Hi guys, I have been hesitating for years about using a computer for band/live use, but I want to give it a try.
I am looking for different options for host programmes.
I already have MainStage, Ableton Intro, Kore 2, Logic and Studio One.
I wouldn't use *any* sequencer to play stuff... I need something to set up different performances per song, with different instruments, effects, keyboard mappings / layers, etc, *easily* switchable without looking on screen.
MainStage: made for it, but antiquated for my taste. Just as Logic, which I moved away from successfully, i dislike the interface and workflow.
Ableton: I am allergic to Ableton, but since everyone praises it so much, I wonder what I'm missing. People say they use it as host for exactly what I wrote above, but I wouldn't have a clue how to do that.
Kore: Great stuff, close to perfect for my plan, but I didn't find a way to switch performances easily without looking on the screen.
Logic / Studio One: Using only the latter as a DAW nowadays, but I guess both apply for this: I'd work with markers and program changes, but that would mean I'd have to load *all* plugins for a whole show into one project. And I'm a bit concerned if that would be too much for my macbook white spring 2008.
A host which switches from one setting/performance to the next would be ideal, as I wouldn't have to load all the stuff at once and work with mute/program changes. Would be better for the computer.
That leaves me with Kore, which misses the switching option AFAIK, and MainStage, which is unintuitive, scientific and dated to my taste.
I want to keep things as easy and simple as possible.
Any recommendation?
__________________ Current Gear: Nord Electro 3, RME Fireface 400, Mopho Keyboard, Blofeld Keyboard, DRM1 MK3, Maschine, APC 40, ESI nEar 05, Faderport, Ableton Live 9, Studio One V2, Komplete 8, Softube Mix Bundle, Minimonsta, Oddity, ValhallaVintageVerb
Weight is a big factor here, having no car, hence the attempt to look at options with computers. But I agree, ideally, a workstation keyboard would be the key.
I demoed Mox6 today once more, something about the sound that I don't like and I think Kontakt does that a lot better...
But I have to say, after Kore's death and MainStage's appstoritis, there's no proper, obvious choice left in the normal market.
Eventually, I might have to face the fact that I won't ever find a solution for my live setup and hence won't be on stage any time soon. It's just causing knots in my brain.
Why do I have to be a non-driving keys player who wants piano/ep/organ/string sounds but also *proper* synthesizers and not this rompler crap. gah.
Well, personally I'd tell you to go Mainstage or Live depending on what you're doing... probably Mainstage if you're not sequencing at all and on a Mac, but you've already said you didn't dig it. Personally, I've learned that settling for less in a live show is by far the better way to go. Having it all is for the studio and can only lead to problems in a live show. A Roland SonicCell will make a ton of cool noise, fit in a backpack and no one in the audience will care that it's not real analog.
hmm not sure. I am actually done with New Roland after selling Juno D and Juno Di.
But SonicCell does look tempting again. But 750 Euros to get sounds that I can already do in my laptop is a bit much.
I think I have to swallow the pill and use Mainstage, at least until buying SonicCell doesn't hurt my wallet and my gearslut heart as much as it would now.
I also fancy Hammond Sk1 as stage piano, but well, no car, not coming far.
Shame there aren't more hosts like MainStage / Kore, it would be so easy to turn a computer into a workstation... not as a sequencer-DAW but as a performance-DAW.
Lacks!
Seems to me like you're running out of options. Keeping it truly geeky and use AUlab and script the shit out of it with midipipe might be the only alternative left...
There is Forte by Brainspwan but I think it's PC only and I'm guessing your on Mac since your talking about Main Stage. Maybe you could run it under bootcamp or something.
huh? lol
Anyway, if I keep it simple and use Studio One with *ONE* instrument per song, so I can switch from track to track (instrument to instrument), then it would be easy and possible.
With Kontakt, I can setup different instruments per instance and map them.
That *could* work.
What's the problem with mainstage - is it that you're only using the included VIs, because otherwise as a live host for gigging it's ideal and I don't understand how it could appear dated other than possibly if you have limited VI's, since it just does what is says on the tin beautifully and unbelievably cheaply?
Edit - just looked at your other post - you're aware that you can set up as many instruments with whatever keyboard mapping as you like, along with all FX and external inputs etc. etc? You just flick between them however you like - computer keyboard or hardware.
yeah I know that's what MainStage does.
I'm just kind of fed up with the interface, but as I said, I might swallow the pill and sit down for an afternoon.
Any idea about stability, which is really crucial for live?
yeah I know that's what MainStage does.
I'm just kind of fed up with the interface, but as I said, I might swallow the pill and sit down for an afternoon.
Any idea about stability, which is really crucial for live?
Just don't look at it I rehearse and gig with mine, no issues - it's just another electronic music device (the macbook pro that is) and has been used by many pros for many years now (you see them on stage everywhere from small gigs to arenas and festivals). Mainstage is my main live device, logic for home. Just remember to plug in at the socket and switch it on - having it shutdown when the batteries finally drain, if you've forgotten to do so, is a tad embarrassing, speaking from experience Mainstage is solid.
Cool, thanks. It's not like I have to buy anything... (I checked Forte and it's windows, I don't want to run bootcamp for that really), I mean it's all there and I can decide whatever.
The discovery that I could abuse Studio One or probably any other Daw for this 1 instrument = 1 track = 1 song for 1 keyboard (and the rest hardware), made me relax a bit.
Now I just need to decide if I should get Ultranova or Komplete Audio 6 + Axiom.
Nothing to do with the topic though.
I use Live when I'm producing, but in your situation I'd recommend holding your nose and going with Mainstage. It's the lightest instrument host around, very stable, and it has the enormous advantage over Live that it actually loads new patches / instruments rather than keeping everything around in memory and switching between them. That's a big deal when you have lots of songs with lots of different presets and patches. (Or real keyboards, which is what I prefer, but they're heavy and a hassle to take care of etc.)
oh it does. took me a while. Well, that sounds like it will be worth to sit down a bit to get into it.
On the surface it's very easy to use, but when it gets more complex, there's a guy called dingdangdawg on the otherwise fairly quiet Apple Mainstage help forum who's particularly knowledgeable.
If you use 64 bit mainstage and 64 bit plugins or 32 bit and 32 bit it is much more stable.
I'm not sure what your exact requirements are but Maschine would be worth a look. It is light and stable and easy to use. But it is a bit limited (routing).
I find Maschine - especially for these purposes - anything but easy to use.
I use it as one of my main drum instruments in the studio, but that's about it.
edit:
Especially in comparison with Kore, it shows that Maschine is not designed for that.
Maschine can never replace Kore in that aspect. Such a shame they let Kore die.
One more question.
I currently only have a macbook white spring 2008 as laptop. New macbook pro is planned for later this year.
Would it be worth to buy the new mainstage 2.2.2 to run with Snow Leopard 10.6.8?
I find it quite stupid that we have to buy mainstage a 2nd time to get an update, but it's not that expensive, just wonder if it's worth it or if I go better with the one I have now (2.1.3)
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I rehearse and gig with mine, no issues - it's just another electronic music device (the macbook pro that is) and has been used by many pros for many years now (you see them on stage everywhere from small gigs to arenas and festivals). Mainstage is my main live device, logic for home. Just remember to plug in at the socket and switch it on - having it shutdown when the batteries finally drain, if you've forgotten to do so, is a tad embarrassing, speaking from experience 
