What is a Multi-Rig Synthesizer Set-Up?

Series Summary

Because of its creative uses of verbal and written communication, music is one of the most interesting forms of expression that exists in the world today. Whether the rhythmic arranging of tones and melodies developed in conjunction with spoken language is still unknown; nonetheless, music is unique in that it facilitates a special conversation between the musician and the audience that exceeds mere words. Music creates a connection between people that is not limited by time, distance, or relationship; a song can speak to anyone, anywhere. That’s why music continually changes and grows, is still loved and still proliferates. Music is a living language.

Now that you know the power of the music, in this free video series, learn how to play a synthesizer. Analog synthesizers are synthesizers that use analog circuits and computer techniques to produce an electronic sound that is often heard in music composition. The first analog synthesizers (or synths) were derived from analog computers and involved other electronic modules such as oscillators, filters, amplifiers and generators that were connected by patch cables. Later, all-in-one synthesizers simplified the set-up and made synthesizers more portable and easier to use. Analog synthesizers were slowly replaced by digital components, but in the 1990’s, a revival of the analog synths prevailed.

In this free video tutorial you'll get tips on how to use a multi-rig synthesizer set-up. Expert Ben Anderson offers tips on what equipment to choose as part of your keyboard workstation, how to assemble a multi-rig station, and how to power your set-up. You'll learn how to adjust keyboard levels, how to improvise during a show, and how to play two keyboards at once. So watch these free videos, put on that Rick Wakeman cape and try out some multi-synth heroics today!

Video Transcript

"BEN ANDERSON: Hi, this is Ben Anderson for Expert Village, and today, I'm going to be talking to you about multi rig setups. Just to give you a brief overview of what a multi-rig setup is here in front of me is an example of a multi-rig setup where I'm using two synthesizers in a live performance setting. This can be used in many different ways. What I use it for personally is to be able to switch between different sounds on different keyboards without having to cycle through presets or through the bank of different sounds that I have. It's a lot easier to jump from one keyboard to another, B but this is just one example of many different rigs that you can have in a multi-rig setup for keyboards. Oftentimes, you can also have another keyboard stand with another keyboard or two or even using a different synthesizer box as well as just keyboards in order to have a good multi-rig setup, but the importance of multi-rig setup is having a setup that works well for you, and one that you can adjust to very easily. People will also use multi-rig setups for other reasons; aside from just being able to simply switch through different sounds, other keyboards have different feels for them. The keyboard on top that I have, for example, is a semi-weighted keyboard whereas the one that I have below is more of a weighted keyboard with actual full-size piano keys compared to like the one that's above it that does not have full-sized keyboard keys. So each keyboard will have its own personal use, and a musician can use different keyboards for whatever best suits them and can interchangeably use in throughout their multi rig."