MathOfInsects Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 This thread is for all those "little things" we wish we'd learned earlier, to make life, gigs, performance, or keyboard ownership in general easier. Like, always buy two power supplies for whatever boards you get. Not only can you leave one set up in your home studio or practice area, but if you happen to lose one you can still use your board and play your gigs. If you do cycle a keyboard into and out of a rehearsal area or studio, leave a full set-up for it there, even beyond that power source--cables, stand, pedals. Not having to pack and unpack a gig bagjust to play your board at home will keep you productive and encourage you to do whatever it was you were going to do with the board (which you might bail on if you have to do a full set-up each time). Have one gig bag for single-board gigs and another for two-board (+) gigs. Go ahead and duplicate anything that means duplicating. Then you can grab n go for whichever type of gig you are playing. What "little things" have you learned, that might help others make the most of their time and opportunities? 6 1 Quote Now out! "Mind the Gap," a 24-song album of new material. www.joshweinstein.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nursers Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 1. Don't buy a house where you need to store your gear upstairs 2. Invest in a great mixer / interface that allows you to output what you want, and also get a good FOH feed. 3. Always have something to mop up liquid 6 Quote The Keyboard Chronicles Podcast Check out your fellow forumites in an Apple Music playlist Check out your fellow forumites in a Spotify playlist My Music: Stainless Fields Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stokely Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 The OP hit a bunch of mine, mainly having to do with not getting cute with rigs and supporting gear. Any time I try to get "efficient" for different gigs I end up forgetting something. Short of duplication (as mentioned) I just bring my normal gear case even if some stuff in it won't be used. Have a backup gear case in your car (unless that is too far away to be helpful). Don't have backup stuff in your main case, it just gets in the way during normal setup. Bring a light if you play down and dirty bars. Those things are often dark as pitch when you shut your lights down! Actually so are some resort gigs, we did a poolside one recently that went into evening. In the theme of "mop up liquid" I learned not to put anything important directly on the floor. I have a couple cheap FC5 pedals on the floor, but now my Key Largo and monitor mixers and any other pedals go in a pedalboard--and that fits in my main gear case so it won't be forgotten. Get a "stage black" colored Lasko drying fan. Can't believe I ever gigged without one. Make sure you get one that can tilt. Definitely have an "outdoor kit" especially if you live in a place like FL. Towels, tarps (or grill cover), plastic bags for floor gear in case rain starts running through the stage (as has happened to me.) I make sure any keyboard stand I use has a mic boom attachment. I tend to leave mic stands at home! The boom fits in my gear case along with everything else that isn't a keyboard or stand. Something I learned years ago--if you are running more than one cable to a mixer or box on stage, use or build a snake. I have a custom "snake" with split-sleeve plastic, because one of my cables is ethernet (no off the shelf snake has this I don't think). Been using this thing almost 10 years to hold up to 5 or 6 cables and it looks brand new. So convenient, doesn't catch on anything and protects the cables a bit. Looks good on stage too. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drawback Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 Don't sweat the small stuff. 2 Quote ____________________________________ Rod Here for the gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cphollis Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 One big chunk of advice for playing an outdoor festival in FL: - bring at least a gallon of water, two towels and a spare shirt - bug spray, suntan lotion and a big floppy hat - sunglasses and a stage fan 2 Quote Want to make your band better? Check out "A Guide To Starting (Or Improving!) Your Own Local Band" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canoehead Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 Protect your hearing, whatever it takes! If a band insists on playing at volumes that hurt, make sure you have earplugs that work. If it’s so loud that earplugs don’t help; move on. There’ll be lots of other opportunities. You only have two ears. cheers, Gord 9 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill5 Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 This isn't specific to music, but regarding saving of data: - Always have at least TWO backups of files/data you really care about and are irreplaceable (soft copies of photos, etc). - Keep in mind that hard drives don't last forever - in fact you shouldn't count on more than 3 or 4 yrs. After that, copy it to a new one. - One of those backups should be online, like google drive or emailing things to yourself, etc. That way if you're robbed or the house burns down you still have it 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miden Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Wished I'd of learned guitar instead 2 2 Quote There is no luck - luck is simply the confluence of circumstance and co-incidence... Time is the final arbiter for all things Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Be able to play every song in the setlist as if the only KB avaliable was a piano.😎 5 Quote 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...
Outkaster Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Don't eat yellow snow. 1 Quote "Danny, ci manchi a tutti. La E-Street Band non e' la stessa senza di te. Riposa in pace, fratello" noblevibes.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o0Ampy0o Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Carry a roll of TP and some Lysol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowboyNQ Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 1. Never, ever, ever let a third party handle settlement funds on your behalf. 2. Don’t lose sleep over FOH. They’ll either do a great, terrible or moderate job. Regardless you’ll have zero control over it. 3. Don’t play in a band with people you struggle to get along with. 6 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthaholic Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Always carry a voltage regulator in your vehicle. Always plug your power cable into the outlet before connecting the other end to your piece of gear. You dont know how loose/safe that outlet is. If part of your compensation is a bar/food tab, order something earlier in the evening that will keep well until you're finished playing. Don't order food right before the kitchen is closing down. 2 Quote The fact there's a Highway To Hell and only a Stairway To Heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers People only say "It's a free country" when they're doing something shitty-Demetri Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KuruPrionz Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Always have some paper and a writing utensil with you. You never know when a song might come or you need to write down something. Could just be a couple of chords. Breath mints are good to have handy, if somebody comes up to chat and their breath smells like an unflushed toilet, take out the breath mints, put one in your mouth, smile and offer them one. It might keep you from making an unmistakable face. 1 Quote It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adan Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Tip your waitstaff even when you’re the performer. It’ll likely benefit you down the line. 1 Quote Gigging: Crumar Mojo 61, Hammond SKPro Home: Vintage Vibe 64 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoken6 Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Great advice through this thread. Mine: - Buy the in-house sound engineer a drink - DC barrel connectors will break (I broke three in my early gigging days) - Buy once, buy well - Being a sub is often more fun than being a full-time member 10 hours ago, ProfD said: Be able to play every song in the setlist as if the only KB avaliable was a piano.😎 This. Or Hammond Organ. Cheers, Mike 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickzjamm Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Treat everyone with kindness the way you'd want to be treated & always have a smile. Not always possible on every gig but remember that's the kind of musician you'd want to hang with, right? 2 3 Quote You don't know you're in the dark until you're in the light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cphollis Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 If you realize you're the best musician in the band, time to find a new band. 2 Quote Want to make your band better? Check out "A Guide To Starting (Or Improving!) Your Own Local Band" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zeger Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Never get involved in a land war in Asia. Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line. 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Woodward Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Marry someone who understands your compulsion to buy music gear... 😉 1 1 Quote Korg Grandstage 73, Mac Mini M1, Logic Pro X (Pigments, Korg Legacy Collection, Wavestate LE, Sylenth), iPad Pro 12.9 M2 (6th gen), Scarlett 2i2, Presonus Eris E3.5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyRude Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 2 2 1 Quote Some music I've recorded and played over the years with a few different bands Tommy Rude Soundcloud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamPro Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Gig Miscellaneous Go-bag: 1) a towel to mop up sweat (or beer) 2) face mask; hand sanitizer 3) extension chord and multi-outlet junction box (it never ceases to amaze me how many self-proclaimed gig "pros" forget this mission-critical gear) 4) your ear protection 5) your preferred thirst-quencher in a clean container you can keep away from "fans" who want to dose you 6) I keep a throw-away paperback book handy for downtime and delays For outdoors 7) clips to hold the sheet music to the stand 😎 tarp large enough to cover your gear 9) sun-block; mosquito repellent; baby powder for when the humidity makes your fingers stick to the plastic keys 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill5 Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 8 hours ago, KuruPrionz said: Always have some paper and a writing utensil with you. You never know when a song might come or you need to write down something. Could just be a couple of chords. ...or a hand-held recorder. More than once I came up with something while driving home, felt it was really good, kept repeating it to myself over and over so I wouldn't lose it...and lost it anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MathOfInsects Posted March 26, 2023 Author Share Posted March 26, 2023 Just seconding the snake suggestion. Have setups ready for all configurations of your rig. I have presnaked sets of two and four cables, and I also snake together my pedals, so that at a gig it's just drop n plug. Don't forget to wrap colored tape or some other way of differentiating the cables BEFORE you snake. Also, remember that in a two-cable pair, you only need to mark one, not both. (A truly "little thing" but we don't get any of these wasted minutes back at the end of our lives.) I use the fabric cable wrap the hot-rodders use for their bag-ass subs in their cars. It looks slick, is dead-easy to use, and it's cheap to replace or augment. 1 Quote Now out! "Mind the Gap," a 24-song album of new material. www.joshweinstein.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthaholic Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 2 hours ago, JamPro said: Gig Miscellaneous Go-bag: 1) a towel to mop up sweat (or beer) 2) face mask; hand sanitizer 3) extension chord and multi-outlet junction box (it never ceases to amaze me how many self-proclaimed gig "pros" forget this mission-critical gear) 4) your ear protection 5) your preferred thirst-quencher in a clean container you can keep away from "fans" who want to dose you 6) I keep a throw-away paperback book handy for downtime and delays For outdoors 7) clips to hold the sheet music to the stand 😎 tarp large enough to cover your gear 9) sun-block; mosquito repellent; baby powder for when the humidity makes your fingers stick to the plastic keys This took a dark turn! 😳 Quote The fact there's a Highway To Hell and only a Stairway To Heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers People only say "It's a free country" when they're doing something shitty-Demetri Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o0Ampy0o Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 11 hours ago, Synthaholic said: Always carry a voltage regulator in your vehicle. Always plug your power cable into the outlet before connecting the other end to your piece of gear. You dont know how loose/safe that outlet is. If part of your compensation is a bar/food tab, order something earlier in the evening that will keep well until you're finished playing. Don't order food right before the kitchen is closing down. Consider testing outlets on something expendable. If using an iPad or iPhone Apple advises that you avoid connecting hot power cables to the device and says they should not be connected to an outlet first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthaholic Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 3 minutes ago, o0Ampy0o said: Consider testing outlets on something expendable. If using an iPad or iPhone Apple advises that you avoid connecting hot power cables to the device and says they should not be connected to an outlet first. If I'm suspicious of voltage I use my Kill-a-Watt to test outlets. But I've had outlets spark when something was plugged into them, and I've had outlets so loose that either the plug fell right out or the entire outlet wobbled around. Ever since those events I've always plugged in an extension cord before connecting any gear to it. I also avoid ground lifts. They're dangerous. If it's the only thing available I get my voltage regulator from the vehicle. It has protection built in. Quote The fact there's a Highway To Hell and only a Stairway To Heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers People only say "It's a free country" when they're doing something shitty-Demetri Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboKeys Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Rubber plugs or gaffer tape on all unused jacks (learned this after too many times of finding that my damper pedal wasn't working because i plugged it into the keyboard's headphone jack). 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyRude Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Always ask for I.D. Quote Some music I've recorded and played over the years with a few different bands Tommy Rude Soundcloud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piktor Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 A roll of gaffer’s tape makes a pretty good drink holder. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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