Ableton Forum

don't know where to post it...just leave here...

I play Live in an electronic band,

here's my setup :

MBP + Mbox Pro + LaunchPad + BCR 2000 + D.I.Y. mixer + Air FX + small toys...

it totally wastes me too much time to set everything done when playing live

(sometimes I even have to bring my guitar and pedals /another small synth too !)


I want a case to pack it all and connect everything firmly ,
(ok I can put the notebook in my backpack...)
just open it and start to play wherever I go.


anyone can share the idea about this?...

anybody ?...

I had the idea of having everything packed in one custom built case.

Just remove the lid, plug in power cable, plug in audio cable, plug in usb/firewire and have it running.

Worked really fine but it turned out to be too heavy.

500 EU wasted.

Maybe I can post pics later...

i have ideas

for that setup i would look at something like a dj case, or a custom ata case

my next purchase is going to be a rack, probably something like a raxxes converta

rack mount everything and have a shelf to throw the MBP on plug in and go

dancing Ray wrote:Worked really fine but it turned out to be too heavy.

500 EU wasted.

wheels?

Yeah, it´s got wheels.

But you´ve got to set it on a stand or so, and in the car, and the stairs up to the rehearsel room.

+ it is too large for small clubs. Perfect for mid-size or large stages, though.

I CAN transport it, but it really is a pita.

I ordered one of these yesterday. I don't know if this would be something that would interest YOU. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovbSYlwBd1o

dancing Ray wrote:I had the idea of having everything packed in one custom built case.

Just remove the lid, plug in power cable, plug in audio cable, plug in usb/firewire and have it running.

Worked really fine but it turned out to be too heavy.

500 EU wasted.

Maybe I can post pics later...

can't wait seeing it !

[email protected] wrote:I ordered one of these yesterday. I don't know if this would be something that would interest YOU. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovbSYlwBd1o

looks nice but not the stuff I want...

I need everything set and wire already, to save the time before and after the show...

I built something like this. Everything is mounted to it with high quality velcro and various fasteners. There is a soundcard and plug strip in a lower level underneath that I access from the back. Takes me 2 minutes to set up, seriously. It's not a case, but I can carry it by myself no problem. It fits perfectly in my car, and on my Proline Z stand.

Eventually I will build one that is more like a turntable case, only much nicer. I am waiting to get a monome kit, a GarageKey midi keyboard, to build directly into it. Plus I will be making my own built in midi controller. This will get rid of the Novation 25, the KorgNanoKontrol, and if all goes well the APC40, unless I build the APC into it as well..

The real advantage is having everything on one case, box, whatever...already plugged in. I plug in power, and a stereo jack to a mixer and I'm done!








CURRENTLY...

juan sick setup. You play out with that in D-Town?

I'm trying to come up with something like this too. Dancing Ray is right that you have to be mindful of weight. Weight sucks.

I think you have to compromise to get the ideal set up. The compromises you may have to make are potentially sizing down your equipment (I don't know how large your DIY mixer is, but it better be small - especially if it's doing stuff that could be handled by routing things through your soundcard and mixing with the APC40's faders). There are more compact options than the M-Box Pro (RME FireFace 400 or UC - or PreSonus FireBox). The other compromise you may have to make is setting up. Obviously, you don't want you laptop in there banging around, but you may have to have another thing or two separated in your backpack. Just know how to plug them in, and be able to do it quickly.

I'm checking out pedal boards for this purpose. I'm still not sure which one is the best way to go, but the hunt is on....

http://www.stompin-ground.com/products/sgpboard.htm

Guitar pedal board might be your best bet.

So here are my pictures:



The whole thing (with wheels on the right edge).

At the side of the compuer is a small mixer which served my monitoring needs. Behind the mixer is an amt4 midi interface and my M-Base.
The platform under the computer is movable via a hinge (google translate ) to acces the wires underneath it.

To the left and right of the Bitstream are two Faderfoxes: LX1 and LX2.

Over the Bitstream 3x was the Doepfer Drehbank and below the comuter there is space for two 19" devices (1HE it is in german).
The audio interface (Motu 828 mk2) and an "emagic amt8" used as midi patchbay were located there.





My output jacks.



And my main power switch with a nicely flickering red light (When turned on that is).



It worked as I wanted it to. Take the lid of, connect three cables, power ON, and off it goes!!

It turned out to be perfect, except for...



the weight...

when planning keep in mind that you have to carry all your stuff at once:
the devices, the cables, the power connectors and the case.

@dancing Ray

that doesnt look that heavy, after removing the lid im guessing 20kg

am i close?

my bass rack is 27kg and i lift that onto an 8x10 cab

it seems to me, that lifting 1 heavy thing is better than taking 20 minutes to setup and tear down

If I remember correctly the bare case weighs about 25 kg... + all devices (three "heavy" units are missing on the picture) + all cables + power supplies.
I think I am at about 40kg... at least it feels like 50...

Without the lid it is not stiff enough to transport it. And I think it looks smaller than it really is.

Unfortunately I lost the measures due to a harddisk crash.

But I can find out if you want...