Hi Keyboardmag, In the latest issue you offered an article on hardware and software gear for using softsynths in Live Performances. I wonder why you chose to show Apple Logic on a Macbook as a hardware alternative..? There are many options available to PC users that have inexpensive laptops or even some of the latest netbooks running XP or Linux. There is a plethora of free vsti softsynths (kvraudio.com - gersic.com) and there are commercial and free standalone VSTi's and VST hosting programs for Windows Users. I have been using "Brainspawn's Forte" (http://www.brainspawn.com) plugin rack host manager for years and I now use it with a 400$ dual pentium laptop running XP...I have 40+ VST instruments that I use for different situations and I can save as many setups/scenarios as I want. I use a Midiman keystation 61es and a Edirol PCR1 (at the same time) and I find it to be a very solid setup for onstage use..

For those who can't afford Brainspawn's Forte ($129): there are some free alternative VSTi Hosts such as "ashost" (http://www.asseca.com/ashost/), "WusikVM" (http://www.wusik.com/w/wvm.html), "VST host" (http://www.hermannseib.com/english/vsthost.htm) and for linux users - "Jost" (http://www.anticore.org/jucetice/?page_id=4) and there are other inexpensive alternatives. While I would love to own any of the rigs in your article, I also have to be able to put gas in my car for my next gig. I think you owe it to all your readers to show all of the the alternatives. That being said - Keyboard Mag is the greatest and I always look forward to the next issue. Thanx/mello

You should check out Reason for live performing. It's amazing!

Hi mellosonic,

Sorry for the delayed reply. To give the simplest and shortest answer, we chose MainStage because (1) it's relatively new compared to Forte, and (2) even though the article was mainly about _hardware_ alternatives to soft synths, we wanted to have a laptop-based "control group" so to speak.

Forte is indeed a solid platform. Open Labs was using it in the NeKo before they developed their own environment called Riff. I also know a guy in a cover band who gets ALL his live sounds from Reason.

The nice thing about a monthly magazine is that one can always do more roundups or tech features - for example, one with a focus on *affordable* soft synth solutions for the stage. And I'd love to learn more about how your rig is set up.

Hi Steve - while I have many keyboards - Yamaha DX7,EX5,CS1x/Korg Triton,Karma/Fender Rhodes/Hammond B3/Hohner D6 Clavinet (am I showing my age yet?) M-Audio Keystation 61es, Edirol PCR1...My stage setup is really quite simple - I use an Alesis QS2 88key for my pianos and basic sounds (lower keyboard) and a Casio WK3500 for all the Organs and other sounds, If I have room on stage (I play with an 8 piece Latin/Classic Rock Band) I add the M-Audio USB'd to a Compaq Laptop using Brainspawn's 'Forte' and the soundcard out for VSTi's. I also use the laptop with the Casio USB out for extra sounds.. As far as softsynths go - I love anything from Native Instruments, especially the B4,FM8,Massive but I also use a lot of the DSK softsynths for quick sounds (they are freeware and definitely worth dollars - http://rekkerd.org/dsk-vsti/ ) they are easy on the CPU and full sounding...I have a whole battery of other softsynths but the NI's and the DSK's are my go to softsynths. For more info on my music scene go to http://www.mellosonic.com and take it from there...My latest project is "3FUZED", an online collaboration with a guitarist in Oregon and a Drummer from Germany - we'll be releasing our first fusion album in August - I could write a book on the experience (How about an article in "Keyboard"..) for more info go to http://mellosonic.ning.com/profile/3FUZED ... Thanks for answering my post and kudos to the great job you do with the Keyboard Mag...peace/mello
here's a pic from 2 years ago -
http://members.soundclick.com/shareImg/246560