Live Performance Setup

I’ve been working on and off with new performance setups for playing MIDI-based software synths with beats. Below is a photo of my current setup. There are so many ways to do this, and my setup definitely has some major pros and cons. In fact, maybe I should focus on getting more gigs, but this has become my new addiction for now.

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1. M-Audio Oxygen 61-Key MIDI Controller

The M-Audio Oxygen series is not as good as the M-Audio Axiom series, as I’ve played both so far. The Axiom has the semi-weighted "hammer action" keys, while the Oxygen is very "plastic-y". The Oxygen is also a lot lighter than the Axiom, and can easily move around while your simply playing the damn thing. Definitely don’t do what I do. Pay the extra money and get the Axiom instead. You also get a set of 8 pads with the Axiom that are great for tapping out some beats or triggering sounds.

2. MacBook with Software Synth loaded from GarageBand

What the hell? GarageBand?! Yeah, I know it sucks, but I’m stepping into Pro Tools 8, so give me a break with that one. I must admit, I am just used to GarageBand and its limited yet simple setup. I mainly use it to load software synths: G-Force brand virtual intruments such as M-Tron Pro, Imposcar, and Minimonsta. GarageBand is definitely not good for performances at all. It crashes easily and loads slowly.

3. Roland SP-555

The Roland SP-555 is a dynamic sampler and looping piece of hardware. I have the MacBook connected to the SP-555 via USB, and I use the "Loop Capture" feature to layer up instrumentals, triggering the record button with a pedal. It’s relatively easy to use, but there are major cons with the SP-555 if you plan to use it mainly for looping:

• No "Undo" functionality. If you make a mistake, you are stuck with it, unless you want to erase and start over
• All sounds are looped onto one layer. You can’t trigger layers of sound on and off.
• You can save a loop of sounds one of the many pads, but there is no way to do it live without the music completely stopping for the length of the loop. There is a hack method to re-sample the loops that is not in the manual, but it doesn’t work 100% of the time, and always seems to leave a 1/2 second cut out, which sounds like cow dung.
• Great effects are built into the SP-555, but you can only use them on sounds saved to pads, and not on the captured loop.

If you’re looking to build a performance based on solely triggering pre-recorded pads on and off and applying effects to them, then the SP-555 is the ultimate tool, which I guess is why  a lot of DJs use it. The D-Beam, which triggers pads, effects, and an internal synthesizer, is also very cool, although goofy as hell while playing live. It’s kind’ve like a theramin, but not really and reacts accordingly to how bright the room is.

4. Korg KP3 Kaoss Pad

The Roland SP-555 outputs into the KP3. The Korg KP3 is absolutely amazing and fun to play with, providing dozens of live dynamic effects that are triggered by your fingertips onto a display that lights up with red squares. When lit up, this thing looks like a toy from the 80s, like it’s the brother of KITT from "Knight Rider". The KP3 also allows you to sample live onto 4 buses (A – D), from which you can then trigger each bus on and off. From there you can re-sample multiple buses onto one bus. You can also load sounds from an internal SD card, but it takes forever to load making it pointless for live situations.