lap top playing live

markf · #1 12-05-2011, 10:21 AM

does anyone have any experience playing live with a guitar plugged into a laptop?

scottwilson · #2 12-05-2011, 11:00 PM

Yes... but I was playing guitar and there was another guy operating the laptop. He was running Supercollider, Ableton Live, Max, and Pluggo. I was running through a Lexicon Signature 284 using one of the line outs into his USB soundcard.

Here's a recording of it, tho we did it live a couple of times too. Not jazzy at all... more like noise.

Henry T. Brown #75 by scottwilson on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

-s

markf · #3 12-06-2011, 07:02 AM

thanks, I looked into it a little you need a footswitch controller, and software, looks like it costs at least a thousand bucks, not worth it for me.

Lawrie · #4 12-06-2011, 08:15 AM

I used to record bass/drum tracks into a loop station which was mounted in my pedalboard. I would play the tracks through my bass amp while playing guitar through my guitar amp. I would typically have live keys and a sax player with me and this generally worked out fine. Since I don't do "live" looping, the loop station was just a convenient way to playback tracks and control them with my feet. However, I found this to be limiting for a variety of reasons.

So I've spent the last few months looking for a software based solution to replace the loop station and not break the bank. Here's what I came up with:

1) I use Audacity to record into. It's free.

2) I needed a better sound card so I Bought a Sabrent external card for $30 (CND) from Tiger Direct.

3) I use a 1/4"-1/8" mono adapter to plug instruments in for recording, or to connect the Line Out of the sound card to my bass amp. The adapter was a couple of bucks at Future Shop.

4) I control my laptop in it's entirety using The Pok made by X-Tempo. You can check out the details here:

The Pok by X-Tempo

The only other piece of software that I use is a freeware program called Vistaswitcher. Once I have all my backing tracks open, I use it to select which track I want to play. I use The Pok to control it as well. Here's a screen shot:

In addition to the above, I picked up a used Radial Big Shot amp switcher (around $30) which is mounted in my pedalboard. I use it in reverse so that I can plug both my guitar and laptop into it, and then out to my Cube 60. Just like you would do with a loop station.

In direct answer to your question, the only time I plug directly into my laptop is to record. Live playing is though two amps although I could plug my guitar into the Sabrent sound card (laptop) directly and go direct out of my laptop to a PA for example.

The Pok has been a fantastic investment and about the same price as a Boss RC-30 or Jamman Stereo.

Just some food for thought.

markf · #5 12-06-2011, 10:29 AM

hi thanks

appreciate the help.

scottwilson · #6 12-11-2011, 03:20 PM

Just thought I'd mention that Apple's MainStage is in the app store for $30. It's a tool that allows you to use the standard apple or any audiounit plugins as effects for your live performance.

markf · #7 12-12-2011, 06:45 AM

thanks

markf · #8 12-12-2011, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottwilson

Just thought I'd mention that Apple's MainStage is in the app store for $30. It's a tool that allows you to use the standard apple or any audiounit plugins as effects for your live performance.

that looks really good, is the footswitch virtual? as in on the screen?

and is it good for live performances?

thanks, interesting.

cosmic gumbo · #9 12-12-2011, 01:13 PM

A Rickenbacker Frying Pan is about the sweetest laptop you could ever play live.

YouTube Video