Softsynths in Live Performance

[cetanorak]

I am looking for any advice, cautions, etc... on implementing a dedicated powerbook with softsynths for live performance. I am just wondering about latency issues, and any other problems that could arise. When the signal chain is a midi keyboard, midi interface, computer, softsynth, audio out/interface to mixer, will there necessarily be any major latency issues. No processing should be required within the computer. Thanks for any contributions.

[Stick]

I did it sort of recently a little for a couple of Logic native insts (EVB3 and EVP88) off an old G3 iBook. MIDI in from controller, USB out of the computer to M-Audio Ozone, and audio out to the board from that. Latency wasn't an issue at all.

Your only fear is a crash. Mine did once. I bought a keyboard with onboard sounds the next week.

But, now I have a fast Powerbook and and Presonus Firebox (Firewire connection), and would have no problem relying on it. In fact, I use it in the studio as a live keyboard... I just record straight to ProTools via SPDIF off the Firebox for quick stuff that I don't want to bother sequencing. Handy dandy.

[aussie_techie]

you need to make sure your system is very stable and you use a small buffer so you have low latency. also you need a good audio card with balanced outputs, you need to provide an XLR output(s), as i live enginear it is frustrating when people want to use a system with a bullshit sound card

you are better off just getting a dedicated sound module if you can

[SoulSpace]

http://www.openlabs.com/

[thenoodle]

I just read the openlabs info... ha..ha..ha..ha..ha..ha..ha..ha.

There are gazillions of reliable, much less expensive ways to deal with soft synths on stage without buying a pro-tools sandwich..at five thousand dollars no less.

[SoulSpace]

I was just putting it out there...

It does seem expensive, but then again, it is the only "all-in-one" that I know of.

"There are gazillions of reliable, much less expensive ways to deal with soft synths on stage..."

Can you give me a couple? RELIABILITY and true PORTABILITY are the key words. (I'd really rather not have a laptop on stage). I am actually looking for a solution, because my hardware synths sound like ass to me since I went software synth. Oh, and I don't use Protools, I use Cubase SX if it makes a difference.

This is what I have come up with so far...Laptop with Kontakt (or Halion, or Giga, or somthing else (?)), interface card, midi controller. I think when you put it together, that would be over $2500, which is where the Openlabs systems start at.

[beatzz]

Originally Posted by aussie_techie

you need to make sure your system is very stable and you use a small buffer so you have low latency.
you are better off just getting a dedicated sound module if you can

You can say that again!

[SoulSpace]

bumpola

[fresh_oil]

Hey folks. Anyone using softsynths like ivory, akoustik piano, minimoog V, etc. on a powerbook in a live performance? If so, what midi/audio interface are you using?

I just bought a tascam us-122 and the midi latancy on this unit is horrible! I need a midi/audio unit similar to the us-122 that can handle my phat cords!! (smile) Thanks in advance!

Fresh_oil

[TREMORS]

I have the us-122. Junk, it never worked well for me, esp the midi latency

I'd try a pcmcia card, like this maybe
http://www.zzounds.com/item--ECHINDIGODJ
Though, I dont use a laptop

-D

[Rockson]

Hi there:
I'm using a Centrino notebook (Compaq) with 1.25GB of RAM and a Presonus Firebox for my live rig. I regularly use Ivory, Lounge Lizard, Kontakt and a bunch of other soft synths with no problems at all. Latency is set to 10ms and I've never had ANY problems playing live. I also use two MIDI controllers at the same time.

[jjochems78]

STAY AWAY FROM USB! ITS EVIL! FIREWIRE ALL THE WAY!!!

[sonoraesthetic]

Reviving this thread from the dark ages. This topic changes yearly, and I am wondering what live soft synth set-ups people have. I am aware of Kore and Muse receptor set-ups, but is anyone doing is all with just laptop and controller? Thanks

[Stick]

I run Mainstage (Logic Studio package) on a MacBook Pro for three services at church every Sunday for pads, strings, rhodes, B3, loops and tracks. It's great. It crashed once, but that was user overload error (and before I went to 64-bit). But, that's once in almost a year now. I'm using the Korg Nano controllers for faders and drum pads, and my CP30 as the main midi keyboard. I use a PreSonus Firebox for ins and outs.

[piano]

It crashed once .... but ....

Un huh.

In the middle of a song and you crash? Na..... to much other stuff to worry about. Get a rack mount dedicated sound set.

Does your guitarist guitar ever crash?

[Stick]

Receptor and Kore never crash? They're still just computers.

As I said, once due to user imposed overload. Never since, and never since going to 64-bit, with much more involved setups.

And yes, my guitar player breaks strings, has bad cables, has amps die, among other technical issues with pedals, power supplies, batteries and whatever. Not very often, but it happens. Nothing is ever 100% perfect, at least in my world.

[LX3]

I recorded a gig by a fairly well-known UK band a couple of days ago where all the keyboards were coming off one MacBook Pro running Mainstage.

Two separate keyboard players playing at once, about three or four stereo pairs out of a firewire interface (each virtual instrument got it's own pair), various keyboard splits, patch changes, etc.

All worked well.

[sonoraesthetic]

Originally Posted by LX3

I recorded a gig by a fairly well-known UK band a couple of days ago where all the keyboards were coming off one MacBook Pro running Mainstage.

Two separate keyboard players playing at once, about three or four stereo pairs out of a firewire interface (each virtual instrument got it's own pair), various keyboard splits, patch changes, etc.

All worked well.

Do you know what midi controllers they were using?

[crimsonnoise]

I am using Apple Mainstage 2 on a MacBook Pro 2009, using mainly Logic's own plugs (EXS24, ES2) plus Albino 3 Synth. I even use 2 external mic inputs for processing and vocoder. Set at 128 samples buffer = 3.2ms. Interface: Presonus Firebox (has 6 balanced outputs) on Firewire. 5 octave M-Audio USB Keyboard.

Not a single crash ever. It's great to arrange the set-list on screen. I don't miss at all the days of lugging around racks of samplers and synths. Air-travel is a lot easier. It's the future.

[LX3]

Originally Posted by sonoraesthetic

Do you know what midi controllers they were using?

I think they were Edirol 4- or 5-octave jobs, nothing very flashy. Sorry, can't be more specific about model, didn't spend much time on stage.