Interesting. You folks have saved me lots of time by doing what I'm striving to get done. I need a super-streamlined setup--one that is up-to-date. I've been (and still am) carrying my trusty debut model Kurzweil K2500 all over everywhere since it came out. Paired with my even older Korg O1/W-fd for gigs requiring left-hand bass (which I have to do a lot) and running through a Bose L1 w/double-subs, I have been satisfied with what sound and capability I have available. I need the K2500 for organ. Yet, I also needed the other sounds--EPs, strings, synth leads, all of itincluding when I use it for bass while using a lead, brass, clav or string on the O1/W. (I switch between which unit will play bass, and which will play the sound I'll have I'll have up front.)
That said, I took some trips overseas and got stuck with some crappy units as my keyboard in those towns. (Sometimes good stuff, too.) I didn't like being a victim of those places, so I set out to find what would work in a portable sense. A couple of years ago, I took a bold step and got a Muse Research Receptor 2 (with Komplete 6, although I was expecting 5), a software synth unit that I could bring to gigs, and have those sounds available. I would pre-program what I needed, and take that to Wherever and run MIDI into whatever keyboard they provided.
Well, the Receptor adds substantially to my runaround rig in terms of more cables, and it is best used with a monitor connected (so..still more cables), and I haven't been going overseas much in the past few years. So the Receptor is being studio gear now. I still needed to solve a major problem: gigs where I just needed a light (not so heavy) piano-like keyboard and an amp.
Almost done. Last year, I tried to solve the light piano problem by checking out--long-distance--the NumaPiano by StudioLogic. Joey D had been pumping the NumaOrgan, and Greg Phillinganes was endorsing the piano. Both had the same light weight23 lbs. I listened to videos, and read some reviews. Then I pulled the trigger a little over a year ago and ordered it without ever having played it!
I've been using the NumaPiano for all that time now. It's interesting. I like it, but I hate it. The quirky white frame is actually kinda hip, although I didn't think so at first. But it takes 10-15 seconds for the thing to kick all its software on and start up! This, in a keyboard that seems to have some weird software issues, and will occasionally cut itself off in the middle of a gig!
Long story short, Im now looking at the Yamaha CP4. Unlike the Numa, which only has 2 pianos, 1 Rhodes, 1 Wurly, one of those DX-historical smooth-jazz bell Rhodes (and a Clav, a string, a voice pad, 2 organs, an acoustic bass and 1 electric bass), the CP4 boasts an arsenal of pianos, a cache of Rhodes sounds, and lots of others. And everyone is talking about how the touch is on the CP4. The touch on my NumaPiano is sometimey; sometimes its fine, but if I double-up on notes Im asking for trouble. The Numa has helped me to concentrate on my execution, but Im at a point where I just want to play what feels right, and not have to worry about any inherent nuttiness from my keyboard.
My idea for a setup right now is the possibility of the CP4. Strangely enough, Im also looking at the Yamaha DXR15, a powered speaker. It weighs under 50 lbs, has a very deep bass, about 1000W, two ¼-in. inputs as well as a mic plug, and that will work for when I may need to play keyboard with keyboard bass in a small, quickie combo setup. The Bose, as great as it sounds, can require too much lifting and moving for a 1-hour gig with a vocalist at a small party or gathering. Im hoping the CP4 has a couple of decent basses in it that I can use. Ive been using the electric bass in the Numa recently (because I have an Eb sticking in the lower register of the O1/W), and, surprisingly, I can tweak a pretty phat bass tone out of that thing!
This is enough for an opener. So will come back and check your summaries about the CP4, and see who in the Detroit area (GC, are you with me?) will order one in-house so I can check it out. But you guys have made me hopeful that this will work out. And, yes, touch is major. A good sounding keyboardNord?can crap you out, mentally, when the touch is not up to par. Ive played whole gigs with the Nord, and the touch on that keyboard does not impress me. Ive sat-in on my friends rigs that included various Nord models, including the Stage 2, various Electro models, and even one of the Nord Pianos. Something about the touch doesn't do it for me. AnywayIll lurk on.
PJHarmonic
