Hey guys, I'm trying to fix something up here for mid 2004. I wanne perform live at the gathering of our schools. But the thing is, I'm looking for info about what material is needed. So far I'm absolutely clueless how it works. I got the songs though of course =) But they're made in cubase. So I can always do a different version more or less when it's live, it doesn't have to be even 90% like the cubase one.

What material would I need ? Let's take for example that in one case I DO have a drummer, and in the other case I don't and am all alone

So synths samplers drum boxes whatever .. And also how would you play back the 'hard' parts, what material do I need for that ? (I'd like to avoid the compter itself as much as possible) I mean here you click play, loop etc.. but how would hardware do this etc.. or if I can do this with a laptop with cubase on or something, that's ok too. As long as I don't have to start clicking with a mouse, that would kill me =)


Thanks

check out Abelton Live

http://www.ableton.com/

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Ableton live is just playing with loops, has nothing to do with sequencing + he doesn't want to work with mouse he said..

Some known live performance boxes :
-Sequencers :

-Yamaha rm1x -cheap ass 2nd hand now-
-Akai - mpc 2000 - secret cinema and underworld uses this for their lives
-EMU boxes did get good reviews, I suppose you are into dance music so you could check out the xl 7 (these boxes also have a lot of buttons so you can blow their ears into pieces turning those cutoff and resonance knobs the same time )
-If you don't need a lot of tracks and you don't have to control other midi instruments you could also consider buying a roland groovebox (not as pro as these above though)

-Synths : all synths with as much knobs per function like there is the jp 8000 and the novation supernova for live tweaking


-Samplers :

-I've seen the yamaha su700 a lot as well as the mpc 2000
-Mixers : small mackie mixers are used a lot good sound and rock solid
behringer for budget projects

You 've got a good point avoiding computer as much as possible cause they are not made to do this stuff. The humidity hanging around at gigs and the high temperature makes them crah even more then at home. Computers are studio material

Thanks already for the help. And the main reason why I wanne stay away from computers is that if it would crash, I'd hate myself afterwards :P And a good laptop is about as expensive as two good synths, so I'd rather buy synths with it =)

So dudes, let's say I have ONE of those JP8080 (got my eye on one of these now) (btw what's the diff between 8080 and 8000 ?), do you need more of them at the same time ? Or can you have one of them, and make it output a variety of sounds ? or just one sound all the time ? Let's take reason 2.5 as the example. Does it work like the Subtractor, so one tune per machine, or is it great hardware that allows you to set up more then one wave pattern and have different tracks play different sound forms from that same jupiter ?

Thanks ! Keep em coming btw, very usefull, glad I found this forum.

quote:

Originally posted by TraNcerke Ableton live is just playing with loops, has nothing to do with sequencing + he doesn't want to work with mouse he said.. Some known live performance boxes : -Sequencers : -Yamaha rm1x -cheap ass 2nd hand now- -Akai - mpc 2000 - secret cinema and underworld uses this for their lives -EMU boxes did get good reviews, I suppose you are into dance music so you could check out the xl 7 (these boxes also have a lot of buttons so you can blow their ears into pieces turning those cutoff and resonance knobs the same time ) -If you don't need a lot of tracks and you don't have to control other midi instruments you could also consider buying a roland groovebox (not as pro as these above though) -Synths : all synths with as much knobs per function like there is the jp 8000 and the novation supernova for live tweaking -Samplers : -I've seen the yamaha su700 a lot as well as the mpc 2000 -Mixers : small mackie mixers are used a lot good sound and rock solid behringer for budget projects

Are you saying, all I need is, an MPC 2000, midi keyboard (even Roland E series ??) and a JP8000/8080, and then a sampler ?


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I'm btw confused about MPC vs 909, I've always had tons of fun with the MC 303, but it was so limited I got rid of it. How's the 909, I'm into Trance music, isn't the MPC used mainly for R&B ? I'm no expert when it comes to hardware, so please don't think I'm bashing you, I'm probably wrong =) Also for the MPC I would have to buy samples and samples etc.. which can get very expensive. Do none of the professional producers use the 909 ? The MPC is way old now, so maybe the reason everybody still has it, is just because they 'still' have it ?

Last edited by BelgianGuru on Sep-01-2003 at 19:25

You're doing the gig mid-2004?

I got one word for you - RENT. I was just at the MIAC convention about a week ago; Korg's coming up with a new super Electribe with a working tube in it - real tube distortion. It'll make my ES-1 look and sound like an archaic piece of crap. My point is, anything you get today (unless it's a basic sequencer, but not even) will be outdated by the time the gig comes around.

So get a couple of basic favorite workhorses and save up to rent the rest. Stay on top of the game!

Last edited by Taz on Sep-01-2003 at 21:45

yes I will rent most of the stuff
But the JP I really want, just could use some info about it, especially if I can use it with reason or not !

quote:

Originally posted by TraNcerke -If you don't need a lot of tracks and you don't have to control other midi instruments you could also consider buying a roland groovebox (not as pro as these above though)

I gig live with a MC-307 as a sequencer, and it's true that you only have 8 channels. However, consider that when you switch patterns on the rm1x, your sequence will get a timing " hickup" as it changes sounds and stuff. This goes smooth with the 307. What makes any machine "pro" anyways.

I use it to sequence outboard gear as well as some internal sounds. If you create loops of certain rhythmic parts which you put in a sampler, and you are creative (kick loop left, hihat loop right, that makes one midi channel) you can do with 8 midi channels. It's bit of a challenge, but it can do.

Anyways....if you want to get really nifty sequencerwise, you'll end up with an MPC2000

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All rhythm evolves around a kick...

one thing i can reccomend from experience is untilizing a number of pattern based devices sequenced independantly and then mixing through the patterns as you would records etc etc...the set up i play live with includes 4 groove boxes eached sequenced indepently + 4 synths with internal Arps latched to midi clock and then a couple more synths for live play / atmosphere / pads etc etc...

Basically we send a unifying clock and start message from a silent device (no sounds or sequence) and then flip through various patterns
on various devices depending upon where the mix is going / where we fell it should go...

I am about to add one of the EMU command Stations (PK prolly) that was mentioned earlier to replace master clock and to add additional layers of sequencing capabilities without taking away from the core method we currently have (i.e an internal arp only goes so far!!!)

I can talk all day about ways to NOT use a computer for performance as i have yet to and prolly never will do so. This is not to suggest that i feel people shouldn't use computers (to each their own and all) but to offer up my advice / theories on how to perform your music rather than simply playing it.

Thanks man, that sounds a really expensive setup you got there though How much did it cost you so far ? I'm thinking about adding a live drummer to cut down on the hardware a little

well there are three of us invloved and we have been collecting the gear for years...i am a poor poor man...but here is an itemized list of the gear previously mentioned...i have broken down by section and included the current US$ prices i found...total of $3890.00 ...prices were taken from musicians friend for newer gear and ebay for older stuff...

groove boxes...
Korg ER-1 = $270
Korg EA-1 = $270
Korg EM-1 = $380
QuasiMidi Rave-o-lution 309 = $200

latched synths...
Korg MS2000R = $500
Novation A-Station = $500
Emu XK-6 = $570
Korg Prophecy = $300

Other Synths....
Kawai K3 = $100
Korg Trinity = $600
Oberheim Matrix 6 = $200

my pieces of the puzzle are the...ER-1 / EA-1 / A-Station / XK-6 / K3 which totals at $1710 but i got some good deals so i am only into this kit for about $1300...we use an old asr-x with a busted floppy drive for the clock but it is largely irrelevant...like i said earlier i will be replacing this with an emu command station (XL7 is only 499!! now) which will still put me under 2000 total and it is more than enough for full on live sets by myself...with the gear and the other 2 guys brought back into the equation the possibilities are just ridiculous...but this may be entirely too much gear to accomplish what you are looking to do... it is possible to do alot with just a few devices depending upon what sort of show you are doing...

like what sort of music is it that you are setting up to do?

are you wanting a seamless "set" or pauses between songs...you said you have the songs in cubase...what sort of instruments are you using currently (ie softsynths sound banks etc)?

let me know a little bit about the project itself and i may have some better ideas...

PS... Drummer = lots of hardware...the last time we played with a band that had a drummer we had our entire rig set-up / sound checked / and re-located off stage before the drummer was ready...and he started before us!...though i am jaded when it comes to drummers many bad experiences that led to me buying machines