cassdad

I bought custom slip covers to protect my KP-612SX and SL-512. Seems to be working so far.

Seems we all acknowledge the numerous schlepping factors in addition to weight. One more comment: Using more than 1 keyboard exponentially raises the weight, stand / accessories, schlepping and setup / teardown complications. I’ve found limiting myself to only 1 keyboard to be a significant factor on so many fronts. Most keyboards can have 1 or more splits, so, for me, although having 88 keys is a heavier board, splitting mitigates having to have additional boards / stands / accessories, etc. YMMV.

Don’t Let the Sun, Go Down On Me (Elton John). Sunrise, sunset.

Thank you all for the very excellent input and considerations. It’s a “family” type environment, meant to simply be friendly and welcoming, not hitting anyone up for money.

It is not a requirement, apologies if I mislead. It’s simply a consideration, and considered good form by some, but apparently not all, based upon many of these responses. Which is also very good input!

No, not a requirement. However, some consider it good business practice, as well as simply being an opportunity to better relationships for the venue and/or for myself. (Consider the standard practice of the manager or chef at a good restaurant going around table to table.)

I have an upcoming gig where I’ll have to roam the venue (winery) doing small talk from table to table during breaks (I’m playing solo piano). Based upon the many years of experience of many on this forum: Any suggestions on what to say / not to say? Topics to discuss? How to make a good impression with small talk? I’d like to NOT get song requests, as I’m playing some unique songs / arrangements, and am NOT interested in playing requests…. so I do NOT want to say “what would you like to hear?”. How do I steer the conversation so I don’t get requests for Sweet Caroline? 😀

Yes to most of the previous comments (I don’t have the option of IEMs - most bands I play with are not sophisticated enough, and too stubborn to go with them, ugh). Stage and band size greatly limits options. I’d add that my number 1 problem is that wherever I place my speakers (stereo is a must for me, also) - there is always some band member standing right in front of them, blocking most of the sound. Infuriating. I’m currently using a Motion Sound amp (both left & right in one box), further exacerbating the situation.

I use my main keyboard as the “mixer”….. it has inputs (1/4 jacks and USB), and has a volume control on-board to control the incoming instrument volume relative to my main keyboard. Works great, no additional hardware required.

Yup…. I didn’t want to harp on it yet another time, but I could not agree more. Even though heavier than desired, I think it is this guy’s answer, but didn’t want to sound like I’m hawking Motion Sound. (Also noting that I’ve been trying to buy another MS, and it’s been “back ordered” at Sweetwater for months - so I’m not sure what is going on with MS manufacturing.)

Yup.

US taxes / laws apply to all citizens, regardless of your occupation / hobby. I don’t think a tax specialist is needed in this case. Any competent tax preparer should know what counts as what regarding the tax code. My 2 cents.

I thought he was ok with subtle, but not OK with obnoxiously large. The huge logo and “Palisades” across the most of the back, to me, is in the obnoxious category. And I could list many more models similarly identified. Yet not only are most people fine with it - perhaps manufacturers are finding that it actually increases sales. As I suspect keyboard manufacturers have also found.

I also have the same question, glad you posted it, hoping for some good info responses. The XK-5 is definately long in the teeth, but is it still their “flagship”? Or are the more recent models better, and if so, in what ways? ie. the SKX Pro or XK-4? They now have so many models, I have no idea which is the “best”. Which has the best “Hammond” sound? Best touch? Best leslie sim? Most realistic (re: 9 different triggers as each key is pressed)? Is the XK-5 still the best?

You mean like this? Unfortunately, even with the huge logo and “Palisade” going almost the entire width of the vehicle, I don’t see people covering it up (or removing it). And they’re selling like hotcakes. Maybe large logos are not a big negative for many people.

FWIW, I’ve used Yammy keys for decades and never had an electrical power supply issue. And I’ve played in many very sketchy places including clubs with just one circa 1950’s ungrounded 2-outlet electrical plug powering the entire band (including old incandescent spot lights)! YMMV.

Yeah, I’ll add one more kudos for the K&M 18810 / 18820. I have both, love ‘em, and they are rock solid.

So I suppose some cover / remove the logos /names on their cars when they drive in public? (Yeah, ok, a very few people do…)

Maybe so, however, the knobs feel just fine on the KP-612SX I recently purchased. And I’ve played out with it / transported it a dozen times since purchase, no problems yet. Knock on wood…. YMMV. (Note: I do use slip-on custom covers to mildly protect the amp / speakers.)

Good Point! To further this story - I recently bought the Motion Sound KP-612SX, and it came with 2 extra knobs! Yeah, one would think it’d be easier (and cheaper) to just make sure they are secure at the time of manufacture. Go figure.

I respectfully disagree. Although I understand this whole thread is going nowhere (not sure this is only one answer), allow me to throw this concept into the mix: My personal stage amp is a combo unit, with stereo left and right coming out of left and right speakers, but angled a few degrees, thus “spreading” the stereo left and right (as opposed to simply straight forward). Even when I was using 2 separate PA amps (DXR-10’s), I would try to angle out the stereo spread (left and right). My point is: For the most part, once you create a really good sound, well…. you have a good sound that can be heard far greater than just left or right. Add in acoustic reality, ie. each channel’s sound inevitably gets to bounce off walls and floors, thus just the stereo sound is actually heard in a much greater space than just the “sweet spot”. The stereo piano samples get me to the “good sound source” part…. then that sound, somewhat akin to an acoustic piano soundboard, spreads throughout the venue. YMMV.

Frankly, I truly wonder if the only one whose access is being slowed down is me. Regardless of all the access antics, the crooks still seem to be able to get access. Seems all these access antics are doing is “keeping the honest people honest”.

MIDI for Dummies is a great start. MIDI is actually very straight-forward. It is very flexible, and can be used very simply (just plug it in and it works), or get quite complex (using it to make various adjustments and selections electronically). For me, learning how to use it was time well spent, and has served me well through the years. It really can make musical life much easier.

The “light adjustable lens” is a fixed strength. It is NOT multi-focus.

I had it, piece of cake, wonderful results. I had “light adjustable” lens installed (they can adjust the vision prescription AFTER the lens is installed in your eyes) - thus I got to choose what strength / vision I wanted. I chose to see from 19 inches to infinity so that I could read my iPad without glasses. Turned out I can also read close up to some extent. So was win/win all the way around. As you have to wait a week or so between “adjustments”, each eye ended up taking me about a month. But the vision improvement has been life-changing for me. I have no stake in the game, just conveying my experience. Here’s the web site that tells all about it if you want more info: https://rxsight.com/patients/ Oh, P.S. - it’s expensive, and medicare or insurance likely won’t pay for it. But, for me: “What is my eyesight worth?”. I paid the money, no regrets.