obxa
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Posts posted by obxa
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Wow Really appreciate that Nursers!!!! - Giant "ta" to you
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I'm probably going to be a minority opinion on this...
Quality wise, I never noticed a night and day difference between my custom triples and the Shures. It was not the mind-altering experience that I kind of anticipated
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Been round the block with this same situation. Many guys I work with have some of those boutique things like the Nashville1964's that cost $2000+. I've borrowed them on gigs... just like you said- it wasn't life changing.
I have done custom ear-molds for my Shure E5s and had that same occlusion problem. So went back to the silicone flange "Christmas tree" style buds. I've stepped on and broken my E5s so many times that I had Shure repair on speed dial, and finally downgraded to E3s.
A drummer friend of mine started a company here in Atlanta that makes a triple driver knockoff of a famous IEM that sells pretty cheap. . Those have been pretty good, if the seal is right.
With IEMs the seal and comfort is everything. I think it's a cheap investment on trying the various earpieces that are out there - and to also know that sometimes your ears can be different sizes from each other.
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+100 for Tony Monaco.
Something worth noting that I learned from drummer friends: it's always possible to take a master class from many of the big guns. You just have to ask.
I was amazed first hearing a bud of mine would pay for an hour with Dave Weckl, Vinny C, and others. These guys need to fill space on their calendar like everyone else. As someone above mentioned spending an hour with Tony Monaco, you'll work on most of that stuff for a long while.
Great players are not always great teachers, but I've done this over the years and there's always been at least some takeaway that always made it worth the cost. Many have also gotten me some great gig connections too. With Zoom/Teams/Skype, most of these guys are more accessible than ever.
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I was the original poster regarding Thommans- got excellent advice from many of you above. I decided to wait. Lo and behold my ultra-awesome Sweetwater guy (Jeff Bohan) came through getting a Mojo classic to me, right in time for a series of gigs. Actually was able to fedex the night before the first show so didn't need my "Plan B".
They (actually no-one in USA) didn't have the case which I ended up buying from Thommans.. I would of waited for Sweetwater, but desperately needed it, as the cardboard box & comforter wasn't cutting it....
Came pretty quick- and no charges other than international shipping which brought the price within $10.00 of the USA prices. I think as Marzz, Docbop and others have said: accessories- stands, cases, etc. that are under $500.00 are probably ok. That said, because they have consistently done me right-I'll do my best to show my loyalty to Sweetwater even on the little stuff.
The lower prices for big ticket gear is very seductive, but trying to navigate definitive customs charges for anything over $800.00 is a royal PITA. I could never get a straight answer from UPS, both in the states and in Germany. Thommans though super nice, couldn't provide any help either.
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It's wide open-
RE: Chick Corea. Not sure what if you're referring to a Ring Modulator, as those were pretty common back in the day.
Live gigs: When I was doing a Regular Thursday jazz jam with my real Rhodes, I'd use: Boss tremolo pedal (which I think is essential to a proper Rhodes sound (unless the VV does it on it's own). Analog delay, and something that's actually very cool and different: the Dan Electro Chicken Salad vibrato if you can find one. I like it much better than phase 90/ Small stone since it doesn't kill the attack and definition as much. Also an ART or similar tube preamp.
Disclaimer, not a fan of chorused Rhodes. If I didn't feel like hooking all those up, I used one of those old kidney shaped Line 6 PODs that does just about everything- there are now a ton multi effect units that can do several things at once, if you don't want to mess with pedals and power supplies.
These days when tracking to DAW, go into my Apogee direct, and just use plugins. Have fun!
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If that's all I did, I'd be depressed or an alcoholic -unfortunately like many of my pianist friends who only do solo. But it's always helped fill the white space on my calendar.
When I did long running gigs at hotels or restaurants in between bands or projects, was grateful for the $$ but it was always my incentive to find the next thing. Did a couple of solo international hotel gigs that were very cool and well paid. Conversely, cruise ship gigs were pretty much the 9 circles of hell-where I would of gladly jumped overboard to play with even the worst bar band instead.
But yes very much to each his own. It's a great way to work on your chops, expand your song repetoire, and occasionally make some good connections.
As you said , anything can get old after a while.
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Been using a Bose L1 compact for solo piano gigs with a Yamaha p255. Duo gigs with a vocalist, and Trio where I play LH bass- where I put the sax player in there too. I've also run real piano via a barcus berry pickup into it when I'm doing a cocktail/dinner sets in larger ballrooms.
I've tried it on R& R gigs, and it had a hard time keeping up. But for any cocktail-ceremony, small restaurant, low impact corporate-country club dinner hour stuff it's been wonderful. I'll be a hero if let the client do any speaking through it as well.
Have never had a problem with it. Lightweight, easy to load. I do wish it had FX and phantom power. I think EV and other have similar systems now that might be competitively priced.
If you go to my swing band page and promise not to cringe, you'll see a ton of videos using it.
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Be able to play as soloist (cocktail piano-standards etc.)
Very fortunate to have an older guy school me early on : that while band, touring, synths, & session stuff is wonderful and exiting; if I was able to do that, I would always work (..and eat). No matter the current state of the music business, world, economy, etc.
That skill has saved my ass more times than anything else.
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BTW- I have a slightly warped professional magician friend who asked to have his hip replacement videotaped. He was one of my inspirations to get the surgery.
Because he's a "thoughtful sadist", he waited to tell me until I had mine done before sharing some info.
He confirmed what my PT and Ultrasound tech also said : The operation looks like it's done with tools and parts you could buy at Home Depot. They do indeed put your leg into contortions where most of the post pain comes from.
My buddy keeps offering to show me the video, I keep declining.
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Jazzpiano88's takeaway is pretty much spot on, and I wish I could of said it in such few words!
So sorry to hear Biggles- you may want to consider correction surgery? According to my guy, correction surgery due to old (or plain bad) technique, wearing out, and other reasons is extremely common and very successful.
Agree to investigate every last option and to also get 2 or 3 opinions. This was the second instance in my life where surgery was the only solution.
. The best procedure is done by someone who's done a lot of them, and well. All my consultations agreed my hip bone was dead, and therapy, cortisone shots, etc. was not an option. Most said there would come a time I'd probably not be able to walk and many wondered how I walked at all. So that was a given. I already was told in my early 40s my hip looked like a 90 year old man. My Chiropractor, (an ex -NFL player ) who was pretty holistic and didn't like big medical, even told me there was only so much he could do - and replacement was probably going to be the only remedy.
Had my first consultation with a surgeon who was nice enough.. He weirdly wanted to talked rock and roll with me afterwards, but spent probably 10 minutes discussing his procedure and other pertinent facts, Dismissed every question I had. He did Anterior which is the "modern"- where they go in through the groin It's supposedly quicker recovery rate. Has less restrictions for post care. I know several folks who've had it done that way, and it worked great for them.
In my gut I didn't feel good about trusting my future to a guy I spent 10 minutes with. So I literally googled "top & most awarded hip surgeons"... That surgeon did the "old" version: posterior (side of your leg) He literally wrote the book on it: taught at Harvard, and had been doing (and perfecting) a modified version of this procedure for 35+ years. Was well known as the top guy in the South East, and did most of all the big sports guys in Atlanta. .Told me my options to avoid surgery. He told me he didn't like the groin procedure because of risk of infection, and my recovery would be just as fast as the anterior based on the way he went in (he doesn't cut tendons/muscles). He believed infection was the key critical failure point for any surgery. He took methodical notes, and talked into a recorder while we chatted, and also offered to refer me to one of his colleagues if I really wanted to do anterior. I looked at his record and 500 something reviews, and went with him. But not without putting it off some more.
March 8th I was sent home walking same day (with a walker) after the operation. I called hospital 2 days afterwards wondering why the pain meds hadn't worn off, because I had zero pain, other than at incision area. They said " they long wore off, your doc is just that good". Never opened the Oxy they prescribed, and never needed anything more than Tylenol or Arnica for minor pain. Most of the pain was later from physical therapy.
Like many post hip folks, after two weeks got carried away too fast. I was so happy to walk again I started doing a ½ mile a day, and was off my cane in 3 weeks. My PT guy said I was good to go and healing fast, but to make sure I continued his exercises because I still had atrophy. I foolishly got lax and didn't do that. I went back to work humping my keyboards and driving. Dragged my 88 note Yamaha and a dual manual Mojo and paid for it the next day. Couldn't tell if I had muscle or hip pain but it was bad. Went back to surgeon to see if I messed anything up.. He took X-rays and all was well, but I had pulled soft tissue and tendons. My interior scar was also aggravated, and was still going to need time to heal. Told me to back off my distance, let the muscles heal- and not lift anything over 20 lbs.
Had to blow off a couple of wedding gigs last week that needed typical top and bottom rig, and couldn't risk lifting.
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" I got one when I was thinking of using the same mixer to send keys and receive my monitor feed. I decided it was too easy to screw up and changed to my current set up."
I'm paranoid too I'm really curious about that Preservear. Saw it when it first came out; and thought it was a great simple idea. The price has come down since then, but still kinda high for what it does. Did it work well?
I used to just use my Shure wired pack that has built in limiting and then plug that into my mixer to feed my IEM. Then started getting lazy because there was too much to gain stage between it and the mixer, and adding to all the other stuff I have to set up.
The Rolls is half the price, & needs a power supply- but sounds like most folks here are having good luck with it.
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Everyone I know of who had the surgery says the same thing: "I got my life back". Thankfully it's not an issue I have, but I certainly have friends and family who have gone through it, and I have seen with my own eyes how impactful it is.
We live in miraculous times to have surgical options like these. It hasn't been that long since there was nothing that could be done in these situations.
Thanks for the well wishes and comments all! Surgery did indeed give me back my life. Talking to a ton of other musicians (some younger than me) that had the procedure was super helpful.
If can ever answer any questions about it feel free to ask. I'd rather talk about ARP synths, but we may need to add an AARP forum with medical stuff here pretty soon!
Though standing for years playing doesn't mean everyone will automatically have hip problems, it likely doesn't help. Genetics and your overall health are certainly part of it too.
If I've learned anything, the "check engine" light for our body doesn't just appear without a few warnings first.
So you can just sit right?..... They now say "sitting is the new smoking". On show/worship gigs where I'm not MD, I often end up in really long same day rehearsals (pet peeve of mine, and topic for another day....)
I look for little pauses, and try to get up and stretch every 30-40 min (got an app that reminds me). Also drink some water, take my IEMs out, and take few deep breaths. I get strange looks, but whatever.
Bottom line: Listen to your body, and as TommyRude said find some balance. My old chiropractor used to say: "Everything in Moderation, including Moderation"
Cheers
C
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A couple of great threads about getting older led me to post.
After 25 years of enduring pain and the last 18 months not sure if I"d ever be able to walk again, finally had hip replacement in late March.
Doing great, walking regularly again and nearly pain-free! Hope to return to cycling soon. Though probably won"t be playing standing up anymore.
When discussing with my surgeon what caused the death and deterioration of my left hip, we finally figured one the contributing factors was years of standing up playing keys with one foot cocked up on a volume pedal. Add to that the "sustain/footswitch pedal dance" with the other foot. My time in school sports was Cross Country and Track ( hurdles) and that didn"t help either.
I see lots of younger guys here doing what I did: using platforms, or platforms on wheels. Did so many years touring on the road with an Apex stand and pedalboardd. Plus a couple years at Disney Orlando with a standing rig they built for me that had the pedals elevated and my arms at an uncomfortable angle. Can't forget the contorted keytar gigs too.
The road is a well known minefield and another topic. Disney was a marathon where I"d feel like crap every next morning. On the advice of my chiropractor, I started carrying one of those cushioned 'cashier matts' to stand on. Looking back, it was inevitable I"d have problems later on. There was also years of excessive stage volume. Not to mention 2nd hand smoke exposure when that was still a thing!
I see many folks here with Arthritis, Carpal, Hearing, and other health issues, and I feel for them. Got some of that too. Not all of them are older.
Not a cautionary tale so much as just being aware that there"s always a price paid for what we do.
So take it for what it"s worth. It"s important to pay attention to your body now, and do what you can to protect it.
Along with some side hustles nurtured during Covid, music is fortunately what I still do for a living. I still need to work, but I'm ruthless now about protecting my health, hearing, and well-being. Even if means passing on a lucrative gig.
Your thoughts? Look forward to hearing from others, and I wish you well.
From Shirley, of Laverne and Shirleyâ¦.'I treat my body like a temple, Laverne. You choose to treat yours like an amusement park.'
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Same as everyone else. I've got every possible app for the popular soundboards for any shows, pit band, and houses of worship I do. I use an older ipad mini dedicated just for that purpose.
However, if I run across a situation where the sound person can't provide a direct mix back to me, âI use a mixer that lets you remove sends to FOH output, but still feeds my ears, and then use a cheap stereo condensor mic and run that as my "Ambient band mix". Even if I get a dedicated monitor send, I still do a little bit of that ambient mic so I it maintains some of the live feel and don't feel so cut off.
Because life is too short for mono
, I insist on hearing my keys in stereo. Even if they provide a wired/wireless pack or Aviom system; If it's mono, I'll turn off the keys in their mix, and then feed their pack or Aviom output into my mixer. (keep a supply of 1/8 inch to 1/4 cables)As a cheap work around to pull off alternate mixes: since most mixers have at least a monitor/fx send, you can always use those for FOH, Then monitor everything through the mains or headphones. just remember to not send the mic or monitor mix back to them.
Good luck!
PS Also happy to answer any questions.
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Thanks for the update Skipeb3.
Tony was always a great guy. I was an early adopter of the 31. He was real interested in how it was holding up and how I was using it, and of course talking about the old New York music scene.
When I was still on the road passing through, I invited him to a local show and he was starting to have health issues back then. I wish him all the best.
I bought my 2nd 31 "later" edition used from a friend of mine for cheap, and that's the only one still working - but barely. 2 of them used to be a great compact stereo rig, and great for vocal monitors or a Jazz PA. Used it for some rehearsals last year, but probably wouldn't trust it on critical gig these days.
I guess these fall under the small company "boutique" risk factor.. I've also had gear from Motion Sound and the Space station folks, and I think I've learned my lesson.
Got a brilliant bass player friend that's an ex-Sony engineer who does repair on the side- and he's always wanted to do a tear-down of the 31 to see if he could figure it out. I might finally take him up on it.
As Analog man said looks like they'll mostly serve as door stops, but the 41 is big enough to use as an extension cabinet. I'm not super tech savvy, but you could do this yourself. The amp board is easily removable, and the speakers terminate to a multi jack that can be replaced with a 1/4 or speakon.
These were the closest thing to ideal- I still can't understand how the 3 biggest keyboard companies can't make a decent amp...
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Is Barbetta still in business? Last website update was 2002. I've got two 31's and had same problem that local techs can't work on them.
I wonder if you have this problem: There seems to be common issue with all of them in that they won't work until you either turn up the XLR input to full and back down again, or give it a good smack. Most times that's enough to get you through the night.
I did the "mail in just the amp" thing to Tony back in the early 2000's and it worked for a while, but then same problem returned.
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+1 on Kurzweil stuff for pit band /2nd keys. I still occasionally drag out a (heavy!) 76 note PC1se,with the orchestral rom for shows I've already played and don't want to re-program. I also used the hell out of the PC161 before I sold it
That said......Since Pit band show-stuff has a definitive song order and list, I'd heartily reccomend just doing a laptop rig and controlling it with that Roland (as a backup sound source) or any decent 61 note controller. I made the move a while back and wish I had done it sooner.
Mainstage ($30.00 OSX )or Gig Performer (windows/osx) $169.00 on a laptop will do everything you need. Splits, multiple layers and x-pose. If you've already got a decent laptop - the whole thing well under a $1000.00
I use Mainstage on a 2012 Macbook air. Running: Triton/Wavestation plugs, Pianoteq, Kontakt with 8dio string and some other brass libraries,, and Xpand (great, cheap workstation style synth plugin - ideal for utility sounds that come up in shows that don't need a full fidelity library). Mainstage stock sounds are also very useable. Only issues i've ever had is Ik Multimedia's B3x occasionally choking, but zero issues with the other stuff.
Most broadway shows these days are computer driven, and you'll find ton of folks here doing the same for tribute bands etc.
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Wow that's pretty spot on. Reminds me of how my Xa sounded fresh out of the box back in 1985.
Still my favorite synth of all time, but I've had a tough time keeping mine alive and finding local repair folks. I missed the Beta test invitation for that reason.
If they also decide to make an Ob1, SEM, or the Dmx drum machine I'd get razor burns pulling out my credit card.
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I will say this, If I'm thrown into unknown waters, I'll grab my Nord Stage first before anything else. Though pricey at the onset, all my Nord purchases over the last couple of years have maintained value and paid for themselves. More than any Korg/Kurzweil/Yamaha stuff i've invested in.
The fact that they let you load your own samples (albeit clumsily.....) is what's kept mine from obsolescence and still working. Plus they're reliable.
Nord is kinda strange with updates over last couple of years: been more about memory, displays, and crossfading features, rather than the sound engine. So early generations like the NS2 or Electro 5 are still valid and cost effective. The organ is dated, but very useful if not using a dedicated clonewheel, and I'll still take it over any of the other stuff.
Having spent many programming hours hunched over those small Nord screens, I really wish there was a computer editor.
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All mentioned have demos so it's worth your time to try them all.
Love and constantly use the IK, though it's pricey compared to others. It does go on sale.
I recently demoed VB3 to check out the sound before I bought a Mojo. I liked it very much, not as pretty GUI as IK, but really nice. Well priced, very stable and great sound. It confirmed my decision on the Mojo.
BTW I know OP is Windows, but for any OSX users, there's a great soundset for Mainstage/Logic organ by Christian Cullen. He did a superb job with presets and setups. https://loopcommunity.com/en-us/patch-bundles/vintage-organ-pack-by-christian-cullen-14
I've got no skin in the game - love to support our fellow brethren and it'll be $20.00 well spent to make the logic organ useful.
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NI used to offer an upgrade path to full Kontakt if you had any registered libraries, you have to look under "special offers" in your account and it will tell you.
I think I qualified through Sound iron's Emotional Piano, or some Spitfire stuff. Got it during one of the Black Friday deals. Emo piano is still a great library, but there is something very special about Noire. I upgraded to full Kontakt just for that.
I've never been all that Krazy about the other stuff that's in Komplete.
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Thank you all so much, this was very very helpful. I really appreciate it!!!!
Trying to grab a Mojo Classic, which is nowhere to be found in the US right now. Based on what you guys have said, I have a feeling since it's over that $800 threshold there would be fees. I wish Customs made it easier to determine. .
Was thinking even if said fees were in the 6-8% range, it'd still come out lower than the US prices, or perhaps close. But it sounds like international orders might be safer for utility items.
Marzzz: Glad you got your 2600! I've had a Blue 2600 on early order from Sweetwater since December 20 --it's now expected August LOL. . It's not "gig-critical", so I'll keep my loyalty to Sweetwater and wait. The organ is something I actually need now for some upcoming shows, though I can put together something else to get by.
Thank you all again!
C
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I always vote with my wallet. Be it stores, or restaurants.
I understand retail is never a dream gig, but GC and its brethren act like the internet was never invented. I've got some talented friends that currently work at GC, and aren't dicks or hacks. But having taught for Music and Arts (the parent company of GC and Musician's friend) I know their culture of clueless top-managment all too well.
I agree that guy has probably not given it a second thought as it's probably part of his MO. If it bothers you, contact corporate. Life is indeed too short.
Some stores get it. I mostly shop at Sweetwater, but also ZZounds because they were a local store for me back in the day. Buy local when I can, especially any of the Mom & Pop music stores that are left. Sell used stuff privately, or through forums.
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Looking at purchasing Crumar organ. I'd also consider Andertons UK. Thomman (Germany) CS says they regularly ship to the States, but didn't have a lot of information other than shipping charges and letting me know there would be no VAT.
Price is great Have been on the phone with UPS and US Customs, trying to get an idea of the typical Customs fees or holds, to see if those fees would bring the cost up too much,. UPS said I have to contact Germany office (wife speaks fluently, so will get her to help...)
Wondering how Customs deals with Musical instruments. I bought a Harmonium from India years ago on Ebay, and got held up for months, hoping things are smoother now.
Appreciate sharing your experiences/advice. Thanks so much in advance!
Cheers,
C
ForScore experts - bluetooth & Macs problem
in The Keyboard Corner
Posted
Not sure if this was mentioned, but this is a side feature that may make you want to center on the Forscore interface rather than your keyboard.
Forscore does Midi Program change and can do it by the page, and/or by the section with screen buttons you can program.
All the pages in my typical show/pit band set list will pull up the patch for either a whole song, or if there are multiple changes for sections, I'll do it from the ipad screen with those buttons. Typically using this with a Nord Stage2 and Mainstage. I connect the Nord's midi in to Ipad with a Midi Bluetooth interface, and the Mac Mainstage via it's bluetooth midi as well. (pic enclosed -not visible is the laptop rig).
This obviously takes some programming, but Forscore allows you to store your midi buttons for recall if you tend to re-use them. My eyes are mostly on the charts anyway, so it works better for personally to control things from there.
I use a combination of both bluetooth page turner, or hand swipes to move through pages. Strictly out of habit, I tend to swipe on the ipad, but the foot pedal comes in handy if I remember to use it.
RE wire music stand: there are a ton of Ipad holders on Amazon. that mount on a dedicated mic stand and make for a sturdier . A cheap investment and looks better too....