JimboKeys

Two octaves of full size keys makes me immediately think of something like the Novation Bass Station. Capable of more than bass sounds, but its a synth, not a sample player, so you're not going to get realistic pianos etc. Also, it'd be monophonic, i.e. no=t capable of playing chords. But depending what you want this to do this might work for you. Also, as a completely different idea, have you considered an electronic drum multi-pad instead of a keyboard ? These often include bread-and-butter keyboard sounds, not just electronic drums. -- Jimbo

The tribute band I play in has lost three guitar players to health/aging issues since we started in 2016. Being the oldest in the barn (age range 30’s to 70’s) I’m hoping to be lucky enough to be able to handle the schlep and all that for another five years before hanging it up. Though it’s hard to imagine what I’ll do with myself when I’m no longer able to do shows - I need the pressure of upcoming gigs to keep myself interested. — Jimbo

I would read this as the 88 is being discontinued. I was getting ready to possibly order an 88 mk3 — maybe we’ll see a price drop ?

Number 1 priority – Ability to change songs near-instantly (as discussed in another thread). Laptop running Cantabile makes song changes a one-button (or one-footswitch) action to go to the next song on the list. For my one-man band shows, i make my own setlists (though often go off-list for requests or other reason); tribute band has a fixed setlist; and original prog band (still in rehearsal stage) plays what would be album sides, so i need to be able to switch everything during let’s say a one- or two-bar guitar segue. Number 2 priority – Using as many keyboards as necessary to cover all the parts for a song with no patch changing during the song. That’s 3 keyboards for the tribute band and original prog band (two 61-key boards + small synth on top); one-man-band show i can get away with one keyboard, with automated mid-song patch changes sent by Cantabile, sync’d to the backing track. Number 3 priority – Weight and quick setup (for one-man-band shows anyway). Have to balance this with number 2 above. Tribute band have everything mounted on pedal board (mixer, wireless for headset mic, etc). One-man-band i’m still struggling with too many separate pieces (running stereo PA etc.) Number 4 priority – Decent feeling keybed. I’m not a piano player, don’t need weighted action, but want something better feeling than a dime-store keyboard. Low priority – I don’t need the best sounding EP or whatever (though i'm fussy about organ), but it needs to be something i enjoy playing on. -- Jimbo

Projects: One-man band, tribute band, original prog band Motif XF sliders – B-3X drawbars, arpeggiator part levels on one song Motif XF knobs – B-3X output level, arpeggiator part panning on one song Motif XF switches – B-3X percussion and C/V, toggle between 2 VST sounds (Cantabile route enable) Expression pedal, damper pedal Pitch bend and mod wheel when my left hand isn’t occupied with playing bass Footswitch that is variously B3-X rotary speed, lyrics/chord scroll, drum track start/stop, Cantabile sound set change Sometimes foot controller with two buttons for backing track start and next song -- Jimbo

Just a thought (i went through a similar conundrum when putting my rig together many years ago). Have the brains of the rig (sounds, patch changes, etc) on the top (61-key) board, and add an 88 key controller underneath. Then all your controls will be accessible from the top board, so that the bottom board can go directly under (like the lower manual of a B3). -- Jimbo

Age: 72 (but don't look it) Solo rig: Motif XF6 in SKB case Some lightweight 61-key controller X-stand with 2nd tier 2x ZxA1 speakers 50 lb Stand bag with 2x speaker stands, Gibraltar drum stool, other misc stands Whatever pedals Mixer Convertible PC in laptop configuration Alto sax and flute Tribute band rig: Motif XF6 in SKB case Some lightweight 61-key and 37-key controllers DTX Multi-12 electronic drum pad ELX12P monitor speaker Convertible PC in tablet configuration Monster Gibraltar stand to hold it all Pedalboard (includes mixer for keyboards and receiver for headset mic) Flute -- Jimbo

For gigging keyboard players like us, it's not just continuing to play our instruments well, but also being physically able to schlep equipment (the above notes about keeping fit apply). Also being able to drive to gigs - i have some older friends (not musos) whose eyesight and/or reaction time have gotten to where they no longer feel they can drive safely. So we can just treasure the time while we are still able to perform. -- Jimbo

My first concert was seeing Iron Butterfly in 1968 at the Psychedelic Supermarket in Boston. After watching Doug with his Vox Continental on a custom raised stand, i immediately went home, put a couple cinder blocks under my Vox Continental, and got rid of the stool. Since then i've been standing In every band i've played in. My guitarist (who went with me) and i made the other members of our young band learn the entire Inna-Gadda-Da-Vida album. And that album has some great songs (i actually prefer the songs on Side 1 to the 17-minute Side 2), with some wonderful counterpoint playing between Doug and guitarist Erik Brann -- rather forward-looking to some later prog bands. I can still hear bits of Doug's influence in my playing today. Thanks Doug for all you've given me. -- Jimbo

Sometimes i think our current crop of B3 emulations are pretty good ... but then when i hear that B3 on American Idol i'm just about moved to tears by what a real B3 can sound like There ain't nothing like the real thing. -- Jimbo

Fingernail scratches seem not that far-fetched — think of where your index finger goes when playing an A-flat or B-flat triad in root position. — Jimbo

For my one-man-band gigs, i have my EV ZxA1's (carrying keys, tracks, and my vocals) 6 feet apart, 4 to 6 feet behind me -- far enough to each side so that they're not blasting straight into my ears. -- Jimbo

Rehearsing with the originals band I’m using my FA08 keyboard as an audio interface. With the tribute band I have a mixer on the pedal board that functions as an audio interface. Solo gig I either use another mixer, or if I’m running on battery power I’ll use my (USB powered) mic FX processor as my audio interface. Also I have a vocal harmony processor that can act as an audio interface. So all of that, without a stand-alone interface. — Jimbokeys

My go-to resource for 30 some-odd years, still useful: MIDI Technical Fanatic's Brainwashing Center