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Using laptop as efx unit?

is there a way to do this?

i have two cdj-800mk2's and a nuo3, so i can't do effects, and my next purchase is gonna be a year away (prolly midi controller) so i need something to play around with in the meantime.

I know I can run a stereo line in and out of my laptop, but is there a software that process the audio signal coming in and send it out? maybe traktor or ableton (i have both)?

the idea is to still use the platters for beat-matching and such, but assign hot keys to certain effects so essentially the laptop is like an efx unit.

if your mixer has an FX send/return, then you can hook up your mixer to computer and send/recieve the signal. you will probably have latency issues... how much, depends on how much horsepower your computer has, and configuration.

i'm clueless as to what software you can use, or if there's a stand alone FX software available. you can probably work something out w/ableton... i don't see why not, it can act as a vst host, can't it?

just grab a couple of freebe vst's, and see what happens...

i wrote a REALLY long and in-depth post about this very subject a while back. I also think my best writing on the subject was a PM sent to Gorex, not sure if he's still active since i havent talked to him in a while. Anyways...

In theory, this is a fabulous idea. The practical application however is somewhat disappointing. I have experimented quite a bit with ableton and a variety of effects running though an FX loop on a mixer. your basic issue is latency. ableton works like a champ at this and the versatility of having a VST based fx unit gives endless possibilities. however the hardware you choose to use will most likely be the kink in the chain.

latency can most simply be described as the delay caused by you interface's D/A conversion process and the interface between your audio interface and computer. first of dont even think about using a USB interface. it just wont happen. firewire is ok, but i could never get my latency below 8ms and even at that it cause a very noticeable delay that made using the effects sound like total shit.

i did get better results using the internal soundcard on my macbook pro, but then had a loss of audio quality due to the simple fact that its an internal soudcard and not designed for audiophile use.

Your best bet would be to have a windows based laptop, and an e-mu 1616 running from your pcmcia slot. however you will still probably have latency of at least 3ms total and it will never sound as good nor be as easy to use as a hardware fx processor.

by the time you buy the 1616 and a midi controller for ableton, you will have spent about as much as an efx-100. save yourself the headache and just get an efx-1000, at least until someone comes out with a true zero latency audio interface.

+1

I tried doing this with my Xone 3D (obviously a pricey unit), CDJ's and Ableton, and the latency really killed it.

quote:

Originally posted by Ryan0751 +1 I tried doing this with my Xone 3D (obviously a pricey unit), CDJ's and Ableton, and the latency really killed it.

+1

I had the same problem when I had the send/receives on my DJM-600 go through Ableton and had a midi controller map to different effects. Great in theory, but latency killed it.

dam i was really intrested in doing this.

Try Reaktor - the latency control's supposed to be shit hot.

Might take you a year or so to get to grips with it though!!

I saw James Zabiela recently and he was using a little pad with a nice white noise effect. Anyone know what that pad is and if it was running with the laptop.

quote:

Originally posted by Breeze I saw James Zabiela recently and he was using a little pad with a nice white noise effect. Anyone know what that pad is and if it was running with the laptop.

i would guess it would be the Pioneer Efx-1000... got a pic?

and no, he's not running it with the laptop.. maybe the mixer but not the effects box!

nah it wasnt the efx 1000 , it was a little pad.

quote:

Originally posted by Breeze nah it wasnt the efx 1000 , it was a little pad.

A Korg Kaoss Pad maybe?

its the korg mini

quote:

Originally posted by SPAWNmaster its the korg mini

What are they like... Anyone used one?

I need some new toys to play with.

quote:

Originally posted by Timski What are they like... Anyone used one? I need some new toys to play with.

i did but the with kp1... practicaly, its easy, but in reality i felt confused and time consuming s i had to look over a sheet of paper which had all the effects since there was many! plus, it wouldn't recognize the bpm unless u tap it.. it was my first time and only time... u could get used to it and know all the effects by heart though it seemed too much.. i prefer the pio's efx...

just my 2 cents

I've already got an efx-1000, I just love little extra toys to play with while I am mixing... I was never a big fan of a Kaoss Pads.

quote:

Originally posted by Timski I've already got an efx-1000, I just love little extra toys to play with while I am mixing... I was never a big fan of a Kaoss Pads.

would u say there's a big difference between the 1000s and the 500s? im thinking of upgrading though not sure if its necessary

i've done this to my setup using patches i wrote in pure data. pretty simple

quote:

Originally posted by Hasneez would u say there's a big difference between the 1000s and the 500s? im thinking of upgrading though not sure if its necessary

Not big enough to warrant the price difference between the two, there are not that many more effects over the 500. The main selling point is the sound quality that the 1000 has, however for home use I personally don't think its that big of a deal.

quote:

Originally posted by nefardec i've done this to my setup using patches i wrote in pure data. pretty simple

care to go into detail?

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