"Virtual Synths" for Live Work

  • Thread starter Thread starter funkystreet
  • Start date Start date
F

funkystreet

New member
Greetings! My first posting so please be gentle...

I've spent years hoiking a Hammond, Leslie and various pianos around the gigging world, but age is catching up with me and I need to size down. I am aware of what apps like Native Instruments B4 can do, having used them in studios, and I'm sure there are plenty of others that can give me the sounds I need (strings, brass, pianos, synthy sounds).

I currently use a Korg TR-Rack and various controllers, which is bit limiting, but don't know enough about the "Virtual Synth" world to be confident I could use say the B4 in a live situation. Can anyone fill me in on the pit-falls, equipment requirements, dangers of taking a PC and soft rig on tour with me? Is it possible?

Thanks
 
Yes, it is possible and many people are doing it.

It all depends on how much money you have to throw at the problem of road-proofing a computer. There are rack-mount PC systems available in growing numbers, but they are still not coming down much in price from what I've seen. The cheapest ones are still in the $1500-$2000 range, and by the time you've equipped that with soft synths...

You COULD get by with a regular laptop, some soft synths and crossed fingers but I've tried that and don't recommend it. If a dive off it's perch onstage doesn't get it then the gentlemen in the parking lot with the switchblades will. (This last has never happened to me - but it did to an acquaintance)

The third option is a dedicated softsynth player.
http://www.cwaudio.de/
This link will take you to a site for the Creamware Noah, which is a rack mounted soft synth player. It's not cheap either, listing around $2500 for the hardware.
 
I've heard tales about people keen on grabbing the PC off the stage too. As if there wasn't enough to worry about at gigs! :eek:
It sounds as if, for the money involved in rigging up a sturdy set-up for the stage, it would be easier to go for a decent work-station with expansion possibilities for the live sounds I'm after. I guess the flexibility and real-time control over the sounds while playing would be better too.
The incredible sounds offered by something such as the B4 would be even better fitted into a "double-keyboard with drawbars" piece of hardware. Would NI never consider doing that? I've tried various clones that purport to be the portable Hammond, but never been as taken by the tone variety as I was with that B4.
Thanks for the link BTW. :)
 
I don't think it would work very well but I've never tried it. Computers can work in live situations when they are running a proprietary OS that is made to be bullet proof but I wouldn't reall trust a Windows machine. The latency and reliability issues would be a huge liability. Do you really want your show to grind to a halt because windows crashed?
 
My DAW never crashes. Why, because the only software loaded on it is the DAW software. Plain and simple, install only what is absolutley necessary on your mobile keyboard "host" computer and you will do just fine.

I am bringing a notebook with the Korg Legacy collection loaded on it with the M-20 controller to the Jamfest and I fully expect it go the distance.
 
"Plain and simple, install only what is absolutley necessary on your mobile keyboard "host" computer and you will do just fine"

Right!!!

and the same count also for the audio plug ins:there's someone very stable and someone less...so, when you've found a good, stable system, resist to installing the other "great plug in that sounds so good"!! :)
 
Aha, so all is not lost. Limit the system to just what's needed, and it should do the job. Please educate me: what a DAW?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top