Softsynths for live/reherasal gigs?

[metalstrider]

I've been giving some though to the idea of replacing my Karma for a lightweight midi controller and a tiny 12.1" Powerbook with softsynths for gigging and band rehearsals. Two good reasons are the cheap plastic key action and the fact that I don't like the piano sounds, not even the expansion board ones (both my K2600 and my Yamaha P120 are much, much better).

Now, I need to be able to switch patches on the fly, mainly piano, orchestral (layered strings, timpani, brass, etc) and lead (Monster Lead/LiquidT Lead type) back and forth. I use a pedal for patch number increment on my Karma: that would work, although patches assigned to buttons on the controller would be nicer.

What Mac OS X software should I get? Maybe something like Reason or Storm to have various different synths available within the same "virtual studio"? Or maybe Unity or some other sampler? or maybe Logic or Cubase with plug-in instruments?

I use Protools (mBox) for recording but as an audio interface, the latency of softsynths either stand-alone or RTAS plugins is unnacceptable. Any recommendations on audio interfaces for lowest possible latency? Is USB fast enough or should I use Firewire?

Any recommendations will be appreciated.

Thanks!

[ChrisMcCoy]

Hi,
Have you had a chance to check out any of the softsynths from Native Instruments ? There are versions of the Prophet 5, Hammond B3 and Yamaha DX-7 there, as well as a new Electric Piano (Fender Rhodes).
I have tried the prophet demo on my PC, which is probably not nearly as powerful as your Mac running OS X, and it sounds really nice, even through my cheap pc speakers. As for the connection, Firewire is faster than USB 1 but USB2 is faster than Firewire. I have heard that there is a new version of Firewire coming which is still faster. Hope this information is useful.
:D

[Spacehog]

Firewire 800 is out on some Macs now, albeit not all yet. It's yet to make an impact on PC's and there are very few peripherals out that support it. Audio interface-wise, there's not much that supports USB2 either; as far as speed goes there's not much in it between that and Firewire, but there's a much larger selection of firewire interfaces around. I'd go for something like the M-Audio Audiophile Firewire

I've played almost all the Native Instruments softsynths, and they all sound superb, thoroughly recommended. I've yet to try Elektrik Piano, although I gather it's a bit of a beast cos of having tons of samples. The B4 organ now is available with a set of manual drawbars that is most cool. For your orchestral stuff, I recommend Garritan Personal Orchestra.

Martin

[Axe2Grind]

If I were you I'd get an Edirol PCR80 keyboard, its the best USB keyboard for not much money, but novation are coming out with the ReMote 61 which has semi-weighted keys and its gonna be very nice but will be a bit more expensive. For sounds I'd get Steinberg Hypersonic, its like a virtual workstation synth and has everything you need for giging/rehearsing etc, so check that out and its very good on performance with low CPU usage etc and loads sounds very very fast which is what you want. Also check out Steinberg V-Stack which is a Virtual rack/mixer/VST host for virtual instruments and effects so you don't need to have cubase or any other sequencer running to access your virtual rig. all the above runs on MAC OS-X as well as windows and would be a cool virtual rig to get. I personally use V-stack and N.I. Kontakt Virtual Sampler which is fantastic and is about all I need.