Anyone know a good-quality portable keyboard that comes with a small
PA setup? I'm thinking of a simple, standalone deal so that a
pianist/vocalist could play small rooms, without lugging and setting
up all kinds of stuff. I know that very very small speakers can fill a
small room, based on home equipment (boom boxes, or speakers for PCs).
Isn't that possible in the voice/PA world, today? And if so, is there any kind
of combination of that, with a reasonably small keyboard, plus
microphone -- so that you carry the real minimum of equipment and can
set it up easily?

Actually, it might be ideal if there were essentially ONE piece, with
keyboard flanked by speakers, plus a bass speaker on the ground, and
maybe a gooseneck mic holder attached to the keyboard's
back.....though that setup may be too much--that is, too little--to
hope for.

Plenty of solo performers who are neither techies nor
Schwarzeneggeresque in the weight-carrying department must want
this...So: is it out there?

bbb...

According to the owner's manual, available in pdf format from
this page on InstrumentPro.com, the Yamaha PSR-K1, which they
sell for $399.95, weighs only 15lbs, 7oz. It comes with a 
microphone and features a karaoke function which allows you
to sing along with internal songs and songs you download from
the internet, using a Smart Media card. Since the keyboard
allows you to mute any or all tracks of the songs, in order
to play along as you sing, it would seem that you can simply
mute all tracks and play a completely different song and sing
along with it, thus accomplishing what you desire.
http://www.instrumentpro.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?page=MUO/PROD/YAMPSRK1

The rear panel doesn't include a powered audio output for 
a bass speaker, but does include right and left preamped
outputs which you could plug into a powered subwoofer or
powered bass speaker.

Let me know what you think.

sublime1-ga

to sublime1-ga:
Thanks for this suggestion. I've quickly looked at the PSR-K1, and
yes, it is close to what I described, in some ways. Of course, it's
designed for home use, so I'm not sure if the speakers are
adequate--they're also aimed up and not out (I'm tehcnically very
un-knowledgeable about this stuff)...Or whether a built-in mic is
actually a liability or advantage, since I do know that a really top
mic is necesary for any performing. Anyway, this is clearly worth
checking out. Many thanks.

bbb...

The mic isn't built-in, as such. There's a built-in caddy for the mic
on the left side of the keyboard, but the mic is a handheld. It's 
probably a relatively cheap one, but I'm sure there's a standard 
phone jack on the back, and you could replace it with a quality one.

I hear your concern about the speakers not pointing out, but I've
been looking at the latest products from the Nashville NAMM show,
reviewed in the latest edition of Keyboard magazine, and I haven't
come across that configuration, nor have I in the past.

I also called Synthony Music, a premier keyboard provider, and was
told that there are several reasons why such a configuration isn't
desirable for the professional venue:

- It would make the keyboard itself heavier - not desirable.
- It would likely make the instrument 'noisier'.
- It would make the instrument run hotter - not good for delicate
  computerized systems.
- Separate amps accomodate other instruments, as well.
...and so on.
http://www.synthony.com/index.html

sublime1-ga