Good Synthesizer Imitation (including Floppy Disk or USB Hookup)

[kamikazi_kostka]

I need a keyboard for basic gigging.

This is for pep band and for small scale rock concerts.

I need a keyboard that can either play midi sounds off a floppy disk, or have them transferred onto the onboard RAM via USB.

I basically want a keyboard for under $400 used that can imitate the synthesizer sounds used by Van Halen, Journey, Bon Jovi, ect.

My band I do a lot of covers, and I don't want to spend $2,000 on each synthesizer (like an Oberheim OB-XA), or drag a computer along as the midi controller.

I am wondering what keyboard would suit my needs, and give a pretty decent tone, that people will say, "Hey. that sounds like Jump."

Also if you have any software or places your recommend for downloading these midis or samples, let me know.

Thanks in advance

 

[celamm]

kostka:

>>or drag a computer along as the midi controller.

--OK, but, how about a laptop as the sound maker? A laptop running Windows XP. This may cost more than $400, but I am going to assume if you're emailing forums like this you or one of your bandmates may already have something you can use. You're not going to find a soundmaker/MIDI sequencer that's any lighter, more capable, or more portable, IMO.

--For playing back MIDI, run a program like Mackie Tracktion (about $150 USD I think) http://www.mackie.com/products/tracktion2/ There may also be free XP MIDI sequencers that support VST, but I can't recommend one.

--A VST sound maker. If you go to http://www.kvraudio.com/, you will find **tons** of free ones, including synth emulator/sound makers, some of which sound pretty good. Check out "free Alpha" from linplug, for instance. It sounds reasonably "analog" (maybe a bit too crisp, but we're on a budget here--for most pep bands it will get the job done....). http://www.linplug.com/Products/FreeAlpha/freealpha.htm. Another favorite of mine if cheeze machine (a very good Solina emulation) http://www.kvraudio.com/get/177.html

--If you want to splurge, check out a "pay" VST plug in for synth sound creation. For things like VH's "Jump!" I'd look at NI's Prophet V emulation, but this may break your budget. http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=pro52_us&ftu=2371e5b1ec8f3cc&flash=9. And if David Lee Roth is at the wedding you're playing (he may be) have him come up on stage; his self esteem probably needs a boost at this point.

--Plug the line out output of your laptop audio into the PA system you're using.

Hope this helps.

--CL

I need a keyboard for basic gigging.

This is for pep band and for small scale rock concerts.

I need a keyboard that can either play midi sounds off a floppy disk, or have them transferred onto the onboard RAM via USB.

I basically want a keyboard for under $400 used that can imitate the synthesizer sounds used by Van Halen, Journey, Bon Jovi, ect.

My band I do a lot of covers, and I don't want to spend $2,000 on each synthesizer (like an Oberheim OB-XA), or drag a computer along as the midi controller.

I am wondering what keyboard would suit my needs, and give a pretty decent tone, that people will say, "Hey. that sounds like Jump."

Also if you have any software or places your recommend for downloading these midis or samples, let me know.

Thanks in advance