Need some technology advice

Hello keyboard and electronics gurus.

I'm the bassist in a local bar cover band (bass, drums, guitar, vocals) that has primarily focused on guitar-centric rock from the 70's to current. We have recently added some keyboard tunes to our set list (Separate Ways by Journey and Cars by Gary Neuman as covered by Fear Factory). I handed the bass to the lead singer and played keys. Had our first gig like this last weekend and it went over very well. Since we are a bit of a fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants group, the singer decided to launch into Magic Carpet Ride, and some others that I had to fake on the fly.

Overall, the whole experience was positive enough to merit exploring using a lot more keys during the shows. Stevie Wonder, Jamiroqui, horns on some EW&F, Jump (ugh), etc...

I'm a damn fine bassist, but really a hack on the keys. I mean I can do alright, but I'd never call myself a keyboardist. Although I do consider myself a bit of a technophile .

What I'd like to do (and what I'm looking for some help with:

1- Find patches or program sounds that are reasonable for use on a multitude of songs. I have no idea how to program sounds (OSC? LFO? ABC?).

2- Program and trigger various sequences that I can trigger during songs (horn runs, chord progression, etc) while I'm either playing othernstuff on keys, or that I can hit quickly while playing bass. Not a whole song, just phrases.

3- Record and trigger audio phrases to use as in #2 above.

What I currently have at my disposal:

Roland XP-80

Korg X-50

Akai Synthstation 25 and iPhone with the Akai Synthstation app.

Roland PK-5

Laptop with Mackie Tracktion, Reaper, EZ Drummer, IK Media SampleTank and Miroslav

Korg PadKontrol

Can I do these things with what I've got?

I understand the answer to #1 is basically spend some time with the boards and learn how to create sounds.

It's 3+4 that I'm clueless about. I'd rather it be a hardware solution (SP404?) than software as I'd rather not carry and setup the laptop (hell, for that matter, I'd rather not carry the big heavy XP-80).

My key concerns are:

Capable of doing what I'm attempting and sounding passable for a bar cover band.

Easy to learn and implement.

Easy to carry and set up.

Cost

Road Worthy (I do my own load ins and outs, and we gig on average 2 weekends a month so while tougher is better, stuff doesn't have to be built like a tank).

Thoughts?

a korg triton can do all you ask because it has a sampler built in. I don't think your xp80 or X50 do. Not sure about the Akai.

If you trade the XP80 for a triton you can create a set up with sequenced phrases assigned to certain keys and audio samples assigned to other keys and trigger with the PK5 while playing bass. and still have most of the keyboard for your Jump patch. Get all Geddy on their ass.

The XP has a sequencer with "Realtime Phrase Sequencing" to assign sequenced phrases to keys for live playback, but no audio sampling.

I understand that the sounds of the X50 are essentially the same as the Triton. Is that right?

Pretty much, yes. Fewer effects available but a similar sound set.

Let me ask you this. Does or will you drummer play to a click track? Many options for a cool streamlined and easy rig. Love the PK5 as a bass pedal and trigger machine. Loopers, phrase samplers, computers, and arrangers can work well.

He's willing, but I'm not sure I am. I've played in a band that played disco to a click. Bass, drums, guitar and vocals live - EVERYTHING else (keys, horns, sound FX, etc) on audio files. Really killed the "crowd is digging it, run an extra chorus" option.

There is a Fantom S on craigslist locally for $600. On the surface it seems to be exactly what I'm looking for.

Yes? No?

I have to say I love my Roland Juno Gi for 90 percent of my cover stuff. It has done everything I have asked it to do and editing is a breeze with some work. Plus it sounds great and has over 1300 sounds that all need a little tweaking or layering to sound great but then are very authentic sounding for most cover tunes. You can also record live audio, play mp3s, and play SMF's. I use a Digitech Jam man for loops and sample triggers just to keep things separate but simple.