Only just saw this today but it has been around for awhile. Thinking it would keep that as new unscreatched look for longer. They even have protectors for the black keys that look like Carbon Fibre as well as the end caps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVT7otHlEYU
https://www.facebook.com/Prossic.Masks/

Anyway, something to keep the red wine of the 'board or at least make it easier to clean it. Lol

Also, they have the stick on covers for Yamaha Montage and other mixers etc.



Allan

To be honest, the turnover in capability pretty much exceeds the value of a mint condition old arranger. While some old analog synths have turned out to be a good investment, especially in mint condition, I somehow have my doubts that 20-30 years from now any of our arrangers or workstations will be prized collection pieces!

A vintage CS-80 or an OBXa still sound magnificent compared to modern keyboards, but I have a feeling that future arrangers are going to sound MUCH better than today’s top flight arrangers. I’m not sure of the value in babying them this much!

It’s funny how the patina of an old guitar raises its price, but an arranger must be cherry! 😂🎹😎

Hey Diki,

I guess you could be right on the money going on the past trends .

But I think that todays Arranger workstations are going to be near the last ones ( in this format) that we will see.

If the fan base is moving more towards Synths workstaion with some of them already having some of the arranger bits and bobs; Arranger Workstaion in the format we see now will be near the best and last one sold to the public.

Some of the Arranger keyboards have a morfing of the Synth based boards, like Arps, of course you have ( for a long time) 16 track sequencer, and many other Synth based attributes.

My bet is maybe( if we are very lucky) to get one more generation of TOTL Arranger Workstaion and then that is that. Our current workhorses will then become collectors items in about 10 years or less.


Allan

This decade is the Arrangers swan song, as by the end of it (And probably even earlier) they will have gone the same way as the organs they replaced and become a niche market.

Just like the arranger is easier to play then leaning to play organ, pressing buttons to make a sound (This is all the youngsters have time for before they get bored at having to work things out themselves (If it can’t be done pressing a few buttons in an app they are not interested) is far easier then learning how to use an arranger.

Instant gratification is the name of the game these days, and if you criticise them it is classed as mental abuse, (Or as an attack on their person) as putting the time in to achieve something is completely alien to most of them.

Bill

The decline in live music is probably the greatest contributor towards the decline in the arranger. In all fairness, even your top flight arranger isn’t much of a studio tool, never has been, never will be. But live on stage, especially for the solo or duo musician, the arranger has been an excellent choice.

But that doesn’t reflect the modern music scene in any way whatsoever. I don’t blame the kids, I don’t blame anybody, no more than I blamed anyone for when the home organ went the way of the dinosaur. Music changes, the tools that make music change, the actual production of music changes. There are exceptionally talented young musicians making amazing music in ways that we cannot comprehend. I can’t bring myself to condemn them for how they go about it, or at least I expect them to be as contemptuous of my criticism of their production methods as we were of our seniors when synths first came out and the old school of hard-core piano and organ players failed to understand what we were doing.

We are no more relevant to them than the old school piano players were to us, in our new fangled synth bands LOL🎹😂☠️

Whereas I am of the same opinion as Bill, my opinion is somewhat softened by Diki's post. Anyone's opinion, however, doesn't alter the truths expressed above. Selfishly speaking, at my age, I will continue to play my arrangers to those that appreciate my kind of music.

I find no benefit with finding fault with; I’m too busy playing and enjoying my Sx900. It is not a better keyboard I need, and I have music in the very center of me – now I just have to get better in what I am doing.

Bernie, just read your post -- I jumped out of my chair and started to applaud; don’t change.

John C.

Diki, you may be so right there. Today my wife and I wonder up to the first local Arts and Crafts festival held this year. Lots of people were there and the festival tents and stalls of things people had made over the last dozen months were up on show.

Outside there was music coming from what you would only describe as a Steam punk styled old fashion piano. It looked like the upright piano had been changed into a futuristic Steam punk contraption with 4 fire breathing stacks up top ( used to be 2). ( 2 short and 2 long ones). there were pipes and funnels, plus odd brass things attached to it. The guy playing the instrument was having a wow of a time dressed in his getup and on the 88 keys.

EXCEPT........ the piano had been gutted internally and the keyboard has been replaced with an 88 key arranger, neatly imbedded into the piano front. It looked at a glance to be original except for the lights and a couple of buttons that I could see. I didn't see what model or brand of 'board it was.

The piano was on wheels and the piano seat has wires going to it and the piano. The speakers and amp were in the piano lower section , but the mixer etc was in and under the piano seat.

Also, I found out that the fire for the 4 flame throwers that pumped up and down to the music was a gas and kerosene setup with a small electric pilot light , all wired to the keyboard somehow.

This was all sitting on the tailgate of the enclosed trailer for hauling to site. The tailgate dropped down via electric motor and cable and became the stage for the player , piano and stool to sit neatly on ( flat).
Out front was a Steam punk style stand for donations and a message to explain the basic setup and to explain that the donations were to pay for the travel costs only.

Being an outdoor event only type of setup, the heat coming from the flames were quite warm indeed ( nice for cooler days or nights), but he would not be allowed to "lightup" indoors or some other places. It drew in the crowds and people loved the music while they eat and walked around the stalls etc.

The guy playing, did a variety of music from 60' through to maybe 90's from what I heard; some was very upbeat too) and it was for entertainment/ background ambience. All the while his partner was sellin items in a stall next to him ( Steam punk stuff).

Just wish I had taken a picture of it at the time............

Allan

P.S. this is a link to a youtube video of the same piano, but back in 2017 but without the flames on top.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqt7BpQK1OY
Search for ........
Wild Willie Flamin' Piano at Steampunk Tasmania

Here's another.




jerryghr

The "mask" in the you tube video is really cool looking as well as offering protection. I like it.

Me too, I am still waiting on a costing from the company/ business for a Korg Pa4x and a Yamaha SX900; I will let you know if I get a response.



Allan

Hi Allan. It looks very nice, but the problem for me with that overlay is that it gives the keyboard a glossy surface. At home it's okay, but that's the last thing I want on stage with lights and everything.

I'm also interested in the cost, if you find out, let us know.
A potential problem might be bubbles. Heck I have a hard time with bubbles on a small cell phone screen, let alone an arranger keyboard



That's a good point. It really is glossy, and probably no way to tone it down. Still in all, it's sharp looking.

Some time ago, now, but I remember seeing on YT a custom 'skin' in a red colour being applied to a Korg. It looked pretty sharp - not glossy, either.

Here this guy done his in Gold ..........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk6UI5cZzN4

Here is a sticker one for Korg PA's and Triton Extreme........ WOW!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX38nn-hh7g

Allan

WOW, indeed. Thanks for the vids.

These ones are 65 Euros each plus post per their site. Plus they have other things for Kotg 'boards.




Allan

Just received a reply from the first MASK video that I showed at the top of this thread from PROSSIC.
This is their reply........

Hello Allan, thank you for your message.

Yes, we have the mask for both models, and the prices are the same. The price of the main transparent protective mask is 55 EUR, of the display touch screen protective mask is 10 EUR.

We also produce the stickers for the keys of the instrument, as well as for the sides on Pa4x. If you would like to see what it looks like, I may send you some photos.

Check these two video tutorials.

Pa4x: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVT7otHlEYU

Genos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w15mo5abxOY&t=3s
XMA Header Image
Protective Mask for Korg Pa4X – How to Set Up the Mask
youtube.com

So, this one is a hard shiney mask at 55 Euros compared to the second one I showed you for 65 Euros that comes in multiple colours and also replaces the labels ata the same time.

Neither of these do I have a connection with, just thought that they were a great option for players.



Allan

I guess the question is, after perhaps a few years of being on the keyboard, how easily does the mask come off without leaving sticky residue, or even worse, pulling up the original graphics..?

Adhesives have a nasty habit of changing over long periods, and exposure to sun and heat and moisture. I’d sure want to talk to someone who had had one of these on their keyboard for a few years and then removed it (perhaps to sell).

Very good question Diki, not sure myself. But there is videos on Youtube for the coloured stickon one that shows them removing it off the keyboard; but not after say a few years. I guess if you have a scratched keyboard anyway, this is a great way to dress it up.

Also, if after a few years it gets ratty and not so nice, then remove it. Clean it as they advice ( when putting on the first one) then put on a new one, so it looks a treat again. Then sell the keyboard with the new cover and labels for the new buyer.

For me I would think it you are gigging with the keyboard it will bevery knocked around after a fews years anyway. Unless you are very careful indeed. Also, I have seen a video where someone has repainted a Motif XS keyboard in White paint and then a clear coat. Then replaced all the labels for the buttons and knobs ( from somewhere) - it looked great.

Here is a Korg PA4x painted - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk6UI5cZzN4

Finally found that Yamaha Motif XS painted white - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bz4z_hLF8M


Allan

Wow! That Yamaha ‘before’ shows why you shouldn’t play after eating Cheese Doritos! 😂🎹

Wouldn't be so bad if the cameraman didn't have St. Vitus' Dance.