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...

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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.

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Temporarily retired from the world of DJing.

dam i was really intrested in doing this.

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lost in progression.

pink floyd - echoes.

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!!

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Stu Cox |

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.

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lost in progression.

pink floyd - echoes.

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.

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lost in progression.

pink floyd - echoes.

quote:

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

A Korg Kaoss Pad maybe?

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Click the link below to stream all of my mixes past and present. New mixes go up about once a month. Enjoy!

www.mixcloud.com/jluger

its the korg mini

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http://www.djandrewgarcia.com