Project Portability (for keyboards)

[Cheez]

Back to the same old topic on trying to get the most portable live keyboard setup.

Imagine - you have to play live in a setup. You don't know the actual keyboard provided on stage. You arrive, found out that you don't like the keyboard and can't use the sound. Short of bringing your own super-heavy 88 key synth/workstation around, what is the lightest and most portable setup you can bring along to make it sound what you want? What is your current "most portable" setup?

I'm asking because I'm in the process of trying to get my setup even more portable. My initial thoughts:

1. Notebook.
2. A small midi controller (25 keys) that fits into a bag and light which has firewire audio interface capability, at least 2x2 midi ins/outs, with faders and knobs (which doesn't exist by the way - short of something like Openlabs Miko).

25 keys lets will enable me to sufficiently assign 1 octave to key-switching and one octave to special instrument sounds (eg - harp glissandos, wind chimes, suspended cymbals). This frees up the existing keyboard on stage for piano/e-piano playing.

3. A software to make everything fits and gives sufficient programmability - either Bidule, Kore 2 (software version) or Vienna (or similar software).
4. Palette of softsynths/softsamplers that cover all genres.


This should all fit into a nice bag to carry around...

Still trying to figure out which is the best controller and which software gives best flexibility in terms of programming.

Ideas?

 

[Cheez]

I've got Echo Indigo DJx for this purpose on my new notebook. I got DJx and not IOx because live players need monitoring more than recording. DJx has got 2 outputs - one to mains and one for headphones/earphones.

My only problem with DJx is the heat it produces. Apparently, the expresscard version creates more heat than the PCMCIA version. I hope it doesn't kill my notebook. A few seconds with it and it burns.

Currently problem - my Midisport 1x1 does not support Windows 7 nor does it support 64-bit. Looks like the solution is to get a 25 key midi controller with USB plus midi in/out. So far, the possible candidates are Novation Remote SL mk2 and M-audio Axiom Pro 25. Experiences with these 2 controllers will be much appreciated.

Still have not confirmed my software host. Narrowed down to either Kore 2 (software version) or Vienna Ensemble Pro. Most likely going to be Vienna Ensemble Pro.

 

[kongwee]

Korg X-50 bah. I do see people sling it behind their back. Plus your could preset up to 256, I think. I dunno this allow scene/performance change on fly without break between preset. Other is Juno D which can compare to X-50 size. I don't do the laptop way, but it is very risky if you are tight on time setup. You need laptop,controller and interface to beat a standalone. Look at the extra powerpoint and cable that you need. Like simple task like playing MMO, I love a CD/DVD player than laptop/ipod/whatever.

 

[poladark]

Anything is portable as long as you have a bag for it. I have a bag for everything i use, including the keyboard stand. Mind you, it's pretty heavy to lug around. Moog LP, 10 kg, K&M Spider Pro 10 kg, laptop bag 5 kg and then there's various other stuff like fx pedals and cables as well... ugh.

Sorry to hear about the MIDI interface. I guess it shows how important it is to have a MIDI interface that follows the USB-MIDI driver standard. I'm in that situation myself with my 6 in/out Yamaha interface. Then again i don't plan on upgrading to windows 7 from XP any time soon.

 

[lowjk]

To poladark - can replace Moog LP with this now:
http://www.xhun-audio.com/site/xhun.php?page=products

And it's polyphonic!

 

[Cheez]

Kongwee, I don't need a synth. My challenge is that many times when I need to play live, a keyboard may already be there. They don't have the sound I need, nor the controls (sometimes it doesn't have a mod wheel or an expression pedal jack, for example). What I need therefore is to set everything software so my sound is standardized. I program my patches very differently. Hence I need a very small controller mainly for keyswitching (in case the keyboard I have to play does not have full 88 key range) and some control (mainly mod wheel or faders - for volume and expression control).

 

[poladark]

Hence I need a very small controller mainly for keyswitching (in case the keyboard I have to play does not have full 88 key range) and some control (mainly mod wheel or faders - for volume and expression control).

There are the Korg nanoKey and nanoKontrol units for tiny (almost unplayable) keys and faders/knobs respectively. I'm unsure if the transpose switch on the nanokey will transpose the octave of any other attached midi controllers though.

I have the nanoKey unit myself. I could set it up and see what happens with the transpose button if you want.

To poladark - can replace Moog LP with this now:
http://www.xhun-audio.com/site/xhun.php?page=products

Ah yes! I saw that one already.

To be honest I got the LP mostly because it's fun and easy to use. I get enough of squinting at a computer screen all day anyway. I just wish they hadn't made the whole thing out of metal. For Moog-like sound on the computer I use the VSTi ASynth which is pretty good (and free).

 

[Cheez]

Yes, thought of the Nanokeys. But problem is that it doesn't receive midi in. That means I need another midi interface to accept the keyboard on stage. I'm also trying to limit the number of connections into the notebook. Ideal scenario:

Connection 1: Stage Keyboard (of unknown type) midi out -> USB midi controller 25 keys midi in/thru -> USB to notebook.

Connection 2: Audio interface (Expresscard) to audio/monitoring

Connection 3: Firewire to external HD (sample streaming)

Connection 4: Dongles

My notebook, sadly, only has 2 USB ports.

 

[kongwee]

Then I not too sure. But you could take a look Akai MPK series controller. The layout is more MPC style. Maybe MPK 49 look like got all the necessary thing like pad,knot,fader and switches. Software will be Abletion,bah. But limit to VST and AU unit only. But you can download trial version.

If you have Macbook, then Logic Studio's Mainstage 2.

 

[porbista]

i got an m-audio axiom 61... fastrack pro usb audio interface... and reason 4.0 for software... i hear the axiom pro is even more intuitive since you can do without a mouse to get around the software that you might be using...

 

[Cheez]

Hi porbista, unfortunately as with most M-audio stuff, the Axiom Pro does not have Win7 drivers. I'm using W7 64-bit.

 

[porbista]

yup they're really slow updating their drivers... that's actually the reason i stick to xp for the meantime... or until i get a mac..