ProfD

Nice collection of sound sources. Along with the other gear, should keep you busy for a very long time. 😁😎

Most of us here in the USA, are well aware of the polarizing issue that occurred in 1995. Yet, my hope was that this thread would not fall into the realm of politics or religion. No need to relitigate. I still believe my fellow forumites can find a way to keep this thread civil and humorous. The prostate PSA was serious business that we could turn on its walnut.🤣😎

For every generation, music has always been a consumable experience that most people eventually outgrow. Musicians and music enthusiasts last longer. The music industry as a commodity capable of feeding millions of people is less than 100 years old. That machine is slowly dying. Over the past several decades, 1) competing forms of entertainment and 2) technology have led to music that is disposable. AI will produce more of the same. However, there will always be artists and musicians capable of producing music that folks within their generation are willing to consume. As I've mentioned before, I believe that it will come full circle to live performance being the primary venue for the *best* musical experience. In the future, artists and musicians may not play to hundreds or thousands of adoring fans. But, they will be able to perform wherever humans socialize. I've loved the sound of music for as long as I can remember. There's no shortage of recorded music that I can pull up, listen to and dig too. At this point in life, I get far more enjoyment out of whatever music comes out whenever I sit down and play piano and the response from whoever is listening. Music is what it has always been...a display of talent and creativity and a listening experience.😎

I echo the sentiment that my brotha @eric definitely nails it above. The MODX should definitely provide a reasonable facsimile of the synth sounds required for cover tunes. There's probably a preset specific to the song(s) being played.😁 If the MODX does not have the sound(s), should not be too difficult programming it or loading samples of the required sound(s) into the MODX or NE6. Programming the MicroKorg 2 with its combination of button presses according to the menu might be slightly easier to program than a MODX. Also, there is the polyphony limit on the MicroKorg 2. I believe the latest iteration will be 8 notes. Then, going down the dedicated synth rabbit hole, that begs the question why not get [insert synth here]. Throwing a whole monkey wrench in it, the Nord Stage covers the bread and butter sounds and provides synth programming tactility too. Upgrading the KB rig to a Nord Stage 3 or 4 and adding a cheap 49/61-key MIDI controller to the top tier would be game/set/match. Save your money. Maximize the Electro 6 and MODX KB rig. Plenty power under the hood there.😎

My post in this thread was not to suggest that the Arturia Astrolab is a ROMpler. Most cover band music does not require real-time synthesis or sound design. Experimental music is different. IMO, regardless of onboard sounds, features and functionality, most gigging musicians use their KBs as ROMplers i.e. preset sounds. To that end, surely, the Astrolab could be a primary or secondary KB in a gig rig. Considering the bulk of Astrolab soumd design/programming won't be done in real-time, it will essentially function as a preset machine...just like a ROMpler.😎

Correct. Also, running through the airport in Hertz rent-a-car commercials.😎

Father time is undefeated when it comes to putting the squeeze on folks.😁 Absolutely. For men, one day we're up and almost in an instant, we can be down. It's probably not the most fun trip to the doctor's office. I can't type that an Uber ride in a hearse or permanently residing in an urn would be more exciting.🤣😎

IMO, the Astrolab provides a self-contained hardware solution for those who gig using Arturia sounds. At the current price, I do not believe the Astrolab will compete with or replace ROMplers among gigging musicians. Early Astrolab adopters will be beta testers offering suggestions/complaints that could lead to firmware updates. When Arturia lowers the Astrolab price to $999 USD it could sell like hotcakes.😎

Like any working situation or environment, the smarter move is usually not to take a dump where you eat.😎

Oh sh8t...it reads like AI is trying to clone Theo.🤣😎

OJ Simpson has passed away at 76 years old. On the gridiron he was The Juice. RIP.😎

The truth isn't always sexy.😁 Instead of hoping for a rehashed blast from the past, a modern alternative could be more rewarding. Especially if the bulk requirement ultimately comes down to bread and butter sounds.😎

OK. MIDI is out. Learn to live with the pros of the Roland Juno DS or Fantom-06.😎

First and foremost, an individual has to 1) know who they are and 2) build and prioritize their life accordingly. An individual who has a passion for anything should be upfront and honest about themselves especially when it comes to building relationships. Most importantly, that individual has to be willing to accept whatever comes with their decisions. I've had to pass up on a few women because they did not want to play 2nd fiddle to my passion for music and money.😁😎

I don't think so. The aforementioned Roland Juno DS or Fantom-06 is the modern equivalent of a JV/XP/XV. For the past 30 years and counting, Roland has been porting the same sounds to every iteration of their KBs and software. Granted, the key action and build quality and power supply may be inferior. That can be worked around in several ways.😎

By default, these KBs contain sounds and features most gigging musos hardly use to the fullest extent. Especially not on a gig. Very few musos will be diving into any of the 9 engines within the Kronos to *play* a sound in real-time. H8ll, the Nord Stage is more tactile in terms of knobbage but again, not too many musos are playing music that requires real-time sound design/tweaking. It's similar to KB workstations in that regard. KB workstations have a lot more under the hood than most musos use. Unfortunately, there aren't too many KBs that can be bought with sounds, features and functionality a la carte.😁😎

Of course, I'd pitch in if it would encourage brotha Tom to pay pro piano movers. No need to penny pinch now.🤣😎

IMO, the progression is of less concern than those depressing sounds they sometimes choose to use. Those tunes call for an intervention or a hotline number.🤣😎

The curse of the Commanders is that camp arm could end up having to play in real games. Whoever the Commanders choose to draft has to be starter material from day 1 because right now, the QB room is filled with seized engines and flat tires.😎

Nope. Having spent over a half-century on the planet, while I may not believe in Santa Claus and sky fairies, I'm not surprised by the abundance of stupidity sprinkled on humans.🤣😎

Just the other day, I heard a guy on TV say, "anybody who believes the Earth is flat is just stupid". His Louisianian accent made it even more hilarious.🤣😎

Spring hasn't totally sprung here yet. The rain is on schedule but temps are still a bit chilly.😎

Likewise, I'll surely be in my favorite spot sitting at the Rhodes until we either get another version of Y2K (nothing) or a scene from the movie "2012".😁😎

Surely, manufacturers did not consider this when moving to external power supplies for KB instruments. 😁 IEC cables are relatively universal and cheaper to replace. Anyway...music store salespeople could keep those external power supplies and extra IEC cables behind the counter. That would force potential customers to ask for the power supply. Of course, the salespeople would also have to babysit the power supplies too. Another option is to zip-tie or anchor the power supply in such a way that makes it harder to walk away with it. Overall, I've seen jerk customers and a certain lack of interest and laziness in MI retail store employees. Regardless of the pay and work hours and tire-kicking *customers*, don't take the job if uninterested in working it. The music store experience is many places is definitely not what it used to be from the 1980s through 2010s. Beyond online sales, I believe the music store as a hallowed institution has eroded and that's another reason why so many stores will be closing.😎

A beginner wannabe KB player who's too lazy to change guitar strings. Reads like throwing good money into a fireplace.😎