15 Keyboard Player Essentials for Life on the Road

Extras that Make Your Keyboard Setup Tour Ready

As well as your piano and synth setup, there are numerous bits of kit that can make life on the road go more smoothly for a keyboard player. Here’s a handy list of the essentials you might need:

1 - Flight Cases

Your gear is expensive and a little delicate. Keep your keyboards safe, snug, and protected from the rough and tumble of life on the road with custom-made flight cases. Pick a funky colour so you can quickly identify yours from a pile offloaded onto a stage. Stencil your name on the outside so they can be easily identified if they get lost or stolen. I have used flight cases from Swanflight for years. They stand up to the rigours of life on the road without dents, mishaping or broken latches that you might get with cheaper alternatives.

For a more lightweight, but equally bullet proof, alternative try a Gator case made from heavy-duty polyethylene. They come in generic 49, 61, 73, and 88-note keyboard sizes, so won’t fit perfectly, but the insides have foam adjustments and straps to make sure your keyboard is kept safe and snug. Again, I have used these on the road with no issue.

If you need something more throw-in-the-car ready, a soft case specifically made for your keyboard is a good choice. Nord, for example, has a range of excellent soft cases for their keyboards.

2 - Keyboard Stand

There are a wealth of choices, but try to avoid a budget version. You don’t want to end up lying on the floor playing because your rig collapsed during the encore. Yes, I’ve been there. Mind you, they thought it was part of the show.

X-frame stands can accommodate just about any keyboard, are compact, lightweight, and can be extended with extra tiers. Double-braced x-frames are chunkier but give the extra reassurance of more support and can help avoid the dreaded wobbling about as you bash the keys.

Integrated legs that screw into the bottom of the keyboard, like those available for Nord keyboards, are great compact solutions.

3 - Seat

Some keyboard players prefer to stand up. It can look good on stage and help with communication to be at the same height as the singer, guitarist and bass player. The downside is that you are never quite at the right height for playing, and you may find yourself in strange contorted positions if you use a lot of sustain, effect or expression pedals.

If you do prefer a conventional seated position, a comfortable, adjustable padded seat is essential. You could just turn up and use a random chair you find at the venue, but it won't be the right height, and it won't look very professional on stage. Some players prefer a traditional piano bench; others like to have a back to their seat. A quality drum stool is a good solution. Be sure it is squeak-free for those quiet moment on stage.

4 - Music Stand

A sturdy music stand that can withstand a small gale if you are playing outside is worth every penny. Some keyboard manufacturers offer integrated music stands, which are a neat and compact option.

5 - Music Stand Light

Your shiny new music stand will be worthless if you can't see the setlist or the sheet music during a stage blackout. A model that clips onto a music stand or keyboard stand is very practical.

6 - Cables

XLR, Jack to Jack, power, MIDI, USB, etc. - you can never have too many cables. Again, avoid budget versions and go for cables that will stand up to gigging.

7 - Extension Power Leads

You probably need several plugs for your keyboard rig, and you may have to set up some distance from the mains power outlet, so make sure you have a couple of long, sturdy power leads with multiple sockets. Also, you may find you become the go-to band member for the ubiquitous “Have you got a spare..?” question.

8 - Mini Mixer

If you have a multi-keyboard set up, you could leave the mixing of each keyboard to the main desk. For more control, use a mini mixer for your set up and send the mix from that to the main desk. That way, you have control of the balance between the piano and synth sounds, for example.

9 - MIDI Player

You’ll probably be the one firing off samples or running click and backing tracks. You could bring along a laptop, but it may be preferable to use a stand-alone hardware solution like a pad controller. Push by Ableton is a great piece of kit, although it may be overkill for what you need. A dedicated live MIDI/backing track player & mixer like B.Beat is a great option.

10 - Keyboard Amp

You’ve probably been told there is a PA at the venue and you can DI into it. But just in case, it’s always a good idea to have an amp on hand for those times when you need to amplify yourself.

Keyboards possess a wide dynamic range and can produce sharp peaks, so choose an amplifier with more power than you initially believe necessary to ensure sufficient headroom and prevent distortion. I've used a pair of QSC K10s for all types of situations, and they've never let me down.

11 - Gig Bag

All your cables, extension leads, bits and bobs need a good, sturdy home when out on the road. Pick a rugged gig bag from the likes of Stagg, Gator, or Gear4music.

12 - DI Boxes

If you are hooking up to a PA, you'll need DI boxes. They will probably be provided by the venue or PA company, but it's always a good idea to have a couple tucked away in your gig bag for emergencies.

13 - Insurance

Your gear is precious. To replace the whole rig would probably run into thousands of pounds. Insurance is essential if you want peace of mind. The Musicians' Union has equipment insurance available, and there also specialist insurance companies such as Insure4music.

14 - Hearing Protection

Each night you sit next to the guitarist's new amp that goes up to eleven and the drummer's crash cymbal. As a musician, your hearing is your greatest asset so ear protection is essential.

Modern earplugs are compact, relatively inexpensive, and tuned to cut out only the potentially damaging frequencies so you can still hear and feel the music. There are lots of options available from online music shops as well as dedicated hearing protection brands such as Alpine, Hears, and Loop.

15 - Pen & Paper

Old school and not very rock-n-roll, but essential for those moments when someone has a great idea for the perfect set list, looks around and says "Anybody got a pen and paper?".

Conclusion

By preparing in advance and making sure you have all the essential extras, you can prevent many headaches upon arriving at the gig and avoid any last-minute stress, ensuring you are organized and ready to put on a great show.