Red Ranger

I couldn't resist AudioKit's Nerd Synth for iOS. For $5, it's a no-brainer!

AUM and B3-X. Those two are used on every gig right now, but I'll be incorporating a few more instrument apps as I set up a 1-board rig. Getting ready for a few tough load-ins on the schedule this summer.

When I bought it that day, I didn't receive an email but I just went into my user account and it showed up in my products. The email finally arrived today but I didn't need it.

We did one and it went well, but I’d much prefer to stay home. I don’t like driving on NYE with all the idiots out on the road. Wasn’t too bad tonight though, thankfully.

I managed to resist all the Black Friday and holiday sales... up until now. They got me on this one! I already have the ipad version for live use, but this will make recording at home so much easier. What a price.

Note that while the current X-Air ipad app (finally!) works, there's a bug when connecting multiple devices which can result in "frozen faders" (i.e., the UI doesn't update when you try to move a fader, even though it really is adjusting the level). I've run into this a couple of times, but it's also worked for me occasionally. I'm planning to switch to Mixing Station as soon as there's enough time between gigs to get comfortable with it. Behringer is aware of the problem, at least according to someone on the facebook forum for the XR mixers.

One other thing to check on the MO8 is whether you have USB or 5-pin midi enabled. (I know you don't want the MO8 as your controller but maybe it would help to get *something* working, just for diagnostic purposes.) It's a setting in Utility/MIDI/Other.

Hey Bruce, I'm in Central MA as well (I actually stopped by your house one time to buy some cables, and I think of you each time I pass by on the way to visit my sister who lives farther west). I'm older (not retirement age just yet, but certainly no spring chicken). It's definitely tougher to get gigs now as there are fewer venues and everyone wants to play after two years of sitting at home, so there's a lot more competition. My band's been doing well with weddings, private parties (a lot of yacht clubs, actually) and some corporate stuff; the few select clubs we play are mainly to be seen/heard by potential private party clients. I almost always have to drive the farthest of any band member, as our gigs are rarely in this area (from Foxwoods to Hampton Beach, etc.). I also carry the most gear (the PA plus my 2 keyboards & guitar), so I'm adamant about not wasting my time & energy on bar gigs. The places around here just can't pay enough to be worth it.

If you did go with a subscription model, maybe one way to bring in new users would be to include a trial subscription with the purchase of a new piece of gear at one of the supportive companies. (I don't know if Casio/Sweetwater/Kraft would go for something like that, but at least it wouldn't cost them anything & would provide a benefit to their customers). Just a thought.

I haven't busked on keyboards (my primary instrument) but I have done the solo singer/songwriter thing on acoustic guitar for a very long time. Are you doing it to make money, or just to have people hear you play? If you're trying to make a few bucks, first thing to do is get a big see-through tip jar and "seed" it with a few bills (a couple fives, a ten, and a twenty on top). Also put a Venmo QR code on the jar so people can tip without cash. You don't need to mention it or be obnoxious about it; just make it visible & available in case someone wants to show their appreciation. You don't HAVE to take requests but you'll make a lot more money (& friends) if you do. The key is to make a connection with the people passing by (or better yet, who stop to listen). Make eye contact as much as you can (without being creepy lol), and smile. Show them you're having fun playing music and it's contagious. When they request a song, they're attempting to make a connection with YOU- so anything you can do to reciprocate that will help you have success. Good luck!

Gotta go with another British show- Death in Paradise. The theme is "You're Wondering Now"- originally by Andy & Joey, later covered by the Skatalites, the Specials, and Amy Winehouse. Puts me in a good mood every time! (The show is silly/mediocre but the theme is perfect)

I've had good luck with a ProLine PL1250. It's comfortable and sturdy, easy to fold down, but it does use the same type of locking pins as your current bench (though I think the pins might be longer in the proline). Once the pins are engaged, they tighten down with wingnuts, so I've never had a problem with them disengaging, fwiw. Proline PL1250

Would you be gigging with it, or are you looking for home studio use only? Some of them require more fiddling than others to fold down but that probably isn't a factor if it's staying put.

I spent time this winter watching a really helpful/informative video series on Alchemy. There's so much stuff it can do that I had no idea about. It was like buying a powerful new synth! Music Tech Help Guy Alchemy Series

Totally agree on the FA-06 action but just a heads up to the OP in case the FA series ticks enough boxes: the FA-07 has a different action that feels better than the -06 (to me, anyway- obviously it's all subjective)... A root canal probably feels better than the FA-06.