Need to update

[Terry Causey]

Hello all, new to this forum hoping I can receive some advise. I do a one man show, I've been sequencing most of my songs since about 2000. I have an old monster that I use a Roland E500. I'm wanting to get away from the floppy disk format into usb or mp3 files. I actually play all my parts on my keyboard then save them to a floppy disk. I pretty comfortable doing it this way. Can anybody recommend a keyboard (88 key) that I could look at that would play my files ( I can keep the Roland for doing the sequencing if need be) Thanks for your help.

 

[happyrat1]

I'd suggest looking into migrating your library to a more modern medium like USB pen drives or SD Flash media.

I'd suggest sticking with Roland if they still use the same file format for their sequences and updating to a more modern keyboard.

Also pick yourself up a USB floppy drive and transfer your files to your HD as well as any removable flash medium that's compatible with a newer Roland.

http://www.amazon.com/1-44MB-USB-Ex...d=1366403439&sr=8-1&keywords=usb+floppy+drive

My advice is to start this undertaking ASAP before a hardware catastrophe leaves you high and dry.

Gary

 

[goldi5210]

Hej Terry,
when you have saved your data as SMF-Files you can play them on other GS-compatible instruments like Rolands BK-5.
As happyrat1 said, try to store your SMF-files on a USB-Stick and try to play them in a music shop.

 

[Terry Causey]

Thanks for the reply's, I have converted them to mp3 files and stored them on a usb flash drive. Looking for a 88 key keyboard I can upgreade to that will play either midi files and/or mp3 files. Thanks

 

[happyrat1]

Looking for a 88 key keyboard I can upgreade to that will play either midi files and/or mp3 files. Thanks

That pretty much covers any and all of them

Let's try and narrow it down a bit shall we?

What's your budget? What style of music do you play? Are you more focused on natural sounding acoustic instruments or funky techno synths? Do you want/need a lot of programmability in setting up your own sounds and patches? Do you want/need arpeggiators as well as an onboard sequencer? Keyboard preferences? Weighted? Semi Weighted? Hammer action? Do you want/need sampling capability? Arranger or workstation?

 

[Terry Causey]

Thanks happyrat1, I've been out of the loop on keyboards for a while. Just decided to semi-retire and start playing music again for a living, I play guitar and keyboard when I perform. I'm trying to stay with a lighter keyboard so maybe semi weighted,I just don't know. Hammer action would be best but I think it may be weight more than I want. An on board sequencer would be nice but I have the Roland that I can use if need be. I've pretty much decided to just use bass and percussion because when I add lots of instruments folks seem to think it's karaoke, so I don't need a lot of techno synths. Trying to stay under $1500.00 if I can. Thanks

 

[happyrat1]

Casio just released their new stage piano, the PX-5S. B3maniac here just received one yesterday.

For a gigging keyboard it may be just what you need. It's got 88 weighted, hammer action keys and it weighs in about 12 Kg or so. Street price on these is supposed to be around $999 USD.

I'm not sure if it has a proper sequencer built in or not though, but it has about 500 or so good quality voices, configurable in up to 6 part overlays called Hex Layers as well as some kickass drawbar organ sounds.

I'd suggest messaging B3maniac if you have any questions about it if he doesn't decide to jump into the thread here himself.

Gary

 

[Terry Causey]

Thanks Gary, I didn't realize Casio had good quality keyboards now. I'll be certain to check it out. Thanks again.