Live keys - software vs. hardware?

[stansongman]

I was wondering if anyone out there is using a midi-controller/software-based keyboard rig and touring with it? I've been trying to design a new rig for myself. I really love ivory and b4II, would like to use 'em live, along with some other stuff. But, I'm concerned about the performance and road-worthiness of a computer-based setup like that. I'm especially concerned about the organ. Today I use a Fantom X6 and Roland FP(3?) piano. I also have a Korg Triton Extreme 88, but I don't play out with that. If I could have 2-3 midi controllers, a macbook pro with the appropriate software, Midi and firewire audio interface and sample disk, that would be the coolest. Anybody out there have experience with that?Short of that, and getting a B3 and leslie (which would be really cool, but _really_ heavy), what do you recommend on the hardware side for a great B3 substitute?thanks!

[mazz]

I wouldn't trust my entire rig on a laptop, particularly for touring, unless you have a duplicate setup that you can switch to instantly.Have you ever heard of the Muse Receptor? It's basically a computer in a rack mount case that's completely optimized to run VIs. According to their ads in magazines, it's being used by touring pros. That's the only computer-based setup that I'd trust if I was considering a new rig.I absolutely love my Nord Electro for B3 sounds. Particularly for live work, it sounds really great. It also does a fabulous wurly, clav and rhodes. The acoustic pianos won't knock Ivory off the map but through an amp in a band, they cut through pretty well. I have the 63 key version. It's light and easy to carry. Also, if you connect a MIDI controller to it, you can use the other controller as a lower manual. There is a keyboard-less version as well but I'd want a controller that I could set it on to manipulate the "drawbars". The drawbars are actually buttons and the visual feedback is via LEDs above the buttons but in practice it works quite well, the drawbars are very playable and easy to get used to. The keyboard action is another huge plus in my book. It has the waterfall keys which are great for those glisses and it even feels right when playing wurly, rhodes or clav. They really nailed the keyboard on that one, IMO. The Leslie simulation is quite good, particularly through an amp, it really sounds just fine. It probably wouldn't pass a side-by-side test with a real Leslie but I don't care because I refuse to carry a real Leslie with me to the gig anyway!! There's other B3's made by Hammond and Korg, but they only do B3 and not the other sounds, they're one-trick-ponies.IMO a Receptor controlled by the Fantom and an Electro right above it would make a killer setup. And if the Receptor takes a dump (highly unlikely), you still have the Fantom sounds for backup. It would be a clean setup, much cleaner than a laptop with Firewire cables, power cables, USB cables, a separate interface, external hard drive, etc., etc. Good luck, keep us in the loop on what you decide to do!Mazz

[stansongman]

Thanks, Mazz. I have no experience with the Muse receptor, but I have heard of it. I'll check it out. I've seen other things online about the Nord Electro, I'll check it out. This new gig's really B3-oriented, so I want to make sure I do a good job on that. I had thought about the Fantom as the controller/backup for the software side of things, good suggestion.

[nickbatzdorf]

"That's the only computer-based setup that I'd trust if I was considering a new rig."The Receptor does have advantages - such as not needing a monitor and starting up quickly - but it's certainly not the only computer-based set-up I'd trust. There are many others being used all the time. www.VisionDAW.com is one company that puts totally solid machines together, for example. I have one of their machines, and it's great.

[milfus]

aye, i got a system built by adk, thing is built like a tank, I wouldnt think twice about having to lug it somewhere.

[mazz]

May 4, 2008, 5:34pm, nickbatzdorf wrote:"That's the only computer-based setup that I'd trust if I was considering a new rig."The Receptor does have advantages - such as not needing a monitor and starting up quickly - but it's certainly not the only computer-based set-up I'd trust. There are many others being used all the time. www.VisionDAW.com is one company that puts totally solid machines together, for example. I have one of their machines, and it's great.Nick,I just got a VisionDAW for my studio but I'm still skeptical about taking something like that on the road. Maybe I'm just being paranoid because I used to gig with an EMU sampler and that is also really nothing more than a purpose-built computer and I never had a problem with it. I still don't think I'd lug my MacBook to a gig, though!I'm not much in to gigging anymore these days either, I prefer the studio, so maybe my current predilection toward hermit-ness is coloring my suggestions! Cheers!Mazz

[stansongman]

i'm liking the idea of the Muse Receptor the more I look at it. I already have b4II, ivory, Komplete, Kontakt 3, etc., etc. and I'd be able to load them in and use them live, plus use the Muse in my studio and take some of the load off of my mac. Then again, I hear great things about the nord electro for B3 sounds. Maybe I need both . I'll let you know how I make out!-s-

[mazz]

May 5, 2008, 4:20pm, stansongman wrote:i'm liking the idea of the Muse Receptor the more I look at it. I already have b4II, ivory, Komplete, Kontakt 3, etc., etc. and I'd be able to load them in and use them live, plus use the Muse in my studio and take some of the load off of my mac. Then again, I hear great things about the nord electro for B3 sounds. Maybe I need both . I'll let you know how I make out!-s-I think one of the great things about the Electro is the keyboard. You should go somewhere that you can try one out and see what you think. I don't think you'll get a better action for a B3 emulator and also get an axe that does so well at other classics as a bonus.Good luck!Mazz

[nickbatzdorf]

"I still don't think I'd lug my MacBook to a gig, though!"One gig, maybe, but I agree - I wouldn't take it or any other laptop to lots of them and expect it to survive.

[aimusic]

What about Open Labs Miko/Neko?