You are right. We don't take the arranger out. But we do play live and the expectations are high from both the clients and the performance is reflected soley through the PA we choose.

When someone claims they saw "the numbers on a $200 pair of PA speakers" and bought them based on the numbers (30HZ on 8" drivers?) then says you cannot depend on the "numbers" you have to "hear" them...Well who can blame the less connected and emotional to question that. From a purely technical standpoint if nothing else? I research based on the numbers. Credible professional gear is honestly speced out. Not so great gears uses Peak Power ratings and unreal freq response claims..... without the essential curves. I am suspect...sorry.

Arranger players are a different breed. I realize that. I have never actually SEEN one in performance so I probably don't understand the culture and choices.

However live performing is live performing. Live performing is live performing...... whether on a Roland Rd700 or Yamaha PSR413. IN that regard I do share some cultural similarities as a performer. I expect the best possible sound to reach the audience. I don't do it for my living anymore which is not to say I won't ever. I enjoy selling the gear now and going out when I get the bug. Some day I may have to do it again.

I understand not carrying a lot around. My wife is 43 5'2 100lbs and as of three years ago was carrying around a Mackie 802S, two JBL MR15s and the associated crap, and an RD700 by herself!! I get the down sizing thing. But she and I still wanted the best quality she could get and was easy to lug around. I decided she should give the Bose a try. She was stuck in her "Stereo paradigm" and the "dual box paradigm". But in the end The Bose System filled the bill on the PA side. A Casio Previa 320 on the 88 side for stair gigs and she even started playing guitar three years ago to take some guitar only gigs as well. to further lighten the load.

We use the Arranger in the SAME way everyone does...BACKING tracks. We just don't use it live. We can't repeat choruses.....LOL.

She would rather give that flexibility up in favor of two fisted keyboard playing on weighted keys with a band whether live or recorded. Thats all she has ever done and is comfortable with. I am indeed more inclined to take an arranger out if I were to do my own thing full time than she is. She won't think of it.

However I would still use the best PA gear possible and not accept less because I have to have a stereo field and therefore need something that offers that and is light at the same time.

Then again, most of my live performance BG was entirely in mono with monitor mixers and great reliable gear. I don't have this aversion to mono. I do appreciate professional, bullet proof, reliable and honestly spec'd and now light.... even if it cost a little more. Its part of our income. We try not to cut too many corners. The technology is out there that accommodate all of our requirements..... for now and keeps getting better.




[This message has been edited by Kingfrog (edited 02-24-2009).]