I believe I saw a video where JR explained that he used Synthology's "Ivory" product for the grand piano sounds he uses. As far as being disappointed that he uses a "tech guy", it is what it is. I can't imagine with his schedule that he has a much free time to spend tweaking patches.
I also beleive that the the rack equipment may include duplicate hardware for redundancy purposes.
I saw DT this past June at the Detroit Filmore. Awesome. Sat in the the front row directly in front of Jordan (and John Myung). Personally, I think he could dump the zen rifter. The Kronos sounded (or the sounds that were loaded) sounded very good. The keyboard stand is cool.
Mike Mangini is an alien from a different planet. No one on earth can play drums like him - sorry Portnoy. just my opinion
mathieumaes wrote:I've seen an interview with him. If I remember correctly, he said he uses a few different VST's in the studio, and his sound engineer has sampled those sounds to use them live with his Kronos.
I remember this because I was a bit disappointed he has "a guy" that prepares the Kronos for him...
Hammond XK3C, Yamaha S90XS, Yamaha Motif XF6, Yamaha Tyros V, Roland Fantom G7, Korg Kronos 88, Roland Jupiter 80, Sonar Producer 8.5, Digital Performer Pro, Apple MacBook Pro. Komplete, Arturia V collection etc.
Most of the 8 drummers who auditioned with DT had rehearsed prior to the audition. Having spoken (albeit very briefly) to Mike at the meet and greet and then watching him play, I could see why he was the best fit. not only is Mike technically "out of this world", but he's got a personality to match. He is very humble, excited to be in the DT family and simply looks like he's having a good time playing with the other guys on stage.
Having listened to several interviews with DT, I also agree that the process of writing so much of the material for "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" without a drummer (specifically Portnoy) allowed more room for ideas....perhaps other than Mike... Certainly, the keyboard work is more expressive.
On a different note, I was one foot away from John Myung. That guy can really play bass. I think it's kind of sad that he (and probably many bass players) don't get the recognition they deserve.
Anyhow, I had 5 minutes with Jordan...by myself to ask him a couple of questions about the Kronos and why DT didn't perform any songs from "Black Clouds and Silver Linings".
All of the band members were easy to talk to - it was a good night!!!
levioter wrote:Hi all,
about Mike Mangini, just check that video showing the audition he gave to enter Dream Theater !!
I have to admit that I kind of wish I had a tech. It would give me more time for playing.
If music is the food of love, play on and play loud!
Gear: Kronos 73, Wavestation EX, Polysix, King Korg, Monotron and Monotron Duo, Minikorg, Moog Grandmother, my very old MiniKorg, 4 acoustic and 9 electric guitars, 1 Ibanez 5 string bass, a Steel guitar, a bunch of microphones, 2 pairs of studio monitors and other very cool toys, 1 wife and 4 cats and a lava lamp!
I watched all three parts of Dream Theatre's audition videos when they selected Mike Mangini as their new drummer. Everyone, please do yourselves a favor a watch these videos. To glimpse the process is truly extraordinary.
I went to a Kronos Clinic which featured JR playing to DT and JR tracks minus the keyboard parts. He playes them all on the Kronos with no other synths. He does admitt that he samples some VST's and use them but he only uses the kronos live. plus Ipad sounds and the Roland V for lead sound on the Continum and Keytar.
Korg Kronos 61, Korg Triton 61, Casio PX-5S, Alessis Vortex Wireless, Toshiba Satellite I7 8G RAM, Presonus Firepod, Sonar X3 Producer, Behringer Truth B2031A Ones I have had and probably should of kept: Univox EL Piano, Arp Axxe, Hammond L-100 w/ 910 Leslie, Minimoog, DX7, Kawai SX210 but like most of us I needed the cash!
