Setup for a live performance

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LucasLer
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:46 pm

Setup for a live performance

Post by LucasLer » Thu Feb 15, 2018 10:00 pm

Hi,
I'm a singer/guitarist playing pop psyche and I'm preparing a live where I'll be playing on my own. I'm a Logic Pro user but I bought Ableton in the purpose of the live. I'm playing guitar, synth, drum machine, bass (but don't think I'll have it for lives since it takes too much time to switch guitar and bass) and I sing. My gear is a midi controller Novation 49sl mkii, a Maschine mkii, a 12 step McMillen, a mic and guitar plugged in my sound card.
I play in the style of pop psyche and I would like to loop some parts as for drums, guitar, synth, but also have some prepared recorded tracks that I could just launch while changing from verse to chorus for example (as I won't be able to loop all the instruments). Loops will be used mainly for introduction/verse.
I have several concerns, my first one being that my cpu and latency stay as low as possible to make the live enjoyable and prevent crashes.
I use many vst Guitar Rig being essential for the guitar, then I have native synths and Maschine but I wonder if it wouldn't be wiser to launch samples of the synths, so they'd be pre recorded audio tracks instead of midi, which would help with the cpu.
I would also like to know if you have any recommendations for the Maschine mkii use (with Maschine software or with Ableton templates or with a custom template), ideally I would like to not have to bring the keyboard so if the Maschine could also replace it it'd be a good deal I guess. Do you guys also have recommendation for the setting of the 12 step device, and also for my live setting? and bonus question what do you think of quantization set on the midi input of for example the drum track.
Thanks for you time !
:) :) :)

jestermgee
Posts: 4500
Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 6:38 am

Re: Setup for a live performance

Post by jestermgee » Fri Feb 16, 2018 10:58 pm

Yeah you are asking a lot of questions (in a big solid block of text) that are specific to your needs. You have almost asked "so I am thinking of starting a band, what kind of instruments should I learn".

I don't do "live performing" per-se. I do DJ and Lighting shows I run myself and I spend months of time designing, testing and preparing music, playlists, lighting sequences, checking and rechecking every cable and connection so things go smooth. I buy gear, test it and if it doesn't work I return it. I do all that in my spare time since it's a side project.

If you already have Live then I would get to work and start testing some of your concerns (since without any mention of your computer, audio or setup specs we can't even imagine what you have).

- Test the playback of VSTs
- Test latency

Try and start building a live template that you can learn and operate like the back of your hand. Keep the number of VSTs to an absolute minimum.

Then if you have issues just post about that specific issue (with relevant details) for some advice.

LucasLer
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:46 pm

Re: Setup for a live performance

Post by LucasLer » Tue Feb 20, 2018 8:09 pm

thanks!!! I'm sorry you're totally right !! So I started preparing my set and I have a few questions now but I think I'll just open a new thread for each specific question :)

jestermgee
Posts: 4500
Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 6:38 am

Re: Setup for a live performance

Post by jestermgee » Tue Feb 20, 2018 8:18 pm

If the questions are all relevant to the same situation keep them in a single thread, just get in the habit of using paragraphing and spacing (like above) between questions as it is a lot easier to read/follow. Large blocks of text will put people off wanting to read... People don't like to read these days.

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