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roygBiv

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    Dumbest Thing Ever - Gig/Music Related 

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    While in Grad school,  I played guitar in several local bands, only some of which were popular.

    One time, some friends (actual musicians) scored a huge frat party gig out at Lake Mcconaughy, in Western Nebraska.

    They didn't actually have a band.

    But, being the very talented musicians they were (drummer and bass player), they assumed they could easily find an equally good guitar player to learn some tunes and pull off this well paying, very large gig.

    Turns out they were wrong.

    So they  had to ultimately turn to me.

    We practiced a couple of times and quickly learned about 2+ hours of material that one would learn in a hurry to pull off a well paying, very large frat party in the 80's.

    Day of the gig, we do the 4 hour drive to get there.

    Party is on the beach, with all power being provided by generators.

    We set up about 10 feet from the lake shore.

    1st set goes great - we rocked it!

    Break time - party on!

    2nd set - goes great too!

    Break time 2 - party on some more!

    But now it is late at night, and the rowdy fratizens want a 3rd set.

    As we the "band' had been partying like its 1999, we said "sure!" (we were gonna sleep in a tent later, so who cares).

    Problem 1:  we are out of materiel.

    Solution 1:  we decided to do extended fusion jazz jams (remember, this is before Spinal Tap, and the  bass player and drummer were very very good rock and jazz musicians, so nothing fazed them).

    Problem 2:  I'm the Pentatonic Rock Guy they scrounged up at the last minute to make this gig happen.

    Solution 2:  After realizing my guitar histrionics were only buying me about 2 min per 15 min Phish-jam, an idea floats into my fogged mind -  I'll play a solo in the lake!  That will show those bastards ! (I used to spend a lot of times in blues bars, and the long-cable solo walk always seemed to work for Albert Collins).

    Anyway, I was no Albert, but I had a long cable, so I started the trip down to the lake.

    Luckily, literally a foot away from the water, my inner guardian angel voice said ("dude, why are you going to step into that lake whilst plugged into a  generator?  I recommend against this course of action.  Strongly. Lest you be  in for quite a shock!)

    So, realizing the wisdom of my inner-guardian angel who apparently talks like a medieval hippy, I sheepishly retreated back, and continued with my lame wankery on the shore, fooling no one.

     In conclusion, I guess you could say this was both the dumbest thing I almost did at a gig, and also the smartest thing I didn't.

    The End.

    • Like 1
    • Haha 1

    Yamaha CK61 and CK88

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Hi Guys

     

    I've been seriously contemplating buying a CK61, and have followed this thread with interest (thanks!)

     

    But, I have been wondering if the Ck61 has  a simple way to "tap tempo", especially for delays.

     

    Sounds like a simple request, but surprisingly, some synths do not have that ability (my Roland VR09 does, and it is great for setting tap-tempo delays on the fly for dub style effects, etc.).

     

    Anyway, was intrigued to find  (somewhat obscured in the manual on page 17) the Yamaha CK61 can do tempo delay.

     

    HOWEVER, it is not clear from the wording they use if you can actually "tap" the tempo, or you just "tap" the   [ENTER] button to gain access to change the tempo using a knob (which would be kinda lame).

     

    Anybody know?

    here's a link to the manual:

    https://usa.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/2/1547682/ck88_en_om_b0.pdf

     

    -------[From the manual, page 17]--------------------

    Tempo Delay
    A special delay that syncs to the tempo of the song.
    The delay is applied by specifying the Tempo (Tempo
    Delay Time) and the note length.
    The initial value is 1/4 (quarter note).


    Use the [DEPTH] knob to change the delay depth
    and feedback level, and the [TIME] knob to adjust
    the delay tempo.

    Another intuitive way of setting the tempo is to tap
    the [ENTER] button at least three times.

     

    Tempo Delay Time can be set by using the [TIME]
    knob while holding down the [ENTER] button
    (page 42), or from the [SETTINGS] button  Sound
     Common  Tempo Delay Time.

    Roland V-Combo VR-09

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    4 hours ago, brenner13 said:


    As for durability, my VR09 has been gigging dirty biker bars, festivals, and pool parties two to three times per month for over NINE years. Aside from a pitch stick going wonky from my extensive abuse, the thing is still going strong. Syntaur fixed me up with a new pitch stick and the install was a breeze. 
     

    I’ve tried to replace the board a couple of times with a Numa Compact 2X and a MODX7, but Roland’s little Swiss Army Knife is still my go-to for nearly every show. 
     

    VR09 on top of MODX7 makes for a great sounding, lightweight gig rig. Both have crappy keybeds, but I got used to them and can really shred on both. The MODX7 actually has nice dynamics after practicing a bunch.

    Werd.  Same story for mine over the past 8 or 9 years - only durability gripe I can say is the little slider knobs have come off a couple of times.

     

    One other comment - I too have pondered replacing my VR09, mainly because of the keyboard feel. 

     

    Haven't been able to, as it does just about everything I want, in a very inexpensive, lightweight package (~ 14 lbs). 

     

    Side note - I recently went to see our sax-player's funk/jazz band - thought their keyboard player sounded great.  I was shocked to discover  he was playing a VR09 - really sounded good through the house PA.  Talked to him afterwards, and he said it was workign out better for him than his Nord.  Maybe Roland optimizes their boards to also sound great in a live context, who knows.

    • Like 3

    Roland V-Combo VR-09

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    New Tip for better organ distortion with Roland VR-09!  (maybe old news for some of you).

     

    Many of you know you can almost use the useless distortion if you turn down the main gain (purple slider) to 4 or 5.  Basically, gain staging to avoid horrible digital distortion.

     

    Well, just thought to push that idea futher, and turned down the Organ High Gain and Low Gain (under the Menu ->Organ option) to like -5 or -6 for both, along with the main gain.

     

    Doing so lets you turn the distortion knob up past noon, and results in a much more useful/natural sounding distortion.  not perfect by any means, but WAY better than before.  Tried it with both a "rock organ" and "transistor" setting.  In both cases, you can actually use the distortion now on the VR-09!!

     

    Just thought I would share....

    • Like 3

    Crumar Mojo 61 Review - (LONG)

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    5 hours ago, Jazzmammal said:

    That is the background, now for my questions:

     

    1.  Can anyone confirm the Triton IOS has basses?  You would think it does but I don't trust anything IOS now without knowing for sure.  Any other good IOS rompler type modules with bass guitars and good other sounds like AP's EP's, strings, brass etc that works over Bluetooth?

     

    Bob

     

    Hi Bob

    I just checked the Module Pro Triton pack on my iPhone, and it litst 7 bass patches, at the very end.

    - Nasty Bass

    - Acoustic Bass

    - Rezbo

    - 30303 Mega Bass

    - Super Switch Bass

    - Stein Bass

    - Dark R&B Bass

     

    Not sure if any of those are sounds you want, but there are 7 options. 

     

    Also, I think maybe you can demo Korg Module sounds for a 7 day free trial?  Might be able to try that way?

     

     

    Doh! Beat to the punch

    Hammond SKX Pro

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Should we expect upper waterfall organ action manual (with two sets of drawbars for two presets) and lower weighted hammer action manual? Like two keyboard rig in one piece - organ at the top and piano at the bottom? That would be a beast, one of a kind!

     

    There was a controller like that a few years ago, the Orla JamKey, but they fell flat.

     

    An instrument like this, in the hands of someone like Guido, Andrea & Co would be fantastic. Mojo on top, Seven on the bottom. Very niche, but wow.

     

    Slight OT: Roland came so close to "inventing" this with their Roland VR09 organ on top of a Roland RD64 piano (my current set-up). Both parts not too heavy individually.

     

    The back side of the RD64 is not deep, and flat, with no necessary controls, so I physically rest the VR09 on top of the back-end of the RD64 (but shifted over slightly), and pull the VR09 forward right up to the beginning of the keys on the RD64 (so the keybeds look and perfrom like a dual-manual organ). Works great!

     

    They made one video about their "gig rig" (VR09/RD64), but never really pushed the concept.

     

    Wish some other company would revive this concept.....

     

    Listen to Ringo jam

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    because he's Ringo and he can :)

     

    but seriously, probably so it can make the gig something he still enjoys doing (by taking the stress of a perfect drum performance off him, an almost 80 year old drummer that also sings). Making himself want to do it would be high on anyone's list - he doesn't need the gig for money....

     

    EDIT - my apologies for my snarky reply - I hadn't watched the above video, I assumed it was a live performance before an audience.

     

    So Threadslayers question seems pretty reasonable in retrospect.

     

    Maybe Ringo has gotten so used to drumming with a second drummer that he needs one now to keep a solid beat?

    First 2022 Gig a Success. New Setup

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Very cool, thanks for the update!

     

    Quick question- from following your posts, I recall that you have used Gig Performer in the past- just wondering if your use of Mainstage in this instance is because you are more familiar with it, and trying to keep the initial use of this rig as familiar as possible?

     

    (I'm asking because I'm thinking of taking the plunge into using a laptop on stage, and thus wondering if I should be plunging into Gig Performer or Mainstag (to replace my current Roland RD64/VR09 combo with some iPad supplementing). I have the Arturia V5 suite, and am considering getting Kontakt.

    Audiolounge Rhodes Affair 3

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    "Get off my lawn" moment: (with Roygbiv edit)

    I'm pretty sure I would have died and gone to heaven if I could have any of the portable acoustic piano options available today, even the lowliest Casio or Yamaha in the back of my 70's Datsun Station Wagon or Ford Ranchero.

     

    We have such an embarrassment of riches - and choices - these days.

     

    I ponder this more often than I should. As a guy who got gigs as a keyboard player simply by default in the early 80's ('cause none of the other rockers in town could play keyboards), and who's only skill at keyboards was an ability to fake a "rock" piano type of pounding thing, I hated-hated-hated having to drag around a Rhodes or even Wurlitzer (along with my combo organ, etc).

     

    Hated it - not because electric pianos didn't sound cool in their own way - but because they couldn't produce the acoustic sound that I wanted. (I almost plunked down for a Helpenstill that came into the music store I worked at, but luckily didn't have the money at the time).

     

    Anyway, sorry for side-topic, just agreed with timwat's sentiment.

     

    We have it so great now as keyboard players, it is almost impossible to relay that sentiment to younger players - like trying to explain to my teenage daughter why phone numbers with a lot of zero's were a drag if you had a rotary phone....

    Using SSv3 for piano? Tried adding a sub?

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Three quick comments about the SS3:

     

    1. I use it exclusively for gigs (note - I'm a nobody, but to quote Monty Python, "I have an opinion, that is mine!").

    Why? - minimal schlep factor, sub out to PA makes life easy for soundman, and the stereo effect sounds great, especially for organ.

     

    2. Something that I think is not discussed enough when people talk about SS3 volume issues -

    to get enough clean volume on stage, you need to feed it a pretty hot signal from some type of mixer/preamp - straight out of my Roland VR09 and especially RD-64 simply does not cut it.

    Obviously placement matters too - I usually put it on the floor and lean it back on something about 4-6 feet away, with center speaker pointing at my head. Put other things (amps, wall, empty guitar cases) next to side speakers to get maximum reflections.

    Because I am a parsimonious prick, I also I sit on the Gator case in which I bring the SS3 to gigs. Exactly the right height, and one less thing to schlep.

     

    3. I agree acoustic piano sounds are the least great sounding with the SS3 (although passable, and are not the major critique that comes to peoples mind with my playing skills).

    I wonder if a little EQ pedal could really help dial in the "sweet spot" for when acoustic piano sounds are used?

    I have been very intrigued by the new Boss EQ 200 pedal. It has stereo input, and can store a number of different patches - it might play nicely with the SS3 for optimizing acoustic piano patches, and give it a little juice from keyboards if you want to skip bringing a mini-mixer.

    https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EQ-200--boss-eq-200-graphic-equalizer-pedal#specs

    Very OT -- My September 11 Story

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Thanks Josh for a very moving account. I couldn't make it through the first time reading without choking up.

     

    One of my best childhood friends (a drummer and artist) was nearby that day, and did a quick (beautiful) line drawing of one tower with the smoke billowing out, before it collapsed.

     

    He only showed it to me once, then put it away as if something cursed. He has never been the same mentally afterwards, your account helps me to emotionally understand why. Thank you.

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