Building a Performance

[NathanJames]

Hello everyone, first time posting here for me:  I own both an XWP1 and PX5S and am going to use them in tandem for a piece I have put together for Good Friday so I thought I would share how I am using both keyboards in conjunction with one another.

PX5S:
Concert Grand

XWP1: 
👉Performance mode
Zone 1 drawbar organ - volume knob 1
Zone 2 voice ensemble - volume knob 2
Zone 3 strings ensemble - volume knob 3
Zone 4 Harp - volume knob 4 - connected to arpeggiator

👉Step Sequencer
6/8 Drum 1 - I have tweaked a few parts to match the feel of the song but mostly using to keep time as the piece is of a slow tempo.

I have recorded the base of the piece (about a 3 minute loop) with the phrase sequencer and all four zones, creating a warm somber synth feel. Because I have all four voices connected to knobs 1-4 I can control each of the volumes within the piece in real time. I start with Zones 2 and 3 then add in Zone 1 (drawbar organ) also having control over the rotory button which makes for great texture. The big reveal is when I turn on the arpeggiator and then turn up knob 4 to bring in the harp. I have this sync'd with the step sequencer so that the timing is automatic. This adds yet another great layer to the piece. I am running the XWP1 into the PX5s and assigning an additional overall external volume control to one of the sliders then simply using the Concert Grand tone on the PX5S to play along to the phrase I have constructed. It is the most ambitious I have been yet in using the two keyboards together and it is a blast!

OH - I'm going to attempt to fade the 6/8 shaker out by assigning it to one of the 8 parts and have each step velocity fade. It's the only way I can think of to create a fade. Any thoughts?