[Nord Stage 3 at a Toronto Auction - this might get interesting]

It “appears” new lol.

[Hiromi Tiny Desk Concert]

I was privileged to see Hiromi and band (same as the Tiny Desk concert) here at the MIM in Phoenix last night.  I was so impressed by her and the group.  Truly wonderful music and musicianship with a healthy dose of fun and energy. 

[In the Lab: Nord Stage 4]

I dig the lighted split points.  Also, you can have them be hard splits (green light) or overlapping splits (red or orange light) that transition over a certain number of keys.

[Some new Yamaha M8x videos]

14 minutes ago, Macsaint777 said:

Here is my playlist where I demo EVERY performance in the Montage M, using the Audition button. Finishing up the rest of the categories, but the main ones are already done. Please delete if not helpful. 

 

Thank you for doing this.  I've watched all of your YC and Nord Stage 3 & 4 videos and they were very helpful in deciding what to get.  The YC didn’t work out for me but the Stage 3 has been great.  Still debating between getting an M8x or Stage 4 88.  Your content seems to be for the very things I’m gassing for.

[Music production desks]

IKEA adjustable desk over Motif XS8 on liquid stand with wheels.

[Dig My Rig--Let's see your setup!]

11 hours ago, DeltaJockey said:

'tis the season for an update! Montage M8x's on the house! ha ha

 

I keep putting off room treatment, GAS takes the priority. When will I learn🤔

 

 

What keyboard stand with wide shelf is the M8x sitting on?  That would work perfectly for me.

[New Piano Sample from Nord - Soft Grand]

18 hours ago, konaboy said:

you kidding? what real piano can you get for the price of a nord electro for example?

You cannot have a Nord thread without someone saying they are a ripoff.  Nobody has said they hate red yet, surprisingly.

[Yamaha Montage 88 M-X GEX keybed, conflicting reports?]

I found the M8x action to be light in comparison to my Motif XS8 which I use mainly as a controller.  Not sure if it’s actually light or my Motif is heavy.

[Hiromi Tiny Desk Concert]

Cool stuff.  Why is she divisive?

[Rumors: Yamaha Montage successor]

5 minutes ago, Fleer said:

Thanks. One more question if I may. Is the M8X surface on the right totally flat? Thinking of putting an iPad or Apogee Duet3 up there. 

Sorry, not sure.

[Rumors: Yamaha Montage successor]

21 minutes ago, Fleer said:

Please tell us more about the action. Lighter? Heavier? Aftertouchy?

Seemed lighter than my Motif and I thought there was too much play in the keys.

[Rumors: Yamaha Montage successor]

Played an M8x today.  Didn’t impress me in the areas I wanted versus my current Motif XS8 and Nord Stage 3.  I think the action on my Motif XS8 is better.  The M8x pianos, organs, and Rhodes are better than my Motif but don’t measure up to the Stage 3.  I didn’t really try many other sounds because they’re not as important to me but I know Yamaha and they’re gonna be killer.  So, I’ll stick with what I’ve got.

[Rumors: Yamaha Montage successor]

I was at Guitar Center last Friday.  They indicated, without saying it outright, that the new Montages were already in stock and they were waiting to put them out today (Monday) or at least this week sometime.

[No Keyboards In Stores!]

19 hours ago, bfields said:

I've been visiting family in suburban MD more often, I need to make it to Chuck Levin's one of these days.

 

Question for people who shop when they travel: are stores generally willing to ship an instrument home for you?  Would you expect an extra charge for that?

I bought a guitar in person at Wildwood (Colorado) while in the area for a training class.  They did a setup and shipped to my house in AZ for no charge.  Many stores that have an online presence will offer free shipping.

[Ear Training Suggestions]

I've been using the EarMaster app and can recommend it. 

[OT: Man has sex with keytar]

That's stage presence for you.

[stage presence, how do you deal with that as a keyboard player?]

I’d much rather listen to a good band or musician than watch them jump around.  If you’re Alice Cooper or Van Halen, yeah, it fits.  I tend to see more Jazz or Blues acts than anything else and they just play.  I saw Eric Johnson a few years back, a bona-fide rock star, and he pretty much just played.  I was there to listen.  It was great.

 

I find the people telling me how I should look on stage are not musicians and need the visual.  I find it silly but I’m weird.

[Playing other instruments: yes or not?]

I’ve gone back and forth between piano and guitar for my entire adult life.  Not for any reason other than I wanted to play both.  And now I’m not great, but proficient, at both.  In my cover band I am a “utility player” as keys and 2nd guitar sometimes playing both on a tune. 

[My Big Red Paperweight]

I can see having a backup to my Nord Stage 3.  However, to recreate all the patches and splits on a backup would be a major PIA.  Playing straight ahead stuff with only piano, organ, or Rhodes/wurlie would not be an issue.

[Nords, they're everywhere. Should they be?]

For cover band duty I went from a backbreaking Motif XS 88 to the Nord Stage 3 Compact.  It has made a world of difference for going to practice and gigs.  I looked at the Montage 88 but just as heavy as the Motif and I wasn’t blown away by the pianos.  Everything is a compromise but the Stage is the Goldilocks for my situation.  Also, at home I can use the Motif as a weighted controller and the pianos can be wonderfully expressive now that Nord fixed the velocity mapping.  Bought well before the price hikes though.

[RIP Tyrone Downie]

On 11/9/2022 at 9:37 AM, Outkaster said:

Part of it is how he recorded parts.  Most people don't know that Waiting In Vein, for example has tons of keyboard parts; Clav, Piano, Organ, Synth.  A lot of Reggae Musicians always tell me they hear new stuff every time they listen to Marley, even now.  It happens a lot because every February we do a tribute show and we are listening to songs that we might have not played before.  It's interesting stuff.  

Are there any good resources that document the players and keyboard instruments in the Wailers?  I honestly never paid much attention until trying to learn a few Marley tunes and then realized how much is going on and how incredible the band is.  There is a complexity in this music I never gave it credit for.  Would love to learn more.

 

PS I have watched some documentaries on Bob but they, of course, are primarily about him, Rastafarianism, and Jamaica.  Not so much about the band and the actual music.

[Sweetwater replacement gear]

On 11/5/2022 at 9:32 AM, lsj said:

to me sweetwater is the best with the best prices and the best warranty

Agree on the warranty/customer service.  Disagree about them having the best prices.

[Most and least favorite concerts?]

Most memorable/best:

Stevie Wonder 2014 Songs in the Key of Life at the MGM Grand.  This album was already etched in my brain and to witness it perfectly recreated literally made me tear up.

 

Forgettable:

Buddy Guy who just wanted to chat, drop f bombs, and play snippets of songs.

Grateful Dead at Rich Stadium.  Literally could not hear them in the stands.  I wish I had another opportunity to see them with Jerry.  Enjoyed the new version with Mayer twice.

 

[First Flight with the new MODX+ over my Fantom-08]

Sounds great!

[Tommy Emmanuel- piano/keyboard equivalent?]

I’ve seen Tommy Emanuel twice.  As a guitarist I appreciate his technical ability.  However I can’t really get into him.  I find it a display of ability but not musical.  Great suggestions made in this thread though. 
 

PS. Check out Earl Klugh for a guitarist that has amazing technique and is also IMHO musical.

 

PPS  I think Tommy Emanuel has a stage presence that people enjoy.