Bobby Simons

Like most local bands, what keyboards "they" have can depend on what keyboards the keyboardist owns. ;-) My guess is that the CS80 was Jack's own. I played with RRC for a little while early this century, I used a mix of their equipment and mine. Richie Bifulco from the L.I. band Essence (always had great rigs) also had a CS-80. He lent it to me one night for a Stanton Anderson show at Tuey's. Stood quite close by with his eye on me all night, but I was very appreciative.

Still have my E-mu Emax HD - and a shoebox full of floppy disks, around here somewhere.

Obviously. My point was only that the Roland was the chosen instrument. Surely they would use whatever would best show off their remarkable software.

What got me about that great lengthy Keyscapes rollout was how one guy after the next was absolutely killin it on the Roland A-88 controller - to the point where I was thinking, that would surely work for me. All sorts of controlled, nuanced playing - as much an ad for the board as for the software to my ears. And so Roland promptly drops it from their line.

Sigh, I run the CCs all the time these days.

I tried several times but never been able to find something worth to listen/learn from this guy....it's really basic stuff.... You guys must be quite the musicians, I am envious. I find him to be generally more knowledgable than I am - across a broad musical spectrum.

Ah, you poor guy - my heartfelt apologies. Although, with 60 previous episodes, by now you might have recognized the title format?

What Makes This Song Great, Episode 61 Hear him out, lol. You have to love his enthusiasm.

Kinyo, a brand I dont recognize. Its part of the Kraft Music Home Bundle + Sub package. My expectations were not high and I have other subs here, but it sounds fine. Not too heavy, 60 watts - a good match to the keyboard. I dont turn it up very high and am still experimenting with the crossover setting. I think its actually marketed for tv use. In fact, I was going to use it on mine but wasnt getting any signal from my audio outs.

Mine arrived this afternoon. After a dinner party obligation I finally got home to set up and play for an hour or so. So... I am absolutely thrilled with the feel of this action. I had been sweating this purchase because I never actually found one to play for myself. (You had to see me ripping the box open, panicked, and reaching under the packaging material to play some notes.) I was afraid Id never find something I liked as much as my ancient, beloved KX88 - but Im thinking this surpasses it easily. I need more time with a clearer head to organize my impressions. Ive been mostly in the headphones, but Im pretty happy with the internal speakers. I have yet to unbox the subwoofer, or get into the iPad app. The bench included in this bundle is quite comfortable, and Im loving the Z stand. I cannot wait for that furniture stand. OK, Im going back. Dont know how much sleep Ill be getting tonight.

Indeed. I was even more surprised to learn that, 35 years ago, she played little Alia Atreides in Lynch's Dune.

Mine is 'out for delivery'. http://www.quickmeme.com/img/91/91bb089b70e905b1896954f28bae759fd1d86ee50fa799b6a749c6b5d2568631.jpg

In the news: Bassist Signs Two-Year, $100 Deal with Local Metal Band

I've got mellotron apps on my damned phone now that would fool most people. Not the hook that it once was for me.

Im relegated to spectator on this thread from now on. I just bought the P515 home bundle plus (somewhat customized). Im stoked, might have it by Saturday. Lets hope were all happy with our new gear!

A lot of Debussy works well on a Rhodes.

OK. Well, it (P515) is apparently the same as the Clavinova action. Since I can't seem to find one to try, I may already break my fairly new rule of buying something I haven't played first. (Yeah, Studiologic Numa Compact 2x, I'm looking at you.)

So, I ventured farther from home and found an S1000 in another GC. Up too high on the wall, no sustain pedal, no respect! It generally felt quite good - the white keys, anyway. If I ventured too deep on the black keys they did seem to fight me with the short pivot point. I'm not sure I want to adjust my playing that much. Generally, however, it DOES have an impressive action, if not for me. I was also pleasantly surprised with the built-in speakers, they really had some volume and presence. Casio will sell a bunch of these two new models. Assuming people can actually find them in the store. OT: Some other boards I got to play... Kawai ES8 - Very nice.The action was great, the piano samples sounded better than they seemed to in the demos, the speakers were powerful. I'd be happy with this instrument. Yamaha CP8 - Love love loved the action. Not really the kind of board I'm looking for this time, but if the P-515 action is anything like this (did I read that here?) my search might be over. The CP was a lot of fun to play. No manual necessary, in two minutes you know what everything does. The acoustic piano patches seemed underwhelming, I'm not sure why. Most everything in the Sub section was a bit pedestrian. * Yamaha Arius YDP-184 - I played this longer than anything else. It felt and sounded great. More importantly, the illusion works - I really felt like I was sitting at a piano. One with a groovy rosewood finish, no less. So yeah, I want one of these, too.

I have the same frustration in my area- they refuse to either carry or have them on display. It's like they don't care about selling keyboards. I see you are on Long Island- I was in NYC a week and a half ago and they had the 1000 at both Sam Ash and Guitar Center (yet had them up high and with no pedal connected!) so I couldn't give a 100% review Youd be surprised how rarely I get into the city. We have plans for late next month.

I assume he meant internally - without the iPad.

Ill be satisfied to lay my hands on the 1000 and if the action agrees with me (Im more than happy with the samples) Ill immediately order the 3000, which I assume is identical. Neither nearby Sam Ash or GC have either, last time I looked. Theres just no excuse for that, its not a big layout for these big chains to have in stock and available. There should be one in every store, these were best in show and the New. Big. Deal.

Maybe it just requires a change of mindset... Or just step back to how Yamaha used to do small keybeds, same width less depth. Look closer at AnotherScotts pix - the Hammond Solovox WAS same width. I had an ancient one, given to me by an equally ancient club dater, in the late 60s. I mounted it on my 67 Rhodes suitcase and had what amounted to my first synth. It was awesome. You can see a glimpse of it in this shot...

I kinda do as well. Interestingly, I showed my wife the white P-515 with the home bundle (still in the running with me) and she gave it thumbs down for appearance. Its not as if shed ever let me put it in the living room or anything, lol.

Have I missed this?

Well, thats different in the right direction, at least.