Minor keyboard crisis -- please help

[TWMango]

I'm having a bit of a keyboard emergency -- can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

My Yamaha KX88 is on the fritz -- it has been giving me problems for about a year now which I'm sick of, and I'm thinking I'll just replace it rather than take it in for repair.

 

The reason this is an emergency is, I have a major gig in two weeks and need to set up whatever replacement and familiarize myself with it as fast as possible.

 

Here is my old setup for gigs. There's the KX88, and in a rack I have:

 

* Roland XV3080 (sound module 1)

* Roland JV880 (sound module 2)

* Yamaha MEP-4: ("MIDI event manager" -- old and also on its last legs)

 

Requirements: My band does a wide variety of classic rock covers. For performances I need to be able to preset the patch configurations for each of about 60 different songs, mixing & matching from both of the sound modules, and go from one song to another at the push of a button. On the KX88 I've been using split keyboard mode and the MEP-4 to do that, but it has been inadequate because it gives me access to only two patches and on some songs I need three or four. Plus I hate the MEP-4 -- it is faulty and not user friendly.

 

So, my questions are (I'm not technically too deep, so go easy on me...):

 

What equipment do I need here, and what do you recommend? I was thinking of getting two stage pianos (Yamaha P80s perhaps) and connecting one to the XV3080 and the other to the JV880. But if I can do what I have to with just one keyboard, I would prefer that. Maybe there is an updated, more user-friendly device like the MEP-4 to control the presets? Any pointers GREATLY appreciated. BTW I'm not on an unlimited budget, but do want professional level equipment.

 

Cheers,

Tom

[Sui]

If you can afford one, I'd get a Roland A90. They're not real real expensive anymore and they pretty much can do whatever you need to do. Pretty versatile overall. It comes with a quick starter guide to get you going faster (the regular manual is a book though).

 

On a budget you might want to look at the Roland A37 - should still accomplish what you need, although you will have to consider whether you can live with a keyboard that doesn't have hammer action and 88 keys.

[EricG]

Why not take a look at the Yamaha S80.... You should be able to get one for at a good price now, because of the introduction of the S90.

The S80 is a great synth with nice sounds, and a very good weighted 88 note keyboard. And very important to you it has good master keyboard facilities to suit your needs.

[Byrdman]

You should at least look at a master controller with two sets of midi outs. Another possibility for controlling patches is the midi foot pedals made by Beringer. Unfortunately they have only one set of outs so you would have to daisy chain your modules with this too.

[TWMango]

Well, the online stores are pushing Yamaha S80s for $899 (don't know what that is in Krona ;^) but maybe I'll just get two at that price. I'll look at the Roland A90 as well...

 

88 weighted keys are a must, and I really want to get away from daisy chaining the modules if possible.

 

Thanks all.

[Sui]

88 weighted keys are a must, and I really want to get away from daisy chaining the modules if possible.

The A90 has four MIDI outputs and two inputs, with the modules you have you won't have to daisy chain anything. Also has piano hammer action and 88 keys, so it seems like to me it would be a good suit for what you want.

[cg1155]

Another vote for the S80. It's onboard sounds are almost made for classic rock type music and I find them to be very good. It can control up to four zones in "performance" mode which do not necessarily have to be physical key ranges on the S80 (ie. you can assign controllers (i.e. volume sliders to modules without controlling the notes played with the S80). You can also have program and bank messages sent when you select a performance on up to 4 midi channels (so your units will set up with the press of 1 button on the S80, and you can control volume with the sliders). And I also agree that the A90 would be a good choice if you don't want any onboard sounds, although this model is getting a little old and I personally didn't care for the action.

 

-Casey

[Sui]

And I also agree that the A90 would be a good choice if you don't want any onboard sounds, although this model is getting a little old and I personally didn't care for the action.

Actually you can get a sound card for it, I have one in mine (basically called an A90EX if you will). The card is called the VE-RD1, and has a assorted bunch of keyboard sounds - pianos, organs, strings, etc etc etc. The piano samples are real nice, not quite as nice as the ones in the newer XV88 but still very decent.

 

I know it's a little older but it's still one helluva controller - I have no problem with the action on it personally.

[cg1155]

That's right, I forgot you can get it with the card.

 

Casey

[TWMango]

Thanks all for your input.

 

Actually I went and played both the A90 and S80 this weekend. Loved them both, preferred the action on the Yamaha, but I think what I really want is a pure MIDI controller -- my Roland modules give me all the sounds I need and more, so having a lot of onboard sounds.

 

I'm leaning toward the Fatar Studiologic SL1100 or SL2001. The former is being advertised online for only $700! It has more functionality than the Yamaha KX88 I bought in 1991 for nearly $3,000. The SL1100 has two MIDI outs and 4 possible keyboard zones. The SL2001 has 4 MIDI outs and 8 zones! Both have fully weighted hammer action (again, a must for me).

 

The question is, how I've never ventured away from the name brands before in buying equipment. Not that I'm averse to doing that, but I want to know the company will still be around in a couple of years if I ever have to call for support. I looked at Fatar's website and they definitely have the feel of a startup or garage operation.

 

Does anyone have any experience with Fatar gear, especially with the SL series of MIDI controllers? I can figure out the functionality from reading the specs, but am interested in (a) how do they feel to play, (b) ease of use, and © is Fatar above board as a company?

 

I'm gonna start a new thread on that, just in case people who didn't look at this. So if you reply, could you reply on the new thread? Thanks!

[TWMango]

BTW, the title of the new thread is Fatar "Studiologic MIDI Controllers - SL Series"

 

Cheers.

[TWMango]

BTW, the title of the new thread is Fatar "Studiologic MIDI Controllers - SL Series"

 

Cheers.