regards, Col

COL,
I also used a Korg MicroArranger and just loved it. Like you, the small keys did not bother me. The motherboard went south on it and the cost to replace it was more than the keyboard cost when new so I just put it on the curb and it disappeared in one day. I really did like to too.

Deane

I, also, use the Korg Microkey Air with my SD40 when the setup space is small, otherwise, I use my SK1 Hammond with it. The SD40 has power to spare in large halls with larger PA's.

Bernie

Ok, what i didn't realize is that your SD40 has multiple USB type A ports, so it can be a "host." Your controllers think that it's a computer!

I know that many arrangers made after Y2K have a USB type A port to accept a "thumb drive" (for external styles, songs, etc.) But that doesn't mean these ports can also host an external keyboard controller.

So my question... are there any other modules or arranger keyboards that will support these lightweight USB-midi keyboard controllers, or is Ketron unique in this regard? Thanks!!

Col,

Weren't you using a guitar with the SD40 at one time? What happened with that setup? Maybe I am thinking of the wrong person.

A very nice, modular system! With your two Maui 5s, you can surely pamper your audience with rich stereo sounds. If you wear around your neck a 37 or 49 Microkey Air with Bluetooth MIDI, you might as well be the first strolling arranger keyboard player! I like the fact that with a module arranger, you can switch between a tiny keyboard to a full 88 weighted digital piano.

Hi Bernie




I was going to try the microkey air but the sd40 didn't recognise the midi Bluetooth adapter so I bought the normal microkey61. Which midi Bluetooth adapter are you using?



I still have the Triple Play guitar system and am persisting with it. Your guitar technique has to be spot on to avoid duff chords so I'm not ready to gig with it yet.





Hi Deane

I bought a used KMA on eBay a couple of months ago which made me think of using the microkey61 with the SD40, I'm very happy small keys
SD40 sounds, brilliant.

Regards to all, Col

PS: I was quite pleased with the SD40 harmoniser must do some more recordings

Hi Col
I wasn't aware the SD40 doesn't recognize Bluetooth. I bought the "Air" in case I ever needed it. Oh well, the difference in cost isn't that much, and it is a neat little controller in any event.

Col great job thank you for sharing your work your a true pioneer and not afraid of changing gear. Keep up the great work and make people happy with your music!!

Hi Donny

Thanks' for the kind words.



When I did my DNA test on Ancestry.com it seems I have quite a few relatives in the USA but I didn't see any Pesce's in the list maybe they missed out. I suppose my love of a change must come from someone else

Regards, Col

We were ancient fisherman....lol.....
but keep doin what you do buddy always appreciated!

^ LOL! Always figured that, Donny. Just that you're always fishin' for new gear.

yea and sometimes you catch the BIG ONE!!..just sayin'

Col, congratulations on lightening the load. I did this many years ago and went from lugging 400-pounds of gear and spending 45 minutes to set up to just under 100 pounds and spending 7 minutes to set up. And, the crowd size remained the same size, usually around 100 ppl or more. My greatest salvation was my custom console, which was a real time saver and only weighed 20 pounds.

Cheers,

Gary

Thanks so much for sharing this! Not just your setup, but always love to hear what the end product sounds like as well!
Great job!

If I remember it correctly, Bernie used a Kenton USB host to connect his controller to the SD40. Col, were you referring to the WIDI Bud I had talked to you about when you said your midi Bluetooth adapter didn't work? I happened to pick up another Widi Bud just last week, the only Bluetooth midi receiver in the world as far as I know. While I was updating my SD40, I tested the Bluetooth MIDI connection. It works just fine with my Korg Microkey Air. I might add that the SD40 is rather picky when connecting external USB devices. Make sure you connect it first before powering up the SD40.

Yes, I use the Kenton Host for non compliant hookups, including trying to add my wind controller as a second input, however, the Korg Microkey is readily recognized by itself. The same is true for my Midi Harmonica, but it is either or, not both. If both are needed, I have my Morningstar MC6 for Midi control.

Thanks' Guys for all the reply's

Torch: no problem using the microkey61 with the SD40, it's not worth £52.00 just to replace the cable.

Gary: hope your OK, shame about the boat having to go, this old age thing isn't all its cracked up to be for sure.


I'm slowly getting to grips with the SD40 after a lifetime using Korg and TC Helicon harmoniser's.


I did discover one handy thing when connecting the SD40 to my PC I tried loading extra folders (Sub Directories) into the Registration Banks. Its very easy to set up set lists by copying the srg files into the new folders, works a treat.


Regards, Col

Good tip Col. Thanks

Bernie

Sure, I don't blame you when your controller is so close to the Sd40 all the time, but It sounded like you had an issue with some kind of a Bluetooth MIDI receiver when you said, "I was going to try the microkey air but the sd40 didn't recognise the midi Bluetooth adapter." Obviously you were not using any kind of a Bluetooth MIDI receiver. I wanted to clarify it for musicians with other controllers such as MIDI guitar, midi accordion, or wind controller that the SD40 will work just fine with the USB Bluetooth MIDI receiver I mentioned.

Besides some MIDI accordions, I have a MIDI guitar that sends MIDI over Bluetooth. The same company is coming out with a MIDI guitar with a 5 pin DIN MIDI out. With the right tool, all these controllers will talk to the SD40 fitted with a Bluetooth MIDI receiver.

Chris

Hi Chris

I realise the SD40 receives Midi over Bluetooth I have the Triple Play guitar system and I have mentioned before apart from my guitar technique it works with no problems. The USB receiver I acquired was one that was recommended by someone on Youtube but obviously not the right one.

Regards, Col

Hi Col, the SD40 can not receive MIDI over Bluetooth by itself. You need another piece of hardware for that. Of course, the Triple Play is not a Bluetooth setup, either, but a proprietary system. IOS devices, Mac, and even Windows 10 machines act as a Bluetooth MIDI receiver all by themselves without any external hardware though in Windows 10 it is in a new protocol that almost none of the existing DAWs can understand. That's why Korg wrote a Bluetooth MIDI driver for Windows for their Bluetooth MIDI controllers.

Chris

Hi Chris seems I need to do a little swotting on Midi, ah well
never to old to learn, so they say.

Regards, Col

Quote from Torch:I happened to pick up another Widi Bud just last week"

Thanks for this tip, as well as all the help you gave me trying to set up the wind controller. I will certainly check this out.

Bernie

Ketron is unique.
Most arranger modules’ USB to device ( if any) is only for thumb drives/ data update only. You need to use actual midi in socket.

You can still get Samson/ Roland controllers which have midi out ( plus USB midi) and are sub $150.

It’s a shame that most sub $800 digital pianos ( P45/121/125/FP10,30) took out midi outs. ( P35/95 was the last batch).Having a external usb to midi converter which need own power supply defeats the purpose of portability.

You're welcome, Bernie. Make sure you get the latest firmware. If you ever have the need to make your DM48 wirelss MIDI, a $50 Yamaha solution will make it a Bluetooth transmitter with a small USB battery pack. It will power your DM48 and then send MIDI over Bluetooth.

Chris