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Brad Kaenel

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About Brad Kaenel

  • Birthday 11/30/1999

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  • occupation
    computer programmer
  • hobbies
    praise and worship, jazz, musical theatre
  • Location
    SoCal

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  1. Two thumbs way, way up again for the Numa X's external zone and MIDI implementation. Playing a Motown show this weekend, and adding VB3 was just dead simple -- one MIDI cable. Done. Another nice benefit of those blank areas on either side of the NX's controls -- my magnetic iPad folio really grabs on. It ain't goin' nowhere...
  2. It's not just the tiers, though; there's also a strut that connects the triangular legs together at the bottom. As far as I know, you can't buy one of those, so the stand is fixed at the width it was designed for the VC. It might be helpful to read these earlier posts in this thread: https://forums.musicplayer.com/topic/167744-new-vox-continental-some-thoughts/page/3/#comment-2675538 https://forums.musicplayer.com/topic/167744-new-vox-continental-some-thoughts/page/6/#comment-2764165 I still use my VC73 stand everyday (though not with that keyboard). The only way you can utilize the standard Sequenz tiers that are available from retailers is to purchase a long one (model STA-L-B), disassemble the end caps (easy), cut the bars to the needed length (also easy, with a hacksaw), then reassemble the end caps. The included VC stand is custom-sized for that keyboard, so you essentially have to custom-size your add-on tiers from the stock ones.
  3. I know that's a josh of endearment , but it's still a good question. There are many responses here of bandmates sticking together after literally decades -- I submit that the absence of financial pressure is a significant factor in a band's longevity. When we started our band, we all agreed from Day 1 that any money we made from gigging would be banked (our drummer was the treasurer!) and used only for recording studio costs, should we ever get the opportunity/desire to make a record (we made two, eventually). And as we introduced replacement players through the years, that was our principal stipulation. I firmly believe we're still playing, and still friends, today because we never had to stress about money, or making a living. (Which is, admittedly, easier when your bandmates come from a polytechnic university, and everybody is an engineer. )
  4. The jazz/fusion septet I helped to form in 1980 still gigs once a month to this day with four of the original members. I gave up the keyboard chair 20 years ago, but they still let me sit in occasionally. We are still great friends. I have one even-longer connection to a talented flutist I first met in high school, in 1976, and was their competition accompanist until I graduated. We still communicate regularly and talk much about music, though we haven’t played together since then.
  5. Yessir, it certainly is. That keyboard, and Logitech thumb-trackballs, saved me from carpal tunnel 20 years ago, and I've never used anything else since. Always felt sorry for techs at work, or anyone in my office, who sat down to use my computer: "What is this weirdo mouse you have? And how do you even type on this, this THING??!" I've had several, and they're unicorns -- especially the white ones. Hope I never have to replace it!
  6. Rather than buy a whole new composer desk setup, I found a local craftsman (David Laake AudioWorks) who built a second tier for me, and a keyboard tray, for my existing corner-desk. After 40 years, I can finally just have everything ready to use, whenever the need strikes!
  7. Ideally, yes. I own a nice Epson printer/copier/scanner that can handle larger documents. And I do the opposite with choir music octavos, which are smaller.
  8. I've never been one of those players that preferred to have a whole multi-page chart laid out in front of me, nor someone who used live "page-turner" helpers at recitals and such (though it was always so gracious for them to offer). From my very first lessons, my teacher required me to turn my own pages -- if that meant taking my hands off the keyboard to do it, so be it. I've always been thankful for being forced to learn to read ahead, "memorize" a few bars on the fly, and play those while I flip pages. Two pages visible has always been enough, and is my preferred way of playing long charts. So, all that said, I always set my music up, double-sided, in sheet protectors in a 3-ring binder. This has always worked for me: big band, broadway musicals, classical recitals. Especially nice outdoors where the extra weight of the sheet protectors mitigates the wind blowing things around. I usually get these: Avery Non-Glare Sheet Protectors, but other thicknesses and sizes are available (and, yes, I get that most published charts are larger than 8 1/2 X 11) This might work for you, depending on the nature and size of the charts you're working with. TIP: In a sheet protector, I can make notes "on the music" using a dry-erase marker pen -- which I can then wipe clean without marking up my originals permanently.
  9. I didn't take pictures, but here's how to open the Forte: https://forums.musicplayer.com/topic/172043-kurzweil-forte-tips-tricks-amp-other-cool-stuff/#comment-2735027
  10. No flooding out here in San Bernardino, but we're 60 miles inland. However, we will probably have to drain a few inches out of the pool today...
  11. There is an album of the original Broadway cast: https://www.amazon.com/Musical-Original-Broadway-Cast-Recording/dp/B09WXQ4LQZ/ref=asc_df_B09WXQ4LQZ Personally, I think the L.A. cast is better, but I kinda doubt they'd cut another album.
  12. To be quite honest, I don't -- but there are tracks, and then there are tracks... I mean, with all the synchronized lighting and tech effects, I don't imagine you could do any of that precisely without a click track (or maybe you could, I don't know.) But there are 12 guys in the pit, their names are in the playbill, and sometimes during the show they actually play on stage, as well. I suppose that's arguing from *lack* of evidence, but it's enough for me to believe that the music is a lot more live than someone just pushing "play". 😊 I have a friend who knows one of the dance captains and swings in the show, and they told her it's all live playing. Third-hand, but I still believe it.
  13. I was able to see one of the final performances of the L.A. cast and band last night at the Pantages. Wow. Just wow. 12-piece live band; rhythm and horns. No tracks. Incredible keys programming. They nailed the album arrangements, IMHO, to a level beyond what I thought could be achieved, given the complex, multi-layered engineering on Thriller and later albums. And Roman Banks, the young man who performed the adult MJ was fantastic; scary-good, with all the moves, mannerisms, even the high, airy speaking voice. Stellar supporting cast of dancers and singers. Story is essentially autobiographical, from early Motown up to the opening of the "Dangerous" tour. Really fun to see recreations of those early "Jackson 5" hits with "little Michael", before the CBS days. Show moves around to a few more venues in California; highly recommended!
  14. Minty vintage Roland XV-5050 1U rack synth, to adorn my new custom composer desk (under construction). Keyboard drawer will house an equally minty Keylab MkII 61. It will be SOOOO nice to always have keys, a sound source, speakers, a recorder and headphones always at the ready, without having to cable everything up whenever I need to practice, record a track, or do some notation. If you saw me now you’d fall down laughing at the tangle of cords and cables!!
  15. I almost bought one of these German-made desks, though they are likely a hardwood veneer over MDF, as D.Gauss suggests: Glorious Sound Desk Another option is to scour your local Craigslist for studio gear. There's usually lots available near me, but I have the advantage of living near L.A. where studios are opening up and closing down all the time. Craigslist: Studio Desks The option I elected ultimately, was to contract with a local craftsman to add a second tier and lower keyboard drawer to a sturdy desk I already owned. And if you already have something that you like and fits your existing space, having something built custom may not actually be more expensive that purchasing something new. For example: My desk: Jaxon L-Shaped Desk My contractor: DL AudioWorks
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