obxa
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Posts posted by obxa
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Love this!
Though it was primitive & more weight, really miss the days of just plugging a midi cable into rack module(s) and calling it a day.
Been thinking the opposite of extending my NS, and actually downgrading to an Electro for the more compact size. This could fill the loss of that second stage engine. Got a neglected 3080 with the Orch cards that could replace my " laptop- as- module" rig. Go figure.
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Two notes. We called this last night. Even it's just the intro, never fails to make me think of two quirky guys inspired by Naked Lunch and 50/60's jazz.
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56 minutes ago, Fleer said:
I’d like to see a detailed CP70/80 as well.
Pianoteq has a nice one too. It's buried in the free pack. https://www.modartt.com/cp-80
As to tines duo : based on audio demos - nonplussed. I get they wanted to find a different niche, but I'll stick with Famous E or Scarbee Classic 88s.
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Totally missed the part about assisted living places. Do weekly "mocktail" hours at few place here in Atl. Use older Bose L1 compact. I was struggling with its sound with Numa X piano, but back to liking it again.with the Yamaha YC. The new ones are better, but wouldn't bring it for a full out band gig unless it's low impact jazz-acoustic. I sometimes don't even set up the extension.
As OP probably knows, some of these places often have nicer grands than hotels or country clubs. For those often just lay a mic on a piece of foam near the middle of the harp into the Bose and call it a day. Even with my clarinet guy, it's plenty loud.
Super easy load and setup for these kind of gigs. Especially for challenging dining room or atrium setups, or the fact the heat is always on 120 degrees
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Personal gig learning technique that applies to anything you need to learn. Apologies, I'm sure others are already hip to this.
When you've got a full plate of songs to learn, don't initially learn them in the set/show order. Instead, rapidly fast forward through the entire set/show for any songs that have naked, exposed, up front piano/keys intros, breaks, or outros. Work on those first before you learn and run rest of show in order..
Don't know why I hadn't started doing this years ago. I've always learned them in order, spending more time as needed. But sometimes you don't have enough time.. Did a ton of multiple artist and pit stuff this past year sometimes having to learn as much as 15- 20 songs in a week. This saved me to make sure I hit the stuff most scrutinized.
If they aren't provided, I also transcribe and make proper Finale charts for everything. Takes a while, but helps me learn material better, and I've got them for future use.
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I think we can all agree: There are great keyboards out there, but stands and keyboard amps just never quite hit the mark.
BTW- One caveat on the Altos, don't get too exited about the eq. Works fine but it's not variable, just custom curves ( I think... haven't booted it up in a while...) I tend to rely more on whatever keyboard I'm using on board EQ.
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Another Alt(oid?) user here.
Normally use IEMs, but needed a powered speaker for rehearsals and low impact gigs. Got Alto TS408 based on recommendations here. Sounds great, easy to carry and has come in very handy.
Planning on getting another. Because I was in a time crunch got it next day on Amazon, which also has dust covers. But just about every other online place carries it.
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Unexpectedly great and well done. Had the same reaction. Highly recommended, and I'm usually jaded to stuff that feels like self-back patting.
Really felt Dylan's discomfort and brief moment of "how do I even compete with these vocalists?" Watching Quincy (and Stevie) coach him, and the encouragement of "just do you" was really amazing, especially the end result. I won't spoil it, but the Paul Simon joke was also hilarious!.
Often wondered why Geldoff wasn't knighted, but he was given an honorary KBE. Didn't know you had to be born in the UK.
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2 minutes ago, BluMunk said:
it's like playing with someone who is ignoring 1/3 of the things that lead to organic and unified tone across the section.
I think brass players don't care as much because they don't listen to anyone else anyway :p.Absolutely! I fully own it was my fault, that's exactly where I was when I first started. Adapting to their world and learning more about how they do what they do was the key. Too funny and true about brass players, they were and still are the ones you'd have a beer with after the show.
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2 hours ago, ProfD said:
There are lanes and levels to this sh8t.😁
Brilliant. That should be posted on the exit door of every music school.
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What doesn't kill you will make you stronger. But yes, take what your comfort allows, and what you would enjoy. As some suggested, doing second or aux keys is a great way to get a taste for this kind of stuff to see if it may add to your bag of tools, and income stream. I follow the "baptism by atomic fire method". I do main keys/MD, but doing 2nd or aux keys is a lot less stressful, and can be fun.
Because I was just an ok reader, my salvation on pit stuff was having access to audio tracks to learn the parts. I started doing aux keys playing string reductions or breakout parts in string sections. Was educational, but also weird.. String players hate keyboard players, and often aren't very friendly or helpful.. It did make me a much better reader, and learned a ton about phrasing and articulations. Also taught me to really do my homework.
You find a way. I still cheat. I put chord symbols over most measures in the score in case I get lost. My brain processes better seeing them, and helps learn (and play) the show better too. I've done some pit and oldies shows that were white knuckle terror things and vowed to not do them anymore. Plus the money (at least down here) for non-union gigs is often not worth it for the amount of rehearsals and performances. But doing them has made me a better player.
But yes, know your limits and pick your spots... just don't be afraid to stretch a little. A guy just came on the traditional service staff at my church. He's retired, but was MD/Pianist in NY for Sweeney, Cats, Lion King plus the touring companies. I hear him play, arrange, conduct, and see how he reads- and realized I won't ever be at that level. But love listening, talking and learning from him on how I can apply it to the stuff I do.
Also have bass player & drummer friends that play with Cirque. They went through a two year audition process. It was really cool to see what the criteria is at that level. I know couldn't do it, but I'm ok with that.
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Thanks again everyone. Going to try to schedule soon.
13 hours ago, elif said:I suppose I am starting to ignore it, kind of like tinnitus.
I also have vitreous detachment, first just one eye for the last year, as of last week now both.
Causes full-time floaters and spider webs. Not sure Cataract surgery will help that too. It's now more annoying than anything else as I swat at imaginary gnats. There have been some Japanese studies that Bromelain can minimize it. It's basically pineapple. You might want to give it shot, as it has other benefits too. I take it 4 weeks on and 2 weeks off- and it does seem to help. The word from my Doc is that gravity will eventually help settle them too.
Also started taking something called Preservision areds 2- which helps in the prevention of macular degeneration, and overall eye health. This (or the cheaper Lutien) has helped a little bit with night driving. But I know now that's more Cataract related.
On 1/28/2024 at 4:19 PM, cassdad said:I had “light adjustable” lens installed (they can adjust the vision prescription AFTER the lens is installed in your eyes)
Turns out one of the brochures eye doc gave me was for the light adjustable lens Cassdad mentioned.. The strength apparently can be changed (by UV light) but not sure if this is the same as a muli-focus? I'd rather have a fixed strength, but with option to change or tweak.
As mentioned, I'm one who hates progressives- tried hard to use them for several weeks. Could never make it work. Be it walking, or driving. When doing my church organ gig - trying to read a chart, work drawbars, and look at both manuals it was a failure.
4 hours ago, Old No7 said:"Getting old" is better than NOT getting old!
So sorry to hear about your brother in law. I've recently also heard: "everyone gets to be young, but not everyone gets to be old" and try to keep that in perspective.
Been cathartic hearing from you all. Thanks again!
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I love anything Sean does. He doesn't do sales, doesn't need to. His prices are a bargain. He also updates fairly regularly.
I too bought Blackhole before Shimmer was released. I've been pretty happy with it, though I prefer Vahalla's UI. Another similar candidate is Cherry Audio's cheap Galactic $19. Native instruments very cool Raum isn't a shimmer verb per se but is delicious on synths and piano.
As Tusker alluded to, I consider some reverbs more "Character reverbs" or special purpose. and others more utilitarian.. But there is lots of crossover. Raum and Vahalla Vintage/Room Verb can do some light shimmer type action. Because things like Shimmer/BlackHole add harmonics, octaves, vibrato, modulation etc. I've found it best to limit how many things are going through it. But all depends on the type of music. When you need it, you need it. Always got Blackhole on my piano send for anything electro ambient. But can do wonders on synth or string patch for more upbeat stuff.
One trick (Dave Pensado) I learned a while back that drastically changed my whole FX thing: is to use filtering/cutting on your Reverb returns. Rolling off the low end with a HP filter, and taking a little off the top really helps Reverb (and delay) sit better in the mix, or live.
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3 hours ago, MathOfInsects said:
the one that became Jump was made with the general awareness of KOML.
I think that sums it up perfectly. Especially hearing more of the actual backstory. I'm also stealing "what feels like a long time ago by virtue of not being today"
So this was fun and managed to not derail into flames.
Never heard of Far-Out magazine before, was sent in a daily newsfeed. I guess it does smell a bit like " lazy Google journalism". Gave up most music mags long long time ago. Except for trades like our beloved Keyboard & EM when they were alive. Still enjoy SOS. But things like Rolling Stone's "top guitar player" and "200 greatest singer" lists, not too mention the whole R&R hall of fame... are best viewed with a metric ton of salt. Kinda like most You-tube "Influencers."
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18 minutes ago, o0Ampy0o said:
I thought the in between time assured you would not be blind if something went wrong.
That was my initial take as well. I know it's a different kind of surgery, but was thinking of a friend that had complications with Lasik. She never went back for the other eye.
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Awesome thank you all so much!!! All of this is so encouraging to hear.
Glad to hear the whole thing isn't as terrifying as it sounded.
Doc mentioned about those lenses that aren't covered. Still digesting all the pamphlets.
He told me I currently couldn't pass a driving test, and the new prescription will only go so long. I use 2.50 generics for gigs. Could never get used to the progressives prescribed last time. Plus got all the usual issues: sensitive to night driving, floaters, morning fog- and my distance is getting worse.
Sounds like I'll need to plan on taking off a little bit.
Really appreciate it guys, -thank you all again.
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Sucks getting old. Eye doc says going to need Cataract surgery soon, new glasses as temporary fix.
Has anyone had the surgery? Were you still able to read charts/sheet music during the healing process, and/or did it affect eye-hand coordination at the keyboard?
Couldn't quite explain concerns about spatial relationship of playing and reading (music ...or drawbars etc.) acuity to the doctor. He just said there's recovery time with blurriness. They suggest taking time off. Easier said than done. Plus they do one eye at a time- which I've read will skew things between the two while in the process. Wondering what realistic recovery is when it comes to what we do.
There's also the issue of what type of corrective lens they implant. Again, thinking in terms of mainly reading music & playing - my archery days are long over anyway.
Anything you wish you had done differently, or strongly suggest? Thanks so much in advance for any insight/experience you can share!!
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2 hours ago, ElmerJFudd said:
If they say so.
I agree, it's not literal but I see it. I think that basic shape of the I/V- V pattern in the chorus that he got inspired by with the different rhythm either intentionally, or perhaps not being a keyboard player being as comfortable with that rhythm. But yes of course once H&O go to the Eb and rest of the song not so much.
Much of art is inspired by other art. Not that I'm calling Jump art
If he hadn't said it himself, I probably wouldn't of made the connection, but that's the fun and interesting part. To see where the seed of inspiration comes from- at least to me.
To this day still think a blatant progression rip is the main section of "Just what I needed" by the Cars- which is pretty darn close to "I want to hold your hand" by the Fab4.
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Not sure if this has been posted before... (Their headline not mine)
Arguably the Freebird-Stairway to Heaven of Keyboard riffs....but sill pretty cool article.
Especially after hearing the H & O song side by side.
https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/van-halen-ripped-off-hall-and-oates/
Since the duo had become one of the biggest acts in pop music then, Eddie admitted to taking the crux of the riff from ‘Kiss On My List’. It’s easy to see the similarities once you listen to both of them back to back since both songs are in the same key and have the same syncopated rhythms going back and forth between both hands.
Despite the similarities, Darryl Hall had no ill will towards the Van Halen camp, recalling later, “It’s something we all do. Eddie Van Halen told me that he copied the synth part from ‘Kiss on My List’ and used it in ‘Jump’. I don’t have a problem with that at all.” Although there could have been some legal trouble, the influence from the soul duo gave the world a soft rock romp and a hair metal banger out of the same lick.
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29 minutes ago, stoken6 said:
The 29in is 2560x1080 - couple that with 32in QHD and the two screen areas line up perfectly.
Was kind of a happy accident. When they first came out, I bought the 29" first to use as main monitor. But 2560 rez was too small for aging eyes at the distance I needed. At its native resolution it works fine for the mixer and plugins. When needing to view long text or scores, I use this little program to quickly change to larger and/ or custom resolution. https://manytricks.com/resolutionator/. highly recommended if you do different kinds of tasks.
Not sure why, but in picture I posted, monitors don't look physically lined up, but they do. Having "mixer screen" on bottom feels normal because used to have my hardware Mackie controllers (...and analog mixer before that...) always set up in similar way.
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I see several folks who park their laptop under main screen as an auxiliary monitor. I personally have to have two screens to drag plugins or mixer. When doing VO I put my copy on there. After years of dual side by side, I switched to a vertical setup. LG ultra wide 29 " on bottom and 32" on top. Took a little bit, but really like it now, and much easier to focus. I'm considering a touch screen on bottom for the mixer and plug-ins. Don't think I could do more than 40" I do sessions at a few places that have 60" monitors, and it gives me a headache, though makes sense at distance.
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Audio demo
https://cdn.shopify.com/videos/c/o/v/d5a6512951b148b5b946dd3e95b598f0.mp4
Funny how age changes everything. Would of lusted for this years ago, not so much today.
I do continue to kick myself yearly for not buying a Roland System 100 from a friend who was trying to raise funds to buy his DX7. ... $375. 😢
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On 7/11/2023 at 9:48 PM, The Real MC said:
Don't use towels or any cloth based cover. The dust will permeate through the fibers and still land on your gear. Ask me how I know.
I'll bite- why? Usually buy felt or have occasionally used towels.
Not to start a debate....As owner of both cats and dogs- Pet related damages: Felines have done more. Gak-ing hairballs, Peeing in my Nord case, using speakers as scratch posts, knocking over stuff. Much worse than the occasional puppy chewing on sustain pedals.
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Got a small investment in these. RH cables are the only kind I use for both audio and Ipad charging cables on the instrument side.. If they don't come that way I'll buy adaptors. Too many cramped stages with people bumping into my stuff makes straight cables on the business side scary. OT: I'm pretty sloppy, but cringe when I see someone using an ipad on stage with a big bright white cable (w straight plug) sticking out of it. Those are fragile enough, and luckily come in black, and R angle too.
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Roland XV-3080 in the house! My rack synth cravings satisfied.
in The Keyboard Corner
Posted
Slightly off topic- I didn't know the 3080 had JD990 waveforms. Never done any heavy editing on it.
Still regularly use a 990 (with the vintage card) in the studio. It's a beast- and partly because of the early DACs, has a more grainy (but lovely) vibe. Have always considered it more a specialty box for non-realistic synth sounds than the 1080 stuff on up. I consider those more bread and butter gig boxes. Gigged forever with a 1080 in my rack, then briefly the 3080, then downsized to a little JV1010.
I'm wondering if we're all coming full circle with rack gear again? Got the 990 and 3080 when folks were selling them at fire-sale prices. The display on my 990 is fading and getting ready to replace (see below). That's one synth I'd love to see in virtual.
If anyone is in need of fixing their display for Roland, or any other older 00-90's gear: this guy has pop-in replacements for just about everything.
https://reverb.com/shop/matts-boutique-370