roygBiv

Anyone have experience with both? I've had a VR09 virtually since it came out. Overall, I have been very happy with it - except for the keyboard feel (which I've heard shares the same crappy/springy keybed as the FA6). Until recently I've mostly been a guitar player, and thus relatively "tactile focused". It surprises me still how much the keyboard feel annoys me on the VR09. In contrast, my Roland RD64 (and more recently, Casio PX-S3000) delight me to no end with how they "feel" like an actual piano. May not actually improve my playing that much, but I certainly think I am playing better as I enjoy it much more. Thus my question - is the better keyboard in the VR730 worth dropping another grand? Again, I am very familiar with the positives of the VR09 (and the limitations!), just wondering if the (presumed) better keyboard on the VR730 is really worth splurging. I know there are other organ options, but I could rationalize the purchase due to the fact that I would then have identical boards (sound-wise) and thus could use the VR09 as a backup and/or leave at the practice place. As ever, thanks in advanced for the collective KC knowledge! Roy PS - part of the reason i am reaching out to everyone is that there seem to be price drops on the VR730 of ~ $400 on several sites, hence the need to make a decision soon. The other reason is that I have no access to a VR730, have yet to find a local store that has one in stock, so this would be a "blind purchase", which always makes me nervous.

+1 for Rock the Casbah. If memory serves, the drummer played that piano part (and wrote the song, too!). Another great one by a non-keyboard layer is 'Like a Rolling Stone (Dylan)' - a great riff that wastes no time getting to the meat of it.

Any arguments for or against the TRacks version vs. the Amplitube? I'm about to get one, and I have the latest version of both programs. Just wondering which is easier to use in a live setting and/or recording (in Reaper). I'm leaning towards the TRacks, just 'cause the controls look bigger in the GUI. But thought I might check with the Collective Wisdom of KC.

I've been buying apps since the iPad 3 was new, so maybe 7 years? Anyway, after spending thousands (gulp), I would say the most easiest to use and best sounding (i.e., apps that I use routinely) would be: 1. Korg Module (lots of in-app purchases). - good for bread and butter sounds (piano, organ, synth, etc.), and good set-list option. 2. iSEM, an Oberheim clone. - It is the best sounding "synth" app to me (but I had an Oberheim 4-voice back in teh 80's, so some of that might just be longing for the past). 3. ForScore - great app for organizing your own chord charts. 4. iReal Pro. - great program with thousands of chord charts available for playing all sorts of styles. 5. AUM and/or Audiobus 3. - both of these act like "mixers" that let you play multiple iOS apps and mix them together. 6. Beatmaker 2 (not 3). - The built in sampler/sample player is worth the entire app, great way to get samples added to your rig. 7. Samplr. - Old, but still one of the most "original" iOS apps that is its own instrument. Nothing else really like it. OK, other than several effect apps that I have not listed, those are the "must haves" come off the top of my head. I'm sure others will pitch in with more! Enjoy, iOS apps are a lot of fun, but beware - lots of $20 purchases can start to add up pretty fast! Roy

UPDATE: The mystery deepens.... Just dug up this post on a Sweetwater review site: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KeyLargo--radial-key-largo-keyboard-mixer-with-balanced-di-outs/reviews "Very cool! And it does work with iOS!!" The poster (Edward) says the Key Largo will work with iOS if you use: 1) short USB cables, and 2) a powered USB hub. Maybe the iPad Pro USB-C somehow gets around the powered USB Hub requirement? This could be very cool news - I (and probably many others) really wanted to buy a Key Largo, but besides hardware keyboards, my main "sound module" is an iPad, thus I have been holding off on buying one.

Hmm, weird. Or given the season, maybe I should say "spooky". Well, anyway, this could be pretty exciting for a lot of iPad users. Do you mind if I ask - are you running the Audio out of the iPad into the KeyLargo, or connecting the USB-C connector from the iPad into the USB port on the KeyLargo? (I ask because your previous post just says "iPad Pro 12.9 (with USB-C, cable runs from iPad to Key Largo)", so I wasn't sure). Maybe for some reason the KeyLargo will work with USB-C on the iPad. Interesting, the Radial site for KeyLargo still says: "Does the Key Largo support iOS devices? The Key-Largo is not supported by iOS devices. The USB connection on the Key-Largo was designed to be connected to laptop or a computer with a USB port. We do have other products, however, that will work with iOS devices such as the BT-Pro and the SB-5." https://www.radialeng.com/product/key-largo/faq Don't mean to be interrogating you, I just was very excited about the KeyLargo until learning it would not work for iOS devices - maybe it does now! roy

Quick question for clarification - Are you saying you can use the KeyLargo as an audio interface for the iPad? I thought the KeyLargo was not class compliant (i.e., would not work with iPads, and would only work with computers with the correct drivers). Would love to be wrong about that! roy

This ^, and/or the iPad suggestion. I was playing in a Reggae/Dub band for several years recently, and spent a LOT of time trying to find the easiest to use, smallest form factor, most reliable way to be able to play dub sounds/hits, bits of movie Dialoge to 'dub out', etc. The best was on an iPad using the sampler in BeatMaker 2 (not the more recent Beatmaker 3, too complicated). 8 banks of 16 samples each, easy to edit, easy to trigger on the glass iPad screen (although you can also MIDI assign each to a CC note). The second best was the Korg microSampler. Very powerful, small, and rock solid. Can load multiple banks containing unique, individual 'one shot' samples each on a different note across the keyboard.

Just to add to the confusion (and to address Dr. Mike's point above), the Novation Audiohub 2×4 Interface is kind of nifty with iPads. https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/novation-audiohub-2x4 Good parts: it has three (!) USB connections, so you can plug several cheap USB-connecting keyboards to one hub, as well as the iPad. Can dramatically reduce cable clutter. It is also an Audio interface. Less good: Unfortunately, no 5-pin MIDI. It is also discontinued, so you have to buy used. Pretty slick solution, a lot of "iPad only" musicians swear by them. I recently bought one for ~ $70, pretty cool so far.

Very helpful - thanks Tim! roy

Hi Guys Sorry for the low-IQ post about to follow, but I am looking for tips on how to play this cool intro to the Skatalites version of "I Wish You Love" [video:youtube] (I'm talking about the piano background in the first ~42 seconds). From what I can gather (based by listening and stealing chords from iRealPro on my iPad) the chords are a "walk-down" as follows: | Bb- | Bb -7/A | C half-dim 7 /Ab | F7 b13 | Does this sound approximately correct to you smart fellers out there? I'm also trying to figure out how to approximate some of the "classical" (i.e. fancy man 2-bit) flourishes in there - lots of octaves/inversions? Lots of sustain pedaling, tux-tail flipping? (I keep visualizing how Victor Borge would play it, which is fun but not really helping). Any help would be greatly appreciated! Disclaimer - I'm pretty much a self taught guitar-turned-keyboard player that knows (and is still learning) some jazz theory, but this is definitely a step above my normal comfort and/or competency level. Thanks, roy

A couple of other options to consider: 1. Hardware: Korg MicroSampler. Pretty cool little unit, can sample in real-time. More importantly, it can also play pre-recorded samples. Pretty easy to use, easy to transfer samples into and out using USB, and can work up the samples on the computer using either the pretty good Korg MicroSampler software, or a SampleRobot version specifically for the MicroSampler. 2. Software. iPad. Some pretty cool sample playing options here, including Beatmaker 2 and 3, and UVI also makes a sample playing app called BeatHawk. Nowadays, I just use the iPad, as it is small, and tons of storage space.

As the Title notes. Just released. For $15 intro price (i$5 for the app + $10 more for IAP of all the effects) you get multiple effects that can be run simultaneously. If you already have a good sound source (i.e., Korg Module), and som Audiobus or AUM, you should buy this app - great way to get classic effect sounds.

I would like to improve my "quick deployment cabling-rig", since we often play with other bands and there is not always a lot of time to set up. Currently, I have a super MacGyvered system consisting of two power supplies bundled together and taped to a small multi-outlet strip. (Specifically, two Roland power supplies (for a VR-09 and an RD-64), as well as a Boss power supply for my RE20 delay unit). The various cables are tied together with Velcro. It works, but ain't pretty. SPECIFICS: I'm at work not working, but I believe the Roland power supplies are PSB-1U (now replaced by the Roland PSB-120). Internet wisdom say they are 9V DC at 2A (18W), connector is a standard barrel type with center pin negative. Apparently the tip of the plug is 11mm long. The Boss is 12V something. (NOTE - the VR09 manual says the current draw is only 600 mA (it can run off of batteries), so not sure why a 2A power supply is needed.) ANYWAY - anyone made such a multi-tap power unit that might be a little more compact, and look better? You know, to impress all those keyboard groupies I've heard are out there? If you have, any suggestions/tips?

If your amplification is full range (PA speaker, Space Station, etc.), in my experience the most important thing is that the pedal have Cabinet simulation - if it doesn't, it won't sound like it is through an amp - the same pedal that sounds gloriously raunchy through a guitar speaker will sound horrible with the extra high frequencies produced by a full-range PA.

Hi Scott A quick caveat for you (and other new Surface Pro Tablet users) - be careful with the Surface Pro keyboard! The keyboard "attaches" to the computer unit magnetically. Sadly the attachment is not strong enough to be able to lift up the computer/screen unit. Thus, if you forget and get up from sitting, (lets say to go have a beer in the kitchen), and try to pick up your "laptop" by the keyboard to go with you, you will find that the keyboard will stay in your hand, but the Surface Pro will be the ground/table/whereaver. Lost track of the number of times I've made this mistake. Note - other than that, I love most things about the Surface Pro (had one for about 2.5 years now). Except (ironically) the form factor, due to the detachable keyboard. I think the Surface Pro Notebook solves this problem, but sadly, I can't afford one

The Beatles

Another thing that can help (besides poison) are some rat pheromone sprays - we cant smell them, but apparently they can Apparently, young maile loner rats will avoid some of these smells and go find somewhere else to hang out. we had rats get into the outside of our converted attic where we sleep. Since we didnt want poison on the other side of the wall, we went the pheromones route for the attic. Sure enough, the rat sounds went away and never came back. PS - I think this only works if they have not set up a colony where they are breeding, etc., as the pheromone trick seems to work best on young male loner rats that have been kicked out of (rat) house and are trying to find somewhere to hang out without the old man yelling at them all the time....

Ok, thanks. Darn, I was hoping the Go:Piano might be slightly less springy (as I'm more interested in the Piano than the general keys).

How does the action compare between both - does the Go:Piano have better piano action?

"When I was a younger player, you had to choose your car carefully to fit all your keyboards." Also, "Stop obsessing about how your electric piano doesn't sound like a "real" piano. In 20 years, your e.piano will be way cooler and worth more than most "real" pianos on Craigslist. What's Craigslist? Well, its a place you can find used things to buy online. Online?, well, its a way to look up stuff on a computer before you use your cell phone to call an Uber to drive you there. Never mind. Just remember this - when Apple computer looks like its gonna go out of business because their computers suck, buy lots of their stock..."

Reaper also has some video editing capabilities, and since it is primarily a DAW, the emphasis is on the music first. Free to demo for 30 days. Check out YouTube for some tutorials.

I think that may be what I was talking about - the tweeter looks like a magnet that screws into the bigger magnet on the main speaker

Duplicate

MOI If the above tricks dont work to fix your rattling, check to see if the tweeter is screwed tightly into the back of the main speaker (that is where its attached, amazingly enough). I had the same symptoms you described, and Aspen told me to check that first. To get to it, you have to take the plate off, if I recall correctly. I think mine must have rattles loose cause I am lazy and was leaving the SS3 in my car, and crappy Portland streets took care of the rest.