Phil Aiken Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 At points I have been tapped to provide a wide sonic palette - or to recreate sonic flourishes from a bands studio recording, but mostly, and at heart, I am happiest utilizing a smaller amount of high quality sounds. Give me one good piano and an organ and I'm all set. Throw in a Wurly if you want. An occasional mellotron sound, sure....but really....1 piano(either electric or faux acoustic) and a B3 emulation will do...or even just ONE of those two at times. I know there are players here that are more into providing a wide variety of sounds, are really into splits and layers, and I can totally understand that asthetic. And of course, it depends on the music.... In the studio all bets are off, and I am happy to go nuts with esoteric sounds - I am speaking here about live performance. I'm wondering where everyone falls on this spectrum. Moog The One, VV 64 EP, Wurlies 200A 140 7300, Forte 7, Mojo 61, OB-6, Prophet 6, Polaris, Hammond A100, Farfisa VIP, ,Young Chang 6', Voyager, E7 Clav, Midiboard, Linnstrument, Seaboard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 One of the reasons the Electro is so popular is its focus on core sounds. Live, it's all I need. "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yannis D Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 In some gigs i only do piano/rhodes/organ and i'm really happy about it-just me and my Nord Stage. It just feels more organic and natural to play keyboard sounds on keyboards (and not strings etc...). I'm OK with leads and pads, accordion and melodica - they all sound right to me as i can articulate and phraze the music easily. But i really don't like doing orchestras, woodwinds and so on. I feel i'm cheating myself and the audience(allthough i do it 'cause that's where the best money is) Be grateful for what you've got - a Nord, a laptop and two hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrokeys Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 In my experience it is not just the sounds but the accessibility. As a matter of personal taste, classic keyboard sounds are what I prefer. As noted above, the Nord Electro is made for folks like me. Good sounds, easy to get to and modify on the fly. For a while, don't ask me why, I used a Korg workstation on some gigs. Tons of sounds, loads of fun at home but on the job between tunes?..like being a one legged man in a butt kicking contest. The white lettering on silver background didn't help much either. I agree with the OP. There just seem to be some sounds and gear best left in the studio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Whenever I play a live gig, I make sure to add samples that I've downloaded from porn sites. I'll admit it's really, really cheesy - especially since I'm just pushing a button and not doing the nasty right there on stage. I also realize that I could put real porn stars out of business by doing this. But the crowd loves it and, well, hey... that's show biz. "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonysounds Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I camp on both sides of the fence. One band I play with, I limit it to NordStage and Electro 3. The Electro 3 gives me my 'tron and a couple brass things (which I never thought I'd like) to get me through the gig. Another band I play with regularly, I forced myself to the above rig, and for that gig, it's turned out to be very advantageous. Then I sit at my midi rig, and it's hard not to say "damn, this is BEAUTIFUL". It's not as spontaneous (a liability), but I can set up a few go-to things that work every time (piano/organ, EP/organ, etc.), and it sounds more lush than my Nord rig. Then I'm tearing it down and packing it and thinking...... There are distinct advantages to both, and I do find I can "play" more on a "limited" rig. Hitting "Play" does NOT constitute live performance. -Me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanL Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Often less is more, but you have to take it gig by gig. Some gigs I can get by with the staples- organ, an EP, a piano sound. Other gigs I need the full rig to be able to faithfully (and easily) recreate sounds that are needed for a particular set list. Live: Korg Kronos 2 88, Nord Electro 5d Nord Lead A1 Toys: Roland FA08, Novation Ultranova, Moog LP, Roland SP-404SX, Roland JX10,Emu MK6 www.bksband.com www.echoesrocks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I'll tweak sounds and set up a few splits and layers. Otherwise, the EP sound that caught my attention a few decades ago and/or some variation of it is the staple of my diet. PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinny Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 For me it's organ, piano, strings, bass, occasional E.P., and a synth (usually a saw). That's about it. I'm not a big programmer/synth guy, so the bread-n-butter sounds do fine for me. I play in a cover band - many of the tunes don't have an actual keyboard part, but I can make these sounds work. It's really amazing how many songs I can make a Hammond sound work in. It seems to fit into any style of music. And we only have one guitar player, so much of the time while he's soloing, I'm covering rhythm (usually piano, sometimes synth or just bass). Stuff and things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Well, for what I'm currently doing, I pretty much have to have a whole slew of sounds, but I prefer to keep it as simple as possible. I do find that since a lot of the sounds in the original songs I cover where created with Analog, I tend to use the VA engine to do the same. Rather than search and search for that perfect string, brass, or transistor organ patch, I usually go right to the VA as I can tweak it and get to the sounds pretty quickly/easily that way. With a sample, sometimes all the tweaking in the world doesn't get you there and then you're back to square one looking for another one. Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frogmonkey Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I've been using fewer sounds since I got the Electro 3. My setup has been E3 + PEK. And I've just been using 2 or 3 patches I made on the PEK. But last week I heard a live recording where I used the Nord, the PEK, the Fantom, and the Microkorg, and it sounded really really good. I especially missed the samples and the sample-mangle. So now I'm playing all 4 again An interesting side effect is that my late-night sound design sessions since then have been with the Fantom with it's fiddly menus, and my beautiful knobby PEK has stayed in its case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrafon Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Whenever I play a live gig, I make sure to add samples that I've downloaded from porn sites. I'll admit it's really, really cheesy - especially since I'm just pushing a button and not doing the nasty right there on stage. I also realize that I could put real porn stars out of business by doing this. But the crowd loves it and, well, hey... that's show biz. Continue that stuff and I suspect that you will end up as the defendant in a lawsuit. I mean, do you give proper credit to these porn stars? Do you have permission to use their classic moans? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Nightime Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I'll pretty much stick with the basics. Piano, Hammond, Rhodes, Whurly, Clav. For that I just need the core 2 boards. But, there's one song we do that needs a flute intro. I tried it on the Hammond with just the 8', but it sounded very cheezy. Plus I like to be able to put in the occasional horn stab. So I broke the 3rd board back out. Adds another 3-4 minutes to my set up time, one more trip to the truck, and no additional stage footprint, so why not? "In the beginning, Adam had the blues, 'cause he was lonesome. So God helped him and created woman. Now everybody's got the blues." Willie Dixon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Whenever I play a live gig, I make sure to add samples that I've downloaded from porn sites. I'll admit it's really, really cheesy - especially since I'm just pushing a button and not doing the nasty right there on stage. I also realize that I could put real porn stars out of business by doing this. But the crowd loves it and, well, hey... that's show biz. Continue that stuff and I suspect that you will end up as the defendant in a lawsuit. I mean, do you give proper credit to these porn stars? Do you have permission to use their classic moans? Well, actually, I only sample but a wee bit of the moanz. You could never tell it was a classic moan in context of the song. Besides, I DO have a license for Classic Moanz Home Edition. I was sure that entitles me to a copy of Classic Moanz Professional, right? "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYKeys Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 For me it's all about feel... If I have to dive into a menu to find a patch let alone one to layer on the patch, that's not going to work. My synth has to almost become an extention of me. It's my way of talking without saying a word. If I can't do this on the fly I use the KISS Theory Keep It Simple S____ (Whatever you want to fill in). If you have to think about it, then the moment is lost. MY Toys - Kurzweil PC1X, Roland A-90, Yamaha KX88, Yamaha CS1x, Novation 49SL MkII, Presonus Studiolive 16.4.2, JBL PRX615M My Music Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe P Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 But, there's one song we do that needs a flute intro. Mr. Nightime, Is it Can't You See, or is it Heard it in a Love Song? Regards, Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moog_Man Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I play piano 90% of the time and organ or rhodes the rest, so one stage piano works quite nicely for me. I can just dig into the feel and not have to worry about complicated patches. I feel like I just have an acoustic piano on stage (an actual instrument, not some complex electronic machine) which is what I would take if I could. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue JC Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I have 64 layer and split performances pre-programmed on my Kurzweil that I have used enough to memorize their positions so I don't have to rely on the screen in bad lighting conditions. That being said, I probably spend 80% of the time playing straight piano, rhodes, wurly or clav. Foe example, I often add bari sax and/or an interior horn part to our 3-piece (trumpet/sax/trombone) horn section expanding the harmony to 5 or 6 parts for a fatter sound. I also often layer strings and "Take 6" vocals to a piano or pad part for the big, dramatic ballads that our singer likes to do. I play a couple of songs with Moog bass doubles and some tuned percussion items (like Kalimba) for Earth, Wind & Fire-type songs. These non-keyboard sounds are never predominate and just add to the underlying texture of the songs. If I'm subbing with a small group - typically a guitar hero band with guitar, bass and drums - I will layer piano and rhodes in the left hand and play Hammond in the right hand to fatten up the sound behind the endless guitar solos. It gives me something to do while I'm counting the choruses until the end of the night. Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer. W. C. Fields Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrafon Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Well, actually, I only sample but a wee bit of the moanz. You could never tell it was a classic moan in context of the song. Besides, I DO have a license for Classic Moanz Home Edition. I was sure that entitles me to a copy of Classic Moanz Professional, right? The way I read the license from Classic Moanz Home Edition, you are entitled to use the oohs, and aahhs from the Professional edition, but NOT the moans. Do you see what you have started! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloodyMary Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I, unlike most of the cats here, don't rely on classic piano/organ sounds for my gig. Instead, it's pads and leads, strings, orchestras, piano, and no Hammond at all. So my set up is all about complicated splits. The effort is to recreate the studio sound live. However, I'm trying to find a gig where I can use my DP for piano/rhodes, and a lightweight controller for a Hammond, so I'd use 2 sounds all night and have zero programming involved. This way I could concentrate on playing and expressing myself vs. Trying to recreate the studio sound, which sometimes makes me feel like a machine operator and not musician. Stage: MOX6, V-machine, and Roland AX7 Rolls PM351 for IEMs. Home/recording: Roland FP4, a few guitars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Nightime Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 But, there's one song we do that needs a flute intro. Mr. Nightime, Is it Can't You See, or is it Heard it in a Love Song? Regards, Joe Heard it in a Love Song. Then again, I'd need it if we ever decide to break out "Knights in White Satin" "In the beginning, Adam had the blues, 'cause he was lonesome. So God helped him and created woman. Now everybody's got the blues." Willie Dixon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Well, actually, I only sample but a wee bit of the moanz. You could never tell it was a classic moan in context of the song. Besides, I DO have a license for Classic Moanz Home Edition. I was sure that entitles me to a copy of Classic Moanz Professional, right? The way I read the license from Classic Moanz Home Edition, you are entitled to use the oohs, and aahhs from the Professional edition, but NOT the moans. Do you see what you have started! He should be covered as long as the venue pays it's dues to ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Artists, and Porn-Stars). Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Nightime Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Well, actually, I only sample but a wee bit of the moanz. You could never tell it was a classic moan in context of the song. Besides, I DO have a license for Classic Moanz Home Edition. I was sure that entitles me to a copy of Classic Moanz Professional, right? The way I read the license from Classic Moanz Home Edition, you are entitled to use the oohs, and aahhs from the Professional edition, but NOT the moans. Do you see what you have started! He should be covered as long as the venue pays it's dues to ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Artists, and Porn-Stars). I tried the Demo version, but didn't like the Boom-Chicka-Wah-Wah embedded in the moaning. "In the beginning, Adam had the blues, 'cause he was lonesome. So God helped him and created woman. Now everybody's got the blues." Willie Dixon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanker. Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I prefer to just stick to the basics. In fact, if there's a good piano or Hammond at the gig, I'll play just that even if I would normally play a few other sounds. A ROMpler is just a polyphonic turntable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe P Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 But, there's one song we do that needs a flute intro. Mr. Nightime, Is it Can't You See, or is it Heard it in a Love Song? Regards, Joe Heard it in a Love Song. I like doing that one. I have to sit at my three tier for it. I play the flute on my weighted 88, so I have to switch back to piano for the verse & chorus and then back to flute to play the flute solo, and then back to piano to play the piano solo. I lay down simple organ over all of it with LH. Then it is back to flute for the ending. I put a little mod on the flute at the end, kind of gives it a little "breathiness". I would normally sing BVs on a tune like that but if I did my brain would overload. Regards, Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Do you see what you have started! Yes. And I apologize if I stepped over the line... again. But you've got to admit, if you did have a few choice honey-dripping samples injected at just the right spot... say, in the middle of your favorite Barry White tune. http://www.playgamesonline.org/mp3/images/photos/Barry-White.jpg Well, that would spice things up quite a bit on the dance floor, don't you think? For instance, here is a clip that I think would do superbly: Moanz This one is nice - but it's more of an orgy thang: Group Groanz "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Schmieder Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 There are only two songs where I play piano and two where I play organ. Everything else is about covering the entire sonic palette, from strings to winds to synths. That's how pop music is. Rock is easier (sonically) as the instrumentation tends to be more limited (primarily piano and organ). Then the focus is more on playing chops, soloing, etc. I don't have those kind of chops anyway; I'm a bassist and wind player primarily. I think this gets back to that older discussion about what a "keyboardist" is vs. a "synthesist", "pianist", etc. Eugenio Upright, 60th Anniversary P-Bass, USA Geddy Lee J-Bass, Yamaha BBP35, D'angelico SS Bari, EXL1, Select Strat, 70th Anniversary Esquire, LP 57, Eastman T486, T64, Ibanez PM2, Hammond XK4, Moog Voyager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunkKeysStuff Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I'm happiest just doing piano, Hammond, EP and clav, possibly with the odd bit of synth string weirdness. Pretty much the only time I'll bust out a sampled acoustic instrument or techno-synth sound is if they're needed for a cover band. Like my gig tonight, for which I have to load the banjo sample back into my NE3 for a Keith Urban tune. (It's cheesy and horrible, but at least it's better than the song that almost got added in its place, "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" -- the perfect song for those occasions when Skynyrd and ZZ Top just aren't quite white trash enough.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 the perfect song for those occasions when Skynyrd and ZZ Top just aren't quite white trash enough. Wow - the crap I'm seeing posted on here today "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 the perfect song for those occasions when Skynyrd and ZZ Top just aren't quite white trash enough. Wow - the crap I'm seeing posted on here today http://pnsdigital.com/weather/widget_images/WSI/houdm_temps_cur/470_268_090710210439.jpeg Iz HOT in HOUSTON... I think you could use a cold brewski, Joe. How 'bout it? I'm buyin'. "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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