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stoken6

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Posts posted by stoken6

    Studio - Live Rig Pedalboard Build

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    26 minutes ago, adamcz said:

    Would something like that work with a stereo pedalboard?

    Thank you for reminding me. I checked: yes the SM10 has a (single, mono-send/stereo-return) FX loop, which means you can adjust the wet/dry mix. I'm not sure if the "Line ins" are wired L/R to act as a return - if not, simply return via a spare conventional channel.

     

    Cheers, Mike.

    Where to put egg shakers

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    4 hours ago, J.F.N. said:

    Hence the Amazon plastic eggholder I sent ya, cut the "lid" off, attach the remaining "bottom" egg holder to whatever type of clamp that works on to your stand. No idea what stand you use but I am sure you have a clue about how you could attach something to it, like this one:

    You're right there's no problem attaching the clamp to the stand. I'm not clear how to attach your amazon link to the clamp. It looks like it's made of ABS - if I try and drill it I'm concerned it will crack/shatter.

     

    Cheers, Mike.

    • Like 1

    Studio - Live Rig Pedalboard Build

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    16 hours ago, adamcz said:

    moar keyboards

    Hough menny moar?

     

    Is this for live use? I mean three boards is a sizeable rig, and I can't imagine bringing more than four, even to a "once-in-a-lifetime" gig. 

     

    If studio/home use, then Key Largo is not the most efficient tool - its pedalboard form factor doesn't bring benefits. Look for a line mixer like the Samson SM10 (or Rane, Ashly for premium alternatives if you can find them) alternatively compact mic/line mixers like the Yamaha that @ImproKeys suggested.

     

    Cheers, Mike.

     

     

    • Like 1

    Where to put egg shakers

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Thanks for all the sensible and silly suggestions. I should stress that I'm looking for something that can clamp to a tube on my keyboard stand (not to sit in my refrigerator, or on my kitchen countertop). The cupholder was the first thing I thought of, but most that I've seen are a little small to hold a pair of 2.5inx1.5in eggs.

     

    Cheers, Mike.

    Lightweight semi-weighteds: CK61, CT-S500, Liano

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    1 hour ago, The Piano Man said:

    XE20

    This board doesn't have 5-pin MIDI, but does have a "TO DEVICE port for connecting, USB flash memory and controllers". 

     

    Has anyone tried connecting a class-compliant USB-MIDI device to this port? A controller, or better still a sound source? This could make the XE20 a useful lower board under a top with USB MIDI Device capability.

     

    Cheers, Mike.

    Where to put egg shakers

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    I bring a pair of egg shakers to gigs in case one or both of my hands are doing nothing in certain songs. I'm looking for a holder that can keep them close by, that can clamp to my keyboard stand. Has anyone solved this problem? There are plenty of "tray"-type solutions, but they won't stop eggs from rolling away.

     

    Cheers, Mike.

    gigging with a heavy keyboard- your thoughts?

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    1 hour ago, D. Gauss said:

     

    Ha!  I play gigs with a bar band where the drummer has his own damn roadie.  The roadie loads and sets up/tears down the PA and drum kit. Wouldn't be funny except these are shitty, low pay, small dive bar gigs.  I doubt the drummer makes a penny on the gigs. Probably goes home owing money, though his back is intact.  ;) 

    I'm part of a 11-piece soul revue-type band that is very much The Music, The Hang and not The Money. (Imagine a bunch of mates getting together for a drink and a jam, except it breaks even). We always wet-hire PA+engineer - it's most of our profit margin, but it's worth the reduction in effort and stress levels. (We max out a 16-channel desk, 4 monitor sends, lots of opportunities for feedback). Our bass player is late-sixties and has (finally) downsized from 1x15+4x10 cabs to a little 2x8in and a pocket-sized amp. I've know him 30+ years and never seen him so happy.

     

    Cheers, Mike.

     

    • Like 3

    gigging with a heavy keyboard- your thoughts?

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    8 hours ago, Delaware Dave said:

     

    And 15 minutes after I write this i get an email from the booking agent of the Casino, upped the price considererably.  They REALLY want us to play there; apparently we drew the biggest crowd there.  Still not interested in playing there we're pretty much fully booked, but now others are rethinking.  Christ.....

    Does the new price allow you to hire road crew? Pay someone to put their back out for you...

     

    Cheers, Mike.

    i-VI

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    6 hours ago, MathOfInsects said:

    bVI.

     

    6 hours ago, CyberGene said:

    I meant bVI as MOI pointed out.

    Now it makes sense. I must admit I haven't heard much i-VI (e.g. Cmin-Amaj).

     

    I will also mention close cousin I-VI: The "Goldfinger" Cadence.

     

    Cheers, Mike.

    Arturia: A new chapter awaits…

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    On 4/5/2024 at 8:44 PM, Ed A. said:

    they’ve been acquired (boo!!)

    That's where I'd put my money. "A new chapter" tends to translate into some drivel corporate-speak about "exciting" "innovative" "channels" "building on our heritage and legacy" "bright future" "mission and values", and the folks who actually come up with the clever ideas being laid off. 

     

    Cheers, Mike.

    • Like 2

    gigging with a heavy keyboard- your thoughts?

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    On 4/6/2024 at 3:31 AM, Reezekeys said:

    I left out the part in my CP70-carrying story where I went back to my car and spent 40 to 60 minutes searching for street parking for my car at – least ten blocks away, where it was legal. Ah, the joys of living in Manhattan, New York City!

    And I felt aggrieved that I had to park half a block away (must have been about 80 yards) from the pub for last night's gig. 

     

    Interestingly enough - and bringing us back to the topic of this thread - I left my 36lb board at home for this gig because I knew parking wasn't ideal, and brought my 12lb "inconvenient gig" board instead. And of course I was a little unsatisfied by my playing. 

     

    Cheers, Mike.

    gigging with a heavy keyboard- your thoughts?

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    5 hours ago, Reezekeys said:

    real "elevator operator" – a human whose full-time gig was sitting in this freight elevator all day carrying passengers and stuff up and down. At 5PM he shut it down, locked it and went home

    I love the idea that there's no demand for the elevator after 5pm.

     

    Cheers, Mike.

    gigging with a heavy keyboard- your thoughts?

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    If the choice was between 28lb and 38lb, and the heavier keyboard had something that really inspired you to dig deep and raise your performance, then I'd vote heavy. (My 36lb keyboard inspires me in this way).

     

    52lb is going to get old very quickly. I gigged an Ensoniq KS32 (49lb) and then a Viscount Oberheim MC1000 (44lb) in my youth, and I wouldn't go back there.

     

    Cheers, Mike.

    • Like 1

    Keyboard recommendations for someone who wants to play heavy metal.

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    15 hours ago, El Cid said:

    I’m an absolute beginner

    I can't support those who are recommending dropping a four-figure sum on a keyboard for a beginner. (EDIT: I see @Franz Schiller has made the same point).

     

    If you have a Mac, buy MainStage and a second-hand 61-key controller.  If not, look for something with pitch/mod controllers, virtual-analog(ue) and a mono/portamento mode - that will get you in the ballpark for some of those sounds you referenced in your videos. I'm not an expert in this sector, so I'll let others chime in with their recommendations. 

     

    14 hours ago, CEB said:

    Lessons

    Oh, and this. Tuition will make a much bigger difference than what equipment you play.

     

    Cheers, Mike.

    • Like 2

    Hammond XK-5 Top Board Only + Controller For Lower Manual Versus SK-Pro 2 Manual Versus IK MM APP & Controllers For Gigging

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    You mention "gigging" - there's a reasonable hassle factor in wiring up two controllers to a Mac (variable, depending on whether you use  a MIDI and/or audio interface), compared to just powering up a SK2 or similar. 

     

    You like multi-contacts - so you might be someone who appreciates the high trigger of "real clonewheel" action (vs MIDI controllers). 

     

    Would a two-manual Crumar Mojo (Classic or Suitcase) be of interest? Round about £1400 here, so estimating $1500? 40lb though. Crumar 61 + its lower manual is another consideration for more $$ but easier shlep.

     

    Cheers, Mike.

    • Like 1
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