Software synths in a live setting..

[Tigerfolly]

Since I don't actually have a keyboard rig anymore, outside of a controller and software synths that I use to record, I was in a bit of a lurch when I was asked if I could play a couple shows with some friends.

However, I've got a laptop with all of the same software as my desktop, and my controller is USB capable (and powered!), I figure I could easily run that into my KC500s and run a live rig.

I'm using all of the Native Instruments stuff; B4, Pro-53, Absynth, Reaktor, and I also have a smattering of other VST instruments and use Propellerheads' Reason for a lot of recording, but I really don't have a way to switch between instruments.

Any ideas?

I figured I could throw a bunch of instruments as tracks into Reason or Cubase SX, and switch between the the tracks, but I'm also wondering if I just get a PC based software sampler, set up all of the patches I need from that, and switch via that. However, I have very little experience with the software samplers that are out.

Thanks,
Tigerfolly

[Darkon]

First thing that comes to mind is for you to multisample your patch sounds and then load them as instruments in Kontakt..another way might be to load all your patches into Sonar or Cubase VST as seperate midi tracks but all with the same Midi channel. Solo the patch you want to play, then when you want to change patches just solo the next one, it will mute the last one for you.....just a couple of quick thoughts :)

Darkon

[Tigerfolly]

First thing that comes to mind is for you to multisample your patch sounds and then load them as instruments in Kontakt..another way might be to load all your patches into Sonar or Cubase VST as seperate midi tracks but all with the same Midi channel. Solo the patch you want to play, then when you want to change patches just solo the next one, it will mute the last one for you.....just a couple of quick thoughts :)

Darkon

Kontakt is a pretty good idea. I think I've got that floating around here somewhere, although I might need to go buy the newer version, if it's got enough improvements to it ;)

But yeah, the latter of the two is what I'm thinking makes the most sense, I just hope the latency isn't so bad on the laptop that I need to buy a better hardware interface to replace the sound card, to properly pull it off.

Another thing I figured is to have the instruments on separate tracks (in Cubase SX), but responding to the 16 different MIDI channels, then I just switch MIDI channels on the controller to control each sound I want.

I've seen a lot of laptops on keyboard rigs lately, just was curious if they're just sequencing, recording, or actually being used as tone generators, and how.

[Shreddy]

I think you're on the right track using Cubase for all of them. You may want to post to the Cubase forums for some more suggestions.

Cakewalk also released a package which is aimed at soft synths called Project 5.

http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/Project5/default.asp

[Over The Edge]

I still won't even try to go that route. Something about the whole thing cries out instability. The last thing I need is to crash and burn live. With the huge amount of notes/midi data that I can physically see flowing on my Kurz during any one of my shows, I am just petrified going soft right now.


FL
www.franklucas.net