SOFT Meeting on Mobile DAWs

[Cheez]

There was a thread sometime ago about a possible SOFT meeting introducing the use of computers and in music. Let's see if this is possible and if there's sufficient interest to have such a meeting.

Anybody interested, please:

1. Post here
2. State which topic you would like to be part of the meeting.

A few suggestions first:
1. We should be cross-platform (ie Mac, PC, Linux). This is not to fuel cross-platform debates on which is better.
2. Because there's so many possible topics to discuss, we have to limit on the topics. I think we should focus on using notebooks and music in live situations instead of, say, "how to do home recording" or "mixing and mastering".

I'm thinking maybe sometime in June/July. But let's see the interest level.

 

[Cheez]

Gutturalpiss, Logicdroid, Blueprintstudios, suggestions?

 

[kongwee]

I am beginning to teach music arrangement through Logic Pro. Maybe I break into general term

First topic: Equipement and connection
Second Topic : Common DAW term like Audio track,Midi track, Arrange window,Inspector window, piano roll....etc

This is what I intend to introduce for my student.

 

[blueprintstudios]

actually I typed a whole load of shit and I pissed myself off when I accidentally pressed alt-left (back) and everything I typed is lost in the new forum system. so originally I planned for a "oh what the heck lets see what others say , join in later" thing but nvm since i'm free now while rendering some videos..

I am interested however currently i'm fully booked,going overseas month end and return for ICT until september then free. so I may have to pass if there's anything going on before then.

in my opinion, cross OS platform wars are terribly touchy issues like religion. and subwars make it worse like mac (protools/logic) daw wars and pc daw wars (sonar/cubase/ableton/reason).
then it generates debates like "what is BEST (for everyone) is to use" when it should be "what works for ME best is to use, so follow me if you like" .

cross OS platform "workshop/meetups" will be more productive and open minded , than "individual OS" , cos those interested in all may not be able to make it. and no offence, I think the linux one on its own is just a road damn less travelled.

and timeframe wise, definitely we can't cover everything we spend a lifetime learning in a day. and I've been to so many recording workshops, common flaw of all : 3 hrs workshop. 2 hrs teaching basics which you can learn more from google. 0.5 hrs on answering questions. and 0.5 wasting time no more time left for HANDS ON INTERACTION and experience.

I've been thinking , if I had to run a workshop/meetup on recording, the thing I would definitely focus on is just simply let the guys have a run at miking up the thing themselves. less talk more rock. the tutorials, a better way for everyone's convenience is always a sticky thread.

so ya , focus on topics that's more "isolated". if it's best to keep everything online and cut down on renting space for meetups or inefficient repeating over and over kinda situation, then run a tutorial FAQ/video sticky kinda thingy. that's what I feel at least.

 

[Cheez]

Sounds like it's confirmed to be X-platform then. And gutturalpiss should be the guy doing the linux part.

Should different topics of the workshop happen concurrently? So people can pick what interest them. Pro is we can cover wider topics. Con is we need a venue large enough so we don't get too noisy with each session interfering with one another.

I agree. Definitely no point talking about things we can just google. Participatory methods are always better than boring didactic teaching. Hands-on with computers can be tricky - we need to be willing to take the risk of computers being messed up by people if they start playing around with them. Instruments is one thing - you can't mess up too much with the OS etc. And since teachers will probably be using their own notebooks etc, we need to back them up and create recovery images etc.

One topic which has been around in previous threads since eons past is the question on portability - how feasible is it to have a portable solution using a notebook? There are question on stability of the using notebooks to replace hardware keyboards etc. We could have a keyboard (even better - a lousy keyboard), then we bring in our "portable setup" (notebook etc), walk in during the session, and set it up in front of everybody within minutes - to show how a portable solution is feasible (or not). We can demo whether this can entirely replace a synth/workstation setup. This is to create a mock situation when a keyboardist goes to a live session without knowing what keyboard is given him/her - and using his/her portable setup, able to perform live without compromising on sound quality.

Same can happen to a portable recording session - a person comes in with his portable recording solution, sets it up within minutes and start recording.

 

[Cheez]

What about 2 concurrent sessions - one for mobile DAW recording, one for mobile/portable live playing? All based on notebooks/mobile solutions.

I don't do mobile recording. Maybe James could do something here.

For mobile live performing solutions, there are a few hosting solutions that can be demoed - Kore 2, Vienna Ensemble Pro, Plogue Bidule, V-stack etc. Don't have to do all - select a few to show how one can do key mapping, key-switching programming, multiple midi controllers etc. The main point about hosting software is that one can load any 3rd party VST plugins/instruments, combine/layer them in various combinations and program in a way that normal hardware cannot do.

 

[logicdroid]

Depending on how much time each speaker has...

Setting up Mainstage (part of Logic Studio) for live performance and routing all instruments into Logic Pro for live recording... all on the same machine.

Great for
1) Musicians, Bands
2) Guitar, keyboard techs
3) One man bands

 

[logicdroid]

- Power tips and tricks for the Mac user.
- Advanced workflow and new features in Logic Pro 9
- What to do in Logic when the Mac runs out of processing power or RAM
- Distributed audio processing (tapping into the power of other Macs on the same network for DSP Plugin processing).
- Wireless Screen sharing when working with multiple slave machines - no more messy cables or KB and mouse switching!
- Aggregate device to merge several Audio Interfaces into one massive In/Out device

 

[Cheez]

Some great ideas, Logicdroid. But I think slave machines should be another time. It's not as "mobile". For Vienna Ensemble Pro, for example, one can go into creation of a VST farm (multiple VST machines), all hooked via Gigabit network (ie no soundcard). But that's also not portable.

Perhaps one session on portability, one session for "power users"? Suggestion?

 

[kongwee]

You guy are getting more technical that lead to specific platform. There is a common workflow among all the DAW. I think many guys here read magazine. Some magazine mention about some technique( like doing sample chops), and explain in many host sequencer or plug-ins. This kind of info is more helpful. Of cos, what is the audience you are targeting at? I think a lot people are interested in Mobile DAW. Their technical level is not very high. Actually we don't need to do it too big. Something like how to lay a midi piano track or audio track in major DAW(Protools,Cubase,Sonar,Logic), It can be a massive info even though we use it every second.

Of cos, this is my own thinking, dunno you guy what really want.

 

[Cheez]

Indeed. Hence why we need to hear from those interested. So far, all who responded are those who are probably qualified as "trainers".

 

[logicdroid]

Cheez asked, so I responded. No harm done.

 

[blueprintstudios]

I only know I don't want to say/teach/share anything regarding mixing/mastering. cos it's so subjective.

record : just put a mic there, and input, and record. or plug in DI and record.
but in detail there's so many ways to do it.

mix : just make everything sound audible,balanced. but with compression/eq/reverbs/"soundscaping" or whatever lingo there is in detail , everyone has their own character in mixing.

techniques aside, there's all that gear debate or "fame-based" debate.

 

[kongwee]

I wish to help, but I do not have portable DAW. Dunno what are the thing done in background
For what I encounter, portable warrior mainly do voice recording.
In live gig, what I see mostly to load up a project.
Those live playing track will be muted, and the rest are played.
Using as a sound module, I have not encounter yet.

For DAW platform for live gig and on site recording, platform should be Protools or Cubase. Maybe Studio One.At least they all work in Windows and Mac OS X. The demo laptop can have separated user account(whether in windows or mac os x) just for teaching purpose.With all the hardware and software really, there it is easier to do workshop. Of cos, the first question, whose laptop to use? Presenter have to bring theirs or there is a "common" laptop.

 

[logicdroid]

Let's not be too opinionated, it's scary... Purpose of the meet is to share isn't it?
As for lappys, there's always a chance to get a T-loan. This I can help. What you need?? PC or Mac?

 

[Cheez]

Hard to do T-loan. Software licenses will get into problems. Furthermore, most of our notebooks are already optimized.

 

[logicdroid]

HAhaHA, hurdle after hurdle. This is where iLok champs. Bummer.

 

[Cheez]

Looks like things are moving forward? If not enough interest, then maybe next time - like next year maybe...

 

[blueprintstudios]

I'm going to stick to creating information sticky threads , and hopefully progress enough time to make it into somethin like a video cos new softies are just so spoonfed. then if there's a meet up I can make it I don't mind just dropping by and sharing cents worth. it's the convenience for everyone I guess. ppl are picky to teach, just as much as ppl are picky to learn.

 

[Cheez]

You're right blueprintstudios. We'll do just that.