In this video, acclaimed keyboardist Andy Burton provides an exclusive tour of the sophisticated keyboard rig he used for the Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul tour. He explains his transition to modern, reliable digital gear around Gig Performer that can cut through the dense sound of a 15-piece band while maintaining the authentic feel of classic instruments.
Key components of his rig include:
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Hammond A3 System: Burton explains why he replaced his vintage Hammond B3 and Leslie 122 with the Hammond XK-5 (housed in the A3 enclosure). It provides superior reliability, foldability for touring, and versatile MIDI capabilities (0:22-1:37). He demonstrates how he achieves a range of clean and dirty tones using internal tube and digital overdrive emulations (1:46-4:11).
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Nord Stage 2: this keyboard manages program changes for his other instruments.
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Computer System: Burton uses a MacBook Pro running Gig Performer for plugin hosting, paired with a high-speed RAID 5 solid-state drive system for stability and fast loading. His audio interface is a Universal Audio Arrow (4:44-7:06).
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Sequential OB-6: An analog synthesizer with discrete VCOs, which he uses for warm pads and lead sounds, often blending it with his Nord and laptop sounds (7:38-8:38).
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Haken Continuum: Nicknamed “Erving,” this expressive controller is featured on the song “Under the Gun,” allowing for unique, non-Western textures and expressive cello/viola-like performances (11:40-13:16).
Burton emphasizes that his entire setup is designed for stability, realism, and the ability to handle complex, layered arrangements in a large ensemble setting.
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