tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40803848471210959762024-02-20T20:53:16.854-06:00Crazy 88s: The Keyboard Player SpeciesFavorite keyboard player quote:
<br><br>
When I die, I'll probably climb out of the coffin and play the organ at my own funeral!<br>
- Rick WakemanUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080384847121095976.post-37567218518761922252007-03-04T07:54:00.000-06:002007-03-04T07:55:52.645-06:00Keyboard Related Articles<a href="http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/03/03/173347.php">Great article on the Mellotron and Prog Rock in general</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">fed from "Crazy 88s: The Keyboard Player Species" Blog</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080384847121095976.post-46811492851930977372007-03-02T23:53:00.000-06:002007-03-03T00:07:38.695-06:00Great Keyboard Stories<a href="http://postmodernpilgrims.blogspot.com/2007/03/wild-night.html">Great Hammond B3 Story!</a><br><br />You just never know who might want to "borrow" your Hammond B3 and Leslie speaker for a show...<div class="blogger-post-footer">fed from "Crazy 88s: The Keyboard Player Species" Blog</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080384847121095976.post-3148590886889890132006-12-20T00:21:00.000-06:002007-01-12T16:07:38.244-06:00Gear SpotlightHammond 70th anniversary <br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Ck__wghRww"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Ck__wghRww" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://theatreorgans.com/hammond/faq/mystery/mystery.html">Unearthing the Mysteries of the Leslie Speaker</a><br /><br />In-Depth Minimoog Demo<br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WY2AeD0Tn4Y"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WY2AeD0Tn4Y" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Good Yamaha CS-80 Article<br /><a href="http://www.oldcrows.net/~oldcrow/synth/yamaha/cs80/index.html"><img src="http://www.thingsthatrock.com/images/cs80.jpg" border="0"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">fed from "Crazy 88s: The Keyboard Player Species" Blog</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080384847121095976.post-89763631194973673372006-12-07T10:05:00.000-06:002006-12-20T00:30:03.191-06:00Crazy 88s Keyboard Player VideoIncredible Rick Wakeman Solo <br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6mSJP18SMXw"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6mSJP18SMXw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Tori Amos - Cornflake Girl on Soundstage<br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/b0Hwdgk9pYM"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/b0Hwdgk9pYM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Tori Amos - Desperado<br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Sbj5yYd2r7o"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Sbj5yYd2r7o" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Brent Mydland crushes the B-3 on "Man Smart, Woman Smarter" in '89<br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HUsjR4FSgSQ"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HUsjR4FSgSQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Keith Emerson on "Tarkus" from '72 in Tokyo<br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qZquiACzPLY"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qZquiACzPLY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Keith Emerson gives his Hammond L-100 a workout with "Rondo"<br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bzp9MXT-eU8"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bzp9MXT-eU8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Barbara Dennerlein - Great use of the B-3 footpedals<br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WholfTUYs1w"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WholfTUYs1w" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Another great Barbara Dennerlein performance<br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/60ut7yIuCEY"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/60ut7yIuCEY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />David Garfield - nice view of the keyboard<br /><a href="http://www.creatchy.com/DG_pages/Carlos_tribute_05_v02.html"><img src="http://www.creatchy.com/DG_photos/Carlos_Vega_photos/vega_05_solo2.jpg" border="0"></a><br /><br />And then along came Dragonforce<br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UtHYQbuDjz0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UtHYQbuDjz0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Vangelis & Neuronium (In London 1982) - Good Prophet 5 footage<br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fND-Q8w_AcE"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fND-Q8w_AcE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">fed from "Crazy 88s: The Keyboard Player Species" Blog</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080384847121095976.post-22594698786130936332006-12-06T18:30:00.000-06:002006-12-29T23:22:50.394-06:00Crazy 88s Keyboard Player Profiles<a href="http://www.bluesplanet.com/artists/seals/index.htm">Melvin Seals</a><br /><br />Melvin with Jerry Garcia<br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3Fv5cWwlrGI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3Fv5cWwlrGI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.rwcc.com/biogra.asp">Rick Wakeman</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">fed from "Crazy 88s: The Keyboard Player Species" Blog</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080384847121095976.post-4174504343835521642006-12-06T12:29:00.000-06:002007-03-03T00:10:02.218-06:00Keyboard Player Web Sites<a href="http://www.johnallair.com/">John Allair</a><br /><a href="http://www.toriamos.com/">Tori Amos</a><br /><a href="http://www.patriciabarber.com/">Patricia Barber</a><br /><a href="http://www.barbaradennerlein.com/en/">Barbara Dennerlein</a><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/benfolds">Ben Folds (on MySpace)</a><br /><a href="http://www.davidgarfield.com/">David Garfield</a><br /><a href="http://www.mikegarson.com/">Mike Garson</a><br /><a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=18249833">Laila Afsoon Gorosito (MySpace)</a><br /><a href="http://www.herbiehancock.com/">Herbie Hancock</a><br /><a href="http://www.didge-digital.com/">Phil James Manchester</a><br />Phil's got a great <a href="http://www.didge-digital.com/biogs.htm">bio page</a><br /><a href="http://www.chuckleavell.com/">Chuck Leavell</a><br /><a href="http://www.geocities.com/matsolausson/main.htm">Mats Olausson</a><br /><a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=47166660">Melvin Seals (on MySpace)</a><br /><a href="http://merlsaunders.com/">Merl Saunders</a><br /><a href="http://www.rhodascott.com/">Rhoda Scott</a><br /><a href="http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/artist.aspx?ob=rnd&src=rslt&aid=2740">Jimmy Smith</a><br /><a href="http://philbrodieband.com/muso_chris_stainton.htm">Chris Stainton</a><br /><a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=88435724">Mark Stanway's Keyboard Forum (MySpace)</a><br /><a href="http://www.badbetsy.com/home.html">John (Iggy) Taylor</a><br /><a href="http://www.rwcc.com/">Rick Wakeman's Communication Centre</a><br /><a href="http://www.richardwright.net/">Richard Wright</a><br /><a href="http://www.zawinulmusic.com/">Joe Zawinul</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">fed from "Crazy 88s: The Keyboard Player Species" Blog</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080384847121095976.post-38271112572450283112006-12-04T23:18:00.000-06:002007-03-10T22:22:30.893-06:00Keyboard Player Interviews<a href="http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2004/Apr04/banks_interview.htm"><b><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >Tony Banks in interview with Christopher Thomas, March 2004</span></b></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.glidemagazine.com/articles46.html"><b><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >Rob Barraco: The Delicacy of The Dead By Eric Ward June 30, 2003</span></b></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://applematters.com/index.php/section/comments/the_applematters_interview_herbie_hancock/">The AppleMatters Interview: Herbie Hancock - March 11th, 2005</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.jambands.com/Features/content_2004_10_30.08.phtml">Danny Louis of Gov't Mule interviewed by Dean Budnick 10-30-2004</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=1163">A fireside chat with John Medeski</a></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.musicbox-online.com/sealsint.html"><b><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >Music Box Interview with Melvin Seals</span></b></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.getreadytorock.com/rock_stars/rick_wakeman.htm"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><strong>Rick Wakeman Interview</strong></span></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">fed from "Crazy 88s: The Keyboard Player Species" Blog</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080384847121095976.post-60248581582423899372006-12-04T23:10:00.000-06:002006-12-05T11:23:09.269-06:00Keyboard Player Quotes<span class="body"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Here are some of my favorite quotes from some of my favorite keyboard players:<br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >You don't want to lose that moment. You've got to do it, or you'll lose that moment.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">- Keith Emerson<br /><br /></span></span></span><span class="body"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >The studio is not the place to write. You need to be 75% ready when you go into the studio, and then the music can develop to the next stage</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">- Rick Wakeman</span></span><br /></span><br /><br /><br><br><div class="blogger-post-footer">fed from "Crazy 88s: The Keyboard Player Species" Blog</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080384847121095976.post-89972643307985856832006-12-04T22:44:00.001-06:002007-03-16T20:15:09.305-06:00Crazy 88s Key Wikipedia Entries<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">Terms</span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_synthesizer">Analog Synthesizer</a><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboardist"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Keyboardist</span></span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_pitch">Absolute Pitch</a> <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">(or Perfect Pitch)</span></span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relative_pitch">Relative Pitch</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Specific Keyboards</span><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammond_organ">Hammond B-3</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mellotron">Mellotron</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_CS-80">Yamaha CS-80</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequential_Circuits_Prophet_5">Sequential Circuits Prophet-5</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Keyboard Players</span><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregg_Allman">Gregg Allman</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tori_Amos">Tori Amos</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Argent">Rod Argent</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcia_Ball">Marcia Ball</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Banks_%28musician%29">Tony Banks</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Bill_Davis">"Wild" Bill Davis</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Davies">Rick Davies</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Dennerlein">Barbara Dennerlein</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Doggett">Bill Doggett</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Emerson">Keith Emerson</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_fisher">Matthew Fisher</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbie_Hancock">Herbie Hancock</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicky_Hopkins">Nicky Hopkins</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Hudson">Garth Hudson</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Paul_Jones_%28musician%29">John Paul Jones</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Lord">Jon Lord</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Layton">Eddie Layton</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professor_Longhair">Professor Longhair</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Manzarek">Ray Manzarek</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldy_McJohn">Goldie McJohn</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_McLagan">Ian McLagan</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christine_McVie">Christine McVie</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Medeski">John Medeski</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelonius_Monk">Thelonius Monk</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Moraz">Patrick Moraz</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Neville">Art Neville</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Price">Alan Price</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._John">Mac Rebennack (Dr. John)</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregg_Rolie">Gregg Rolie</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adnan_Sami">Adnan Sami</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merl_Saunders">Merl Saunders</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Shaffer">Paul Shaffer</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Smith_%28musician%29">Jimmy Smith</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Wakeman">Rick Wakeman</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fats_Waller">Fats Waller</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Winwood">Steve Winwood</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Wright_%28musician%29">Richard Wright</a><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">fed from "Crazy 88s: The Keyboard Player Species" Blog</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080384847121095976.post-48853112380230624432006-12-01T17:39:00.000-06:002006-12-19T23:42:48.254-06:00My Current Keyboard Rig<div><div><div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style="FONT-FAMILY: verdana">Roland RD-300s</b></span><br /><img src="http://www.thingsthatrock.com/images/rd300s.jpg"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">This 20+ year old "tank" (nicknamed due to the fully weighted action which makes it weigh close to 80 lbs.) still has some of the best piano samples I've heard anywhere. I've lugged this beast to many a gig, which has been no easy task. I've been toying with the idea of replacing it with <a href="http://www.clavia.com/products/nordstage/concept.htm">Clavia's Nord Stage 88</a>, but I'm trying to play and hear one in person before making the expenditure. The Nord Stage is less than half the weight of the Roland, and includes a killer Organ section, effects, and supposedly great piano samples, but again, this is why I need to experience one firsthand.</span> </span></div><br /><IMG SRC="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/serve?bfmid=5607334&siteid=38994652&bfpid=702636&bfmtype=gear" BORDER="0" WIDTH="1" HEIGHT="1" NOSAVE ><A HREF="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=5607334&siteid=38994652&bfpid=702636&bfmtype=gear" TARGET="_top"><IMG SRC="http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/tn/1/1/1/233111.jpg" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center" ALT="Nord Stage 88 Stage Piano" ><BR>Nord Stage 88 Stage Piano</A><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><div><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Roland VK-8M Organ Module</span><br /><img src="http://www.thingsthatrock.com/images/vk-8m.jpg"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">This addition to my rig replaced a VOCE Micro-B, and provides excellent B3 sounds. Very small and easy to move around, but still, a seperate piece of equipment. Here are a couple of observations about its characteristics. First, it very accurately reproduces the tonewheel traits of the actual Hammond B3. Second, it has an excellent rotary speaker emulation. I have to say though that this module desperately needs a couple of simple yet critical modifications. For some reason, there is no input for a pedal to control the rotary speaker speed. This is handled by a button, but a pedal option would have been ideal. Almost all of the competing "clonewheels" as they're called have this feature. Also, this module incudes a D-Beam controller which you set to control specific sound characteristics or effects and use by placing your hand over its optical sensor and then varying the distance of your hand from the beam. For instance, it can increase rotary speed and volume for crescendos, control a ring modulator, etc. (although I don't use it much). But what was Roland thinking by placing the master volume control for the module right in its path so that if the D-Beam is enabled, your hand will invariably pass over the D-Beam if you make a volume adjustment, throwing in some crazy unwanted sound. Now I have a small 8-channel BOSS mixer that I use that lets me control the volume or sometimes I use a volume pedal, but still, these couple shortcomings don't really make it a performer's dream. Great in the studio though.</span><br /><br /><IMG SRC="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/serve?bfmid=5607334&siteid=38994652&bfpid=700376&bfmtype=gear" BORDER="0" WIDTH="1" HEIGHT="1" NOSAVE ><A HREF="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=5607334&siteid=38994652&bfpid=700376&bfmtype=gear" TARGET="_top"><IMG SRC="http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/tn/3/5/3/283353.jpg" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center" ALT="Roland VK-8M Organ Sound Module" ><BR>Roland VK-8M Organ Sound Module</A><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:verdana;" >E-MU Proteus 1<br /></span><img src="http://www.thingsthatrock.com/images/proteus1.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Another 20 year old piece of gear that I still like. Just recently had to replace a power supply module ($15.00 on eBay), but apart from that, flawless. A multitude of nice-sounding patches, but the ones I use the most are: Hall Strings, 12 String Acoustic, Flute, Rock Organ if I don't have time to change a patch on the Roland VK-8M, and sometimes a MiniMoog Bass.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">M-Audio RADIUM 49 Controller<br /></span><img src="http://www.thingsthatrock.com/images/radium49.gif">I bought this primarily for use with some synth applications on my Mac. It was inexpensive and nobody had the 61 key version of Novation's X-Station available (the controller I really wanted). It's powered by the Mac's USB port which is handy and I can MIDI it to virtual instruments on the Mac (like those in GarageBand or Native Instruments Synths), OR control the Roland VK-8M.<br /><br /><IMG SRC="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/serve?bfmid=5607334&siteid=38994652&bfpage=1777601" BORDER="0" WIDTH="1" HEIGHT="1" NOSAVE ><br /><A HREF="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=5607334&siteid=38994652&bfpage=1777601" TARGET="_top"><IMG SRC="http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/graphics/affiliate/mf-hugedeals3.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="468" HEIGHT="60" ALT=""></A><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"></span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Various Virtual Instruments on an </span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Apple Macintosh PowerBook G4</span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"></span><img src="http://www.thingsthatrock.com/images/powerbookg4.jpg"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">While the Mac is not an instrument itself, I have to say that many of the Garage Band instruments and their accompanying control and effects paramaters are exceptionally good.<br><br /><img src="http://www.thingsthatrock.com/images/softwareinstrument.jpg"><br />I also picked up </span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Native Intruments' XPress Keys which contains limited versions of their B4 (a Hammond B3), FM7 (a Yamaha DX7), and a Pro-53 (a Sequential Circuits Prophet 5).<br><br /><img src="http://www.thingsthatrock.com/images/xpress-keys.jpg"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I have to say that I really love the concept of a real piece of gear that has been reproduced in software. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Between Apple's GarageBand and Native Instruments' Xpress Keys, I have a wealth of additional sounds to draw upon.<br><br><br />Here's how I use the Mac: I have the RADIUM or the RD-300s MIDI'd to the Mac, and then I just use an 1/8" to 1/4" adapter and a patch cord out of the Mac's headphone jack back to my 8-channel BOSS mixer. It really cranks through the PA when I bring it in. I do have to say that although I've used the Mac for a live gig, it is not my preference. It just seems too risky to rely on a computer, but again, excellent in a studio setting. Also, if you use a Mac, make sure you have plenty of RAM. Mine was choking at 256MB. I added a 1GB module and it hasn't blinked. </span><br /><br /><br /></div></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">fed from "Crazy 88s: The Keyboard Player Species" Blog</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080384847121095976.post-53868590171509061962006-12-01T16:29:00.000-06:002007-01-05T16:27:52.741-06:00"Note-able" Links<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Dealers</span><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.kraftmusic.com">Kraft Music</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Education and Instruction</span><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.silvawood.co.uk/pitch-intro.htm">Silvawood Software's Absolute Pitch</a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.perfectpitch.com/">Perfect Pitch</a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.homespuntapes.com/catagory/default.asp?catID=21&ctype=i">Homespun Tapes</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Manufacturers</span><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.ableton.com/">Ableton</a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.b3guys.com/">B3 Guys</a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.clavia.com/">Clavia</a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.emu.com/">E-MU Systems</a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://hammondorganco.com/">Hammond Organ</a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.native-instruments.com/">Native Instruments</a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.propellerheads.se/">Propellerhead Software</a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.rolandus.com/">Roland U.S.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Publications</span><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.keyboardmag.com/">Keyboard Magazine</a><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Others</span><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.eboardmuseum.com/">E-Board Museum</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">fed from "Crazy 88s: The Keyboard Player Species" Blog</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com