obxa
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Posts posted by obxa
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By sad irony RIP Mr. Lamont Dozier, who passed away last night.
Of Holland-Dozier-Holland , who penned so many Motown hits. 14 number 1's.!
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Have you tried the area Guitar Center(s)? I know backline companies are obvious first call but have occasionally called GC on some stuff. Speaking of backline, any of the neighboring states bigger ones (e.g SIR) might be worth a shot.
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Did the legends of Motown revue for a while and some serious homework for the 25-30 songs in the show with songs by all the girl and guy groups.
One of my go-to patches was a vibes -piano-wulir layer thing on the bottom board, and strings/organ/bells glock combi on my Nord stage compact. I'd mix layers as needed. I use similar patches for girl group stuff with the Crystals and Marvelettes (who I still work with).
RE organ: Usually had a split Bells/strgs on RH organ on LH side, and with basic 680 kinda thing on the 3 lower bars with some top bars pulled out to taste, C3 or C2 vib and not too heavy on leslie or none at all (except for some of the Temptations stuff or "Dancing in the streets" which was more heavy organ stuff). On stuff like you posted- I used less of the 1st drawbar to have a little less bass than normal, and treat the organ more of a pad on some songs. Even though I always cram with original recordings- I tend to always adjust patches with live band it always ends up sounding different. I was happy they did that show in the original keys.
Docbop can correct me- I think Jack Ashford was the Motown vibes tambourine guy? After dissecting those songs, Vibes ended up being most crucial part of keyboard parts on a ton of that stuff.
edited for spelling!
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On 7/28/2022 at 11:20 PM, Steve Nathan said:
Yes. What I meant was I like Vreeds, and use it mostly, but I also sometimes prefer their first Wurly that came out a few years earlier. It has a growl that I like for certain tracks.
Heads up : Acoustic Samples is having a summer 30% off sale. https://www.acousticsamples.net/wurlie
Following Steve's comment (Thanks!! ) I'm leaning towards their early Wurli, not sure if it uses more sample and less modeling than their Vreed version???, but think I like it better. The newer one reminds me of Pianoteq's and the Numa X modeled sound. I do like the option on the new one to move the pickups- but always been partial to the "Stock" setup.
Always liked those "Teaching-Wurlis" - Like a total idiot, passed on one in the 80's for $100.00 because I was trying gather funds for my Dx7. 😜
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GC's ignorance (or lack of experience) on some items makes them worth a look. The things I'm usually looking for with them aren't mainstream. (e.g. Accordions, stands, cases etc.), They're also very good for things that are over saturated - like midi controllers.
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Sad to hear about Tony.
Funny this post got resurrected- Actually used my newer 31 a few weeks ago as a bass amp for a small bluegrass gig I occasionally moonlight with. Used a P-bass and acoustic Uke-bass w pickup- sounded great w/plenty of headroom. Load- in was a breeze. Had to do the usual "turn XLR to 10, then give it smack routine" but it stayed on the whole gig.
My older 31 is long dead. I also miss them as a stereo pair for keys but have moved on. IEMs 98% of the time for band stuff, and Bose compact for solo gigs.
Thanks for the info on the Lm391 Real MC. I really wish one of the bigger keyboard companies would make an offer to Tony to buy or license his technology and update it. That would be a great win for him, them, ....and us.
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Wow, never had seen that Acoustic Samples Wurli, they got some of the other subtleties that the Wurli does.
I've ranted in other posts, the over spanked Wurli sound (Best friend, 3 dog night, Supertramp etc. ) is by no means the only thing Wurli's do so well. "Dancing in the Moonlight" any Donny Hathaway, "Brandy you're a fine girl"- that's the other Wurli sound.
BTW The Waves Wurli is on sale as part of their usual "limited" $29.00 sale. https://www.waves.com/plugins/electric-200-piano#the-sounds-of-the-electric-200-piano
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For recording:
Also a Pianoteq user since 1.0 - it plays and responds wonderful but sometimes just doesn't work and can be oddly metallic. Always needs a bit of softening with tube, compressor, and tape things.. Got all the variations, but Grotian, Petrof, and the Upright are my go-to. Version 7 has done a bunch of nice stuff with response and also felt pianos.
Noire- is very special, sometimes it doesn't make it onto final track but is always inspiring and lucious.
New contender you should check out for $29.00: Spitfire Intimate https://www.spitfireaudio.com/originals/#intimate-grand-piano
Speaking of Christian, there are some amazing FREE vibey pianos in pianobook- wonderful stuff go now: https://www.pianobook.co.uk/ It's a delightful rabbit hole of cool stuff.
Forgot to mention: Soundiron Emotional piano- just lovely, and can be coaxed to do wide range. Often goes on sale.
Since moving to Mac many years ago- I miss ivory, and considering it again.
Rhodes: Depends on track: Orange Famous E is current fav, and Neo Soul (Gospel Musicians), Pianoteq, and Lounge Lizard is surprisingly playable- using the free lite version that came with some Korg software- see if you have a coupon with anything you've bought?). ... But also use a real Mk1.
Wuri: Use a real one, but for sessions that need recall: Pianoteq's Wurli tweaked, Neo Soul, Waves.
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I'd be curious about that app, look promising.
It may be age related, but I think of most IOS apps the same: they do great light content creation while in a pinch, but I still consider Tablets better for consumption rather than creation.
You can absolutely do light word-processing, spreadsheets, email, and even simple notation. But personally, I'd still default to using a bona-fide desktop, proper input keyboard, dual monitors, and access to my favorite java.
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My bottom line- if the drummer is weak, the band will always suffer even it's all A players.
For other worst "members" that make my life hell..... It's my other world outside of "normal" band gigs ( broadcast and shows for secular and ministry stuff) ...it's actually Producers & Lighting Directors. Sometimes Music directors (and I'm usually one LOL). . Oh, and clueless event planners. But if I had to choose, most misery in broadcast/shows comes from producers. Although there are some nice ones out there, most treat musicians like service animals.
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So Ken how do you tell the difference on the Nords? My Stage2ex is 88 from 2017-2018. Lives at my church gig.
Someone had posted on this thread or another- a link to that German site that lists all the (Fatar) actions of keyboards.
https://www.musiker-board.de/threads/verbaute-tastaturen-und-hersteller-sammelthread.435157/
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Only thing to watch out for with Capo and most of those Chord identifier apps, is they get confused with slash chords. (E.G. C over E) . But hey, when you're in a crunch to learn a bunch of stuff, still nice to have some help.
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Thank you Dave and thanks for all your feedback on the Numa. I use similar rig to yours on some shows- and your comments were very helpful. I didn't have a chance to update the OS will do that tonight.
C
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Long time Finale user and chart writer here. Last weekend I did a large festival gig for a local Roots-Americana artist who was headlining.
Had to learn 17 songs in 2 days. 13 originals, & 4 covers. Some of the songs were more complex than others, and some of the covers were things I kinda already knew, just needed a basic chart. Also was playing accordion and melodica and had to keep track of which songs and parts used them.
First I downloaded some Music notation keyboards for Ipad/Iphone. They work like emojis. One was called: "Musicians Keyboard" the other was a free app: called "Song Memo_. Highly recommended if you need to make quick legible charts. The keyboard that Song Memo installed was great, and can use it with it's app, or any other note taking app. It's has chord shortcuts, barlines, you can enter relative chords just by picking the key. Very cool.
That said : like Mighty Motif Max, writing a real chart always works better for me. Notating arrangement and signature riffs/line is essential for (lots of) unfamiliar material and by doing so, I end up actually learning the song better too. Unless charts are provided, it's always been my MO and it ends up being faster in the long run. So ended up doing that for all the originals, and one of the covers that had some odd measures and mixed time sig stuff.
One indispensable thing I use is an app called "Capo" also free. It can loop sections. Change keys and tempo, and tune the track. It spits out the chords along bottom of player- not that I need that but never hurts to get me in the ballpark. I'll slow down lines and riffs to notate. I often also play songs faster than the performance tempo to check the chart or do a quick run-through. Sometimes will run an entire show at fast tempo just to get a quick rehearsal in. There are similar apps like "Amazing Slowdowner", or Hornet's "Songkey" that do the same things. Forscore's built in MP3 player does turning, transposition and speed.
If I ever need to just do something on the fly, using notepad and one of those music emoji keyboards would work. But for music I might end up needing again in future, real charts all the way. BTW- The artist thanked me several times for doing my homework and knowing his show cold - got a bunch of future dates because of it.
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Maybe zombie thread at this point- but wanted to post this. Tanks everyone for the heads up on this, never would have considered it.
Got mine today. I figured with 30 day return I'd roll the dice. I've been shopping for a compact 73/76 note thing for a while.
Other options considered: Yamaha CP73 (new or used) , the Studiologic controller with Mainstage, and a Yamaha p-121 I've had on back order forever. Considered a Nord Electro HP with weighted keys- but too expensive and already own a Stage 2 compact and NS2. 88. My 88 lives at Church, only take it out for big shows.
After 4 hours Here's my first impressions:
1. Whoever designed this thing is my hero. The UI is bloody brilliant. Never cracked the manual-and getting around on the Numa is a sheer pleasure, compared to other stuff I own, or have used. At first, I thought there was no way to turn down the way too loud pedal noise, but found out how quickly. It's all there. Menu diving is only for things you'd probably not edit often.
2. Being a Yamaha and Nord guy, I'm used to Yamaha slab actions, and love my Nord Stage 2 action. I thought the Numa's T110 is supposed to be the same as Nord? At first play the Numa honestly felt a little weird. The bottom out was strange. My Nord is at Church so couldn't compare. Have a real grand 5 ft away and it was definitely different. It took a good hour to get comfortable with it. But after I tweaked the sensitivity up a few notches I got used to it and felt pretty good. The sound and UI are so dang good that any initial misgivings will probably be overlooked, but I'll let you know.....especially after I let a day pass. Most importantly use it on a gig.
3. Soundwise, I noticed many of the AP Youtube videos were very mid-bright. The Master EQ Midrange on mine was bumped at 800hz. I wonder if they all come like that? I knocked that down to 500 ish. The German Grand and the Vintage grand are really wonderful. I mostly use the XL Yamaha Grand on my Nord, so was interested in that, but wasn't all that in love with this version. For EPs: As an owner of two Wurlis, I'm a snob. It seems every muso company (except Nord and Kurzweil) thinks "My best friend " (Queen) and "the Logical song" (Supertramp) are the quintessential Wurli sound. They're not. Pull out a Donny Hathaway record, Joe Zawinul "Mercy Mercy" or even "Brandy you're a fine girl" . That's my idea of a the true Wurli sound. I wish they had done a sample that wasn't quite so spanked. I ended up combining the Wurli200 with the "DX piano" and bringing down the filter a bit on both to get it a bit more usable. The Rhodes were very nice, and no complaints. Clavs seemed ok, haven't spent enough time and many other sounds to honestly comment. Loved the string pads and perc (Marimiba/Vibes) as that's the stuff I immediately needed to put layers together with.
I wish the EQ also offered cut, or maybe just a HPF but maybe that's down the road. They add some clarinets and another grand. Would love if they added a Felt/Mute upright or grand.
I still may check out the Yamaha CP, I've always defaulted to Yamaha stuff. Just wanted to go outside the box this time. I've tweaked that Vintage grand on this thing from ensemble to solo where I think i'm pretty happy with it. Will take it out in combat on my next gig and see how it fares.
I'm really loving the idea that I might be able to replace my mixer using the Numa's built-in. If I can plug the Nord Compact or Mojo Classic and my melodica into this that's one less piece of gear and less cables to bring. I also really appreciate real midi jacks, and ton of pedal options.
Look forward to my next Artist band gig onTuesday - Everything will be Italian; the Numa, Crumar Mojo, Accordion, and me.
Bottom line, and time will tell- for the price this thing aims high and mostly succeeds.
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Deleted- wrong section
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All great advice above. I'll add my 1.5 cents. All boils down to your needs. Like most tools, Daws and Notation software do better as they're intended.
If you're just looking to see what you've played, the notation part of most Daws will do you fine, even it's not the strong suite of any of them. That said, Logic does a pretty good job. Though I wouldn't use it if I needed to actually make a chart/score.
For "legit" score/charts you'll need to check out and use the current 4 or 5 out there. They all suck and do great at the same time. So pick your poison and work with the warts. There is at least a standardized format (Xml). and you can usually import/export from one notation program to another. Plus if you're DAW will output XML you can always start there for the "creative part", and use the notation software for getting it to the "visual part". As mentioned, most notation programs read Midi files, but it's not always an easy import.
I'm a long time Finale user. I'm so old I started out in school with Jim Miller's Personal Composer on DOS, along with Dr T's sequencing software! If I have an inspired idea I wouldn't start in Finale to get it down. I do have to create charts and/or scores most every week for my Church gig, plus various show gigs and that's where it shines. But even after all this time, still curse at Finale and it's bizarre way of doing things.
One thing that has saved my sanity (and carpal tunnel) that will also work for any notation software, is some sort of Macro Program. I use Keyboard Maestro (Mac). But I'm sure there are others in Windows world if that's your system. The Elgato Stream deck is also wonderful.
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Sounds like standard Wurli vibrato with a tape-lo fi plug (or possibly hardware pedal). Most of tape plug-ins these days can easily do that. I'm a heavy user of Warble, it makes everything sound dusty and imperfect and adds a bit of fairy dust. It's on my default chain for my Wuril and Rhodes, and any (sampled) piano. Softube's tape is usually often on sale too.
Anything that can add a little dirt, wow and flutter will get you there.
https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/neold_warble.html. Love Plugin Alliance and I have a monthly sub, but they're worse than Waves, with never ending "special" sales, so I'd wait till it goes on sale again.
Here's a free one: https://www.caelumaudio.com/CaelumAudio/?Page=TapeCassette2 -
3 hours ago, mythias said:
obxa: Thanks so much for that link. I am going to buy a 58" version right now. My stand is just about 50 inches but I would rather have some spare room for a few more dollars. I have a gig bag for my Roland A-88 from the same company and was very pleased with its price and construction. If it doesn't work out it was only $30 and I am sure I can find a use for it.
You bet- this is another one that I really liked because it was more canvas like,but the zipper broke after about a year's use.
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/musicians-gear-speaker-stand-bag
BTW A drummer friend suggested taking my garage graveyard of gig bags to a tailor to see if they can repair the zippers. He had his done on his soft drum bags, but I wonder has anyone else ever done this on keyboard cases???
Also had to laugh reading Aussie Keys post. So true!... I still think they're the best stand for standing. Unfortunately they start out great and then become a musician's nightmare with those aluminum things that "hold" the legs during travel bending & becoming razor sharp, and those plastic knobs and cable clips always snapping off.
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I've always loved the early Roland stuff, but never owned aJ4. Not sure how authentic the Cherry Audio version is, I first passed on it, but have ended up using it more and more and the price is right.
https://cherryaudio.com/products/mercury-4
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I use microphone/tripod speaker stand bags. I started buying the cheapest ones because they ultimately
end up getting torn, zippers break etc.
As to goodwill, I often see those SKB hardshell cases for golf clubs, they work great for mic stands, but can be a little unwieldy, especially if you're only carrying 5-6. I buy them anyway whenever I see them, and gift them to my drummer friends. They're perfect for drum hardware, unfortunately not tall enough for the apex.
I'm still using my early 2k era Apex, back when they used to provide free replacement parts. I haven't seen the handle since 2008 and also repainted mine a few times when it gets ratty.
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Was offered by Arturia and expired on 5/9 but Audio plugin deals has it on offer now. Great for checking out the new (V9 collection) synth offerings.
Though it has limited editing, the full version of AL is actually a pretty good value and gets you access to all the synths showcase presets.
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One more cheaper consideration: The Micro Ensemble (ME1) is actually pretty decent - has the signature Kurzweil strings, piano, brass and rhodes sounds.
I often drag mine out of moth balls and control it from a Mojo organ gig to do some simple rhodes/wurli/clav/brass stuff when I don't want to hook up Mainstage or an Ipad. Great for bar gigs.
. As a former PC2r owner, I can attest it's not quite the same fidelity, and kind of a pain to use from it's 2 digit display. But if you just need a few of those sounds in compact form might be the ticket. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj_UY9t6EnY
I had a similar situation as you: Still have a PC1SE (the 76 note version of the PC2R). which you might look for. Kept it because occasionally still need it for some oldies acts and legacy pit band things I do that are heavily programmed. Haven't gotten around to recreating those sounds and sets for those shows in Mainstage /Nord. Even at 76 notes, it's also too heavy, and the (acoustic) pianos are dated. I'm not playing piano on those -so the Orchestral sounds and EP's surprisingly still hold up and work well.
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This absolutely breaks my heart.
Do you get annoyed by not matching what you hear in headphones to...
in The Keyboard Corner
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I realized a long time ago keyboards sound horrible once you try to amplify them at typical band combat volume. I've been down the road with everything from boutique to PA speakers. I'm always disappointed. Organs and EPs are cool with some actual dirt (or even a guitar amp...), but synth sounds and AP- can't deal with it.
So I use IEMs for everything live except solo or jazz acoustic piano gigs. Some piano gigs I have to use a slab piano with a Bose stick, and that's no aural picnic either. But for anything with volume, IEM's let me hear stereo, and my ears aren't ringing. Most important- things sound consistent from gig to gig. If something is way off, most FOH guys will let you know.
For what I do I've been pretty happy that my custom patches, drawbar settings, and other tweaks tend to hold up when I hear (live or broadcast ) mixes.
When it comes to studio stuff: Always firmly believed you absolutely can't mix exclusively on headphones. Been using AKG240s (open) since the 80's. Trust them for tweaking patches, or listening to edits and stuff - but wouldn't ever mix on them.
Recently grabbed a pair of Beyer Dynamic 770's (closed) on no brainer sale from New Egg. Always heard engineers raving about them. Did a late night mix for client with the 770's, fully intending on doing a proper remix in the morning on my near-fields. I was amazed how balanced the 770 mix was on my mains and other systems. Probably tells me my room still needs more treatment too. Still wouldn't do 100%, but would definitely use them more than would have considered in the past.