Software for a live situation?

[Gustavo]

Hello all,

Inspired by youtube users such as gattobus, I recently wanted to make cover songs of pieces I like much. BUT as gattobus, I would like to make them in real time, as opposed to making many traks and then just piece them together.

I have not really digged into the software realm of music (mainly due to lack of time) but now I got plenty of time in my hands (some may argue I have too much for my own sanity´s sake). I have so far barely scratched the surface of Cubase, only used a couple of VSTs, and recorded directly from my Nord Stage. The most complex thing I have done is bassicly do the Drum Track. I am also not looking for hardware solutions since ordering from the net will give me a long wait, and doing something software may just have me wait a day or two most, while I figure it out.

So I dunno if Cubase can do what I want, lest if it may do it with ease.

I am basically searching for any software that will allow me in real time to record sequences and just loop them. Have a drum track or add to that an accompanying track that I can change via the NS. Say I designate an octave, a note each to a certain pattern.

I also would like the software to be capable to track easily the VSTs used to a keyboard, say just lay them out in an intuitive way.

I know this is probably doable on Cubase, but I do not want to hassle with MIDI stuff and latency problems. I want a program that puts it as simple as it may be put.

Thanks for any help

Gus

[-=AnatomiC=-]

I think Ableton Live is best suited for live performace.
I use it much, I like it - there is also dedicated Akai controller for it, if you want more real time control. But any controller will do.

[St0rMl0rD]

Get an Apple laptop and use Mainstage that comes with Logic. It's perfect. Ask Jordan, Logic rocks!

-J

[The Magic Dude]

I second the Ableton Live vote. Though I haven't used Logic, Mainstage and Cubase much, I think Ableton can do what you want. I use it with my CME VX6 controller (which has a ton of knobs, sliders and buttons) and it works great.

[Gustavo]

Thanks guys, I will try to grab an Albeton Live demo to see if it works for me. BTW I DO NOT have an apple computer, I used to though. But no longer T.T

Gus

[St0rMl0rD]

Thanks guys, I will try to grab an Albeton Live demo to see if it works for me. BTW I DO NOT have an apple computer, I used to though. But no longer T.T

Gus


Why would anyone go to Mac and then go back?

-J

[thkyle]

Why would anyone go to Mac and then go back?

-J

to play in the RAIN (http://rainrecording.com/)

They also keep a fairly extensive and up to date list of hardware and software and what OS they are compatible with. Handy info.

I forgot to mention. I like Ableton Live. It's simple as dirt to use, but you can go under the hood and get real detailed if you want to. It is designed for use in a live setting, but doesn't just stop there. Drag and drop just about anything you want into the mix, and it's good to go. Have everything you planed for your entire set in the que and ready to load. It's fast. Change things up on the fly. There are even plug-ins for video. With the computing power of an audio dedicated computer, Ableton live and a good library of plug-ins and pre-recorded material that you've worked on during practice, you're only limited by your imagination. Add a rack mount with a few analog toys, and you'll have performance power that could never be stuffed into a keyboard work station, and much easier to use to boot.

You could even download material you have at home or on your web site and drop it in for use in seconds.

Here's a little video. It may not be your style of sounds, but Ableton can handle lots more than just digital or midi loops.

Click here, Enjoy! (http://createdigitalmusic.com/2009/04/29/everyone-needs-a-vocoder-live-8-video-tutorial-plus-live-live-and-dummy-clips/)

[Gustavo]

Why would anyone go to Mac and then go back?

-J

Well, you know what they say about macs? that the OS is near "perfection" (honestly it still has some fault and it still can freeze on you). Well while that is almost true, it is not for hardware. The Hard Disk... well kaput. My father sent it to fix and then my sister took it for herself one day and never gave it back. So now I have a VAIO lap (which honestly I hate). BUT the real deal has always been my alienware, which in many cases simply is better than a mac. (Windows has a wider ranger of compatible software, and my alienware is simply a beast even by today´s standards)

either way, if I still had a Macbook, I would rather use the Alienware.

Gus.
PS. Here are the specs of my Alienware:
6GB Ram
250GB of free Hard Disk Space
3.6GHz Dual Core Intel (I am not quite sure though if it is this model)
E-MU 1212m Audio Card
Nvidia 7800 GTX-ko Video Card
And just added a wireless internet thingy to it (although it is USB)

[Aterkeys]

A Pc + Brainspawn Forte and a lot of vst's (could be free ones :smile:)

Forte will do it well. You can configure it for patch changing from a footswitch and all that stuff. You can layer a lot of vst's. And it also accepts rewire soft like reason or ableton live.

I think it's the best choice for playing live with a pc ....

[Gustavo]

Thanks for the suggestions!

BTW I forgot to mention what software I currently own. I have only bought Korg Legacy (original) and then the Legacy collection Digital (mainly cuz of the M1), I also got the Proteus X LE that came with my sound card (I think in the bundle there was an Ableton Live demo, I´ll search for the disc). A friend´s dad has got an actual recording studio, so I got access to some stuff such as: Waldorf Edition, Novation V-Station and BassStation, HALion 3. Unfortunately he doesnt use any software inteded for live usage (why would a recording studio need one?). He´s also got some keyboards, but dont really remember which, since he kept them in some storage along with simple drum kits and some guitars. I think he has some of the last gen workstations, but dunno.

So, having the HALion 3 available for my immediate use (my friend´s dad hasnt got many "jobs" lately), I was thinking maybe just make multisamples of the sequences instead of using the sequences themselves. and just map the Sequences to the lower keyboard octave (or the higher one, doesnt matter) and then just build my setup from that. What do you guys think?

Gus

[St0rMl0rD]

Well, I used to use Forte with my band while rehearsing, and the system froze up on me several times. The same thing never happened again on my iMac, so I'm not even thinking about switching back.

-J

[Aterkeys]

I've been working with forte since a few months ago, i've played with it live and it hasn't given me any problem....

Of course that it depends on what you want to play, because if you're gonna play DT songs or something that requires a LOT of layering and patch switching, I would use forte. I don't use a lot of layering (maybe 3 or 4 vst's at the same time) and it works perfectly, the cpu meter almost never rises 50% (so i could add maybe 2 or 3 vst's more).

I'm very happy with the workflow of forte. Anyway, it's just a suggestion! :smile: