Let's talk midi software: for Live performance and composing

[jho]

Although I'm a PT HD user in my studio, I need to put together a midi rig that I can take out for live performances, and also perhaps as a second system in the studio or wherever to compose on. I compose in midi for the most part.

1. For live, it must allow multiple virtual / VST type instruments to be played simultaneously by different midi controllers. I want to pull up 'set 1' song, for instants, and do all the virtual instrument patch changes from the midi controllers. BTW: Logic Platinum won't do this!!! I bought Logic and now have to sell it because of this limitation. I'm running a couple of Roland A-37 (two midi outs) keyboard controllers along with a Zendrum (one midi out). VST and Rewire are necessities. So I can have up to 5 midi in's coming into my system and I want each to have it's own virtual instrument and they can all play separately at the same time.

2. For composing, and being a keyboard player, I want something fast, easy, and intuitive for composition that won't slow me down, and allow my VST instruments and Rewire instruments in, etc.

I've read the huge Cubase SX thread (80 some-odd posts) along with others just doggin' out Cubase (except one guy ) but keep in mind I'm not running the sequencer for audio, just midi. Also I am running OSX and read that Steinberg's version for OSX sucked.

If there is something out there I'd love to try it. For the live kit, I could almost go with VST-Stack by Steinberg but it only runs on PC...

I guess I'm looking for validation if Cubase SX is the one, or any suggestions or feedback on another piece of software that could get the job done since Logic can't.

Thanks!

jho

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by jho
Although I'm a PT HD user in my studio, I need to put together a midi rig that I can take out for live performances, and also perhaps as a second system in the studio or wherever to compose on. I compose in midi for the most part.

1. For live, it must allow multiple virtual / VST type instruments to be played simultaneously by different midi controllers. I want to pull up 'set 1' song, for instants, and do all the virtual instrument patch changes from the midi controllers. BTW: Logic Platinum won't do this!!! I bought Logic and now have to sell it because of this limitation. I'm running a couple of Roland A-37 (two midi outs) keyboard controllers along with a Zendrum (one midi out). VST and Rewire are necessities. So I can have up to 5 midi in's coming into my system and I want each to have it's own virtual instrument and they can all play separately at the same time.

2. For composing, and being a keyboard player, I want something fast, easy, and intuitive for composition that won't slow me down, and allow my VST instruments and Rewire instruments in, etc.

I've read the huge Cubase SX thread (80 some-odd posts) along with others just doggin' out Cubase (except one guy ) but keep in mind I'm not running the sequencer for audio, just midi. Also I am running OSX and read that Steinberg's version for OSX sucked.

If there is something out there I'd love to try it. For the live kit, I could almost go with VST-Stack by Steinberg but it only runs on PC...

I guess I'm looking for validation if Cubase SX is the one, or any suggestions or feedback on another piece of software that could get the job done since Logic can't.

Thanks!

jho

I don't understand why Logic can't.

Can't you setup different controllers in the enviroment window for the different VST audio instruments(I am thinking OS9 by the way).

I know I've done it for a keyboard controller and an MPC 2000 at the same time.

[jho]

Yeah Logic works fine if you are controlling multiple external midi devices but I couldn't, say, record a 'midi band' if everyone was triggering different VST instruments at the same time.

I couldn't believe logic wouldn't do it, everyone said it would, I tried for days, and finally called both the Logic rep in Nashville and then my sales rep and I stayed on the phone for 40 minutes on hold for tech support at Emagic only to find that the answer was "oh...no. It can't do that".

The logic rep told me that was a highly requested feature. If you can figure out how to do it then do tell but their tech support said 'nada'

[jho]

Oh and yeah just to clarify my last statement , if you record one at a time in Logic, then of course the sequencer can play them all back simultaneously. But can't record them all at the same time, which is basically what I'd have to do...put everything on 'record' and then start playing. I've been told that Cubase can do it, so here I am, bout to drop 6 bills on it...