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Performing without a Laptop
StoreTags: laptop, sequencer, MPC
Author: dylan on July 23 2008 Viewed 1490 times. 17 people liked this blog. You can rate it below if you haven't already.
People who enjoyed reading this: delete, daswesen, sAMsKi, Analog, bla, jp, shamann, BigDill, fichu, madeofoak, SenorFrio, mlbot, papergoose, hecanjog, pextris, Roshi, sclr
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I have been thinking about ways to perform live that would minimize the laptop's role, or(ideally) take it out all together. I have been thinking about it and came up with two possible solutions so far.
An option for the former might entail using a program like Numerology to sequence my hardware synths via MIDI and using my Drehbank, etc. to change the patterns (analog style). Another option would be more ideal, but would cost considerably more money: buying a hardware sequencer/workstation or synth with a sequencer (ala the Monomachine).
In short, I have two questions for everyone here. 1) In what ways do you perform with a laptop that minimizes interaction with the laptop itself and 2) for those who use hardware sequencers/workstations what have you found that offers the most flexibility for live performances? | |
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07/23/08
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madeofoak
if you just want to minimize your laptop's presence you might just want to use it as your synth. a friend of mine uses reason to set up all his synth/keyboard voices and then just cycles through them as he plays. the laptop is very non-invasive and never crashes, since the job is so easy.
07/23/08
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SenorFrio
Last time I played out w/ a laptop, I started tapping out beats with my padkontrol. I found this to be much more engaging to me... But, it really is just about the sound... I don't know if the audience would've cared if I were staring at the laptop.
Anyway, I love the monomachine/Electribe ESX combo... which I did at Ground Kontrol... it keeps you busy!
07/23/08
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strangus
I generally use my laptop to play beats, and I solo over them with a synth or bass. It works out pretty well.
When I play with a partner, I leave my laptop behind and just bring synths or bass. My current live rig is Micron, and X-station. It's minimal and I am loving it.
07/23/08
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mlbot
there are lots of bad 90s synth workstations with powerful sequencers...
and some good ones, too. What about something like an MPC1000?
The stuff i write on a computer is often quite different from patterns i write on my hardware, I think the two often blend well.
07/23/08
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KidQuaalude
i've been trying to ditch the laptop for live stuff recently, using an mpc1000 w/ jjos2, its a great little sampler/sequencer for using live. i particularly like messing with the 'next seq' set to 'immediate play', allows for on-the fly remixing of your sequences by flipping between patterns while they play, great fun.
finally got a hold of a nord modular g1 the other day, just started writing tunes using it and the mpc1000. the audio tracks on the mpc allow me to loop extra instruments from the nord and have them playing alongside its 4 tweakable 'live' patches. 
07/23/08
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papergoose
this is funny. everyone seems to be trying to move away from the laptop... quite a new phenomenon(omnomnom).
Me too.
For my new project, I use Ableton as a sample player and master midi clock and (most importantly) as a host for synths. It controls my es-1 clock for drums. I play the usb midi keyboard and turn it's knobs and only touch the laptop a few time through a song, if at all. I have some external effects too, which lets me do sounds in between ableton songs. There are two of us, which helps. The vocalist uses to loop pedals and some moog fx for his voice, and then guitar/bass/acoustic as well. We also frequently use a live drummer. Actually PLAYING the keys rather than presequenced midi adds so much to it, I think, and helps us all flow together a little bit better than being tied to the midiclock (which serves as a good base though).
I'm much happier with the music making process and the performance using this method, rather than the old way of staring at a screen. Plus I think it adds a lot more energy and flow to the songs.
07/23/08
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pextris
I do performances with my mind.
07/24/08
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dach
I press Play, and then stare at my screen, checking my email.
07/24/08
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zifcak
the mmt8 is fun, easy, cheap, and great for live use. it's somewhat limited though. the mpc1000 is like a super mega mmt8, but also bigger and heavier. i just started using live, and i basically just use it like an mmt8, muting (mostly) midi patterns and moving to the next scene, something i can actually leave it closed for and just touch my controller, (and everything that live is sequencing).
07/24/08
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lgo
laptops are great for live pa. especially if there's wireless, so you can check your e-mail mid-set.
07/24/08
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sweettrip
papergoose said: "this is funny. everyone seems to be trying to move away from the laptop... quite a new phenomenon(omnomnom)"
well honestly, i'm not. i like to still approach the laptop as the brain of the whole setup. there's so much you can do with it, and it's easy to make it engaging with a little work and preparation...
07/24/08
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Roshi
My laptop is usually to the side of me when I perform...most of my changes are triggered with my foot controller, with some settings
I think it's important to not have that 'wall' (screen) between you and the audience if you really want to engage them.
Then again, maybe you don't want to engage them.
07/24/08
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Highdropod
i have no good advice, but i totally relate to the frustrations of laptop performance... every time i play a set with a laptop, i'm reminded of how supremely awesome the synergy of playing in a band was.. then i get all sad and nostalgic. no amount of controller configurations or hardware trickery that i've tried has ever been able to replace that vibe. i guess the flip side is that you can do shit with a laptop that no band could ever pull off, and if you're playing for a crowd of em producers, they will most likely appreciate those subtleties.
07/24/08
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Dizzygotheca
no one has mention the rs7000  .. BEST hardware sequencer for live work.. 2 midi out ( and one 1 ) + with the expansion card you can have 6 outs ( without effects ) + the stereo outs
dizzygotheca live setups involves heidi on her motif playing all lead melodies and some basslines + using an ef303 for vocal effects.. I use my rs7000 to drive most of the sequencing work, sample and effect on kaoss pad 3 to then throw back into the mix and a novation k-station which i play pads and minor melodies on..
yes, live setups are more prone to problems and take more work use, but for us thats part of our challenge to make the best music that we can. We also primarily see ourselves as a live band ( recording is secondary )
We are also currently trying to bring in some more analogue aspects to our set .. bell's , shakers, exotic but small percussion ( i recently bought a cajone ) .. also have visuals in our sets as we don't "rock on" ( working on midi synch ) ..
07/25/08
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elronhubbard
I got some big cajones, too
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