I am a keyboard player, and my default set-up is a digital piano plus a four octave controller keyboard mounted as a second manual, the latter sounding through a Ketron sound module, either directly, or with a computer in the mix.
My preference is to keep any set-up as simple as possible – Really, I prefer not even to use the computer for live play. (In another ‘identity’ I am an organist, and I suppose the simple directness of stops and combination pedals is always at the back of my mind…...)
I value the ability to layer 2 or 3 patches/programs in such a way as to produce a sound which responds to the touch of the keyboard and careful finger articulation.
I have one software application which provides a direct way of doing this; the controller keyboard also allows this at least for two sounds via the ‘dual’ function; and I suppose it could also be done by chaining more than one sound source.
There are disadvantages to each of these approaches. The software is the best, when it works well, but is not glitch-free: it can be a trial to get working at all, and seems unusually prone to sticking sounds in this configuraton. The keyboard requires an intrusive preliminary ‘set’ to prioritise one or other voice before setting up any single pairing of sounds, and I have not found a way to fine-tune the balance of the two voices. Chaining introduces issues of program choice/change, because my sound module(s) have no onboard controls to set the patches.
I have wondered whether there is a way of approaching this by using channel sets, but can’t quite see it, if so……..
I would welcome any recommendations of specific software, or hardware – but TBH I’m hoping for a bit of dialogue with any others seeking the same musical end, as much as a quick answer.dals is always at the back of my mind…...)