I recently said it again, the moment that there is an 88 totl arranger stagepaino workstation with aftertouch and real time controlls, i will jump over to it and settle with a single keyboard (not that i think its going to happen any time soon..

But this made me think... about my current situation.... and realise something...
My whole playing style and habbitat is centered around having 2 keyboards available..

I most of the time, dont switch sounds, but just switch keyboards...
and if playing arranger style, i have lefthand sounds (or left and bass) and one righthand keyboardset (or even 3 splits if i want to) on the Pa4x by default and another one or 2 available on the kronos...more so if i want to

I really like this.. it just feels better then switching keyboardsets all the time (which offcourse is an option i still have available...

Also having 2 different actions is offcourse a perfect thing, tough the Kronos RH3 is versatile and light enough to also play fast organ and. Synth parts, the pa4x is still more suited for this... the RH3 yet is more suited for slower more dynamic parts like piano, strings etc etc...


So whats my setup...
lower keybed, 88 keys (kronos) with piano hammer action..
Upper keybed, 76 keys (pa4x) nice for organ and synth parts..

So what would i like to hav on my lower keyboard...
- arranger functionallity.. workstation functionallity... direct programmable controll features like knobs and sliders.. basically i would like to have all important controlls on the lower keyboard..
-> so this is a slight problem, as my arranger keyboard is the top one, however, i have an EC5 pedal hooked on the pa4x for direct controll.. i also however recently created an ext setting which i can use in any combi, it allows to have 16 programmable buttons for comtrolling the arranger parts directly from the kronos... it requires some work to addapt a combi with this setting, but in the end it works well

and for the upper keyboard?
It doesnt really matter very much, as its often just to far to reach out comfortably... the keys keys are no problem, but the controll surface is just to far to use continously...


Basically i came to realise that there is not much left to wish for.. and i might as well stick with this set-up and use my macbook for expanding it... and also that in my situation, where my keys in general live in my homestudio, weight and size of the setup is not something really important... realising that no matter what, having that upper keyboard has become so much of a habbit, that not having it in my summerhome where i just have the recently bought 2nd Kronos, definately feels like a miss to me right now... so i think i am done buying more hardware, because it will not get very much better then this..


So, anyone else addicted to having 2 keybeds?

I never liked two keyboards especially playing out ......I don't like pedals either I might only use a double Boss FS 5U linked together for Sustain/VH thats it, just two awkward to reach up and play a top kb, for me,....I'm an all in one kb player, using my fingers is faster then the foot Imo,.....at home is a different story but who wants to carry two kbs around on the road? YUK!!..its a personal choice for each player whatever makes you comfortable is what you should use,....but it's certainly NOT for all......I remember years ago on stage stacking 2 kbs on top of my B3, Rhodes/Juno 60,.. but times have changed and so have I, ....good luck in whatever rig you create music with....
there are no rules....take care..

I am much different than Donny....

I see the value of pedals...they add what are not possible using our fingers (volume/expression)..bringing in a "color" sound etc.

Multi keyboards was a factor in the 80's...
If you wanted to work in our area... you better play left hand bass, have decent sound (piano/Rhodes), and a synth for "color"..
This usually translated into 3 keyboards..
Polyphony was the other factor.. most keyboards were 6 voice .. So we added keyboards and rack gear to add polyphony.

we also blended our sound with rack modules , different brands combined for our "sound"..

True today we can handle all this with one keyboard... the keyboard needs to be a quality keybed with key range (76/88).
Pedal options too..

I would definitely use two keyboards on a job... I understand we get lazy with hour gigs and travel light... but if I am doing a 4 hour gig the extra 5 minutes to set up 2 keyboards that add a benefit
and enjoyment for me , the performer...is well worth it..

As Bachus mentioned two keyboards with different key action also comes into play...especially if you want weighted keys for piano, and a synth action for organ and color..

That's all well and good Fran but, using all those pedals when like YOU ARE STANDING and playing is a real chore and inaccurate at best vs sitting down,....and I still stand by "the Finger is faster then the Foot" sorry...

And how are you going to play realistic organ without a swell pedal? or play pedal bass?

I guess it depends on what type of player you are and what is important to you..

Piano/Rhodes is impossible without a sustain pedal, if you want it to be realistic.

If someone played lefthand bass...there are no extra fingers to use for button pushes..
Same with two handed piano play...

Just a couple examples.

now your talking......the final product is what matters to the audiences ears...

carry on

I just bought a Studiologic M-113 pedal board for my new Hammond SK1, and looking into uses on my other keyboards. I ,however, am used to pedals from my organ days. Different strokes---

Pedals is one of the reasons keyboardists should sit... and have a keytar, for those lovely solo koments that they want to stand...

Many players don't want to seem like old men and stand to try to look cool even tough they are up in age lol,...been there done that for years and my legs and back let me know it too,.....returned to sitting and never looked back, no body cares.......

I am a stander.....in everything..

Grandkids concerts... I'll stand in the back..
Baseball game.. I will stand..

Church I will stand...

Play keyboards or accordion.. I will stand..

I want the freedom to move as I want...

BTW: maybe the reason I have no back issues or leg problems.... because I stand and use muscles we have to use..

Sit around and you will age much faster than being active..


Sit and play with fans blowing on you..... you know you are old..


Afraid to carry a real instrument because it weighs over 40 pounds... another sign you are old

Donny ... It's not a matter of looking cool ... I'm beyond that ... it's about doing what feels right for me ...

As you say - "do what's right for you"

Wow, imagine if he and Barbara Dennerlein had a kid together - he'd probably be faster than Usain Bolt .

Hey, glad to hear from you Brother. Drop me a (private) mail and let me know how things are going.

chas

It's amazing what the human mind is capable of doing. And he's even wearing shoes. If I'm correct that's a handicap for an organist.

Old as the hills, organists have been doing it for as long as I can remember, (Theatre organists were doing it in at least the 40s & 50s) it is fantastic to see live though.

Regarding shoes, NO, it’s not a handicap, in fact playing without footwear is not recommended as you can damage the nerves in your feet.

Here are a couple of videos you might like from Mark Whale, all played lived.

Classic

Step

Enjoy

Bill

Not only that, but it is necessary to wear organ shoes to "heel and toe, especially, on the higher pedals. At least it is for me.

have at least two keyboards on the stand...usually three. The bottom (when I use an arranger) is an old MS-60 or an SD-5. On top of that is the Hammond Sk-1, positioned so I can play left-handed bass, when needed (70 % of the time). On my right hand is an electric piano. Sometimes, over that is a 61 key synth of some kind (usually a Roland 101.

Wish I could use the Hammond on the bottom, but when I need the auto features, they are not easily accessed when on top of a stack.

R.