Second thoughts about live computer use.

[gliderproarc]

Some of you here on the forum will recall from my previous posts that I gig at my church on a regular basis using a computer and usb controlers with little or no problomes. Aparently, my last of issues was directly related to the nubmber of gigs I have played

Today I booted up my rig which consists of a MacBookPro, and Korg Kontrol49, and my main controller which is a Novation RemoteSL 61. Ordinarily, the Korg controls Reason while the novation controls Logic. But today, my Novation had other plans.

I had recently downloaded the new drivers for the RemoteSL controllers which has what they call "universal automap". It is supposed to allow greater control over softsynths live using the Remote's hardware controls, but the Logic implantation is still sketchy.

 

The short version is that the Novation refused to work. The new firm ware had unresolved conflicts with the software and I found my self down to 49 keys and Reason. Not to mention I had to spend the first 15 minuets of rehearsal time just figuring out what the problem was. My view of the Hardware rig Vs. Software rig has just tipped a lot more to the Hardware side.

 

Laptop rigs would be fine if updates were not as frequent and so buggy upon initial release. Alas, I have had to learn the hard way...

[ProfD]

The same rules apply to a computer-based rig when it comes to adding a new component, firmware, drivers, etc.

 

That rule is to thoroughly test it prior to a rehearsal or gig. You would do the same thing upon purchasing a new bank of sounds for a synth, right?

 

Hope you can get it resolved and back to work. I will stick to hardware in a live setting.

 

[kanker.]

The other rule is if it ain't broke don't fix it - ESPECIALLY with computers. Good luck getting the Novation to act right again.

[GovernorSilver]

I feel your pain. I once played a gig with an all-software setup. Now I have a hardware synth and one more on the way. If my laptop dies, I can still play with either hardware synth.

 

I knew a laptop musician who had a different "redundancy" solution. He always brought his trumpet with him.

[yannis D]

After my back was hurt past Saturday, when i carried a Nord Electro, a laptop bag+sound card and a stand, i decided to go software on the rest of a series of Saturday gigs in the center of Athens (too much circulation, not easy parking at all, lots of walking). So next Saturday i'll only bring the laptop + midi controller (i left my stand there, as i have another one). If that works fine, i will do it for the rest of those gigs. If not... well, i'll have my mellodica

[Pat Azzarello]

Upgrades before a gig are never a good thing. I once played with a guitar player who decided to update his programable amps firmware immediately before he left for a gig, then couldn't understand why none of his patches were working (the upgrade added a patch volume parameter, and by default it was set to 0).

 

I used a laptop a few years ago, limiting it to the NI B4, but had good results. I also made certain, before EVERY gig, that I checked the rig out before leaving home... just in case.

 

Now I'm going to start using a laptop again on live gigs, and I'm taking my time before bringing it onstage (rehearsing, etc.). I'm also making certain that I can mute the computer output and get decent sounds from the keyboard just by turning the master volume up. I love the sounds coming from the laptop, but I also want to worry about playing, not about diagnosing problems.

[Clifton]

When you think about it, the reason why a piece of hardware is as reliable as it is because it is purpose made, by one design team, using a standardized production structure.

 

Our laptops, however, are based on one OS (either Windows or Mac OS), running 3rd party software made by many different developers for pretty much everything, all these different programs are not necessarily designed to work together.

 

That said, this is why it is critically important you test everything thoroughly beforehand with computers. Kanker would have to be right, if it works, leave it the hell alone! (A seperate OS, or seperate computer is the ideal way to do this)

[TaurusT]

I had my share of computer problems. Hardware all the way.

 

[spawnguy]

I agree a hundred percent about doing updates on your laptop rig before a gig. I had a terrible experience last week, wherein I installed updates in my laptop hours before our set. My laptop experienced problems with my sound driver, soft synth and midi controller/audio interface. Imagine my bandmates already playing while I'm still trouble shooting!!! My advise, if it works,don't fix it.

[resigned]

I saw a keyboardist with a no-sound controller and a laptop this past week trying to emulate a piano... it sounded awful and looked even worse with an uncomfortable-looking keyboard stand plus table setup and mismatched stage spagetti dripping everywhere. I couldn't help but think how much better off he'd have been with a simple Casio Privia.

 

It makes sense to use a digital piano, organ or synth as a controller for your laptop rig if you're going to go that route so you have a backup sound source at hand. And if you're going to spend that kind of money then buy some cable organizers too.