Ableton Live 8 with Tablets

[nwhite]

I've had a browse of the forums and found various topics discussing the usage of Ableton Live with netbooks or tablets, but none of them seem to give any definitive answer.

Currently for stage usage I am looking to use a Zoostorm SL8 Tablet PC http://www.zoostorm.com/Products/93-zoo ... et-pc.aspx on onstage purposes, hooked into an alesis Multimix8 with 2 usb midi keyboard controllers.

Now the main questions that come to mind is a 1.6ghz atom processor with 2gb of ram and a 32gb SSD drive going to do the trick.

Live when running on stage will be playing backing tracks and 2-3 simultaneous midi tracks with minimal effects.

Now I don't want to drop a large amount of cash on a tablet if it continually tops out the processor and starts having an effect on the sound output. So if anyone has had any experience with running Live on a similar spec machine

Finally does Live allow an install on a machine with below its recommended spec in the firstplace?

Any help is greatly appreciated

[TheDriller]

The only way to know for sure is to try it, but...

1. The Atom processor would be (at an educated guess) very underpowered for Ableton Live. Even a decent Core2Duo can struggle to keep Live running. Maybe with only 2 tracks of audio and no instruments or effects it might be ok, maybe.

2. The Soundcard is likely to be crap. also, with the corners being cut on those low-end tablets, the motherboard is likely to be crap too. Performance overall would likely be pretty sketchy, with high DPC latency.

3. Using Live on a touchscreen at native resolution would probably suck. you'd have difficulty hitting the right targets on screen with your fingers. also, without a keyboard controlling the program would be a lot more difficult.

My advice, see if you can get the Tablet on a 30-day money back guarantee. Try it and if it doesnt work return it ASAP for a full refund. and of course report back here with you findings good luck!

[nwhite]

Thanks for the reply..

1. The atom is my main worry, as I know its a pretty bad processor, the other tablet I was looking at was the Acer Iconia, that has a AMD-C50 dual Core but only clocks in at 1ghz
2. I know the soundcard would be crap hence why all audio would be routed through the Alesis USB Mixer
3. I don't intend using the touchscreen all that much as most of the triggers will be done via the midi controllers

The need for a tablet is mainly more aesthetic really than functional, to have it mounted on a arm attached to the keyboard stands.

Currently I'm getting the impression that tablet PCs specifically ones with Windows still have a little ways to go in the level of technology to make them more functional in a variety of ways.

[ian_halsall]

stay away from tablets - stick to powders

[McQ714]

Look for the Asus EP121-1A010M.

it's got a dual core i5-470um processor and 4gb ram, 64gb ssd, and 2 usb ports for interface and external hard drive.

it's probably best if you have a powered interface and drive or at least a powered usb hub to run that external gear.

i've been looking into this tablet for use with Traktor and the S4 and every indication is that it should do just fine for a minimal Live set as well.

[infiniteB]

stay away from tablets - stick to powders

+1

[nwhite]

Look for the Asus EP121-1A010M.

it's got a dual core i5-470um processor and 4gb ram, 64gb ssd, and 2 usb ports for interface and external hard drive.

it's probably best if you have a powered interface and drive or at least a powered usb hub to run that external gear.

i've been looking into this tablet for use with Traktor and the S4 and every indication is that it should do just fine for a minimal Live set as well.

Another one to add to the possibility list, though I don't think its available in the UK at this time.

My other possibility which price wise works out about the same, is putting together a Micro ITX PC that can be tucked away connected to a ultra thin 15" touch screen monitor

[hacktheplanet]

Instead of replacing your current computer, how about adding an iPad with LiveControl? You could just hide your computer off to the side.
http://liine.net/livecontrol/

[hoffman2k]

Instead of replacing your current computer, how about adding an iPad with LiveControl? You could just hide your computer off to the side.
http://liine.net/livecontrol/

Yeah, its not like Live is Tablet friendly anyway. First off, you'll experience issues similar to using a Wacom tablet, in that faders and dials jump all over the place. You can remedy that with an option.txt feature. But thats not going to help hitting those tiny little play buttons which will be even smaller on a tablet.
Use a real computer to run Live and use a decent tablet to control Live with.

[psaiclone]

i have used ableton with a iiyama 21'touch screen and it works,
but ableton is NOT touch friendly.


Another try with a lenovo tablet ended simlarly.

A possible solution is to use usine by sensomusic, they
have a touchable gui for ableton. but to set this up is a little
complicated.

[nwhite]

I think the bottom line is that with current technology of tablets they just don't have enough grunt to power ableton and any attachments effectively.

I think I'll go with my Mini PC idea, as for £200 less than a tablet I can build a PC that measures about 21cm square and has a SSD and enough grunt to power Ableton effectively.

Complete with a small monitor on a boom arm it should do the trick.

Thanks for the help folks.