What is KeyboardTEK?
KeyboardTEK provides electronic music design and programming for live musical theatre productions.
Our programming helps keyboardists, percussionists, and other live musicians perform the electronic sounds, patches, samples, and cues that are part of a show’s orchestration. KeyboardTEK programming is designed for productions using live players, not for replacing musicians with prerecorded tracks.
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How KeyboardTEK Creates Programming
What KeyboardTEK Provides
KeyboardTEK is an electronic instrument programming provider for musical theatre productions.
Depending on the show, our catalog may include:
- Keyboard programming
- MainStage patches
- Drum and percussion pad programming
- Electronic music design files
- Sound effects triggered by a live player
- Click tracks or sweetener tracks when specifically part of the licensed materials
- Other show-specific electronic music elements
Our programming is created so that a live player can perform the sounds required by the licensed orchestration. When the player presses a key, plays a phrase, or triggers a cue, the programmed sound responds as part of the live performance.
Who Is KeyboardTEK?
KeyboardTEK was founded by Taylor Williams, Ethan Deppe, and Kevin Roland. Together, they bring experience across theatre, music direction, keyboard programming, electronic music design, and business operations.
The “TEK” in KeyboardTEK comes from their names:
- Taylor Williams
- Ethan Deppe
- Kevin Roland
KeyboardTEK works with musical theatre productions of many sizes, including schools, community theatres, regional theatres, professional productions, and other licensed theatrical organizations.
How KeyboardTEK Creates Programming
For many shows, KeyboardTEK works from original production programming, original sounds, or materials connected to the Broadway, West End, touring, or licensed production history of the show.
When original programming is available and licensed for use, we prepare those sounds and patches for the secondary licensing market.
When original programming is not available, we work to faithfully recreate the intended sound of the orchestration. This may include:
- Consulting with original programmers, orchestrators, or music team members when possible
- Referencing original production materials or recordings
- Recreating sounds using available software instruments, samples, or modern equivalents
- Adapting programming so it is reliable for current versions of MainStage and customer hardware
Not every show uses original production programming. Some programming is adapted, rebuilt, modernized, or recreated so that it can be used reliably by licensed productions.
What KeyboardTEK Is Not
KeyboardTEK is not a replacement for live musicians.
Our programming is intended for productions using live keyboard players, percussionists, or other musicians to perform the orchestrated parts. The programming supplies the sounds and patches those players need, but the music is still performed live.
KeyboardTEK is also not a general backing-track or prerecorded-performance solution.
If your production is not using live music, or if you need to replace missing orchestra parts with prerecorded tracks, you should speak with your licensing representative about approved options for your production.
Do We Replace Live Musicians?
No.
KeyboardTEK programming is designed to be played by live musicians. Our files do not automatically perform the show for you, and they do not replace the need for the players required by your production’s orchestration.
For example, if a keyboard book calls for strings, brass, synths, organ, bells, sound effects, or other sounds, our programming gives the keyboardist access to those sounds while they perform the written part live.
The player still reads the music, plays the notes, follows the conductor, and performs with the rest of the production.
Do We Provide Backing Tracks?
KeyboardTEK does not generally provide backing tracks as a standard replacement for live musicians.
In some cases, a show may include prerecorded elements, sweeteners, click tracks, or QLab playback as part of the original or licensed production materials. When those elements are available and authorized, they may be offered separately or as part of a show-specific package.
Backing tracks for performance use often require permission from the licensing company. If your production needs prerecorded performance tracks, please speak with your licensing representative first.
Still Not Sure?
Contact KeyboardTEK Support if you are not sure whether our programming is the right fit for your production.
When contacting us, please include:
- The name of the show
- Your licensing company
- Whether you are using live musicians
- Which keyboard, percussion, or electronic music books you are planning to use
- Whether you are looking for MainStage programming, drum/percussion programming, playback, or another type of electronic music support