Cass,

Like you, I replaced my drum machine with a keyboard, but it didn't solve the problem. The band members were still complaining. The reason they complained, however, was because they couldn't keep time worth a damned! They, like many others who play an occasional weekend job, could not keep time with a strictly regimented beat. So, when I purchased my first keyboard there was no difference--they couldn't keep time with it as well. When I purchased the next keyboard, a Yamaha PSR-500, I replaced the lead guitar player, the bass player, the rhythm guitar player and the problem was solved. I can keep time just fine with the keyboard, don't need to split the proceeds with anyone and I only have to worry about one person showing up on time--ME!

So, to answer your initial question "Do I need an arranger?" Well, the simple answer is yes, unless you have the burning desire to hire a drummer, bass player, lead guitar player, rhythm guitar player, haul a ton of gear around, spend an hour setting up and tearing down, put up with guys who can't agree on volume levels, timing, song selection, etc... NAH! Stick with the arranger keyboard. Which keyboard you select depends upon your individual needs and those of your audiences.

Merry Christmas Old Friend,

Gary

[This message has been edited by travlin'easy (edited 12-23-2009).]

Around here, there are jobs in dining rooms and corporate events that work fine with just a piano and/or guitar. Thing is, with an arranger, you can do a greater variety of gigs.

My challenge is to use arrangers when they "help the cause", but not use them as a crutch.


Good luck!


Russ

Like you - I only use midi files and bought the Roland Juno DI. It plays midi-files and only weights 11 pounds. I'm selling it for $500 and you can store 399 songs

Russ I don't see an arranger as a crutch (meaning not playing?)..I use an arranger in piano mode most of the time...that is both hands playing..what more can we do? No crutch as I see it...maybe you mean something other than a crutch..

No, Fran, I mean crutch. There are players in this area who either use all the features of an arranger (badly) because they can't play, or are too lazy to put anything but the minimum effort into the job.


I don't want to be one of those players....EVER!


R.

I'm one of those very lazy guys who uses the accompaniment to the max.

I love having the keyboard do most of the work.

I assemble my own styles, and have a great time doing it.

All I want to do is play chords in the left hand, and play the melody with the right.

It's a nice break from playing solo piano.

Ian the Indolent

Same here, and I sing. I love every aspect of an arranger keyboard, and its versatility makes it a stand-alone instrument that is second to none. You could not pay me enough to go back to playing a 12-string guitar as a solo instrument, and playing the piano is out of the question--I don't possess that kind of talent.

Cheers,

Gary

I have found that, on the whole, if you are using a drum machine for a live band or arranger drum section, if your live players have trouble keeping time (if they don't suck with a live drummer as well, that is ) it is usually due to how easy it is for them to 'swamp' the machine, which doesn't have a fraction of the dynamics of a real drummer, nor automatically gets louder when the rest of the band does...

Only solution I have found to this is to make sure that the drum section of your arranger goes to separate outputs (if your arranger has them) and to run them through their own dedicated monitor rig onstage if possible, or at least make them hotter in the band's monitors than the regular keyboard parts. And, if your arranger has a function where the ACC (especially the drum Part) gets louder or quieter depending on how hard you play, set that up so that, if you have to start banging a bit harder because the other guys start getting frisky, at least the drums will get frisky with them!

This, in my experience, has solved all timing problems with live players that I have experienced. If they can play well with a REAL drummer, all it takes is recreating the 'real drummer' experience for them... and if they can't play well even with a real drummer, what are you doing playing with them, anyway?

I had the same trouble with my band. I thought they were just old(older than me), deaf, or weren't paying attention, and I had the drums turned up. I guess it sounded loud to me, but on the other side of the room, playing a horn, it is quite different. It makes sense to me.