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anyone playing keys as well live?

nostatic

nostatic

Jun 18, 2004
13,870
16,971
central coast
nostatic.com
Disclosures
Endorsing Artist: FEA Labs
#1
Not sure what section to put this in. I can play some keys and was inspired by Tony Levin the other night, as he was playing a small (37 key?) synth, going back and forth between bass and keys - and sometimes both at the same time. I was wondering how many here double like that, and what you're using. NOvation and Korg both have 37 key units (full size keys) that seem like they might work. I'd want reasonably small/light just for logistic purposes, and I'd mostly be either doing a synth bass line or arpeggiated background lines.
 
#2
Im working keys into our gigs. I have a MicroKorg and a M-Audio (25 keys) midi keyboard as well. I want to get some Roland PK-5 midi pedals too. Im only playing them on a couple of songs at the moment but I hope to increase that going forward.
 
#3
I started doing the same once it was evident my band was staying a power trio. Already had an M1 Korg & later found a guy in Missouri that builds bass pedals from old organs and bought that relatively cheap. You can check "Basic 13" on Ebay. This helps me fill rhythm sections that would otherwise fade into the back ground.
 
#4
I play in a four piece band (vox, guitar, bass, drums) and we needed some extra sound to fill out some songs. I play about half the set on an Akai Miniak 37 key synth. I split the keyboard into bass, lead, and pad sections. It lets me save these splits so I can flip between song presets by turning a knob. I highly recommend it. As an added bonus, you could run your electric bass through it (eliminates the need for signal switching pedals) and even apply effects and filters!
 
#6
I play in a 7 piece wedding/corporate band and we already have a keyboardist that uses 2 keyboards, but I also run keys, electric upright and electric bass from my little quadrant of the stage. I've used everything from the Moog Little Phatty, Akai MiniAK and am currently using a Roland Juno-D. We end up playing a lot of club/dance stuff towards the end of the night, so it really adds to the sound when I step up to keys. Some songs I bounce back and forth during the song, some are straight keys, etc... But, it all works. It gives me a nice break from keeping the bass on all night, plus it's nice to try and be versatile on all 3 instruments. I think I have pic of my setup, I'll see if I can find it.
 
#10
I use an Akai MPK25 into my laptop running Mainstage. My favorite plugin right now is the Juno from Togu Audio (free).
I also split my signal and run some other synth sounds out of a Sonnus i2M into Mainstage.
 
#14
Arnie said:
Did anyone mention Taurus bass pedals? I always wanted to add those, but dang they still are expensive as a toy for me.
Click to expand...

I use 'em. Right now only on two tunes - "Crazy" by Seal and "Drive" by the Cars - but we're looking to add them more.
Used properly they can add some nice color but I think they'd be a little limited compared to a keyboard synth (and just try playing them, a syncopated bass line and singing at the same time :) ).

Guitarist - who started life as a classical pianist - refuses to play keys at all (he apparently won't touch anything that isn't a grand piano) - but he does play a midi guitar on a number of tunes as well.
 

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