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Ok, here's a completely different approach: I have been using computer-based setups a lot since 2005, especially live. In fact, since that time, I haven't played a live concert at a venue (read: not a virtual MoinSound Studio Sessions thing from home or from my car) where I used anything else for sound synthesis or processing than a (Windows) computer. During that time, I found my setup to be reasonably stable (read: no specifically computer-related problems happening in more than very singular events). That being said: I would strongly advise against using a computer unless there is a requirement or use case which makes no other option possible. (*) So if the budget is in the 700 bucks range: perhaps a used Kurzweil K2000 or K2500 (which has good Rhodes patches, a very convincing B3 emulation and you can do the Mellotron using available samples, as the K2x series allows for installation of sample memory), and if the Kurzweil's synth engine is not sufficient for that, get a Nord Micromodular for the Moog-type sounds. There might be other alternatives available which do this as good or better, or he might even be able to accomplish some of the stuff with his other synths (which type are they btw), but that for me would be the recommendation - unless, of course, he'd also want to use Möbius, or some of his signature Reaktor patches. Finally, talking about virtual electric pianos, I think the best price/performance (and computer ressources/performance) ratio is provided by the mda ePiano, found here: http://mda.smartelectronix.com/ I used this on various tracks on my Weird Specialist album (http://moinlabs.de/index.php?id=273, e.g. here: http://moinlabs.bandcamp.com/track/detlev-on-drugs), and if you take the time to put a lightweight distortion and maybe chorus behind it, it will cover most of your needs. Yours, Rainer *: In my case, that requirement/use case was that I didn't want to spend a considerable part of my touring budget on excess baggage costs. When I did the switch to computer, my live setup consisted on the electronics side of a fully loaded 8HU angled rack, two 5-octave synth keyboards, a synth module, a drum machine, two Kaoss pads, two stomp boxes and a FCB1010. Afterwards, it consisted of a laptop, a small audio interface, a faderbox and a FCB1010 - and I would borrow a guitar and a synth keyboard (only used as a MIDI controller for the soft synths) locally. Simeon Harris schrieb: > ok, so my keyboard player has his garage destroyed by a runaway car a > few months ago and included in the items damaged was one of his spare > keyboards. now instead of replacing it with another keyboard, he's > interested in the idea of getting a laptop instead. i suggested to him > that the best reson for doing this would be to run a few really good > emulations of specific keyboards - a hammond, a rhodes, a moog and a > mellotron. all sounds which are not covered by the two keyboards that > he currently uses. the laptop would be an addition to those. > now he could go into PC World and pick up a windows PC for 300-400 > quid, or he could look at secondhand macbooks for 500-800 quid. he has > 700 to spend, but he'll need a decent controller keyboard and an audio > interface as well. > my question is, if he gets a windows machine for 400 quid, is this > going to be a false economy? is he better off getting a used macbook > instead? he's not bothered which...he just wants reliability so it > doesn't crash on stage and it can run three or four softsynths, either > standalone, or hosted. > as a macbook user myself, i know this would be a "safe" option, but > i'm clueless about windows laptops. the specs look good, but are they > really ok? > > sim -- http://moinlabs.de Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/moinlabs