Gigging with WAV files – First Time was a winner!

[DrakeM]

I play a weekly gig every Wednesday for an hour at my local Senior Center and have for 6 years now. About 6 months ago, I was speaking to a table full of regular members that come every Wednesday, and they asked how long I have been playing the piano. I explained, I don't play the piano but a keyboard with my right hand. I also explained I play it as I play my guitar by playing chords with my left hand.

Well, they asked, "Why don't you ever bring your guitar in and play that too."

That got me to thinking with Christmas and New Year falling on Wednesday, I was going to have a lot of free time (having no gigs for 3 weeks).

I used this time to work up something special this year for our annual "Elvis Birthday Bash" this year. I have over 30 custom Elvis Presley songs styles and I picked out 21 of them to created 21 MIDI song files. I then took the RHYTHM GUITAR part that was in any of the files and turned it OFF. I then recorded the songs with the Keyboard using the on board WAV recorder to make a WAV track of each song.

At the gig, I then played each WAV recording using the keyboard. I was able to use my mic stand and perform with my guitar standing up, like in the old days with a live band. I ran the mic into the keyboard, so I could set up the different reverb settings I use for each song.

I connected the keyboard to my, MAUI 5, PA system and then connected my guitar to my Zoom2020 processer and then into the MAUI 5 PA as well.

The sound set up worked really good and the ladies went crazy. Now mind you, I wasn't just standing there in front of the mic singing. Sorry, no video, you had to be there .. lol

I was uneasy about using the WAV files because if you loose your place by getting distracted by the people dancing there is no recovering. These were NOT karaoke files with the lyrics scrolling by.

Had a great time trying it out.

Regards
Drake

[travlin-easy]

I knew a guy that did the same thing with his sax - sounded great!

Gary

[whataguy]

Hi Drake - Back in the day when I was in the music business there was an instrument called the "Guitorgan". It was played as a guitar and when you held the left hand down on the strings the organ sound came out the amp. It was a novelty and as this was just before the advent of Rock & Roll and the 'purists' turned their noses up at it. Google it, bet there's one in someone's attic someplace. Don in MI

[Genos!]

I knew a guy that did the same thing with his sax - sounded great!

Gary

I just checked your location to be sure that you were not talking about me. 😁 😉 🤣

[travlin-easy]

No, not you. This guy was in the Musicians Hall of Fame in Maryland, great sax player as well as a good keyboard player. Unfortunately, Jim dropped dead on the job while playing his sax along with a midi file at a nearby marina. He was a good friend and we talked almost daily on the telephone.

Gary

[dont811]

1-31-2022 Hi Drake, Just came from enjoying your ELVIS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj0flwoE2lQ

I really enjouyed your use of the yamaha's harmonizer as well as the locals themselves. You are very talented.
You don;t need me to tell you--keep up the good work, anyway, keep up the good work I look forward to hearing more music fron you. Sincerely, Don

[DrakeM]

Hi Don,

Here are Morrie's two videos that helped me understand the VH2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS-2NCQRbhA

This one has more about customizing your personal setups

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-Zp2UyNxMk

I have currently 35 different saved VH setups that I use.

Regards
Drake