Electro 5D split keyboard tip for function gigs :)
Posted: 27 Mar 2017, 11:03
Just thought this might be useful to someone.
I'm a pro player (covers + touring in the past), so have often had to do Rhodes(left hand) + strings(right hand). This tip also applies for organ, piano, brass, synth etc etc. I used to use two keyboards, but recently just used the Electro 5D 61. In an ideal world I would have a selection of different keyboards, and a roadie so the following setup is a 'compromise' for convenience. It's working well for me though.
My tip is this :
Set up a program with the Rhodes (LOWER) / strings(UPPER) split how you would like it. Then just switch on and off the strings part by pressing the KB SPLIT and PART UPPER simultaneously, being careful as there is a momentary pause in the sound (so do it in a gap).
Usually this would reduce the volume of the Rhodes, when the split is deactivated. However, (and this is the important part) to minimise this reduction in volume, the PART MIX has to be mostly over to the left around 50:10.2.
The only way this gives enough volume on the UPPER part is if the UPPER sound a loud sample. I'm using a sampled strings from my old keyboard as the UPPER. So I increased the volume using Nord Sample Editor, by boosting all the samples.
This technique has worked well and at the weekend I played a Live Band Karaoke gig just using the Electro 5D and toggling between the splits where needed. The thing I have realised is that 80% of the time I just use the main keyboard, and only need the UPPER sound occasionally. This setup massively cuts down on weight/hassle/cabling.
As I say, it works for me, so perhaps might work for others.
Your thoughts anyone?
I'm a pro player (covers + touring in the past), so have often had to do Rhodes(left hand) + strings(right hand). This tip also applies for organ, piano, brass, synth etc etc. I used to use two keyboards, but recently just used the Electro 5D 61. In an ideal world I would have a selection of different keyboards, and a roadie so the following setup is a 'compromise' for convenience. It's working well for me though.
My tip is this :
Set up a program with the Rhodes (LOWER) / strings(UPPER) split how you would like it. Then just switch on and off the strings part by pressing the KB SPLIT and PART UPPER simultaneously, being careful as there is a momentary pause in the sound (so do it in a gap).
Usually this would reduce the volume of the Rhodes, when the split is deactivated. However, (and this is the important part) to minimise this reduction in volume, the PART MIX has to be mostly over to the left around 50:10.2.
The only way this gives enough volume on the UPPER part is if the UPPER sound a loud sample. I'm using a sampled strings from my old keyboard as the UPPER. So I increased the volume using Nord Sample Editor, by boosting all the samples.
This technique has worked well and at the weekend I played a Live Band Karaoke gig just using the Electro 5D and toggling between the splits where needed. The thing I have realised is that 80% of the time I just use the main keyboard, and only need the UPPER sound occasionally. This setup massively cuts down on weight/hassle/cabling.
As I say, it works for me, so perhaps might work for others.
Your thoughts anyone?