Building a Live setup for Gigs... any help/cool ideas??

Thinktanx · Post by **Thinktanx** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 12:07 am

So, here's what's up...

I'm gonna get a new Macbook Pro (15-inch). That is not up for debate. Everything will be based around Ableton Live. Will also bring along my Machinedrum and Kaoss Pad, maybe my Monomachine on occasion.

Gonna need a mixer, I suppose. Don't have one right now. Not sure how many channels I should go for. Stereo out for MD and Mono, plus two return channels for the KP. That's six. Could just run a stereo out of the cpu, but would also be cool to setup several tracks going out different outputs and really put the mixer to some hands-on use. So, at least eight or more inputs are needed. 12 would probably be better just for flexibility's sake, but I also like the compactness of something like the NRV-10.

Brings me to control of Ableton. I was gonna get a Remote SL Zero. But I could probably spring for a Lemur. Anyone using both the Lemur and something like the Remote SL. Would that be totally redundant and stupid? Any cool ideas on this front would be very welcome!

Interfaces? Haven't even begun to think about this. Anyone have anything that would seem to fit the rest of my setup? Needs to be extremely reliable, obviously. Not sure if there is anything out there that offers really good Audio and MIDI interfacing. I'm gonna need to sync my Elektron gear to Live, obviously.

I don't have an exact budget yet, but for conversational purposes let's say my budget is about $5000 (excluding the Macbook Pro). That is probably pretty close to what it could be.

Incidentally the music I make is along the lines of Modeselektor, Apparat, Prefuse 73, Autechre, etc. A little electronic/techno, mixed with a little hip-hop flavor.

Thanks for any opinions, help, accusations, or condemnations, in advance.

synnack · Post by **synnack** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 12:22 am

You might want to look at the MOTU Ultralite for an interface.

With all the inputs and outputs you can do all of that external routing and mixing inside ableton and really not need the mixer.

It's also pretty rock solid and reliable.

I use one on stage and i have it accepting input from other laptops and instruments and i have mixer channels in ableton to control and route them. No mixer needed.

hambone1 · Post by **hambone1** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 12:27 am

Yamaha 01V/96 with an mLAN card. A single Firewire cable carries MIDI and 16 channels of 24-bit/96kHz in/outs to your MBP.

http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/products/ ... index.html

It may seem pricey, but when you consider you're getting a 24-bit/96kHz/16-channel soundcard, a great live/studio mixer, 12 mic pres, tons of automation, moving faders, great internal effects and dynamics you can use digitally during mixdown or live, a MIDI controller, Live MIDI control of your configurations/setups, surround mixing (GREAT live!), all in an industry-standard package built like a brick shithouse (unless the cheap 'n nasty recycled-used-condom-plastic Chinese crap), you realize what good value it is.

Killer combo with a Lemur...

Thinktanx · Post by **Thinktanx** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:37 am

Hmmm...

I'm gonna check out the Ultralite.

As for the O1V/96... I used to use one at a studio I worked at, although just for basic routing stuff in a machine room. I've also used a DM2000 before. Not sure it would be what I am looking for, though. Hadn't really thought along the lines of a digital mixer at all, but it is definitely something to think about. I just hate the idea of menu diving, especially in a live setting. I didn't even realize the thing had MIDI I/O. Or does it? Does it just function as a MIDI controller for your CPU with no I/O for external modules? I have previously used the DM2000 as a HUI controller for Pro Tools. Worked pretty good.

EDIT: just saw the MIDI I/O on the back of the 01V!

Thinktanx · Post by **Thinktanx** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 12:44 am

~bump~

DJLethalRush · Post by **DJLethalRush** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 3:57 am

good thread.
I also support the Ultralite.
get a BCR2000. or two.

kaffein · Post by **kaffein** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 4:31 am

hambone1 wrote:Yamaha 01V/96 with an mLAN card. A single Firewire cable carries MIDI and 16 channels of 24-bit/96kHz in/outs to your MBP.

http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/products/ ... index.html

It may seem pricey, but when you consider you're getting a 24-bit/96kHz/16-channel soundcard, a great live/studio mixer, 12 mic pres, tons of automation, moving faders, great internal effects and dynamics you can use digitally during mixdown or live, a MIDI controller, Live MIDI control of your configurations/setups, surround mixing (GREAT live!), all in an industry-standard package built like a brick shithouse (unless the cheap 'n nasty recycled-used-condom-plastic Chinese crap), you realize what good value it is.

Killer combo with a Lemur...

...and then one section of the unit goes out, and you are out of your entire setup while it's in the shop. Instead of having the option to just replace a small piece of your rig.

synnack · Post by **synnack** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 5:54 am

kaffein wrote:
hambone1 wrote:Yamaha 01V/96 with an mLAN card. A single Firewire cable carries MIDI and 16 channels of 24-bit/96kHz in/outs to your MBP.

http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/products/ ... index.html

It may seem pricey, but when you consider you're getting a 24-bit/96kHz/16-channel soundcard, a great live/studio mixer, 12 mic pres, tons of automation, moving faders, great internal effects and dynamics you can use digitally during mixdown or live, a MIDI controller, Live MIDI control of your configurations/setups, surround mixing (GREAT live!), all in an industry-standard package built like a brick shithouse (unless the cheap 'n nasty recycled-used-condom-plastic Chinese crap), you realize what good value it is.

Killer combo with a Lemur...
...and then one section of the unit goes out, and you are out of your entire setup while it's in the shop. Instead of having the option to just replace a small piece of your rig.

To that point, complexity is the enemy of stability. The more cables and devices you end up with, the more shit that can go wrong and leave you running around with a flashlight with a few hundred people staring at you. I would keep it simple and try to get rid of whatever hardware you can.

Thinktanx · Post by **Thinktanx** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 7:29 am

I'm definitely thinkin' yes on the Ultralite. I can't believe they packed so much I/O into that little bugger. And MIDI, etc. That thing looks like it rocks.

So, I've been reading and thinking Lemur nonstop for the last two days. I think I may do it. I'm not a technical whiz, though. I've only ever used Max/MSP once, built a little something by following a tutorial, but pretty much stared at the thing with dumfounded inferiority. OTOH, I do learn fast. My only concern is that the Lemur will go over my head and I won't find the time to do some cool things with it.

I guess the main thing left to figure out is the mixer. I still don't think I am interested in going digital. I might rather just use something like a Mackie Onyx or similar. Maybe Soundcraft. Not sure about that yet.

Cheers for everyone's help.

Thinktanx · Post by **Thinktanx** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:20 am

So, I think I'm gonna forget about a mixer for now, and use the the software that comes with Ultralite. Might end up getting a mixer later.

So: Machinedrum (maybe Monomachine sometimes) and Kaoss Pad into the Ultralite, Ultralite provides MIDI sync to Elektron gear. Ultralite into new Macbook Pro, controlled by a Lemur. Pretty stoked about that.