Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    Jim,
    
    The easiest way to minimize the set-up hassle, as has been expressed in
    the note about racks, is to put as much as possible in a 19" rack.
    Some of the stuff you noted would be difficult (for example, the Peavey
    powered mixer), if not imposible, to rack, but a lot of the others
    could be put on slide out shelves you could make yourself and then
    figure out some way to attach the unit to the shelf.  American Musical
    Supply makes a slide-out shelf (kind of expensive if I recall
    correctly, something like $90) if you didn't want to do it yourself. 
    
    As far as the mess of cables goes, racking it eliminates that problem
    to a large degree.  For the other things, make a snake by tying
    together the approriate cables with twist ties or wirewraps and
    marking each connector (and the piece of equipment into which it
    is plugged) with a piece of colored electrical tape.  This is somewhat 
    easier than writing on a piece of masking tape since you don't have to 
    ready anything to make the connections.
    
    If you don't mind spending some money, replace the SK-20 with some
    type of rack mount module like a TX81Z or ESQ-M.
    
    When I finally raise the cash, my set-up will go something like
    this:
    
    	On stage: MIDI master keyboard on Invisible stand, MIDI-ed to
    	rack.  Requires only 1 power outlet and a MIDI cable.
    
    	At the back of the stage: 19" rack containing Roland MKS-20,
    	some type of synth module (to be determined), Yamaha MV802 rack
    	mount mixer, ASR stereo power amp, some type of effects device
    	(which one TBD), and a drawer or two to hold all the wiring.  A 
    	single monitor speaker will be placed on top.
    
    	Cabling goes like this:
    
    	AC: plug rack into wall.  Run extension cord w/2 outlet box
    	from on-stage keyboard set-up to rack and plug it into rack's
    	multi-outlet power strip.
    
    	MIDI: run MIDI cable from MIDI master controller to MKS20 in
    	rack.  There will be another MIDI cable already in rack connected from
    	MKS20's MIDI THRU to synth module's MIDI IN.
    
    	Audio: connect speaker cable from amp to speaker.  Attach XLR
    	connector from house PA to MV802.

    If all of the above works, I should be able to set up the whole
    system in less than 10 minutes and only have to haul 4 pieces
    of gear (MIDI controller in road case, rack, speaker, Invisible stand)
    to gigs.
    
    		Derek

    For ``just jamming'', I find the best way to minimize the junk I have
    to carry is ditch every thing except one keyboard, a cheapie hold pedal
    (they are much less bulky), a single patch cord, and maybe a monitor
    amp, if there isn't some form of sound reinforcement on site.
    Some times I also need a single tiered keyboard stand, but I try to
    avoid that (find a table). 
    
    You should have only a really minimal number of cables to contend
    with (no power strips, or midi cables, or mixers are necessary).
    
    I use my DX7 with an E! upgrade, because it allows me 576 sounds
    internally, so I can have a few of just about everything I need
    (not necessarily the best, but at least I have some).  Plus the
    DX7 is one of the few synths where there are enough different sounds
    to fill this capacity.
    
    Another solution, if you are looking for various PARTICULAR
    sound that you can make in your studio with the dozens of pieces
    of equipment is a sampler (with ample memory and/or resonably fast
    floppies).  Just sample your useful sounds (layers or whatever) and
    off you go.  I know several people who swear by this solution.
    
    If you are a two board player, then carry two (but you still don't
    need all of that hideous, evil MIDI stuff), and get a monitor with
    two inputs.
    
    Steph
    

    len (who's a drummer...).
    

    As I've mentioned in other notes, get as much into the rack as
    possible.
    
    I use a multi-outlet power distributor with lightening arrestor and 
    noise filter and a switch.  I plug ONE plug into the power source
    flick its switch and it powers everything in the rack.  Using a
    single power source not only makes set up and power up easier, it
    also all but eliminates the possibility of ground loops, a common
    source of noise.
    
    My rack has several snakes (wrapped cords) coming out of it. One
    snake for each keyboard (I have two which is plenty) and one audio
    line that goes to the monitor.
    
    Each snake has a power line, an audio line and a MIDI line.
    I just set up the keyboards, plug the rack into the wall, plug
    the keyboards into the rack, plug into the monitor (and the PA if
    applicable) and I'm ready.
    
    When I'm done I just unplug everything and stuff it into the back
    of the rack.
    
    I just steadfastly refuse to buy anything which needs to travel
    that doesn't fit into the rack (see the note about keyboard mixers).
    
    	db

>        I just steadfastly refuse to buy anything which needs to travel
>    that doesn't fit into the rack (see the note about keyboard mixers).

	What about your HR-16, Dave?  (And why didn't Alessis make a
    rack mount version?)
    
    	- Rick
    

    I don't need to carry my HR-16 around.
    
    And there's no way I could ever fit any of the drummers I've played
    with into my rack.
    
>   (And why didn't Alessis make a rack mount version?)
    
    It's sorta understandable that drum machines that contain builtin
    sequencer aren't rack mountable.  It would be very hard to program
    them if all the controls were horizontal to the ground.  Also,
    most people still use real drummers and thus they don't need
    to be carried around much.
    
    On the other hand, I wish stuff like FB-01s, MT-32s, would be made
    available in rack mountable versions.
        
    	db

    
    Yamaha do make a rackmount adapter for the FB01. It is designed
    to take 2Fb's side by side. However I have found that it is fairly
    easy to adapt it to take an Fb and an old but faithfull (Is 18 months
    obsolescence ?) midiverb side by side.
    
    				Paul.		

    Thanks for the ideas ... I'll certainly have some new thoughts in
    mind next time I go looking for new equipment ... seems 'racks'
    are the way to go!  Oh yeah, why are most MIDI controllers even
    larger and heavier than a full-blown MIDI synth?!  You'd think they
    could make a MIDI controller that's not much bigger than the size
    of the actual keyboard!
    
    -Jim [Poster of Note 1116.0]
    

RE < Note 1116.8 by FGVAXZ::LAING "Pipe Dreamer * Jim Laing * 261-2194" >

	MIDI controllers are usually made to be more than just a place to hit 
keys.  They are created to be a center for the MIDI setup.  On your average 
synth, you're getting a compromise of two separate modules - a controller and
a sound-generating module.  Most manufacturers tend to scrimp on the controller 
portion of this arrangement.  They'll give you keys, perhaps some control 
wheels, and limited MIDI implementation of these.

	Controllers, on the other hand, are there to give you all the functions
you were meant to have - things like patch mapping, keyboard splits (assigned to
different MIDI channels) flexible routing of controllers (like mod wheels, 
breath controllers, etc.).  A good controller (like the KX88) will also allow 
you to send user-defined info.  One other reason people go for separate 
controllers, and why they weigh so much - weighted keys.

	Of course there are also 'sling-on' controllers that do very few of 
these functions - their purpose is to bring mobility.  Often these are little 
more than keys, some performance wheels, and patch selector.

	Dan