Ableton Forum

yes it is, but only if you do it in perfect sync, so as no one can tell, even you, if it's real fake or fake fake. If you manage to fool yourself doing this and actually believe you're playing the arp, then I think it's indeed cool.
And it will involve lots of work... in fact, being able to perfectly mimic something is like being able to do it for real... but then... why not doing it for real?

Excellent point. If you are going to fake it and can't do it perfectly, then just go completely overboard and flail about.

What’s more shocking to me is when I see performers faking hardware moves when there’s absolutely nothing musically going on to justify the movement. Maybe it’s some kind of nervous distraction for them.

I haven’t done a live show in ages and I have been known to play the blank preset on keys from time to time, but I also enjoyed stumbling around the stage with drink in hand like the village drunk. Actually that’s more fun than fake playing. Plus I continue to do that now without being in a band.

beats me wrote:How are we with complex arpeggiated sounds? Is it cool if we fake play every note when it’s in fact a single note triggering all of it?

shadx312 wrote:What you do is hold the note down but with the other hand gesture each notes pitch like a robot conductor.

Regarding arpeggios... How about doing the flip and then following up with some jazz hands? Then Finally...sparkle and fade.




I still think wearing a wand helmet would seriously yield some dramatic results.

I think that's one of those things where the originator will do it so perfectly that everyone after that will just be making sad pathetic attempts, but it's not a bad idea. It's just so theatrical that it'll be more mimicry than a natural default move.
Definitely worthy of keeping on the table, though.

Actually it's perfect at the end of a climax section going into a quiet breakdown.

What’s more shocking to me is when I see performers faking hardware moves when there’s absolutely nothing musically going on to justify the movement.

yeah right. But sometimes, you know, and you did it (blank preset on the keyboard...), you're just drunk or messed up with the PA's huge SOUND in your ears... and you don't even recognize your sounds or understand your own live setup... WTF? where do this sound come from???? WTF, why does this button do nothing but nothing???

well, that's often my case, but as for an excuse we often play on the morning in the end of the party, and we're already messed up... and besides, I often have problem to understand my music when it's played at loud levels... so there may be huge loads of useless gestures AND mistake pushes...


Next time, for more "gesture" and hype, I think I'll burn one or two controllers at the end of the show...

pretty cool idea Jimmy

(Jimi)

Jimmy Walker?

dy-no-mite!

(Jimi)

ok my bad, I never realised Jimi hendrix was not a real Jimmy... I think it's the first time I ever wrote his name so I never thought about how to spell it, and I'm absolutely NOT a big fan of his music, even if I absolutely respect his history and personnality...


BURN, CONTROLLERS, BURN !!!

The name is escaping me at the moment, but some years back I was at some festival and an electronica duo had something on stage that looked like a jet throttle that they used when there was a sound with a slow rise or fall. Even if it wasn’t hooked up to anything it was pretty slick looking in the performance.

simmerdown wrote:pete townsend's windmill

a spastic orchestra conductor

a drummer twirling his sticks

jimi burning his guitar with lighter fluid

see what i mean?

Yes, I see what you mean.

Those people are all MUSICIANS.

its showmanship

if the guy just stands there like a lump, people will say...'what a boring fucking lump'

dj vs. 'real'...kinda moot at this point innit?...today, they're onstage, and people are watching, so....

Don't know about the 'flip', but certainly the move where you quickly yank your hand back after pushing a button is awesome.

I catch myself doing it from time to time - then lock myself in a dark room and flog myself repeatedly out of shame.

and people are watching, so....

The problem is....they're supposed to be dancing.

If your music is amazing, no one will really care what you do onstage...

pepezabala wrote:Master of the hand flip: Jeff Mills
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHCVd2dFlE8

I seriously had to stop that video to see if I accidentally had started 6 other videos simultaneously.