J. Dan Posted November 6, 2023 Share Posted November 6, 2023 So I haven’t played in a band for a while. My last regular band was an original progressive metal band but I also filled in with several pop bands. So I just joined a band doing a bunch of 80s mini tributes. We have 2 practices in 2023 before booking 2024. So our first practice is Nov 29 and I have a lot to learn - no sequencing. 10 2 Quote 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...
KuruPrionz Posted November 6, 2023 Share Posted November 6, 2023 Have fun and PROTECT YOUR HEARING!!!! In general, drums are LOUD and then everything else becomes loud. I've done my share of damage, I'm now working on a solo act, just guitar and vocals. 1 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...
niacin Posted November 6, 2023 Share Posted November 6, 2023 I've done something similar, the mini tributes included Cindy Lauper, Roxette, MJ, Whitesnake, Eurhymics ... thankfully the drummer explained to the band that the latter was machines and he couldn't quite get that sound so I didn't have to go the sequencing track. Some fun synth work, enjoy. 1 Quote Gig keys: Hammond SKpro, Korg Vox Continental, Crumar Mojo 61, Crumar Mojo Pedals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoken6 Posted November 6, 2023 Share Posted November 6, 2023 5 hours ago, J. Dan said: no sequencing As it should be! Good luck with the new project. Cheers, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffincltnc Posted November 6, 2023 Share Posted November 6, 2023 I do an 80's tribute that is all new-wave and synth oriented and do use some sequencing on tunes like "Rio", "Hungry Like The Wolf", "Blue Monday", "Bizarre Love Triangle", "Just Can't Get Enough", "Don't You Want Me Baby", "The Promise", "You Spin Me Round", etc. If it goes with the song properly, I use sequencing to nail the tune. 2 Quote Yamaha U1 Upright, Roland Fantom 8, Nord Stage 4 HA73, Nord Wave 2, Korg Nautilus 73, Viscount Legend Live, Lots of Mainstage/VST Libraries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tusker Posted November 6, 2023 Share Posted November 6, 2023 1 minute ago, jeffincltnc said: If it goes with the song properly, I use sequencing to nail the tune. +1 Sometimes a tiny sequenced production of a portion of a song can make a huge difference to the setlist. I don't like the risk of tap tempo for cover band gigs but even without tap tempo, sequencing can work well. If the drummer's time is reasonably consistent, you can trigger four bars at the original bpm, then trigger the next four, then the next. Everybody aligns as the sequence runs. No sweat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted November 30, 2023 Author Share Posted November 30, 2023 So I had our first practice tonight and although I was worried about it, they seemed pretty happy with me. They were impressed with my sound programming mostly. So we have another practice in 3 weeks and a bit of a change in direction. Instead of the movie theme songs, we’re adding 2 more mini tributes. So it will be 6 tributes, 2 per set. Cindy Lauper, George Michael, Madonna, Billy Idol, Culture Club, and B52’s. Also there will be dancers and dance routines on stage. I actually think the dancers will set us apart. 3 Quote 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...
DJkeys Posted November 30, 2023 Share Posted November 30, 2023 On 11/6/2023 at 7:47 AM, Tusker said: +1 Sometimes a tiny sequenced production of a portion of a song can make a huge difference to the setlist. I don't like the risk of tap tempo for cover band gigs but even without tap tempo, sequencing can work well. If the drummer's time is reasonably consistent, you can trigger four bars at the original bpm, then trigger the next four, then the next. Everybody aligns as the sequence runs. No sweat. This technique also works with an arpeggiator as well. As you mention, the drummer needs to have good meter- -dj Quote iMac i7 13.5.2 Studio One 5.5.2 Nord Stage 3 Nord Wave 2 Nektar T4 Drawmer DL 241 Focusrite ISA Two Focusrite Clarett 8 Pre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoken6 Posted November 30, 2023 Share Posted November 30, 2023 15 hours ago, J. Dan said: Also there will be dancers and dance routines on stage. I actually think the dancers will set us apart. How much does having dancers eat into the individual earnings per head? Cheers, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted December 2, 2023 Author Share Posted December 2, 2023 On 11/30/2023 at 4:19 PM, stoken6 said: How much does having dancers eat into the individual earnings per head? Cheers, Mike. My understanding is that they are basically doing it for free, though we’ve decided that on the higher paying gigs we’ll throw some money at the main dancers. It’s already a 6 piece so there are a lot of divisions going on, and we’ve decided to take half of the first few gigs to put into video which means I may have to do a few shows for $100-$150/man at first. 1 Quote 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...
yannis D Posted December 2, 2023 Share Posted December 2, 2023 Nice for the gig If I were you I would not worry too much about the "sounds" as long as they are not too far from the original ones. Nobody really cares but us.. Enjoy 1 Quote Be grateful for what you've got - a Nord, a laptop and two hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthaholic Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 On 11/5/2023 at 9:44 PM, J. Dan said: So I just joined a band doing a bunch of 80s mini tributes. The most fun to play, for me. Convince them to do some Thompson Twins and Human League. Have fun! 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...
Joe Muscara Posted December 5, 2023 Share Posted December 5, 2023 Cool, Dan. Please keep us updated and share the videos if you can. It’s always good to see your excellent work. Quote "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...
J. Dan Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 On 11/30/2023 at 4:19 PM, stoken6 said: How much does having dancers eat into the individual earnings per head? Cheers, Mike. My understanding is that they are basically doing it for free, though we’ve decided that on the higher paying gigs we’ll throw some money at the main dancers. It’s already a 6 piece so there are a lot of divisions going on, and we’ve decided to take half of the first few gigs to put into video which means I may have to do a few shows for $100-$150/man at first. 1 Quote 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...
J. Dan Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 The Cindy Lauper stuff is surprisingly tough! That and the George Michael Wham era stuff - pretty tough! Practice got postponed a week so I have time to work on it some more. So far the first gig is June 29 at a large ballroom with tix $20/head and an expected minimum of 200 sold. 2 Quote 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...
niacin Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 1 hour ago, J. Dan said: The Cindy Lauper stuff is surprisingly tough! I enjoyed some of it but found maybe half the tunes laborious, parts not so fun to play once you get much past True Colours, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun & What's Going On, synth programming to do and multi-part splits and layers to cover the lines, songs like I Drove All Night & All Through the Night & I don't need to play again, hopefully you find it more fun than I did. Quote Gig keys: Hammond SKpro, Korg Vox Continental, Crumar Mojo 61, Crumar Mojo Pedals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S_Gould Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 If you go here: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/prorecordingworkshop/ William Wittman (Cindy's bass player & music director) is there almost every day (screen name Weedy Wet). He's very open to inquiries, if you have any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nursers Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 9 hours ago, S_Gould said: If you go here: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/prorecordingworkshop/ William Wittman (Cindy's bass player & music director) is there almost every day (screen name Weedy Wet). He's very open to inquiries, if you have any. I had the pleasure of interviewing William and the rest of Cyndi's band circa 2004-5 - there's a reason William has been with Cyndi from the get-go, great guy 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...
J. Dan Posted January 5 Author Share Posted January 5 Most of the sounds are pretty easy to program, it’s just getting all the parts together. So here are the songs we’re doing and my thoughts so far Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - I did this song before but had a sequence take over when I played the solo, so now I’m trying to do them together with no sequence and finding the timing tough. All Through the Night - I broke down and used an aroeggiator for the beginning part - no click, but I can re-trigger on the beat and also have tap-tempo. I let the other parts drop out during the solo so I can use the pitch bend while playing. The Goonies are Alright - struggling a little bit with the timing doing the Marimba-like part with the flutes, but I’m getting there. Time after Time - the easiest of them so far Change of Heart - also pretty easy She Bop - the main riff with the harp-like part is a little tough but I mostly have it. I drop out the other parts to do the whistle solo. 3 Quote 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...
wd8dky Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 On 11/6/2023 at 2:06 AM, stoken6 said: As it should be! Good luck with the new project. Cheers, Mike. That's funny, considering many bands from that era used sequencing themselves. Quote http://www.weisersound.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted January 18 Author Share Posted January 18 Had our 2nd practice tonight - first time with the new guitar player and at his house. A little disappointed we didn’t do any of the George Michael since I worked pretty hard on it and brought my sax for “I’m your man”. I’m coming off of a few days sick with a fever so I had no energy, but everyone seemed happy with me on the Cindy and Madonna stuff. Besides that we did a couple Billy Idol tunes. We have two practices scheduled in Feb - besides the Culture Club and B52’s stuff they now want to add some Duran Duran, which I can do but I let the drummer know that songs like Rio have an arpeggiator and without a click he’ll need to follow iit, to which he said was fine as long as he can hear it. 1 Quote 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...
stoken6 Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 Sounds like a cool and fun gig. 2 hours ago, J. Dan said: brought my sax for “I’m your man” I guess if you're going to do it: do it right, right? Please tell me "Careless Whisper" is in the set. Cheers, Mike. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinLeo Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 On 11/6/2023 at 3:44 AM, J. Dan said: So I haven’t played in a band for a while. My last regular band was an original progressive metal band but I also filled in with several pop bands. So I just joined a band doing a bunch of 80s mini tributes. We have 2 practices in 2023 before booking 2024. So our first practice is Nov 29 and I have a lot to learn - no sequencing. I'm in the same boat as you... haven't played live for years and I've been requested to join a new band (mainly 80's covers), but we don't have any drummer or bass player: just me with keyboards, guitar player and lead vocalist, and two back vocalist. So the tricky part is they want me to play piano/synths, some bass with left hand and of course to trigger the drum parts and some time pre-recorded backing vocals for more complex songs. I've been checking Camelot Pro and Gig Performer. Almost all the live sounds will come from my NS4 and CK61, maybe the BX-3 as a VST. I don't want to overload my MacBook Air M1 with only 8GB of RAM; the program will basically handle changing presets for both keyboards and triggering pre-recorded percussion, bass in some songs and chorus tracks. Any good advice on this? Thanks in advance. Quote NS4 73HA, Yamaha MODX7+, Korg C1 Air, Roland TD1-DMK, Harley Benton TalkBox, Sony F-760 dynamic microphone, Scarlett 2i2 3rd gen, M-Audio Track Duo, MacBook Air M1, Logic Pro 11, Kontakt 7, Mainstage, Cubasis 3 (IOS), Korg Module (IOS), Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted January 21 Author Share Posted January 21 I haven’t gigged with a laptop in a long time so there is a lot out there that I’m not familiar with - others can chime in. Given you have no drummer or bass player, you’ll have to be using a sequence or tracks and what you use and how you use it will depend on your skill level and what resources you have. If I had to do that now, I would do it all in my Kronos in song mode. I don’t think any of your keys have workstation capabilities which brings it to the Mac. I did a duo in the 90s where we sequences all the bass and drums (and some other parts). I used Performer (pre-digital performer) to make the sequences, saved them as SMF’s and used a player on an IBM thinkpad to play the SMF’s. All the sounds still came from my keyboard, at the time a Roland JV-30 utilizing the Roland GS sound set. 1 Quote 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...
MartinLeo Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 Thanks for the feedback. Yes you are right, my synths doesn’t have drums (only stage keyboards) so I must leave that to my laptop… BTW, where you able to convince your new band to play sax for Careless Whispers for the upcoming gig? I’m still deciding between Gig Performer and Camelot Pro. any tip on that? Regards. Quote NS4 73HA, Yamaha MODX7+, Korg C1 Air, Roland TD1-DMK, Harley Benton TalkBox, Sony F-760 dynamic microphone, Scarlett 2i2 3rd gen, M-Audio Track Duo, MacBook Air M1, Logic Pro 11, Kontakt 7, Mainstage, Cubasis 3 (IOS), Korg Module (IOS), Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted February 18 Author Share Posted February 18 No careless whisper, unfortunately. we had 5 gigs but one fell through, so we have 4 so far. I’m a little worried about selling out based on ticket prices at $20 ea for one and $35 ea for another, but we have a couple gigs where we are opening for touring tribute acts doing only one set for a guaranteed minimum, so that’s good. Have 2 practices in the next 2 weeks so we’ll see how things are coming along. 2 Quote 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...
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