Topic by larrycalame

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Topic: gigging PTQ keyboard

I'm in search of a gigging PTQ keyboard. Portability is critical. The ideal candidate will meet all the following criteria:

1. 88 keys
2. decent action 
3. lightweight (ideally 30 lbs. or less)
4. USB audio
5. detachable music rest (on which would sit my Microsoft Surface Pro tablet running PTQ)
6. onboard amplifier/speaker system
7. stereo line outs
8. battery operation available

The closest match of which I'm aware is the Roland FP-30X. Its only deficiency is that it cannot run on batteries.
I am currently gigging with a Casio PX-S5000. It meets all the above criteria except for USB Audio, which makes it impractical for me to use with PTQ, so I "settle" for its built in piano tone. It's very good but it's not PTQ.

Any ideas?

TIA, Larry

Last edited by larrycalame (09-09-2024 19:18)

Reply by Key Fumbler

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Re: gigging PTQ keyboard

Hi Larry,
Unless busking - walking for miles? -
I believe you should change your parameters - internal speakers are all relatively awful.

If at all feasible in your scenario instead for portability maybe look into a good sack truck/equipment trolley and quality instrument kit cases to hold your gear.

Keep the existing keyboard.
You should not be after the internal speakers for gigging, those are really for the player in private, strictly a nearfield listening experience. Yes the more expensive ones can project a bit more but that's certainly not what they're designed for - and I wouldn't include anything lightweight or portable in that list anyway. The kind of high end digital pianos with slightly better sound are all going to be much heavier (big magnets/motor systems are heavy!).

For modest size small venues much better to buy a good set of active monitors with decent size bass/mid drivers and fairly large wave guide for the treble units, speaker stands and a sound interface and say an iPad or reasonably powerful laptop.

Last edited by Key Fumbler (10-09-2024 19:06)

Reply by BlackForest

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Re: gigging PTQ keyboard

Maybe use a Jackery powerbank, or better one with LiFePo batteries, which do last longer. This gives you the 110/230 V that you need. Can always then upgrade later with the above mentioned PA for a better sound, and even run this PA over the power bank.

Reply by Borealis

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Re: gigging PTQ keyboard

There is the Yamaha CK88, but it's the GHS action.

Reply by larrycalame

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Re: gigging PTQ keyboard

Key Fumbler wrote:

Hi Larry,
Unless busking - walking for miles? -
I believe you should change your parameters - internal speakers are all relatively awful.

If at all feasible in your scenario instead for portability maybe look into a good sack truck/equipment trolley and quality instrument kit cases to hold your gear.

Keep the existing keyboard.
You should not be after the internal speakers for gigging, those are really for the player in private, strictly a nearfield listening experience. Yes the more expensive ones can project a bit more but that's certainly not what they're designed for - and I wouldn't include anything lightweight or portable in that list anyway. The kind of high end digital pianos with slightly better sound are all going to be much heavier (big magnets/motor systems are heavy!).

For modest size small venues much better to buy a good set of active monitors with decent size bass/mid drivers and fairly large wave guide for the treble units, speaker stands and a sound interface and say an iPad or reasonably powerful laptop.

Thanks, but portability is critical for me - meaning I want to keep the amount of equipment to shlepp around and setup at a minimum. I currently have built in speakers on my battery powered Casio PX-S5000, but I supplement them with my Roland BA-330. The combination works fine for any venue I'm likely to play in, and the BA-300 also runs on batteries and doubles as my bench! It's perfect in every way but one - it's not PTQ,  Another user mentioned the Yamaha CK88, which looks like it might be a candidate, as it appears to meet all the criteria I listed.

Reply by larrycalame

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Re: gigging PTQ keyboard

Borealis wrote:

There is the Yamaha CK88, but it's the GHS action.

Thank you. Yamaha has a reputation for quite heavy action, but it might just work out.
My other option might be the Roland FP-30X which meets all my criteria except battery operation and costs about $800 less.

Reply by BlackForest

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Re: gigging PTQ keyboard

What about the FP10, instead of the more expensive FP30?

Reply by BlackForest

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Re: gigging PTQ keyboard

larrycalame wrote:
Borealis wrote:

There is the Yamaha CK88, but it's the GHS action.

Thank you. Yamaha has a reputation for quite heavy action, but it might just work out.
My other option might be the Roland FP-30X which meets all my criteria except battery operation and costs about $800 less.

The battery issue might be solved by a good USB power bank (preferably PD, power device up to 45W)  and THIS: 

CORRECTION:

https://myvolts.com/product/78689/myVol....1mm_2.5mm


The PSB-5U is the original AC converter of the FP10, but this item also fits the bigger 7U of the FP30x.

Last edited by BlackForest (12-09-2024 10:45)

Reply by larrycalame

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Re: gigging PTQ keyboard

BlackForest wrote:
larrycalame wrote:
Borealis wrote:

There is the Yamaha CK88, but it's the GHS action.

Thank you. Yamaha has a reputation for quite heavy action, but it might just work out.
My other option might be the Roland FP-30X which meets all my criteria except battery operation and costs about $800 less.

The battery issue might be solved by a good USB power bank (preferably PD, power device up to 45W)  and THIS: 

CORRECTION:

https://myvolts.com/product/78689/myVol....1mm_2.5mm


The PSB-5U is the original AC converter of the FP10, but this item also fits the bigger 7U of the FP30x.

Thanks for the reply. How does the power thing work? Does it simply allow the laptop on which I'm running PTQ to power the keyboard?

Reply by larrycalame

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Re: gigging PTQ keyboard

BlackForest wrote:

What about the FP10, instead of the more expensive FP30?

Thanks, but the FP-10 does not have USB audio

Reply by larrycalame

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Re: gigging PTQ keyboard

larrycalame wrote:
Borealis wrote:

There is the Yamaha CK88, but it's the GHS action.

Thank you. Yamaha has a reputation for quite heavy action, but it might just work out.
My other option might be the Roland FP-30X which meets all my criteria except battery operation and costs about $800 less.

Alas, the CK88 lacks a music rest, which I would use to situate my laptop running PTQ, so I think the FP-30X remains my best option, especially if there is a convenient way to power it via USB.

Reply by Sanderxpander

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Re: gigging PTQ keyboard

I use a Roland RD-88. The touch is quite heavy but I personally don't mind, and the internal speakers are of course pretty bad but they work in a pinch. It's light and the USB Audio thing is solid. Not the lowest latency but never had any problems with it and I like having a physical volume control on it. Reasonably priced for what it is.

Reply by budo

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Re: gigging PTQ keyboard

i just wanted to address the portability issue.  for me that issue disappeared once i had a sturdy flight case and a hand truck.  pretty much anything is portable with a hand truck

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Reply by Sanderxpander

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Re: gigging PTQ keyboard

budo wrote:

i just wanted to address the portability issue.  for me that issue disappeared once i had a sturdy flight case and a hand truck.  pretty much anything is portable with a hand truck

I gigged for 10 years with a Korg Kronos 88 and a flightcase and a hand truck. It's doable, especially "driving" it on flat ground, but the whole thing weighed around 35kg. The RD88 weighs 13kg and still has a full weighted keybed. I have it in a very well made and snug fitting Casio bag, probably weighs 14/15kg. I just pick it up with one hand and am good to go, it also has backpack-style straps and a shoulder strap. I had the Kronos in a van for most of those 10 years and that's fine, you just tip it in and slide the rest over the hardwood floor. Now I have a family station wagon and I'd basically destroy it if I did the same. The Roland in a bag is much friendlier to the upholstery.

I don't mean to evangelise the RD 88 specifically, it has to fit your needs and you have to like the somewhat heavy action, but I definitely understand the portability issue.

Reply by larrycalame

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Re: gigging PTQ keyboard

Sanderxpander wrote:
budo wrote:

i just wanted to address the portability issue.  for me that issue disappeared once i had a sturdy flight case and a hand truck.  pretty much anything is portable with a hand truck

I gigged for 10 years with a Korg Kronos 88 and a flightcase and a hand truck. It's doable, especially "driving" it on flat ground, but the whole thing weighed around 35kg. The RD88 weighs 13kg and still has a full weighted keybed. I have it in a very well made and snug fitting Casio bag, probably weighs 14/15kg. I just pick it up with one hand and am good to go, it also has backpack-style straps and a shoulder strap. I had the Kronos in a van for most of those 10 years and that's fine, you just tip it in and slide the rest over the hardwood floor. Now I have a family station wagon and I'd basically destroy it if I did the same. The Roland in a bag is much friendlier to the upholstery.

I don't mean to evangelise the RD 88 specifically, it has to fit your needs and you have to like the somewhat heavy action, but I definitely understand the portability issue.

Both the Roland RD-88 and the less expensive FP-30X have USB audio, so they will work for me, but only if I can find a way to use them where there is no AC outlet. I'm exploring options such as this https://www.ravpower.com/products/ravpo...tMQAvD_BwE

Reply by larrycalame

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Re: gigging PTQ keyboard

larrycalame wrote:

I'm in search of a gigging PTQ keyboard. Portability is critical. The ideal candidate will meet all the following criteria:

1. 88 keys
2. decent action 
3. lightweight (ideally 30 lbs. or less)
4. USB audio
5. detachable music rest (on which would sit my Microsoft Surface Pro tablet running PTQ)
6. onboard amplifier/speaker system
7. stereo line outs
8. battery operation available

The closest match of which I'm aware is the Roland FP-30X. Its only deficiency is that it cannot run on batteries.
I am currently gigging with a Casio PX-S5000. It meets all the above criteria except for USB Audio, which makes it impractical for me to use with PTQ, so I "settle" for its built in piano tone. It's very good but it's not PTQ.

Any ideas?

TIA, Larry

UPDATE: Both the Roland RD88 and the less expensive FP90X have USB audio, but they will only work for me if I can find a way to use them where there is no AC outlet. I'm exploring options such as this. https://www.ravpower.com/products/ravpo...tMQAvD_BwE

Last edited by larrycalame (18-09-2024 00:01)

Reply by BlackForest

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Re: gigging PTQ keyboard

You said you're using a laptop, right, not an iPad? IPad would make it easier to run without a big power bank with a 110 /230 V outlet. Like Jackery or ecoflow have.

Reply by larrycalame

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Re: gigging PTQ keyboard

BlackForest wrote:

You said you're using a laptop, right, not an iPad? IPad would make it easier to run without a big power bank with a 110 /230 V outlet. Like Jackery or ecoflow have.

I don't understand. An iPad would make WHAT easier to run? The keyboard? I mean I can already run the laptop (Microsoft Surface Pro) without AC outlet. I just need a solution to run a USB audio enabled keyboard, such as the Roland FP-30X, without an AC outlet.