THE LIVE SET-UP

The 'ELEMENTS' :
-the Laptop, Controllers, Soundcard, the software DAW(with vst and effect plug-ins)
-OR the hardware Sequencer, Sampler
-the Synthesizer
-the Mixer
-the cables :) (1/4"TRS cables, RCA cables, MIDI cables, USB cables)

CONNECTIONS:
-connect the audio cables(2mono)from synth's outs to ins on the soundcard
-connect the midi cables(2) midi out from synth to midi in on the soundcard and vice-versa
-connect the controllers with the laptop using usb cables
-connect audio cables(2mono)from the outs on the soundcard to the master mixer(or to monitors for the studio)

INSTALL then the main DAW software on the laptop (i.e. Ableton Live). Install the virtual synths, samplers and effects plug-ins. Turn on everything starting with the place where sound starts and ending up where it comes out (when turning off proceed backwards). Root everything in the DAW, like the soundcard, the synth, the surfaces for control. Test the set-up and set the latency to zero using the settings of the soundcard and also the delay compensation feature.
Now you should be set-up to go! :) Also it would help to create a template in which to work. Another good idea whould be to make the working template, the live template and vice-versa ;)

Of course this is just a basic set-up that you can build on. For example, you can have two synths instead of one, or you can add a hardware sampler in; also you can have dedicated controllers for the main DAW, but also you can have controllers for certain virtual synths or effects racks. Also one hardware synth can be desktop(rack) module, so you can eventually control it from another controller. Realtime hardware effects can be added and tweaked realtime, as nothing compares with physical hands-on control. Even the main daw with the plug-ins, the laptop and the soundcard can be exchanged for a workstation(like MV8800 for example). The truth: sky's the limit :)









Even though we talked a lot about production gear, the initial aim of this blog is the "Live-act"... more exactly the "Electronic Live-act".

One of the bad things of computer production, is that the artists forgot to play their instruments, really expressing themselves. This is a bad thing for both the audience and the artist himself/herself.
Software brought us a lot in terms of possibilities, but in order to remain performing artists we must perform. And I mean really perform, not dj-acts.

But because all starts in music with instruments, let's return for a second to the gear we play with: the electronic instruments.

We'll try to explore 2 things: on one side the live set-ups and on the other side the way we can use them for the live performance.









. . . . . T O. B E. C O N T I N U E D. S O O N :) :)