HI gang.
After writing the easy 8 patterns, I found that the volume levels were a little light in the mix, and I could not control them enough during the night. It's very important to me to be able to control my bass & drums at all times .... After all, they are the heart of my rhythm section, and need the most attention. The piano(chord) parts need very little variation in "Live" play, because dynamics can be achieved with velocity. The bass and drums need a little more TLC to make them seem more real.

The answer?

Easy - I routed the drums and percussion to a separate output (ALL keyboards should offer this) and then, fed it through my TOA mixer BACK into the PA80 internal sound system. This gave me separate EQ and volume at the touch of a button. Donny heard the mix last night, and said the drums were really punchy and "live" sounding. I have to agree. It's better than having them come through the internal mixer. The factory settings have too much reverb on the drums, anyway. I now have the control for that on the mixer. It's a much better approach.

This goes along with my quest for simplicity without compromising individuality. I've said before that I was doing a "one man band" routine LONG before the keyboards did the playing for you, and I miss the basic, solid feel of having a drum loop, left hand bass and right hand "everything else" sound. This brings me closer to the way I began, but with the added advantage of the newer, better sounds, in a lighter package.

I encourage all of you arranger owners to "thin out" your arrangements and experiment with learning how to "fill up" the arrangement yourself. It's more fun, fresher, and less redundant. PLUS - it makes the times when you USE the auto-arranger features really stand out more. They are more "special" when used in moderation. They can get very tired if used (unaltered) too long.

Some of my favorite sounds are the smaller trio's and quartets, so that's what I am trying to pattern my sound after. I am the vocalist with a piano player, bass player, drummer and the occasional horn player on the job.(and, EVERYone sings!!)
Unless it's a loud, party/dance situation .... this is the core of my sound. For everything else ..... I use all the toys in my bag of tricks. Sequences, arrangements, MP3's, WMA's .... whatever I need.

I think having the separate outputs just may keep this Korg in my setup a while longer. The harmonizer is still useless to me, but I like having the EQ for little 1 hr jobs that I do so often without an outboard sound system. To paraphrase a great song lyric:
So, for at least .... until tomorrow, I'LL never change keyboards again.

Good stuff Uncle Dave and very useful too. Glad to see the second time around with the PA80 is working out a little more comfortably than the first time.

I'm still happy with my PA80 as it does have a lot of features and capabilities to keep me happy, and I am glad to have Motif comes along for the ride as well. They both have a lot of bells and whistles even though they don't always get used because I really like the sounds in both and and sometimes I just prefer to play the instrument rather than play with features. The Mo also has a few sliders and knobs that I find to be very useful. ( I LOVE having slider and knobs.. gives me a pseudo analog feeling..lol )

You're recommendation helped put me over the top with the decision on purchasing the Mo Uncle Dave and I am glad for it. I've never had 2 boards at the same time that I like working with as much.





Well stated Uncle Dave.

AJ



[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 07-06-2002).]

AJ,
I should just email you direct .... we're the only two that seem to respond on these PA80 issues anyway! (kidding)
If I ever had a situation that required a second keyboard, I think it would be a tough choice for me. My left hand is tied to the bass, so there is not much time or room to modify settings. I guess I'd still like the have a dedicated piano or organ on the bottom of the rig.

I'm paying attention Dave. Just waiting until you decide to dump the PA80. Please don't beat on it too hard in case I end up with it.
The last time I used two keyboards was with a Technics KN1000 and DX7. I also had an Alesis drum machine and a Yamaha piano module midied in.
It took these companies many years to perfect the automatic bass to the point where I don't have to play with my left hand. I have about as much desire to do that as start hauling B3s and Leslies around again.
Give me all the features, chips, controllers and other innovations, etc., you can load in there and stand back! I can always turn 'em off it it's too much.
DonM

[This message has been edited by DonM (edited 07-06-2002).]

Uncle Dave & AJ
I'm paying attention too so keep posting I find it very interesting.
Your expertise keeps me thinking, & believe me that's quite a
chore.(he he)
Enjoying the 9000 PRO
Denny

Pretty much when I play live I play mostly on the PA80 too, but I use the Mo as the " dedicated piano and rhodes " rig, especially when all I'm doing is a solo Piano or Rhodes sound with little or no accompaniment. The Rhodes sound is a staple sound for me. I like the one on the Motif better than on any other keyboard I've had or played since we had a Rhodes kickin' around the studio some 20 years ago. When we finally played out back then I got a Yamaha CP25 because it was the "current" EP sound and it was "portable" ( uggghh it must have weighed over a hundred pounds ..). It had it's own unique sounds but it sounded nothing like a Rhodes.

When I was demoing the Mo, I was thinking mainly of the acoustic piano sound because I don't care too much for the one on the PA80 ( at least I wouldn't use it for a recording ), but I never bothered to even try the EP sounds much until you told me how good you thought the Rhodes sound was on the Mo, mainly because every "Rhodes" sound I had on any keyboard disappointed me. Once I gave it a good listen, I was sold on the Mo.

Ironically, I made up a performance on the PA80 with a combination of voices that sounds a lot like that old CP25 sound, ( which I also came to like when I got used to it ), so it's like the best of both worlds. The CP was unique in it'a own right. I used 3 voices. One is steel guitar of all things, but it works.

It's funny, when the Rhodes came out, it was intended to sound like a piano. Of course it wasn't close, but it was portable and so many people used it they came to recognize and like the sound for itself.
I didn't have a Rhodes, but I had a Wurlitzer electric piano for awhile. As I recall you had to use a soldering iron to tune it, or some such thing. It was awful.
Lord, I appreciate the modern equipment. Thank You!
Don

I'll bet the new Genesys is not much lighter than my old Rhodes 73 was ! We're going the WRONG way ! After 35lbs ... EVERYthing is too heavy. Period.

Amen, brother Dave. I won't tote nuthin' heavy again, no matter how great it is.
35 pounds is a decent maximum weight.

Yup - I'll never carry a coffin again. When Fran's G1000 is in the case with all his pedals and cables ... it's over 80lbs!!!
Then again he plays basketball with kids half his age too .... maybe that's the ticket to the fountain of youth. Play with kids. Hmmmm, works for Jako, right?