BEMcCut

I am currently playing keyboards and singing in what has become my main band. I just got asked to play bass and sing in another one that only does a regular Sunday gig. I was singing and doubling on keys and guitar in what was my number one band. It is on hold due to serious health issues of two of the members. As a former studio musician in a small town I got a lot of work because of my mediocre ability to play several instruments. I have several basses. Fender Jazz and P-Bass, Ibanez SR800 and 885, Hofner and a Sekova Tele Bass copy.

I am currently playing 70's, 80's, 90's classic rock with some country added. My rig is an MODX7 and a VR-09. The MODX is the workhorse in the set up. Lots of splits, layers and scenes. The VR-09 covers organ and things I don't have room for on the Yamaha. This setup coves all the bases for the Styx, Bon Jovi, Cars, etc they we do. Nice and light weight and quick and easy setup.

For Sledgehammer I had a sound close to it in my MODX7. I added some reverb and EQ. Works fine and other local keyboard players have commented positively about it. For Too Much Time I programed a downward fall sound again on the MODX. Narf has a YouTube video if you need help. Surprisingly the MODX has an alarm clock sound. I just use the pitch bend wheel to give it the dropping sound because it worked.

I get calls to fill in because musicians in my area call because I have the reputation of being able to learn a bunch of songs quickly and sing harmony on the fly. My last call was for New Years Eve to double on keys and guitar. The bands keyboard player quit a week before. I did one 2 hour practice with the guitar player. I used chord charts on my iPad but I only needed it for a few songs. To complicate things I was doing a solo acoustic guitar gig in the afternoon.

I'm 71 so I played in the days of Rhodes, CP70's and Hammonds. Back then we thought they were portable. My current rig consists on a MODX7 and a Roland VR-09. Both lightweight and easy to move. I have been doubling on guitar so that adds to the roadie part. I stay in pretty good shape for an old guy by walking 2 to 3 miles a day and weight training. I have been asked to audition for a 6 piece band as a lead vocalist and 2nd keyboardist. I am considering it because it would be less work and I could get by with one keyboard and no guitar rig.

My iPad cover is rubber and has a flap that covers the screen and flips open when you use the pad. My MODX7 sits flat. I lay the iPad on the MODX7 and let the flap hang over the back. It never moves and I can see the screen perfectly. ProCase for iPad.

Position of my hand on the keyboard doesn't necessary mean I am playing bass notes. I use lots of splits to cover classic rock tunes. For example for Too Much Time by Styx I have the intro sounds that drop in pitch in the lowest octave notes A, G and F. Above that I have the sweeping sound that plays with the guitar when the synth bass comes. The synth bass is actually in the middle of the keyboard. That being said, I mostly stay away from what the bass is doing by simplifying my left hand doing single notes or waving to people in the crowd with it.

A friend just bought a CK61. He is a great player but super low tech. I have benn doing his programming for cover bands for 30 years. He also has a Yamaha MO 6 and he is trying to midi them together. He is having a problem with tuning. He current band tunes down one half step and the two keyboards aren't working together. It sounds like he is playing an F and F# when layered. I suspect the problem is that he is actually turning the MO down and transposing the CK61. Hopefully it will be an easy fix

A few years ago I asked our sound guy to record our show. I had a Zoom recorder and we used the xls inputs direct from the FOA board plus the external mics. The next day I replayed the recording you could hear all vocals, guitar, drums bass. Everything but the keyboards. I made copies for everyone including the the soundman. Everyone said where are the keys? The sound guy said he could hear them all night.

Here is a link to a video from 2011 Austin City Limits performance. Live with Joseph Wooten on keyboards. If I remember correctly he covered bass for all songs but Fly Like An Eagle. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=533374921785124

It is the movement of gear that is making me think the end is near. I am currently playing keyboards and guitar with my current band. That means rigs for both. Two guitars, pedalboard, powered speaker cab for the guitar. Two keyboards, stand, pedalboard plus all the peripheral things. Twice the time and effort. I use a Helix for the amp models and effects so I eliminated a guitar amp and the EV ZLX works for both keyboard and guitar monitor. I am in good shape for 71 but it is becoming too much.

I bought a grill cover just for that reason. Worked great for me.

I have never had Sweetwater send me a refurbished piece of gear to replace faulty new gear. I have had the opposite happen. I purchased a demo Line 6 Helix Guitar pedal. It locked up when powered up and I called Sweetwater support. They walked me through a possible fix and when it didn't work they overnighted me a brand new one with no added cost and paid for the return shipping for the demo. Above and beyond as always.

I currently drive 40 minutes away for the band I play with now. I don't mind because there are no ego's and everyone is supportive of each other. Fun with no drama.

Rough week. Hang in there.