Adam Burgess

Progress almost started this morning. Cleverly, I put the key springs in a 'safe place' so I wouldn't lose them… not a sign of the little beasts. And the replacement keys - still 'as new' in Yamaha packaging - must've been on a hot shelf for years. One crumpled to bits in my hand! Should have got some spares. And, is $15USD too much for one key? Seems like it. Will send the case to be sprayed tomorrow - that's the exciting bit. And I'll get on with the boring job of soldering about 80 switch contacts… And look for those key springs! New LEDs are on the back of a bike somewhere in the ether somewhere. New knobs will be here in a few days from the US.

Think I'll do this in the same shiny silver/black controls and I think it'll be a nice little pairing with the Triton. Debating which buttons I actually need, and which ones I can use the encoder and slider for.

It's Ramadan in the UAE so not many gigs about. So, doing some general housekeeping with the computers and keyboards. Passing on or throwing some stuff. Decided to 'Pimp my Triton pro'. Was a gift when a friend of mine left the country. It had been on his balcony for 8 years. Luckily in a nice SKB case. Paint is horrible, the LEDs have kinda melted. But, keyboard, audio, and keyboard, and some buttons are fine! Still sounds like a Triton. Used it on a few gigs to make sure that audio-wise it's fine. Bought a 61 immediately in 1999 with SCSI card and a ZIP drive… and, I do miss my Extreme (serial 0000925!), so why not give this one a little help on it's journey? I like the Triton! I have the software version - but the keyboard still feels better than my new Arturia 61. My usual taxi driver knows a guy who can respray it. Really fancy very mirror-like or brushed Aluminium silver. Black buttons and joystick etc. I did think of making it a bit Kronos-like, but the silver is what a Triton is. Today I ordered a few new black keys, some blue LEDs for the buttons, some new tact switches for the actual buttons which are hit and miss. Especially the frequently used COMBI, PROG, and WRITE etc… Other things: USB Floppy emulator as the drive is totally screwed Gonna cut a channel out just behind the keys and do an LED strip behind some acrylic illuminating the keys New aluminium black knobs Some nice, simple wooden cheeks to replace the cracked bits of stuff hanging off the thing at the mo. Original ones are either out of stock or stupid expensive. Just awaiting Amazon and a couple of local couriers to drop things off. Shall return in a week (actually have a nice gig tomorrow!) and post some real life pics to see if the Photoshop can be realised! And then I will get on to the Kronos rack!

Yes - with Yamaha's great line in digital mixers, Dante stuff, and install DSP processors and suchlike, and their improved software controlling these, I would certainly trust them them to make a really good Muse Receptor type thing!

Yup. These are great. Bought a few maybe 7 years back. Got my Kronos and Nord Middle East to the UK and back a good few times. They can certainly stand up to cargo handlers and flying. Thomann's own Thon stuff is also pretty good. Flown with a Yammy CP33 a few times with one.

I'm in the Middle East. Can try any amount of Yammy PSRs, Korg arrangers etc. I bought a Nord Stage 2 88 years ago (grey import) - almost an acceptable price. Also grabbed an original Kronos 61 soon after they arrived when I retired my Extreme. These official Korg guys were amazed when I showed them how to use the USB socket to use an EWI as a controller as the sax player wanted to try one. The same guys actually called me for advice how to get the parts for my own keyboard once. The official Gibraltar distro guys didn't want to take my $1000 USD when I put in my order for a crazy stand. The Roland guys are so lax, it's unbelievable. Asked to demo an RD2000. Never managed to get from their warehouse to the store even after waiting a week or so. You guys are so lucky!! One quick edit… Roland, Korg, and Yamaha I cannot get from Thomann, Sweetwater, etc… I have to rely on the local distro. And it's crap!

This is one of my pet hates! Although, I am liking my laptop setup! As soon as you introduce tiny 'computer' and 'tablet' sized connectors - everything becomes a mess. USB A, B, C, Thunderbolt, Lightning, RJ45, 12V, 9V, 5V adapters… It took a lot of work to make the cables invisible, but they work! Out front all I deal with is a couple of USB A - B cables. One part of me still loves XLRs and IEC power cables. They are a good standard. Computer standards do indeed move too quickly!

Got my Integra, which is so useful, I'll take that as good enough. How long has that thing been out now?! Another instrument which just keeps going and sounds more than fine live. I'm currently restoring a Triton Pro 76 which I got for free a few months back. I did buy a Triton 'Classic' (and an Extreme 61, too) as soon as they were released. Used mostly as a ROMpler, but sampling on board was lovely for the few times I needed it and laptops were crap at the time.

I don’t know if I’ve got anything, but I get bored within minutes if I’m not working! Like you, David, love re-organizing stuff. I’ve lost a few bars and clamps somewhere! Sure they’ll turn up - but it’s great to be modular!

Especially indoors!

It definitely looks great and once the memory locks are set, it’s a 5 min set up. As opposed to one min with a Spider Pro. BUT… It IS heavy! And expensive. Like a lot of things we do, no one else will notice if your reverb is in mono, not many people care! But, I like it - I’m 6’6” and it’s the best height for me - it’s blingy, and musos do talk about it. Hence my attention grabbing here!

Yes, I think so! Thanks for twisting my arm @ABECK!| I did promise a couple of pics of the other bits! On my way out, but here you go, couple of quick ones… First one is nice and compact rig. iConnectivity Audio 2+ and an OWC USB-C Hub. Hub is powered, 2x USB cables to the keyboards and USB C to the Mac. 2 or 4 audio outs on jacks to DIs. 4U Shallow Rack is a rack shelf with a MIDI 4+ in case I ever use my Triton or something of a similar age as a controller, and an identical hub. An XR18 underneath, XLR outs on the front. Captive snake outta the rear with 2x USB for the keys, USB C for the Mac. Powercon in and a loop out should I need any more outlets and MIDI sockets. Yeah - it does need tidying up and that's a job for tomorrow! I also have an old LInksys access point which I will try and mount somewhere. Can power it from the same 9V PSU that powers the MIDI4+. It's a nice beefy 5A one so plenty current. May also cut the rack shelf down by quite a bit, but I had it lying around. Looking to use the XR18 for reverbs and other FX to save a bit computing power, too. So will map a layer of controls to that at some point.

As the title says, now I've got almost a whole month from gigging - so immediately bored, having a bit of a look at re-grouping my stuff, clearing some out, repairing bits, tidying etc. Decided to set up the old Gibraltar stand which has been in a cupboard for 2 years. Yes, it's heavy, but still only takes 5 mins to set up. Still love it though! Seem to have lost a few bits along the way, and there's a downside right away, but, like Lego, just make something else! And the way the second-hand climate is here, no keys player or drummer is gonna take it. So, I thought "Well, my laptop setup is now so quick, the extra couple of minutes for a stand? Who cares?" It's a good looking thing! (bonus points for identifying the other boards sneaking in, and my little lamp on the speaker…)

It's a shallow 4U rack. Behringer XR18 and a rack shelf on top with an OWC USB C hub and an iConnectivity MIDI4+ interface, just incase I have to default to 5pin MIDI This hub, by the way. Works brilliantly charging phone or iPad and the Mac. So good, I bought two! The power brick is as big as the unit. Nice and beefy. https://www.amazon.ae/OWC-10-Port-DisplayPort-OWCTCDK10PMHSG-2016-2018/dp/B07KJSVNLG/ref=asc_df_B07KJSVNLG/?tag=googleshopp09-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=406681219437&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8484345152641935386&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1000013&hvtargid=pla-748236265877&psc=1 I have a 1U patch panel on the rear with a couple of MIDI sockets and PowerCon in and out. USB cables are all loomed and just get wound up and put in the case. Will take some photos when I get home. I did have a horrible gear carry on Wednesday night, wanted to do it in one trip… so was just one mains cable (for the same model USB hub - but a different one!), USB to an iConnectivity Audio 2+, USB to the 88, and USB C for the Mac. Bonus iPad charger on the front of the hub in between sets. 2x short jacks outta the Audio 2+ to the sound guy's DIs. All fits in the case pocket with the 88 - an X-stand in the other hand - don't hate me!

Had my Kronos 61 and Nord Stage2 88 in Gator TSA cases back and forth to the UK and Dubai a few times over the years on Emirates when I was doing a 5 day a week residency. I always told the airline I was coming and not a problem. Just check it in - and tell them "Mr. Nibbles" sent you. It helped that a cargo finance manager used to like our band, so he always got me good rates. Maybe $300 return! Only once it didn't end up on the same plane, so had to go back to the airport cargo bay the next day. But, very well looked after. I believe Dnata is the operating company at both Newcastle UK and Dubai - treat the gear very well. As a side note - he used to buy us a bottle of very expensive brandy maybe once a week. Was very well appreciated.

The GarageBand organ isn't bad at all - same for the built-in EP. Korg do a free (or very cheap) version of their Module software for piano and other stuff IIRC. I did try a few duo gigs with just an iPad (with camera connection kit) and, it didn't glitch at all. I did feel the dynamic range wasn't there, initially! But that's cause I probs hit everything too hard anyway!

As a full time recent laptop convert (tried at least 3 times in the past!)… My rig is one power cable to a rack, captive USBs outta there into one or two Arturia Keylab mkIIs, captive USB C to MacBook, pedals. Done. As many XLR outs (well, up to 8!) as the sound guy needs. Very very happy with the sounds, the Arturia sounds are cool, use a lot of the Roland ZEN stuff for the covers stuff. And, also IK MAX something that I thought might be a good idea - but haven't ventured into SampleTank much apart from an Alan Parsons piano which I do like a lot. Not sure why - but it's really playable. Also some UVI stuff that was free with my Korg i3!

First gig 'back' after the old virus - I was so so tired - and very apprehensive (possibly scared?!). Had a week to prepare and wasn't really on it at all. In fact, I was s***. It was 'good enough' in the end but being out again after a proper Dubai lockdown straight into an arena was nerve-wracking. Not at my best at all. Was a real lockdown - like having to SMS the Police to be allowed to go to a shop for bread. Didn't see anyone for a year. December kicked off for me and did around 40 gigs! Steady since then. Had a few nice corporate ones come thru in 2022 so far, including a very nice week in Oman for an American company. It's great to see. They flew maybe 3000 guys and girls in, all five-star and free everything. Band was paid well, and so great to see people dancing being part of something again 🙂 Most gigs are in nice hotels here, so lucky enough the staff are usually ok to move it (not when you tell them a Kronos in a hard case is heavy and they don't believe you and drop it 😞 ) and I have a couple of regular taxi drivers who will always help get my stuff to and from home. Got some soft cases for lightness and size (moved town and the taxis here are too small for an 88 in a hard case!) - but not sure if they're doing my back any good? Seem to spend twice as long manoeuvring stuff! Now Ramadan's arriving here in the UAE, and a couple of the Emirates have allowed live music in public for the first time properly - ever. Maybe I'll pick a few solo piano gigs up. No band stuff allowed as far as I can see. So, have a month to play with MainStage a bit more, and must fix some stuff - Numa Organ was ruined thru humidity - tracks being eaten away (with salt??) on the circuit boards and pots need replacing - I WILL finish my Kronos Rack, also - and make a pedal board for the new Arturias - and record my musical. I obviously won't do any of this. As usual - ups and downs! Nature of the beast! Sorry for the essay, and thanks if you made it this far reading my ramblings!

Had a Kronos give a temp warning on a beach gig a few years back! Last day of the summer season in the UAE before it gets REALLY hot! Had to muddle along with an old SY77 (or 85??) I just brought as a controller! I also ended up with sunstroke that day - did an evening gig afterwards and was really nauseous - had to cancel the next day's gigs! Look after yourself before the gear 😉

A Gator GKB 49's internals are 927 x 349 x 114 mm An Arturia Keylab mkII 61's dimensions are 875 x 297 x 71 Total weight under 10kgs. Apologies for being all metric 😉

I was going to write the exact same thing! Love mine. Always a sound 'good enough' if ya need to find one in a hurry.

Logistics and redundancy, really. Just leave the mini in the rack and I still have my laptop to do 'normal' stuff. They're the same machine, basically! I don't want to look at the computer, but I would have an iPad there for set lists and any performance notes, anyway. But, I've had a good run of nice gigs recently. May grab another bottom of the range MacBook Air just for gigs. I'm just worried I'll be useless and leave my only sound source at a hotel somewhere - and I'm addicted to saving stuff everytime I adjust something.

I've had a few hairy moments when the backline has been incorrect, and I'm thinking in the future, I'll take my Arturia 61 (in a soft Gator 49 bag) and carry it on - it's smaller and lighter than a bass guitar and the bassist has never been stopped). Actually had a local gig last week - and the hotel is a nightmare about bringing stuff in, so we backlined everything. Nice Nord Stage3 on the bottom - but it seemed like all the Acoustic Piano samples had an octave missing in the middle! No splits or anything - checked and checked again. EPs and synth sounds were fine! They had a replacement Stage 2 there about 5 mins to doors so just had to hope 1) it worked, and 2) they'd plugged the pedals back in correctly! All ended well.

I loved my Roland XP50. Used that thing till it literally fell to pieces. My Nord Stage 2 88 and Kronos 61 combo was also a favourite! More recently, so cheap it paid for itself within minutes, was useful (essential?) to get thru a few unexpected drummer-less gigs, sounds great, plays fine, weighs nothing: The magnificent Korg i3 (2020 version)! Hate having to use a 9V adapter and the fact you can't rename patches, but apart from that. I love the little thing.

I got an Roland XV5050 rack once to replace an ageing XP50 because I couldn't afford an XV5080. Was the hardest to program, throttled, sloppiest timing thing ever. Lasted maybe a week with it till I lost a load of money on it. Could never get the Editor to work, either, if I remember rightly! I was always Roland in those days until the Triton came out - then went down the Triton - Extreme - Kronos route. But I did get a D110 rack at some point and thought it might be fun. It wasn't. Totally uninspiring and nothing like the D50 which I'd hoped. Although, I did have a loan of a D5 for a while and quite liked it?! Then they got it a lot better with the Integra. That's come in handy loads of times! Don't think I'll ever sell that.