performing 100% live drum'n'bass - any tips?

[the girl next door]

Hi guys,

Thanks to those who helped me out in my other thread with preparing for my first jam using Live. It went well and I think we're gonna make a bit of a go of it.

We've got two laptops running Live (with a few vst synths, samplers, etc. - one has an Axiom 25 and the other a Yamaha SHS-10 keytar), an electric kit and another dude with an acetone keyboard and a vintage Korg (not sure what model it is - doesn't say on it). We're also looking at incorporating some live percussion, a guitar played through a theremin and anything else that comes to mind.

We all play a bit of everything, we all sing and 3 of us MC. I'd say that opens up a few creative possibilities... We shall see!

Anyways, I've found heaps of tips and tricks related to drum'n'bass production but nothing about live performance. Of course, a lot of the production tips help too in a way but I was hoping for more.

So I was wondering if anyone can offer me anything that would help?

I've created a set with the different instruments I'm planning on using. I'm using the control buttons on the Axiom to switch between tracks but now I've run out of buttons 'cos I'm up to 6. This also may mean that I'm going to start putting strain on the CPU?

If I'm only getting 6 songs out of this set, should I create another one for my next 6 songs?

Does anyone else work this way?

If it came to playing a gig (we're aiming to do that within 6-8 months), how would you approach the mixing guy in the place (especially if they're not used to mixing electronic bands)?

I've got loads of questions but this is going on too long... This may be asking way too much for someone to even read it! So if you did, thanks! If you can respond, I'd love to hear from you!

Cheers
Neil

I have PMed you

[micah frank]

Been working on my live DnB show for 2 years now. Check it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8VL1TVwjW0

[Coupe70]

THIS is live D´n´B:
http://www.die-spielwiese.org/

[tjwett]

listen to the first FCS North record, self titled, for more actual live drum n' bass played by real live people on real live instruments. jazzy and mellow but damn if the drummer isn't a madman and holding down live 170BPM beats for 30 minutes at a time.

[manofunreal]

tjwett: Will do! Thanks! (Never heard of 'em actually)

Coupe70: Is this your band? Sounds pretty cool (I'm at work so I can't listen too much)... I can't read German so the audio is about all I can gague from your link. If you wanna tell me about your setup or give me any tips I'd love to hear from you!

micah: I'll check it when I get home... Thanks!

girlnextdoor: Thanks again for the tip!

[Coupe70]

Coupe70: Is this your band? Sounds pretty cool (I'm at work so I can't listen too much)... I can't read German so the audio is about all I can gague from your link. If you wanna tell me about your setup or give me any tips I'd love to hear from you!

No it is not my band, but they are friends of mine.
Their live performance is much better than their cds.
I can tell you something about their setup, but no details.
6 people on stage:
-female singer (with her own digitech vocal fx board)
-guitar (also playing synth, some small novation - k-station ? a-station ?)
-bass (upright bass with a huge fx board)
-dj (also playing theremin and microkorg)
-keys (stage piano and nord lead)
-drums (all acoustic as far as i remember)

the drummer plays with click, because there are very few percussion
and fx playbacks, but 95% of the sound is played live.

no laptops on stage as far as i know (dj could have one for final scratch or something).

go to -> Live -> Archiv and click on the "Bilder" links to see some pics.

[manofunreal]

Thanks for that... I'll have a look-see