ewall08530

For years I played solo with an iPad Air 2 playing iGrand with a Casio PX 5S. Later I added Korg Module for Wurlitzer and Rhodes. Simple to set up and use and I had the internal Casio sounds as a backup if the worst happened. I have an iPad Air 3 now which still has a headphone out but I only play Ravenscroft piano at home using a Casio PX S-3000. I currently gig with a Casio PX S-7000 so no need to use Piano apps. I like having an older iPad with the headphone out for audio and I use this common connector (below) to connect the keyboard to the iPad and charge it at the same time. Maybe think about a refurbished iPad 2 or 3.

Everything in 1 trip. left to right: *Bose Pro 8 sub *wire bag *2 small step stools * Table type keyboard stand *folding piano bench *rug *Pro 8 towers in bag *Backpack (iPad, mic stand, in IEM’s Mics. *Casio PX S-7000 not pictured- Soundcraft 6 channel note pad mixer over my shoulder.

From Saturday’s Keb Mo’ show at Parx, Bensalem, Pa. Dane Farnsworth on keys sounded stellar and the whole show was wonderful. The black keyboard facing the audience was definitely a shell with I’m guessing the Nord Grand. I saw an overhead shot on the big screen that revealed red end caps. That, plus the shape and the distinctive, familiar sound of one of the Nord upright samples makes it a safe bet.

If you want a good padded bag this Casio works well. I had an RD 88 for a year and since I’m the only one moving it and transporting in my SUV it was enough protection and kept the weight down. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SC800Bg--casio-carry-case-for-px-s1000-3000

Perfect example.

And yet weighs 57lbs? Hard pass…..👎🏻

Here’s my next topic. “do you ever disguise your keyboard to look like something you consider cooler?” See pic…. As far as this topic goes, I’ve never considered covering the logo and the only time I think about it is when I see someone else who has and if they’re not up on a big stage doing a big show, I tend to think “you should get over yourself.” This topic has enlightened me somewhat as to why you would do it but it’s still not my thing. The keyboards that I have purchased and continue to use in the last 12 years have been Casio and Nord. It’s kind of pointless to cover up a Nord logo. And Casio has given me the most bang for my $$, light, powerful and fun to play keyboards and the best customer service I’ve ever experienced.

Yellowjackets have been setting up on stage like this for decades. It allows great views to watch Will Kennedy on drums and Russell Ferrante on piano.

The beauty of this solution is: *it works with any pedal that you can attach velcro to, including the light weight Roland Expression pedals. On band gigs I have 2 sustain and 2 expression pedals. *the rug looks great on beautiful floorings at events as well as that greasy, don’t touch it, floor in the corner of the bar that is your stage tonight. (try getting gaffer’s tape to stick to that disgusting surface). *the rug gets rolled up and a small bungy holds it, and it fits under your arm leaving your hand free to carry something else like a tabletop stand. In all fairness, the drummer in my band suggested this solution. 👏🏻👏🏻

The stand is a Gator Frameworks and I have On Stage 2nd tiers that easily attach. plinks are below. https://www.amazon.com/Gator-Frameworks-Keyboard-Adjustability-Leveling/dp/B00BMUCRRQ/ref=sr_1_4?crid=26ZTNIX9KCNYD&keywords=Keyboard+stand+table&qid=1672064797&s=musical-instruments&sprefix=keyboard+stand+table%2Cmi%2C121&sr=1-4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002E3DNU?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

An $18 indoor/ outdoor mat with some fibers and a male strip of Velcro on the pedal. Simple and functional.

I actually think Stu is one of the best out there. Try comparing his YouTube review of the Kawai ES120 and every other review available for that keyboard and get back to me…. If I want to know everything a keyboard can do I watch the manufacturer videos and download te manual. But if I want an imperfect but very informative review by a really great player Stu is one I always look for. To each his own.

I have a Bose S-1 Bluetooth speaker for small gigs. Casio S-7000 in 1 channel and a Shure Beta 58 in channel 2. It has some preset EQ. and reverb. it sounds best and has more power used with a small mixer but I have used it by itself on a speaker stand It probably would work well for your quiet jazz gigs. If you can set it and forget it that’s ideal but if you need to start tweaking settings they are on the side of the speaker and you should keep it within your reach, be it on a stand or on the floor. I mostly use a Bose Pro 8 line array. Also has Bluetooth and it has a mixer app so you can use your smartphone or iPad to control it. Honestly the footprint is about the same as the S-1 up on a speaker stand. I know you want to carry just 1 speaker/ amp but the flexibility and ease of carrying a 32lb sub in one hand and the 8lb line array(in a bag) is wonderful. And you have plenty of power, low end and this unit has great coverage. I didn’t see a budget for your recommendations, the Bose is pricey and I feel that it’s worth it.

I’ve been a big fan of Jeff Lorber since the early 90’s and seen him live a few times. He always had some version of a Yamaha Motif. An upgrade to a CP88 seems pretty logical to me.

I’ve been buying and playing Clavia Nord keyboards since 2002. Before that I’d spent 30 years in bands that had a 2 man crew that doubled as light man, sound man and, roadies. I’d always had multiple keyboard rigs that at times included a Hammond C3 chop, Fender Rhodes, A200 Wurlitzer, etc. After leaving a band that I was in for 16 years I was looking to play more locally and reduce the size and weight of my rig. That’s when I bought my first Nord Electro with money from selling my Hammond and some other gear (which I still regret). The Electro over a lower board for piano was the beginning. Later I was able to successfully gig mostly with 1 keyboard thanks to the Nord Stage 2 -76. I’ve always found that Nords hold they’re value as much as anything I’ve seen and they have been super dependable, fun to play and program and continually lusted after and in demand. The sum total of problems I’ve had with my Nord experience is in 2015 I had 3 key contacts replaced on a Nord Electro 3! I have owned: -original Electro -Electro Rack -Electro 2 -Electro 3 (twice) -Electro 3 HP73 -Stage 2 -76. (still own, 10years) -Stage 3 Compact. (still own, 4years) Since the pandemic the prices for Nords has risen dramatically. I may someday soon sell the Stage 2-76 but at 72 years of age I believe the Stage 3 compact will stay mine for “the duration”. My desire to play band gigs has dwindled to about 2 a month and I’m doing 95% of playing as solo/ duo on the Casio S-7000 or Kawai ES520. -

I would take a long look at the Kurzweil SP6 -better pianos and organs than the Casio and about the same weight and cost. I

Having owned the Roland Rd88, Yamaha P-125, Kurzweil SP 6 and a Casio PX5S I believe the Kurzweil boards and Casios mentioned are going to give you what you’re looking for with the Kurzweil being strongest in the Organ dept. I’m probably giving the Yamaha MODX short shrift…I’ve never been able to get along with the Yamaha interface and architecture so my experience is strictly with Yamaha digital P- Series pianos. Personally I would not be comfortable using the Casio S-7000 as a single board solution in a band situation in general. I’m a big Nord user and accustomed to being able to alter and tweak my sounds live, in a band situation and find things easily. There’s basically a button or knob for everything! But I would not hesitate using the S-7000 as a bottom board with F buttons set up with Piano, Uprigt Wurly, Rhodes, sounds and my Nord stage 3 Compact on top. I wanted a small footprint, under 40lbs, cool looking keyboard with a few excellent piano sounds and a nice action that is fun to play and not exhausting. I’m transitioning away from band gigs to the point where 80% of what I do now is solo piano. The Favorites piano, especially the electric pianos on the S-7000 are a big bonus. Think Wurly on Donny Hathaway, Phased Rhodes on Billy Joel’s Just The Way, Neo Soul Rhodes on Stevie W. tunes. Etc. So I’m using 3 different keyboards now Kawai ES 520. -stays in my living room for practice and pleasure. Nord Stage 3 Compact- Single board for almost all band gigs (top board on the rest) Casio PX S-7000 - stays in my car and used on all solo/duo gigs. I’m on the fence about selling my Casio PX S-3000 but will probably keep as an excellent backup keyboard..

Comparison and chart. https://www.worldpianonews.com/new-product/stylish-new-casio-digital-pianos/

The S-5000 is similar to the S-1100. 20 some sounds and you select sounds by holding a button and pressing a key. It has the same speaker system and the main Acoustic piano is the Hamburg Steinway. The big deal is the improved keyboard action. The S-6000 has many more sounds and various acoustic pianos and again the main one is the Hamburg Grand but the Stage piano is very good too. It’s a slightly bigger case and a better, quieter action than the S-5000. It has some of the Best Hit Pianos & EP’s but not all that the S-7000 has. It has a speaker system that is basically double what is found in the S-5000. The S-7000 feature 3 different Acoustic Pianos. The Hamburg Grand (my least favorite), The New York Grand and the Berlin Grand (my favorite). Same action and speaker system as the S-6000 It also has the complete Best Hit Pianos. I believe the Casio website has a comparison chart to view. I went with the S-7000 because I wanted the other 2 pianos but I ended up paying for the beautiful stand that I probably won’t be using. The S-7000 comes with the stand and can’t be bought without it.

It definitely doesn’t suck and I find it quite fast and enjoyable to play. FYI. Kraft Music has them and if you hated it you’d be stuck with paying shipping back or a store credit but not the keyboard. It’s a shame that we have to try/ buy these on faith these days

I saw Chris Botti in the fall of 2019 with some friends who are huge fans. I was sure I would enjoy it but I truly was blown away at the musicianship on that stage and I remember throughout the show Chris finding a way to highlight each one of his band. Geoffrey Keezer was directly in front of me and I heard every marvelous note he played.

“So if you were to do it all again and start with just an SK1, and build a rig for home/practice and small bar gigs, knowing what you know now, how would you approach it? These forums are amazing and if there are any reference level threads I should be checking out please feel free to link them. Thanks in advance for any advice you have. Also while I wouldn't say money is NO object, I wouldn't make a strict budget a limiting factor in options to consider.” Based on your summation I’d get a mini vent for the SK1 and pick up a $600-$800 Yamaha or Casio Privia 88 key piano. Both would be just fine for home practice and small bar gigs. I’ve done local Blues festivals with a similar back lined rig.

It’s been at least 10 years since I played through a Motion Sound 200KPS amp and our sound engineer at the time (who more recently has traveled the world in Alicia Keys crew) would always put a DI between the Motion Sound XLR’s and FOH.

I sometimes play it in mono trough either a Bose Pro 8 or Bose S-1 and it sounds fine. No phase cancellation or artifacts.