Looking for a keyboard for social events (needs mic inputs)

[rockyaudio]

Hello everyone,

I am looking to purchase a keyboard specifically for social events. I have a studio, but I'm tired of packing all my studio equipment up when I need to perform somewhere. I am looking for a keyboard that has microphone inputs (at least 2 but more would be great) and alot of good voices. At least 76 keys as well.

Right no I have to pack up my midi keyboard, external synth, mixer, and recorder. I am looking for a keyboard that has all of these in one package for easier travel and setup/teardown. Thanks for your help.

 

[anotherscott]

I don't think I've ever seen a keyboard with more than one mic input.

 

[Biggles]

There is no such keyboard that I am aware of.

There are keyboards with multiple inputs in addition to a single Mike input (with its own gain control). One could use the additional inputs to feed in a suitably adjusted mike supply, not ideal but if that is what you seek.

If it helps, I have seen a guy with a keyboard and a Yamaha Stagepas PA system which has its own 8 channel Mixer that fixes into one of the speakers for easy transportation.

 

[delaware dave]

Generalmusic Equinox. Has two inputs for 1/4" mic inputs with independent gain controls for both inputs. Output routed through the 1/4" outputs along with the keyboard sounds. Comes in 61, 76 and 88 keys. I have both the 76 and 88 key versions. Built like a tank.

 

[amwilburn]

Generalmusic will be hard to find though, since they ceased operations in 2009.

We stopped carrying them by 2006, because it was nigh impossible to get warranty service (customers had to pay for 2 way shipping to Italy). But maybe you could find one 2nd hand?

 

[delaware dave]

Generalmusic will be hard to find though, since they ceased operations in 2009.

We stopped carrying them by 2006, because it was nigh impossible to get warranty service (customers had to pay for 2 way shipping to Italy). But maybe you could find one 2nd hand?

Or buy one of mine ...

A quick scan of ebay and i found one for sale so they are out there.

 

[Biggles]

Second Hand is likely to be a 20 year old unit.

What would be the cost of shipping one around the USA?

Shipping costs here in the UK are very high, if that is, you can find a Company willing to transport one. I certainly struggled to find a carrier the last time I sold a keyboard.

 

[amwilburn]

OP is in the US as well, so shipping shouldn't be too bad; I'd be more concerned about not being able to find parts for a company that's been gone for over 15 years (you'd be shocked at what can happen during shipping)

 

[happyrat1]

One of these should solve your problem without blowing $$$ on an obsolete white elephant keyboard and really they are not enough of a handful to blow a gasket over either.

Amazon.com : mini mic mixer

 

[nakeyer]

Hi! Yamaha QY100 + Arturia KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 + one of the mixers suggested by HappyRat1 = 750g + 8kg + 100g = 9 kg
Rather light weigh to carry in a buss
Forgot about recorder... Tascam DR-05X ? (+100g)

 

[anotherscott]

Hi! Yamaha QY100 + Arturia KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 + one of the mixers suggested by HappyRat1 = 750g + 8kg + 100g = 9 kg
Rather light weigh to carry in a buss
Forgot about recorder... Tascam DR-05X ? (+100g)

OP wants "easier travel and setup/teardown" than bringing all his current gear. Your 4-piece approach may (or may not) be lighter than the 4 pieces he is currently using (if weight of his current gear is even part of the issue for him, which he didn't mention), but it's still dealing with the nuisance of having to travel with, setup, and break down 4 different pieces, with all their cases and cabling, plus possibly a combination of stand-plus-attachments to hold it all.

But in the end, I suspect he is indeed going to need to find some combination of pieces, and then it could be a matter of the "least inconvenient" combination.

To the OP: What is the function of the recorder in this scenario? Does it need to record audio, MIDI, or both? Are you using it to playback things you've recorded prior to the gig, or are you recording at the gig?

 

[nakeyer]

Your 4-piece approach may (or may not) be lighter than the 4 pieces he is currently using (if weight of his current gear is even part of the issue for him, which he didn't mention),

Really?? If 9kg is too much - maybe to use more light keyboard? I use Roland A49, so my set is 4 kg! Only one case with 2 pockets for all! And ... 1MIDI cable + 2 cables for microphones + 1 for microphones mixer (by the way - there is no need of mixer at all!! If microphones are the same - it is possible to use 1 Y-cable for both to connect to QY100!) And.. one cable to connect QY100 to amplifier.. The time of all connections - about 3 min!!

 

[Biggles]

The Op wants a 76 key keyboard which does restrict the choice.

One thing I cannot fathom is why a recorder is required?

OK, no expense spared setup for reasonable sized gigs.

KORG Pa5X 76 keys which are semi weighted.

Yamaha Stagepass 300, which includes 150W + 150W speakers and detachable 8 channel mixer of which 4 can be for mikes.

Zoom R12 or similar recorder Or use your existing recorder

plus speaker stands, keyboard stand etc.

BTW

I would take up a Kazoo if all there was to play was an Arturia keyboard.

 

[nakeyer]

... and... several mount of boards and nails to make the scene

 

[Pete The Greek]

Studiologic Numa X Piano has 73 weighted keys and a built in 4 channel mixer (4 x
1/4" inputs; no XLR). I have this board and those inputs have come in handy in a pinch (e.g. when the bass player didn't have an amp). Lots of good internal sounds.

If you truly need at least 76 keys they have two 88 key variants of this board.

 

[rcjwhiting]

I second this recommendation. I love my Numa 73. Using the onboard mixer is easy, and you can use the pro quality onboard effects on vocals or other instruments. Great feeling weighted Fatar action and super internal sounds, especially acoustic pianos and EPs.

 

[anotherscott]

Really?? If 9kg is too much

I didn't say it was too much, I said we didn't know whether weight was a concern. (His current rig may even already be very light, for all we know.) He's currently traveling with 4 pieces, and he is "looking for a keyboard that has all of these in one package for easier travel and setup/teardown." Suggesting a different 4 pieces doesn't really address that. Though I'm not sure what will. ;-)

But I'll give it a shot. For 76 keys, synth functions, mixer, and recorder (with the caveat that I don't know what recording functions he needs, which I asked about earlier), one thought I have is a Yamaha MODX7+ or Roland Juno D7 which have pretty large free panel areas, on to which one might be able to "permanently" velcro-into-place any needed mixer/recorder device(s), so at least even though it is multiple pieces. it could still all move as one piece, in one case, with everything mounted in place and possibly even somewhat pre-cabled. (If more keys and/or a more piano-like action is desired, there are 88s which could work with this approach as well.) MODX is a sample-based instrument that includes an FM synth; Juno D is a sample-based instrument that includes VA synth.

 

[Rayblewit]

I would take up a Kazoo if all there was to play was an Arturia keyboard.

Hahaha

 

[Donald Brown]

Just a thought. Yamaha DGX 670 and a speaker/mixer combo such as the one found with the link.Behringer Eurolive B207MP3

 

[amwilburn]

DGX only has 1 mic input, and there's no real way to add a 2nd (yes there's aux in, but it's minipin... you're asking for trouble if you run a mixer out into a minipin jack); and not sure if weight is a factor, but it's 47 lbs... and 18" deep, to boot!