Feedback on Budget Dawless Setup: Roland GO:KEYS 5 + S-1 (Focus on Learning & Looping)

[Rudinger]

Hi everyone,

new here in the Forum
I’m looking for some advice on my current hardware idea. My primary goal right now is improving my keyboard playing skills, but I want to do it within a fun, inspiring, and budget-friendly DAWLESS setup.

My Current Gear is Roland GO:KEYS 5 and a Roland Aira Compact S-1.

My Vision: I want to create lush drone atmospheres on the S-1 and play long, live keyboard passages over them using the GO:KEYS 5. Eventually, I want to be able to capture these keyboard parts as audio loops and samples to build layers live.

Planned Additions:

• Mixer: I’m looking maybe Behringer Xenyx 802S to bring the keyboard and synth together.
• Sampler/Looper: Roland P-6 later to handle the audio looping and sampling of my keyboard phrases.
• MIDI Controller: Arturia MiniLab 3 specifically to control the S-1, giving me dedicated knobs and extra keys for easier sound tweaking.
• Future: Possibly a dedicated drum machine down the road (not decided yet)

My Questions:

1. Does this setup make sense for someone who wants to stay focused on playing/learning while having basic looping capabilities?
2. Is the Behringer 802S a good choice for routing the GO:KEYS audio into the P-6 for sampling while monitoring everything?
3. Are there any 'hidden' hurdles with this specific combination of Roland gear (GO:KEYS 5 / P-6 / S-1) that I should be aware of?

I’m trying to keep it as uncomplicated as possible so I spend more time practicing keys than troubleshooting cables.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Biggles]

Do you have an iPad or iPhone?

If you do there is a simple way.

 

[Rudinger]

Do you have an iPad or iPhone?

If you do there is a simple way.

Yes, I do have a iPhone.

 

[GEAUXCAT]

Hi everyone,

new here in the Forum
I’m looking for some advice on my current hardware idea. My primary goal right now is improving my keyboard playing skills, but I want to do it within a fun, inspiring, and budget-friendly DAWLESS setup.

My Current Gear is Roland GO:KEYS 5 and a Roland Aira Compact S-1.

My Vision: I want to create lush drone atmospheres on the S-1 and play long, live keyboard passages over them using the GO:KEYS 5. Eventually, I want to be able to capture these keyboard parts as audio loops and samples to build layers live.

Planned Additions:

• Mixer: I’m looking maybe Behringer Xenyx 802S to bring the keyboard and synth together.
• Sampler/Looper: Roland P-6 later to handle the audio looping and sampling of my keyboard phrases.
• MIDI Controller: Arturia MiniLab 3 specifically to control the S-1, giving me dedicated knobs and extra keys for easier sound tweaking.
• Future: Possibly a dedicated drum machine down the road (not decided yet)

My Questions:

1. Does this setup make sense for someone who wants to stay focused on playing/learning while having basic looping capabilities?
2. Is the Behringer 802S a good choice for routing the GO:KEYS audio into the P-6 for sampling while monitoring everything?
3. Are there any 'hidden' hurdles with this specific combination of Roland gear (GO:KEYS 5 / P-6 / S-1) that I should be aware of?

I’m trying to keep it as uncomplicated as possible so I spend more time practicing keys than troubleshooting cables.

Thanks for your input!

I would recommend one of the Boss tabletop RC loopers. There is a smaller one for $359, but this one is really fun and easy: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RC505Mk2--boss-rc-505-mk2-loop-station-tabletop-looper

 

[GEAUXCAT]

Hi everyone,

new here in the Forum
I’m looking for some advice on my current hardware idea. My primary goal right now is improving my keyboard playing skills, but I want to do it within a fun, inspiring, and budget-friendly DAWLESS setup.

My Current Gear is Roland GO:KEYS 5 and a Roland Aira Compact S-1.

My Vision: I want to create lush drone atmospheres on the S-1 and play long, live keyboard passages over them using the GO:KEYS 5. Eventually, I want to be able to capture these keyboard parts as audio loops and samples to build layers live.

Planned Additions:

• Mixer: I’m looking maybe Behringer Xenyx 802S to bring the keyboard and synth together.
• Sampler/Looper: Roland P-6 later to handle the audio looping and sampling of my keyboard phrases.
• MIDI Controller: Arturia MiniLab 3 specifically to control the S-1, giving me dedicated knobs and extra keys for easier sound tweaking.
• Future: Possibly a dedicated drum machine down the road (not decided yet)

My Questions:

1. Does this setup make sense for someone who wants to stay focused on playing/learning while having basic looping capabilities?
2. Is the Behringer 802S a good choice for routing the GO:KEYS audio into the P-6 for sampling while monitoring everything?
3. Are there any 'hidden' hurdles with this specific combination of Roland gear (GO:KEYS 5 / P-6 / S-1) that I should be aware of?

I’m trying to keep it as uncomplicated as possible so I spend more time practicing keys than troubleshooting cables.

Thanks for your input!

I would suggest one of the Boss RC tabletop loopers......the larger one would be great if you plan on creating multiple layers and even more instruments/synths in the future. The smaller one is a more affordable model but does the same thing. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RC505Mk2--boss-rc-505-mk2-loop-station-tabletop-looper