Akai X7000 Question From Carl
By · CommentsCarl F. writes…
Hi Al,
Came across your 11/19/09 post on the Akai X7000.
I have one and 25 sampler discs that I’m looking to sell. Would you be interested or would you know someone who is?
My asking price is $ 450.
I’m not in the market for one right now, but if anyone out there is, please leave a comment and include how Carl can get ahold of you.
Note: I do not know Carl and I cannot offer any endorsement or guarantee of either his character or the quality of the gear he is offering for sale.
Akai X7000 Keyboard Sampler
The Realistic Concertmate MG-1: A Moog In Cheap Clothing
By · CommentsYes, it’s true. There was a time you could walk into your neighborhood Radio Shack store and spot a genuine Moog synthesizer. It was right there next to the display that beckoned you to get your “FREE Battery Card!” 
Not only does this bit of trivia make this a great find on the second hand market, it is usually reasonably priced. When new, if I remember correctly, it was only $300 – $400.
Here’s a demonstration of the sound and functionality of the Realistic MG-1. If you managed to find one of these gems, drop me a line and tell me how you found it.
Inside Air’s Atlas Studio in Paris
By · CommentsHere’s a great video with LOADS of great vintage analog studio gear. You’ll only find this kind of gear on Craigslist and ebay these days.
Dealing With Input “Spaghetti”
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As your collection of vintage keyboards and MIDI modules grows, you’ll discover a new challenge… that you are woefully underprepared for the number of inputs you now require.
Most keyboards will have at least stereo outputs, or two channels. Many have multiple outputs that you might wish to take advantage of, sometimes four, six, eight or even more per keyboard/module.
Most audio interfaces are limited to just a few inputs. For example, the Digidesign 003 can handle just eight inputs. You can add an expander that gives you an additional eight channels for a total of 16. But even with 16 inputs, that would only be eight keyboards or modules, not to mention microphones, guitars or anything else that also needs to be plugged in.
One solution to this problem is to use a line level sub mixer. This allows you to mix down several inputs to just one or two. For example, an eight-channel sub mixer could mix down eight mono channels or four stereo channels to just one or two master outputs.
However, with just a few keyboards and modules the input requirements climb very quickly. Even eight mono or eight stereo may not be enough. True, you may not need all those keyboards in one song, but you certainly wouldn’t want to have to constantly plug and unplug different keyboards to discover which one you want to use.
That brings me to today’s recommendation… the Mackie LM3204 32-channel Pro Tour line mixer.
The Mackie LM 3204 32 Channel Pro Tour Line Mixer
This mixer wasn’t as widely publicized or as well known as the standard Mackie mixers, like the 1604. Although the LM3204 shared a lot of the same features it has some very specific benefits that are of interest to us as studio owners with lots of outboard equipment.
The main benefit? Well, this speaks for itself… 16 stereo channels! Yes, with this unit you can easily sub mix 32 channels of audio. It’s powerful and convenient. With this mixer I can have all of my outboard equipment always hooked up and ready to go. And all the while I’m sub mixing to stereo, so it only takes up two inputs on the audio interface to my computer.
I recently saw one of these units sell on eBay for just a little over $300. At that price it’s a real steal. You don’t see these come up very often. But if this would solve your input problems like it’s solved mine, grab it when you see it.
(By the way, these have the capability of being chained together. So if you can find two of them, that would be 32 stereo channels you would have!)
The Roland KR-33 Digital Piano – Sleeping Giant
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The Roland KR-33 Digital Piano
If you’re looking for a good candidate for a digital stage piano, you would do well to check out the Roland KR 33. This useful keyboard is no longer made but can be found on the secondhand market. I’ve seen these on eBay going for between $300 and $400.
I only became aware of this keyboard because I was working in music retail when it first came out. Our store was shipped a palette of these by accident. When we opened them and set them up we just had a blast playing with them.
While the KR-33 originally intended to be a home digital piano, it works great on stage and in the studio. It has 76 synthesizer type keys, MIDI in and out, several voices including pianos, the ability to split and layer sounds, and just enough MIDI implementation to give it some power as a MIDI master controller.
As far as gigging with it, it’s light weight, easy to carry and is flat as a board on top; perfect for stacking another keyboard. Oh yes, I almost forgot… it also comes with a matching stand.
This would make an excellent piano/controller for any studio as well as being ready to go out and gig with you. And the going price on the used market ain’t bad either.
