dadofsix Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 Greetings from across the pond. My main band has just lost our keyboard player because of family matters. This is somewhat of a problem because of the lack of good keyboard players in my area. While I'm the bass player in this band, I've played keys in other bands. I'm not interested in going back to being the keyboard player for this band, though . . . no, I'm a bass player in my heart of hearts. The problem is that we are giving up about 25 good songs that I could be contributing key parts to while the song is being performed. So my question: Can any of you who also play the keys, or use a keyboard player in your shows, recommend a small quality keyboard for use live? I've been trying to find something like a Korg Microstation here but it looks like I won't be getting it without being "gored." I don't want to have to drag around a big keyboard rig, plus the bass rig, just for the sake of having keys in a few songs. I'd be using my hands to play it. I'm NOT Geddy Lee! lol So, any thoughts on a good compact keyboard for this bass player to use onstage for piano or organ fills while I have a bass hanging from around my neck? <><Peace (To the moderators: my apologies if this post is in the wrong section. Please feel free to move it to where it needs to be.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyquipment Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 Get the guitarist to do it? Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 Can you define "small" - how many keys are you aiming for? What's your budget? If you're not looking for a Nord or something, then the Roland VR-09 is remarkably versatile, and not too heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 Have a look at the M-Audio Prokeys 88sx - full sized keys, pretty portable & has a few basic on board sounds that should cover your piano/organ needs. Can also be used as a MIDI controller if you want to use any software to boost your sounds without taking up any more space than a laptop would. Cheap too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 [quote name='dadofsix' timestamp='1469629238' post='3099869'] Greetings from across the pond. My main band has just lost our keyboard player because of family matters. This is somewhat of a problem because of the lack of good keyboard players in my area. While I'm the bass player in this band, I've played keys in other bands. I'm not interested in going back to being the keyboard player for this band, though . . . no, I'm a bass player in my heart of hearts. The problem is that we are giving up about 25 good songs that I could be contributing key parts to while the song is being performed. So my question: Can any of you who also play the keys, or use a keyboard player in your shows, recommend a small quality keyboard for use live? I've been trying to find something like a Korg Microstation here but it looks like I won't be getting it without being "gored." I don't want to have to drag around a big keyboard rig, plus the bass rig, just for the sake of having keys in a few songs. I'd be using my hands to play it. I'm NOT Geddy Lee! lol So, any thoughts on a good compact keyboard for this bass player to use onstage for piano or organ fills while I have a bass hanging from around my neck? <><Peace (To the moderators: my apologies if this post is in the wrong section. Please feel free to move it to where it needs to be.) [/quote][quote name='tonyquipment' timestamp='1469630806' post='3099894'] Get the guitarist to do it? Lol [/quote] Our guitarist does just that. he bought a Roland GR55 (i think) and plays in little fills or melodys. Not great for piano type playing but fills a lot in for us without having to have a keyboard player! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 (edited) Please tell a bit more about how you would use it, like music styles, whether you'd play it with one or two hands, the number of octaves you need, whether you'd accept full size keys, slim keys and micro keys, etc. Also, is the MicroStation an example of the exact type of machine you want or are you flexible in that aspect? Will you use acoustic piano sounds, for example? A 3-octave, 4-voice analogue synth like the new Korg Minilogue is a steal at roughly USD 500, but is not the travel-through-the-history-of-synth-use-in-popular-music that for example the Alesis Micron / Akai Miniak is with its hundreds of presets and Virtual Analogue synth motor. Neither would produce good acoustic piano sounds, whereas many workstations, often with large keyboards, do. Budget too of course! Edited July 27, 2016 by BassTractor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 You also have the option of a MIDI controller keyboard and synth module which increases your possibilities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted July 28, 2016 Share Posted July 28, 2016 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1469631322' post='3099899'] Can you define [/quote] Oh no not again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted July 28, 2016 Share Posted July 28, 2016 [size=4] [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted July 28, 2016 Share Posted July 28, 2016 I use an Akai Miniak. Compact, powerful, loads of sounds. Not the easiest to program but generally don't need to. About £140-150 on the bay of E. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadofsix Posted July 28, 2016 Author Share Posted July 28, 2016 Thanks for the responses. At this point in my career, I'm probably looking to buy used because I'd like to keep it under $500.00. I've already got a Korg Trinity and two Tritons, so I'm looking for something much smaller. I don't even care about full size keys. I just want the sound. As an example, one song would be Colour My World, by Chicago. People love to slow dance to it. Another would be the the flute part to Can't You See, by The Marshall Tucker Band. Then an organ sound would be nice on some of the country songs we do. I'm not looking for extravagance, I'm looking for utility. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted July 28, 2016 Share Posted July 28, 2016 A cheap option: Mrs. Bailey uses a Yamaha MX49. Small, weighs next-to-nothing, good presets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadofsix Posted July 29, 2016 Author Share Posted July 29, 2016 And I think we may have a winner with the MX49. Thanks to everyone for their input. <><Peace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 [quote name='dadofsix' timestamp='1469801826' post='3101178'] And I think we may have a winner with the MX49. Thanks to everyone for their input. <><Peace [/quote] You're welcome. FWIW, Mrs. WoT got hers for £200 on eBay. Presumably there are similar bargains to be had on your site of the watter :-). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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