Live!

[3dchris]

Ok, here is a question.
You have a gig. Your music is pop/rock/dance that is mostly sequenced. U use lots of samples. On top of that there is real guitars, drums, sax and violin. Everything is done in logic audio on a PC. How do you approach the gig? Do you use logic on the stage and mute the instruments that will play live? Or maybe dump everything to the HD recorder like Roland VS-1880? Or maybe to the Minidisc? I would not want my PC to crash in the middle of the song What is widely used? What bands like Depeche Mode, Britney, Eminem, Justin etc. use?

thx,

chris

 

[sheet]

I work for a band that does just that, only we use Pro Tools. The drummer gets a click from PT.

You can sub mix your songs, minus the live instruments, down to HD recorder, or just take out a laptop and automate the mutes. The problem with the laptop is that it will crash (trust me) at the worst moment. Get one of those cheap Alesis HD24's and be done with it.

 

[3dchris]

Sheet, thanx for reply. I have Roland VS-1880 (2 of them actually) so I can have up to 34 tracks if I synchronize them via midi. Do you think this would be the best or should I invest ina PT? Then if I invest in PT could be on a titanium G4 laptop or it has to be different comp? What hardware do you use and which PT version?

thx

chris

 

[RecorderMan]

Unless you have a REAL need to you could do a minus mix (a mix minus all of the stuff you do live) and print that mono on one side of a stereo file; the other side being a click. Then any cd player will work. One side (click) to your drummers cans(headphones),and the other to the P.A.
Mono is usually a better bet for live venues anyway.
Carry at least two of these cd's and a pair of portable cd players and and you have a cheap bullit proof solution.

 

[3dchris]

RecorderMan,
I don't think a cd is a good thing to use live because it's an optical device and can skip or do other weird things. I suppose HD solution (like Roland VS-1880) or even minidisc player would be a better option. I also would like to have the mix in stereo cause there are some stereo fx (can you imagine Pink Floyd's concert in mono?). VS-1880 has 8 outs so this could be problably the best solution. What do you think?

chris

 

[sheet]

Well, the CD or Md does not allow for a separate click track.

No, I would not invest in PT for your application. I would say that a computer is risky. Having a dedicated box would be my option if I had to do it again, and preferably something with an embedded OS, that doesn't crash.

 

[Marcus Black]

I did backingtracks for a group once. I went through the tracks in the production (Logic/PT) with the band and we decided what to use in each song. Then I did an 8-track mix of it. Click (mono), additional drums (mono), synths (stereo), Backing vocals (stereo), everything else (stereo). Then I recorded it to the band´s 8-track-thing, can´t remember which one, probably some kind of hard-disk-adat-thing that was around a couple of years ago. Just remember, whatever way you do it, two important things: 1. What sounds fat in the studio may be waaay too much live, mixed with the band. Less is probably more. 2. Keep the tracks similar in all songs as far as possible, you don´t wanna adjust levels between every song.

Tip: Use a playbackdevice that has a clear display, that you can read easily even when the stage is dark and filled with smoke...

Good Luck.

 

[Alécio Costa - Brazil]

man, do not use cd players. I have seen nice bands become Bozo clowns at stage.

Go with a .. urgh....mini disc audio/data or a portable PT rig ( Mbox).

A VS880 can also do the job.

Hey, the audience will not be pro guys examining if you are outputing at 96kz or 44.1, dithered mixer, etc. -lol

Even a PT 4 rig running under PowerMIx can do the job.
I used to prepare an adat tape where the 8 channels were like this:
(1) Harmony L
(2) Harmony R
(3) Drum Loops L
(4) Drum Loops R
(5) Synth/Sampled Basses
(6) Additional
(7) click
(8) comments ( go just to the drummer)
Live: Vocals, backing vocals, guitars, drums.

Adats are pain in the ass. Also, do not use any plugs with your live sessions. Let us avoid too busy PCI erros and i-lok copy protection nightmares.
Hope it helps ya

 

[popcorn]

Well we use samplers and modules live.I sent a click to the drummers ears trough output 4 of my Triton and it is highly compressed.That guy is working in the studio and after gig I am asking myself how he is alive ,but the old punk is hearing all the time this ta-ta-ta...
When we are playing more clubby sets we use Fostex Vf16 for some trax,but never PCs on stage-it is ugly and dangerous to stop in the middle of the hot moments!

Regards!

Donny

http://www.popcorn.dir.bg

 

[3dchris]

Thank You very much for your replies guys!
You are great!. I will go with the roland VS-1880 then as it has 8 outs.

thx again!

chris