{"id":577,"date":"2014-08-15T10:19:32","date_gmt":"2014-08-15T17:19:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rolandus.com\/blog\/?p=577"},"modified":"2014-09-04T14:38:44","modified_gmt":"2014-09-04T21:38:44","slug":"pack-a-light-piano","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rolandus.com\/blog\/2014\/08\/15\/pack-a-light-piano\/","title":{"rendered":"Gig Smarter, Pack a Light Piano"},"content":{"rendered":"

Apply the Best Travel Advice to Your Live Rig<\/h2>\n
\"RD-64<\/a>

Pack a light piano\u2014the RD-64 is only 28 pounds!<\/p><\/div>\n

For the longest time before accepting a piano gig, there were always three thoughts that looped in my head over and over again\u2014one, the weight of my stage piano; two, the size of my stage piano; and three, the trade-off of substituting my stage piano for a light\u00a0piano. Aside from my moaning and groaning, I\u2019ll have you know that I always ended up taking my 88-key beast to the gig. This type of instrument can easily weigh 60 pounds or more, not to mention the added\u00a0weight and size of the case.<\/a>\u00a0Ugh! The entire package can easily weigh about 150 pounds. Without a buddy to help me\u00a0move it, I thought my\u00a0back would snap, especially after the gig while\u00a0struggling to fit it into my\u00a0car. However, the biggest killer was having to carry\u00a0it up to\u00a0my third\u00a0floor apartment. What a drag! Fortunately, I’ve now found an\u00a0excellent alternative to lugging around a full-size stage piano to every show.<\/p>\n

CONTEST: Win an RD-64 Digital Piano<\/a><\/h2>\n

Ends August 31, 2014<\/p>\n

\"VR-09<\/a>

Ed Diaz’s light keyboard rig includes the VR-09 & RD-64.<\/p><\/div>\n

A Versatile and Portable Setup…<\/em><\/h2>\n

I’ve had many stage pianos, from the A-90<\/a> with the VE-RD1<\/a> expansion card to just about every RD-series piano<\/a> since the RD-600<\/a>. Today, as the keyboard guy for Roland, I have the freedom to mix and match any combination of boards that I want. However, I\u2019ve come to realize that my go-to light rig is always the RD-64 Digital Piano<\/a> and V-Combo VR-09<\/a>. They’re a highly\u00a0versatile combination, and both light and portable; in particular, the RD-64 is only 28 pounds and about three feet long. I can easily put it in its gig bag and swing it around my back. The best part about this combo is being able to fit it comfortably into any car. Had the RD-64 been around in my college days, I would have owned something a little sexier than my old Plymouth Grand Voyager.<\/p>\n

\"plymouth<\/a>

Tweet this:<\/strong>\u00a0“In college, my keyboards were worth more than my ride.” -Ed Diaz<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Get the Job Done and Enjoy Gigging\u00a0More…<\/em><\/h2>\n

The\u00a0RD-64 provides a great weighted-action feel with 64 keys. It doesn’t have the full key range of a real piano, but in my experience, most of my small jazz combo gigs only require me to play in the middle range of the instrument. This is\u00a0especially true when I’m playing with a bass player, which frees me\u00a0up from having to cover the bass part. But if\u00a0I\u00a0do have to cover the low end, I\u00a0can always adjust the octave with a push of a button.<\/p>\n

Tweet this:\u00a0<\/strong>The best travel advice also applies to gigging. Gig smart, pack a light piano.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Simplicity is the key here. I find myself accepting more piano gigs since discovering the power of this duo. It turns out that the best travel advice, “pack light,” also holds true for gigging. Take it from me\u2014pack a light piano and you’ll enjoy your gigs a whole lot more! By the way, I also use the RD-64 in my home studio as a bona fide weighted-action\u00a0MIDI controller<\/a>, but more on that in a later post.<\/p>\n

\"packing

Packing\u00a0and stowing the RD-64.<\/p><\/div>\n

Pack Your Light Piano, Win an RD-64!<\/em><\/h2>\n

We’re giving away an RD-64 Digital Piano\u2014simply visit our Facebook contest page<\/a> to enter! Once you\u2019ve entered, you\u2019ll be part of our growing community of musicians and gear enthusiasts, and\u00a0also be among the first to learn about future contests and giveaways. For contests outside of the U.S., please visit your local Roland and BOSS Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Roland Gig Rigs – VR-09\/RD-64<\/h2>\n