cassdad

Why did you “eliminate” the Yamaha DZR12s?

Yup - I think that’s what Motion Sound has done with the KP series. The MS KP-612SX weighs 52 pounds, and the Roland equivalent KC-990 weighs 92 Pounds! I purchased (and returned) the Roland KC-990 simply because I could not see myself lifting that in real-world gigging situations. Time will tell if the MS KP-612SX is hardy enough for constant road use. So far, so good.

Just to add: Learning to interpret the “MIDI Implementation” chart (for each specific MIDI hardware) is of great value in this regard.

I am…. I’m using the “new” KP612SX coupled with its “slave”, the SL-512. The combination is a monster. 1st time in my life I can drown out the loud guitarist. Having the guitarist ask me to turn down has been sheer fun. Giving them a taste of their own medicine finally allows them to understand the importance of playing as part of a team. But I digress….. I usually try to place it behind me some distance (as far back as space will allow). But in reality, due to space constraints and other players placement desires for their amps, I often end up placing it simply wherever there is space. Regardless of location, it seems to work very well, and in stereo. The only rub is that sometimes other band members want to stand right in front of it… so not only are they blocking the sound, they are blocking the stereo (if that makes any sense). I have casters on both units, makes transport very easy (as long as I can roll, ie, not stairs!). I even purchased 5-inch caster wheels - WOW does the thing roll easily, almost can’t stop it. Not sure I would recommend that, but I always wanted to try it! I separately posted my review last year:

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.