Adam Burgess

So, got a band gig come in for the next few weekends, just standing in for their usual keys player, usual songs. Nothing particularly exciting or tricky - apart from some gig money, that's exciting! It's been a while! Don't have a decent MIDI controller yet so using my SV1 with Mainstage. Then the agent comes back and the client has seen a video of me on the keytar, harmonizing/doubling a guitar solo if it's the video I think it is. They want me do to a solo set on the beach (sort of sundown time) before the band plays. No DJ (which would have been easy) so gonna get a DJ friend of mine to send me a 30 min mix of mainly bass and drums/perc/loops, and I'll play over it. It's not usually my thing, but, I'll give anything a go, and they've asked for it⦠I sold the keytar for rent when the old virus closed all the gigs down here, but they're willing to buy one. So, they're keen. Agent, being an agent was a bit reticent paying me for the prep and another set in a different part of the venue. But, that's cool now. Now for the opinions, if anyone is kind enough to share! Mainstage (will import the track, probably with markers from Logic). Anyone used the looping thing in Mainstage? Like I say, not really my thing, so haven't played with it. Don't mind letting the track run thru, and it's one less thing to worry about. a keytar (asked for a Roland AX-Synth (cause I used to have one), or an Edge) I'd prefer to keep that for leads only. Pick a few sounds I like and run with them. Deepmind 12 or a Minilogue. They're not too heavy or big so don't mind carrying them and a cheap stand if I think it's worth it. I think an extra board to the side is a good idea in any case. I don't have a looper, but would like to do some arps/seq bits live clocked to the track. Mainstage plug-ins or use the DM12 or Minilogue? For sounds, too (pads, pianos, stuff for arpeggios), run them from Mainstage or the hardware boards? Don't have a decent MIDI controller at the mo. So will probs end up using an iPad running Logic Remote for Mainstage to at least have a basic way to fade and mute stuff quickly if it all goes horribly wrong. I have an XR18 or iConnectivity Audio 4+ to provide separate outs for the sound guys. Can leave lots of space for 'da beatz' so I don't think I'll be under that much pressure to be button pressing and leaping across instruments in any great hurry. Got all of tomorrow to figure this out and no more time till the gig. Luckily the phone has gone mad last week, for which I'm truly grateful, but, leaves me not a great deal of time to prep. It's all doable, albeit overwhelming after 18months of hardly anything (only one week's proper work in August). And, it's a first time for me, so I may as well get thru the first one, and sure it'll be fine. (This gig is gonna buy an Arturia Keylab 61 and an 88. Really like them, and is a step toward a fully Mainstage rig) Be glad to hear of any thoughts, disasters, hallelujah moments, and, of anything I've forgotten. This is after 'the agent' said 'oh, just play anything'⦠Adam

https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=79515 There's this thread in the Sound on Sound forum, An Allen and Heath GS24 and a Mackie Onyx both working well with a 2020 Intel iMac, and an M1 Mac, respectively. Just need the adapter. Can't see your Mackie being any different, sure the drivers will be very similar. I, too, thought Firewire was long dead and buried, but was proven wrong!

Yup! Used the same in my XP50 for years and years. Looking back - it might have been a bit 'attacky' and 'plonky', but definitely usable in a band! It could cut, for sure!

My 2012 MBP had 16Gb RAM and 2x internal SSDs. I really liked it. My Mini and MacBook Air are both base models with 8Gb RAM with my libraries and sessions on a 2TB external SSD. They open everything I've ever done without a hitch. The first day of the Mac mini was so disappointing⦠I don't know if it was indexing drives or backing up, or something, but it wouldn't play the simplest project at all without stuttering or hanging. I went to the pub to contemplate what a mistake I'd made. When I got back - all was well and has been since. It's excellent. Had to install everything manually after a spectacular failure of the old laptop - don't know if that was a factor. But, when I got the MacBook Air, I stuck a cable between them, used the Migration assistant and in 40 mins, both machines were identical and the laptop worked from day one. Actually, the performance is so good, it's what convinced me to get a new laptop just for Mainstage.

I'm no hardware expert, but are fast GPUs not used for more stuff these days? Bitcoin mining, for example, doesn't involve much video rendering, but they're definitely using machines with powerful GPUs. If programmed that way, could reverbs/impulse responses and other processor-heavy stuff be handed off to a GPU� But, yes, I replaced my fully loaded 2012 MBP last year for a base M1 Mac mini - only cause the MBP died for a second time. Was a fab machine. Very happy with the mini, so grabbed a base MacBook Air, too. Working fine with Mainstage live. The mini works harder at home with Logic and heavier plug-ins, but does a grand job.

Being from England, it's always great to see you Americans, saying this is a small, non-monster-truck! Also guessing personally (as in just you and your keys rig?) Standard van (for the whole band, instruments, PA, and lights for the club circuit) is a Mercedes Sprinter LWB. In Arabia at the moment, though, where everyone has Land Cruisers, F150s, and Range Rovers. They have room, though, as I guess you do! Not so in Merry England!

http://midisolutions.com/prodt8.htm And, drop them a mail to ask if they can reflash it to output on different channels. and possibly keep a couple of outs set to the money channel just in case! Only thing I ever had was a 1 into 2 MIDI Thru box, and I forgot it was there - which is exactly what you need. And, another vote for the iConnectivity stuff. Hardware is fantastic. The terrible software is slowly getting better, but, you only have to configure it once! My Audio2+ and MIDI4+ have amazing routing capabilities, and got me out of a few holes.

So, you need to control the Kronos FROM the S88? Then you need MIDI OUT the S88 to MIDI IN to the Kronos. Signal flow is everything. The Kronos will accept it just fine.

I do a restaurant duo with a girl on sax/vox and me doing piano and drum/bass tracks. We use a Bose L1 something. Can't remember the model. L1S, maybe? Got two 'subs' going with it and I like it a lot. Use it with an XR18 and everything is more or less flat, EQ-wise. Obviously any stereo FX are not really gonna work. But, it's a two min set up; and, can go in the smallest of corners. And, a disclaimer, I also like Bose 802s :-) but not a fan boy by any account. I tried the HK column in a shop and compared to the terrible Mackie version next to it, the HK was much more 'hifi', but the Bose just sounded good outta the box.

I got the cheapest Mac mini last year when my 2012 MBP finally died. It's been brilliant. My MacBook Pro had 16GB RAM, and 2x SSDs inside. The 8GB Mac mini can easily keep up. Got a couple of external Sandisk SSDs and all is well. Typing this on a new (cheapest) MacBook Air and after migrating everything⦠it's fine. Not one problem so far with Mainstage, Logic, NI, X32, iConnectivity interfaces etc. If the old thing hadn't have died last year, I'd have waited for the new new Macs.

Used Sennheiser EW for RF audio, mics/keytars(!) and IEMs, for as long as I can remember. They just work. Shure (PSM) definitely seem more popular in the US, though.

I installed a beta version of Monterey on my M1 Mac mini just to see what would happen. Almost everything audio-wise for me was broken. But, it wasn't too hard to restore the Big Sur factory setting which is working fine. Logic, Sibelius, synth/digi mixer editors...

Yes. Totally understand, and agree. Tried a few Roland plug-in demos - yeah - sounds like a Roland! But it's stuff I have lying round. All I'd need to buy is the actual rack, and mount the Kronos in a 4U box. Be a shame to waste the Kronos, and, I don't want to spend a fortune on a replacement keybed. I do have an iConnectivity Audio 2+ and a MIDI 4+ I could use just with the Mac. But, again, I have an XR18 that I use anyway. Especially here in the UAE, the Integra isn't really worth selling... be easier giving it to a school or church. Could maybe get some return on the Kronos as parts, but it would be a hassle... and, it works fine in circuit board form. As for waiting for the new Macs, maybe I will. But, the base M1 Mac mini is working great for me with Logic and Kontakt. I could grab one more. They're cheap enough.

Was just musing the other day about a rack. I did grab an M1 Mac mini last year, so this could work. I"ve tried Mainstage a few times in the past, never got the 'connection" thing, but did a nice gig with it a few weeks ago. I"m sold, finally. But, my 2012 MBP died recently. Excuse to grab a new one now that gigs are coming back! And, a 12 or 10U rack would make a sturdy stand. So, laptop or monitor on top Kronos racked (needs work!) Integra 7 Some space for IEM/guitar or Keytar wireless below. Rear Possible Mac mini. Thunderbolt/USB hub 1/4' patch bay with the 6x Kronos and the 8x Integra individual outs, passed thru to the XR18. Mainly if I"m doing studio stuff. 12way patch panel. PowerCon in and a few loop thrus for AC power. USB for keyboard controllers, and laptop power/data. (Leaning toward Arturia 61 and an 88) HDMI etc if I go the Mac mini route. XR18 to grab audio from the modules and Mac. Can give FOH either a stereo mix, or combinations of stuff like all synths, pianos, organs, separately etc. Can take a monitor feed from either mons or FOH. And wheels. Should make a quick setup. A couple of usb cables and pedals for controllers. One PowerCon. Done.

I"ve been using an M1 Mac mini since they were released. Working with Logic, Sibelius, FinalCut, an X32 and a couple of iConnectivity things. Rather than paying the silly amount to upgrade the internal storage, all of my projects and libraries are on two Sandisk thunderbolt drives. Working really well. It was bought as a replacement for a 2012 MBP, which, actually, is still pretty good - runs very hot with demanding stuff.

I"m really comfortable with reading, or ear stuff. So are many players. I can say to a good guitarist, 'just play a bit of that, or like that guy', and they do it. Went back home for a holiday a few years back, and was quite comfortable jumping in and lead/conduct a pit band for a last minute theatre thing. Maybe 800 seats. Alien keyboard and band, and arrangements etc... I didn"t really have to do much. Even the guitarist could read properly ;-) I know a top Sax player (played with A list artists, who can"t read a note, and barely knows the notes on the horn) but his ear to finger thing is so quick. His mind is set up for hearing the line once (usually from I guess, the MD keys or guitar player) and knowing it. The articulation and tightness come when he hears the trumpet guy. I guess, as a band leader/conductor, I"d reply to a question with the easiest way of communication. Telling one of my favorite guitarists the V I IVm thing, he"d be fine with, others just 'know" and are so fast. Others read properly, ie read ahead, knowing which position he needs to be in a few bars early to get to the end of the phrase, or whatever. Also not afraid to ask the reading bass player to tell the non-reading guitarist how to place something. They know better than my 10 guitar open chords.

I think now is the time for an M1 Mac Mini. My (second) 2012 MacBookPro is experiencing the same random shutdowns that my first one suffered a couple of years back. I replaced the main board in the last one (maybe 250USD) and gave it to my favorite waitress. They were both upgraded to 16Gb and SSDs inside... I can get some great performance out of Logic as is, but so looking forward to a silent machine that cannot fail to be better, and for 3800AED (local currency)it"s perfect for me at this time. I can"t stand those YouTube reviews, either... Regurgitating of the same benchmark things. Argh. And I will have to wait for NI, but so be it!

If the drummer can"t play to a click, I don"t know if I"d trust her to lead a sequence with tap tempo. Even with Logic"s great tempo mapping import feature, it got totally confused by a loud tambourine hit slightly off... annoying enough at home, but, I wouldn"t risk that live! Is it possible for you to tap tempo etc to bring the sequences/delays back in line if they start going out?

Thank you for the pointer to that thread :-) I have three DS-1Hs as I agree, they"re really nice. I"ll try the mod on one of them!

Thanks, guys. Using the original DS-2H pedal... maybe it"s just not working properly. It"s physically quite noisy. Tried a Yammy one and 2x Korg Ds-1H pedals and they didn"t work at all. And, shame on me for another assumption... that all half-damping pedals are TRS! Korg Italy and Japan/US could"ve sent an email one day to make their own DS-1H compatible with all... Minor niggle, but pleased to have some work after all these months!

Did my first solo gig this morning on my new (to me) SV1. Having had the Kronos for so long and a Stage 2 before that - I am soooo used to half pedaling! Was strange playing some stuff that would usually be smooth (lazy technique or using the available tech?) I really miss it on the SV1! My fault for presuming it would have that feature, but it was a good price in the current climate. I like the RH3 and I needed something in a hurry (it"s the special red/black keys version which obviously sold me haha) Adam

I"m not on Windows, but AutoHotKey... maybe? (Quite a fun vid if you"re slightly nerdy)

Some more great ideas! It looks excellent, it"s simple and practical. Rare to have all of those! Thanks for the inspiration :-)

Love these threads. Your design is so simple and looks great, David (as always)! Inspired me to get the chrome outta the case. Needs a re-think of the brace keeping the rear keyboard support correct. Wish I had more straight bars handy. These curved ones are a bugger to re-work! Is the diameter a standard size I could get from a metalwork shopâ¦? Hmmm! Since the Kronos 73 keyboard is no more (see the racks thread⦠;-) ), I just got this SV1 from a friend of mine. Thought I'd give it a nice stand at home. Using the Spider Pro for the couple of gigs I've got⦠This is a re-work of a lot of those curved bars from thisâ¦

My Kronos2-73 took a big hit and really needed a new keybed and a couple of faders etc. I replaced the faders, but not really worth the new parts/new keybed it needs. So, while I had the PCBs out, I wondered if they'd fit in a rack. Turns out they will. It's a shame the board with the faders/buttons and the USB board have other stuff on there. They're quite a size! Just gonna piggy-back the buttons from these. The USB ports will have to be extended internally to new jacks, as there's the touchscreen flatflex stuff on the USB board that I really don't want to mess with. So, a little work in progress. Got a friend with a great metal shop to do the punching etc... I'm just awaiting an empty 4U enclosure. Let's see how this turns out. Cheap enough to get a new 88key controller. I think a rack with this and my Integra will be nice. Did my first gig in six-months last week - with a Deepmind12 and the Integra. Don't want to do that again, but, yes! I miss racks, too!