Back in the 90's when I had my night club, I used two keyboards. I had the arranger on top, usually Technics, and a synth underneath. First a DX7, then a V50. Later I added a TX81Z module. I had the bottom keyboard midied to a Yamaha piano module, Each was controlled by a separate volume pedal. That way I had could have piano on call at all times on the bottom. I could bring in strings or organ from the synth, and had the arranger and its sounds on top. Also, until the onboard drums became acceptable, I had the arranger midied to an external drum machine.
Great sound, but not "for the road".
At the time I used two Toa sub bass cabinets and two full-range Peaveys, and a 1000-watt stereo digital power amp for the mains, and another for the subs.
In the rack was a Digitech Vocal Harmonizer, 32-band e.q., Enhancer, Compressor/limiter, two effects units (one for reverb, one for delay). On the other side I had a Roland MV30 for extra midi playback, a Stereo Hi-Fi VCR and a double cassette deck for recording, plus a CD deck for playback during breaks.
In addition I used two full-range powered monitors. Of course the lighting was built-in. You can imagine what all this cost and the all the wires, cables, etc. involved.
Today, the lowly PSR2000/2100, has almost ALL these features incorporated. The Vocal Harmonizer, compressor, effects units, midi player, monitors, modules, drum machine, etc., are all included in the keyboard. It's simply amazing to me.
Throw in a lap-top computer and all the books of lyrics are eliminated, plus many new features that were not even dreamed off 15-20 years ago. MP3s, K******, unlimited styles, Van Basco, . . on and on.
It has become so consolidated that now we are thinking of carrying more gear JUST FOR SHOW!
DonM

Scott,

Though some folks are impressed by a maze of equipment, most of the audiences just want to be entertained. For every person that said how impressive the equipemt looked, there were 200 that didn't have a clue what you were doing or could have cared less.

At one time, before meeting the Three Musketeers (Donny, Dave and Fran C.), I filled the back of my van with a pair or huge Peavey SP5-Gs, two amp heads, two keyboards, large three-tier A-frame stand, vocal processors, bags of wires and cables, mic stand, and other stuff that I felt was necessary. It took 8 trips to the van to unload, and that was using a cart. Now I use the same cart, make one or two trips to the van, set up time is down to 5 to 7 minutes instead of 30 minutes, and the quality of the sound is better.

Last night, while playing at the local Blood & Guts Saloon (American Legion), a number of people said how great the music sounded, how crisp the vocals were and I kept the dancefloor filled for three and a half hours. More stuff for show just don't make good sense. Just being an entertainer is all that's necessary. Ironically, and I'm sure this has happened at one time or another to nearly everyone that entertains for a living, you'll have someone come up to you, watch you playing and singing dozens of songs, then say "Wow! You're the best DJ we've ever had." I used to get upset about this, but now I just smile and say thanks--they don't have a clue.

Stick with your current rig, streamline the system and if you want something flashy, make yourself a high-quality, backlighted sign. They'll love it.

Gary

Gary,
I just listened to your CD. It very good, indeed. I understand while the people like you. Good danceable music.
After all the things you've done to help me and others, I hate to ask, but. . . tell me about the back-lighted sign!
DonM

I also agree that 2 keyboards look better than one. But 3 is too much. I did that one time but I look like a robot in a spaceship. I never use arranger in most of my gig using 2 pro synths but now I'm thinking about using it. But the problem is most good sounding arrangers are bigger and wider than some average synth. Most likely I'll use it on top of my synth. There are some features in the arranger that the synth doesn't have that I want to use. Anybody knows a mini arranger?

Scott, It will be nice if all keyboards, synths and arranger have line input or even a passthru input so we can chain them without using extra device like mixer to set up. I am using a mini line mixer actually, and it's made by Rolls. It's a little bigger than a pack of Marlboro with 3 stereo input and I just velcro it underneath one of my synth. It's pretty handy.

I too used to cart around a multiplicity of keyboards..six of them. two in front two on the left and two on the right..Thought if it's good enough for Rick Wakeman it's good enough for me. Now I just use a KN7000 with a RolandPC300 keyboard mounted tight underneath it. Sounds much better and I don't get back ache any more.
Aint progress wonderful................

Trevor

Don,

Making a backlit sign is pretty easy. All you need a a sheet of frosted lexan or plexiglass and a computer program such as Print Shop or something similar that can make a banner style sign. I prefer using a black or dark, electric blue background and 3-D gold letters. The sign is lighted from the back with small, florescent lights that reflect from Reynolds aluminum foil. I saw one at a gig one night and the person that made it provided me with the details. Not much to it, the cost was less than $30 for materials and it took just a few hours to make. I priced a similar sign at a sign shop and they wanted $1,500 to make the same sign.

I made a small one for the front of my keyboard and it only took 20 minutes on the computer. When I have a chance, I post some photos via Donny.

Cheers,

Gary

I had one like that and I backed over it in my stinkin' car one night! Grrrr.... (idiot)

I've wanted to replace it for a long time now, maybe Gary's plans are the key !

gary just made me a great custom sign that attaches to the front flap of my laptop facing the audience...Totaly Kool!!!!


Thanx Gary

Donny:
Thanks for posting the pic. I'll have to learn how to do that someday.

cassp:
I use two JBL Eon powered speakers. So far I've used the built in mixer in my PSR2000. The JBL's only have one 1/4" input. I was just trying to see if I could get by without a mixer if I switch to two keyboards.

Nigel:
I was thinking of getting a Behringer. They have some nice ones that are under$100. The new ones are set at 24/96 or so. However the boys over at www.syntrillium.com say that they are not digital but analog. This probably won't make any difference to me, except maybe a little if I want to record on my Sound Forge program at 24/96. But, since I probably won't have to use any effects, I would think recording at 16 bits, the same rate that commercial CD's are produced, will be fine.

DonM:
Yes, I know what you mean. I used to have a ridiculous amount of big heavy "stuff" that I don't miss at all. Part of my answer is yes, I expect some people will find two keyboards appealing, but, really the main reason I am thinking about getting the KN2600 is more variety in styles and sounds. To make it more fun and interesting for me and the crowd. Also, Technics is known for their Big Band, jazz, swing styles which I enjoy.

I don't really expect I'll ever need it as a back-up because these things seem to last forever.

Also, I would suspect the KN2600 has a better key feel. While the PSR2000 is fine for me, who knows maybe I'll want to midi them together and use the Technics as the main board.

Gary:
I'm actually more stream lined than you right now. Using a PSR2000, two JBL Eon 10G2's, an X stand, mic boom and stool. I want to keep everything as light and as few pieces as possible, but in this case I don't mind one more piece that only weighs 25 lbs. My PSR is only 23 lbs and the JBL's are only 24 lbs each.

danb:
I'm going to check into that mixer. The size sounds very interesting. How much do they run?

As far as the picture Donny posted for me, at that time with what I had, I needed all three to do what I wanted. Not so anymore with the PSR2000 which I love, but am wanting a new toy. So, for my purposes I think the KN2600 is certainly worth a 45 day trial period at the least.

Thanx for all the input.

Scott Langholff

[This message has been edited by Scott Langholff (edited 08-31-2003).]

Also was wondering about using Y adaptors, but as I understand it there is some loss of volume doing that. But maybe it would be ok, what do you think Uncle Dave and all?

Scott