4 ms·

I actually find the software more problematic live than in the studio. I hate fighting some computer interface when I just want to turn a knob. In one of my ba

by beat 12y ago

I actually find the software more problematic live than in the studio. I hate fighting some computer interface when I just want to turn a knob. In one of my bands, we were using an iPad for keyboard sounds, mostly organs. The sounds were terrific, but the physical experience was terrible. The iPad got replaced with a vintage Yamaha analog organ from around 1980 (with string synth and poly synth), and a couple of guitar pedals. It's not as flexible, but it's a lot more fun to play and practical onstage.

TylerE 12y ago
The acts that's I've seen use it seriously aren't touching a computer. They're using foot switches to drive GuitarRig (or whatever) via MIDI. The really nice thing about this (besides not having to tote a ton of pedals aroudn) is that you can dial stuff in in advance and forget it. Especially useful for multiple settings on the same pedal - like several different delay settings on different songs - and get the one you want every single time.
- beat 12y ago
  I've found that "set and forget" approach really problematic myself, and complex midi footswitching not much friendlier than a mouse. Then again, I've never gone on a big tour. What works best for me is convenient knobs right there where I can tweak sound as needed.
  - ollifi 12y ago
    But those are interface problems. Nothing really to do the internals being software driven. I think many modern synth companies have reverted back to one knob - one function design.
    - Gravityloss 12y ago
      What if the computer crashes? Do you install updates on the computer? Do you browse the internet with it? Would you expect a ten year old computer to work? Many everyday interfaces that have previously worked fine for decades, nowadays have computers and sampling inputs. Large multi billion dollar industry giants have managed to create unresponsive elevator interfaces where if you press a button, sometimes something happens, sometimes nothing happens. It's a expletive elevator. How hard can it be? Perhaps I can trust technology like a Boss multi effects pedal - it's been engineered for a very narrow amount of inputs and doesn't need software updates. It can be made to basically always just work. The company has a long history of actually creating quality products. But a laptop on stage, or off stage and interfaced with some pedals. That's just a disaster waiting to happen. Maybe if you can pay for one person to just babysit the computer and route around it if / when there are problems, then it's probably great.
      - TylerE 12y ago
        With a modern system like the Fractal Axe-FX there is no "laptop". This sin't some sort of jerry-rigged VST host - it's a dedicated DSP. There is no OS to crash other than the built-in firmware. It's really no different than your old Boss, just hundreds of times more DSP muscle.
  - TylerE 12y ago
    The difference is the big guys likely never touch anything. They just get told by their tech to "hit the blue switch for the solo", or the tech just triggers everything themselves from the wings.

by beat 12y ago

TylerE 12y ago

The acts that's I've seen use it seriously aren't touching a computer. They're using foot switches to drive GuitarRig (or whatever) via MIDI. The really nice thing about this (besides not having to tote a ton of pedals aroudn) is that you can dial stuff in in advance and forget it. Especially useful for multiple settings on the same pedal - like several different delay settings on different songs - and get the one you want every single time.

beat 12y ago
I've found that "set and forget" approach really problematic myself, and complex midi footswitching not much friendlier than a mouse. Then again, I've never gone on a big tour. What works best for me is convenient knobs right there where I can tweak sound as needed.
- ollifi 12y ago
  But those are interface problems. Nothing really to do the internals being software driven. I think many modern synth companies have reverted back to one knob - one function design.
  - Gravityloss 12y ago
    What if the computer crashes? Do you install updates on the computer? Do you browse the internet with it? Would you expect a ten year old computer to work? Many everyday interfaces that have previously worked fine for decades, nowadays have computers and sampling inputs. Large multi billion dollar industry giants have managed to create unresponsive elevator interfaces where if you press a button, sometimes something happens, sometimes nothing happens. It's a expletive elevator. How hard can it be? Perhaps I can trust technology like a Boss multi effects pedal - it's been engineered for a very narrow amount of inputs and doesn't need software updates. It can be made to basically always just work. The company has a long history of actually creating quality products. But a laptop on stage, or off stage and interfaced with some pedals. That's just a disaster waiting to happen. Maybe if you can pay for one person to just babysit the computer and route around it if / when there are problems, then it's probably great.
    - TylerE 12y ago
      With a modern system like the Fractal Axe-FX there is no "laptop". This sin't some sort of jerry-rigged VST host - it's a dedicated DSP. There is no OS to crash other than the built-in firmware. It's really no different than your old Boss, just hundreds of times more DSP muscle.
- TylerE 12y ago
  The difference is the big guys likely never touch anything. They just get told by their tech to "hit the blue switch for the solo", or the tech just triggers everything themselves from the wings.