#1937434 - 05/05/08 02:02 PM
Question on Portable Keyboards/Weddings
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Zaphod1701
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Hello there,
I have a question I was hoping all you keyboard experts could help me on. I'm getting married outside, and our musicians keyboard does not use any batteries (its a Yamaha P120). What would be the best way to power both the keyboard and an amp outside with no outlets nearby? A universal keyboard power adapter, and an amp that uses batteries? Something else I don't know about? Thanks a lot.
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#1937500 - 05/05/08 03:53 PM
Re: Question on Portable Keyboards/Weddings
[Re: ProfD]
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kanker.
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A really, really long extension cord?
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#1937508 - 05/05/08 04:07 PM
Re: Question on Portable Keyboards/Weddings
[Re: kanker.]
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eric
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If there's a car nearby, just use a cigarette lighter power inverter hooked to an extension cord and you're done.
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#1937586 - 05/05/08 07:01 PM
Re: Question on Portable Keyboards/Weddings
[Re: Zaphod1701]
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ITGITC?
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Hello there,
I have a question I was hoping all you keyboard experts could help me on. I'm getting married outside...
Wait.
Are you certain this is something you really want to do?
Ummmmm, kidding.
But wouldn't it be better to use acoustic instruments?
How about flute and classical guitar? Nice combination.
I'm just thinking about the scene... outside with the birds, the wind blowing through the leaves, deer and rabbits looking on...
Then you've got some guy playing a Yamaha P120 through an amp with a long orange extension cord connected to the 12-Volt receptacle in a Jeep Wrangler in the parking lot.
I dunno. Maybe it's just me, but you might want to rethink this scenario. I think the orange extension cord and the X-stand may clash with the tuxedos and the bridesmaid's dress.
I could be wrong. 
Edited by ITGITC? (05/06/08 07:56 AM)
Edit Reason: spelling - sheeeesh
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#1937802 - 05/06/08 06:39 AM
Re: Question on Portable Keyboards/Weddings
[Re: ITGITC?]
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DanS
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I'm just thinking about the scene... outside with the birds, the wind blowing through the leaves, deer and rabbits looking on.. I could be wrong.
Yeah, you could be. I was at an outdoor ceremony a few years ago, and right in the middle of the ceremony, 2 swans started getting it on, and there wasn't even any porno music.
I'd use the extension cord idea, then you can always have someone lasso the wildlife in case any of them try and renew their vows if'n you get my meanin.
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#1938934 - 05/07/08 08:54 PM
Re: Question on Portable Keyboards/Weddings
[Re: DanS]
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Zaphod1701
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So...........thats it? There is no way to use a keyboard for 10 minutes without an extension cord or gas powered generator?
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#1938965 - 05/07/08 10:44 PM
Re: Question on Portable Keyboards/Weddings
[Re: Zaphod1701]
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Jazz+
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Then tell him to borrow a different keyboard, one with batteries, and use Limo amps by Crate, they are battery powered.
I have done the power from a car battery plus transformer thing for a full hour gig, no problem.
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#1938983 - 05/08/08 12:33 AM
Re: Question on Portable Keyboards/Weddings
[Re: Jazz+]
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Dave Pierce
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Well, if you are really only using it for 10 minutes, you could use a UPS system, like those typically used for computers.
You'll need to figure out how to turn off the alarm (they usually beep when the line power goes out). And you'll need to make sure it has enough battery power for your 10 minutes of music.
--Dave
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#1939011 - 05/08/08 03:41 AM
Re: Question on Portable Keyboards/Weddings
[Re: Dave Pierce]
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Tusker
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Why doesn't someone make extension chords in bridal white, dammit.  
All the best on your wedding. I played a synth for my friend's wedding at this amazingly beautiful spot overlooking the water. Fortunately the venue had arranged for outdoor power, and I could (somewhat) fit the mood of the place.
Jerry
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#1939031 - 05/08/08 04:40 AM
Re: Question on Portable Keyboards/Weddings
[Re: Dave Pierce]
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Joe Muscara
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You'll need to figure out how to turn off the alarm (they usually beep when the line power goes out).
Just play along with the beep. It will save you from having to bring a drum machine or metronome.
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#1939072 - 05/08/08 06:19 AM
Re: Question on Portable Keyboards/Weddings
[Re: Joe Muscara]
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The Pro
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A 12-volt invertor with a marine deep-cycle 12v battery is the best answer other than a generator, although you can rent generators that are really small and quiet these days. The car thing was close but deep-cycle marine batteries are made for this kind of use (I use them in my motorhome).
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#1939738 - 05/09/08 08:48 AM
Re: Question on Portable Keyboards/Weddings
[Re: Dave Pierce]
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suraci
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how many feet would extension cord have to cover
From Home Depot I paid about a dollar a foot ( 2 years ago pre $4.50 diesel fuel)
you would want a lower powered amplification which draws less power
and heavier gauge extension cord. NOT garden guage but thick cable. As it is better for longer distances
a BLACK custom made cable can be made- make sure it is thick.
If distance is hopelessly too long from power source
an auto with a higher qualify inverter and a heavy gauge extension cord might do it
a gas engine running is the downside
There are battery powered amps and keyboards though
Are you protected from rain
How many people 25 50 100?
It. Doesnt have to be too loud
Make sure inverter in automobile is of a higher grade
ask a qualified person about the nature of inverters
Edited by suraci (05/09/08 08:55 AM)
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#1939751 - 05/09/08 08:57 AM
Re: Question on Portable Keyboards/Weddings
[Re: suraci]
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suraci
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I defer to the gentleman who knows about inverters
his marine idea sounds informed
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#1939755 - 05/09/08 09:01 AM
Re: Question on Portable Keyboards/Weddings
[Re: suraci]
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suraci
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I just had an inspirational thought
Have the music program written up for each guest
tell them the piece of music you have selected is by John Cage
( it features something the married couple will never hear again- that would be silence!)
Mr Cage has a piece of music that features 3 or 4 ( or more ?) minutes of absolute silence.
no more nasty batteries and ugly orange wires
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The difference between what the most and the least learned people know is inexpressibly trivial in relation to that which is unknown
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#1939850 - 05/09/08 12:00 PM
Re: Question on Portable Keyboards/Weddings
[Re: suraci]
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MikeT156
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Suraci:
Suggestion. Try using the EDIT function instead of posting 3 separate posts in a row in the same thread. You can edit your first post and add more content later. It takes up less space and allows others to read everything at once.
Mike T.
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#1940499 - 05/11/08 05:03 AM
Re: Question on Portable Keyboards/Weddings
[Re: MikeT156]
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xmlguy
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The problem with using batteries is that you're screwed if you don't accurately get enough amp-hours to handle the event before the voltage drops below the inverter's shut off point.
The problem with using a generator is that they are loud.
A better solution is to use one of the Honda ultra-quiet generators hooked up to a battery charger to deep-cycle batteries hooked up to the inverter. This might sound like an unusual configuration, but I am going from my own actual experience using a similar setup. I have used both marine deep cycle batteries and golf-cart batteries - the golf cart kind (6V) are better. I have a 1500W inverter.
Even though generators often have 12V output, I don't recommend using their 12V output to charge batteries because they don't have the circuitry to properly charge them and to keep from overcharging them. Generators only can provide 8-12 amps at 12V because they use a generator loop for DC that's separate from the main AC loop, and you may instantly pop the circuit breaker or blow a fuse if you try to charge depleted batteries. A good 25-40 amp charger hooked up to the generators 110V AC will supply 2-3 times the 12V amps, and protect the batteries in the process.
If you are within range of an A/C outlet, you could avoid the generator and run a long extension to the battery charger. Even if you lose power, pop a breaker, or someone kicks the A/C cord unplugged, the show will still go on without a glitch using the batteries. Most computer UPS do not have the run-time to last long enough for a wedding. You'll still have to carefully plan your energy consumption to pick batteries with enough Amp-hours to handle the event with reserve. The charger is there to keep the batteries fully-charged and mostly in reserve capacity.
You also need to test the inverter with any equipment you plan to use. Most inverters output a modified sine-wave that can cause problems with some audio sound equipment, particularly power amplifiers. You need to test them on the inverter to see how they react and watch for any signs such as excessive noise, hum, or heat. It would be safer to use a true sine wave inverter, but they are very expensive at high outputs compared to MSW.
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#1940504 - 05/11/08 05:16 AM
Re: Question on Portable Keyboards/Weddings
[Re: xmlguy]
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xmlguy
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Another option would be to get a motorhome for the day that has a high quality inverter, quiet generator, and sufficient batteries to run the wedding. And hell, the bed might come in useful on the wedding night.
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