What is your lightest and most mobile softsynth setup for gigs & live performances?

[denischeung]

What is your lightest and most mobile softsynth setup for gigs & live performances?

I have been researching to setup the lightest and most mobile softsynth for gigs & live performances. Below are the resources I own:

Yamaha NP30 76-key Portable Grand (12 lbs)
Presonus Firebox (4.6 lbs)
Dell Inspiron 700m (4.2 lbs)
Total: 20.8 lbs (9.43kg)

It's still quite heavy to carry all these things ard...

So far I can think of is to use MacBook Air (3 lbs, 5 hours of battery life), Presonus Firebox connect directly to Mac (Firewire powered, no need external adapter), and Korg X50 (61-key, 9.48 lbs), by cutting the power adapter for MacBook Air n Firebox, hopefully can cut the total weight to ard 16 lbs (ard 7kg). For me 61-key is minimum. But for expressiveness 76-key is definitely preferred.

Previously I thought Sony TZ notebook will help to do the job in cutting the weight of laptop to 2.62 lbs before it was announced to be recalled. Currently I'm anxiously waiting for Via Nano based or Atom dual core netbook to come out to test if they can support real-time softsynth. It would be really cool if they can as they're small n light in size n have longer battery life. Any suggestions on lighter setup?

 

[Cheez]

I always have my extra external HD for sample streaming, which adds to the weight issue. My situation is slightly different - notebook CPU and RAM power must be sufficient to run not only multiple softsynths but also softsamplers.

But light notebooks are getting more powerful.

I use Echo indigo io, the lightest weight audio interface you can ever find. Midisport 1x1 for midi interface - also very light-weight.

With softsamplers and key-switching, unfortunately I need the full 88 keys. So no mobility for me... But for 76 keys, and if price is not a problem, the most portable solution would be the Inifinite Response VAX77 foldable keyboard that we discussed in another thread some time ago.

 

[widdly]

It really depends on the soft synths you want to run. I can run quite a few synths on an old 300mhz laptop. Forget about big bloated NI synths like Massive etc. Your best bet are sample based synths. Try out one of Soundfont synths like that one from rgc.

 

[benjaminang]

Hi I don't know if you're still reading this thread - some new gadgets have come up since the last post - I now play live with my Asus laptop, Korg Nano controls (mixer, pads) and M-Audio Oxygen 8 (the old one). But I feel that it looks better when I also bring out the Roland JD-800 (25 kg, ouch) or the Korg Prophecy (much lighter)

I've been playing gigs with my band Cosmic Armchair
www.cosmicarmchair.com
and also with the Electronic Music Lab
www.eml.org.sg

BEN
www.twitter.com/cosmicarmchair
www.twitter.com/emusiclab

 

[benjaminang]

I'm playing a Live Remix and DJ set at NOVA club (Carpenter Street) this Sat 5 September, using my mobile rig, come and have a look and listen

DJ Cosmic Battlefield (EML Alumni, half of electronic duo Cosmic Armchair) uses Ableton Live, Korg padKontrol and nanoKontrol, and various other electronic instruments, to bring you a Live Remix (DJ) set on Saturday 5 September 09.
New EBM hits and Classic New Wave Dance tracks are given the Cosmic Battlefield Live Remix treatment with loops, mashups and effects.
E-mail cosmicarmchair@gmail.com if you're coming.

Date: 5th September 2009
Time: 9:00pm - 3:00am
Venue: NOVA, SAFRA Game Haven, 6th floor, Carpenter Street (Opposite Clark Quay MRT station, The Central)
Cover charge $12 applies.

DJs:
9pm DJ Lique (Diol / Singapore)
11pm DJ Cosmic Battlefield (Cosmic Armchair / Singapore)
1am DJ Saito Nagasaki (Aesgrade / Singapore)