Guys, I was wondering the minimum computer set up and which would be the best sequencer(Ableton or Traktor) that could handle with it's internal plug ins live processing with vocals, guitar and synth. Direct Monitoring.

Plugins needed per track: At least EQ and Compressor

Is there anyone here that could do this without dsp?

Thanks.

I have to ask, why? Have you ever played live before? If all you want is EQ and compressor, why do you need a DAW, especially if you're direct monitoring. You might get better help if you talk a bit more about what role you expect the DAW to play? Do you just need static processing? Real time dynamic processing, e.g. sweeping the EQ etc. If you're direct monitoring, is the EQ/compression for the house mix?

You do know that you can pick up an analog mixer and rack mount compressors on craigslist for bus change these days, right?

Ableton can handle it per channel if you have the full version, the lite version might give you enough if you have one channel each of vocals guitar and synth as you get six internal effects. You can use the four VSTs for reverb/delay on a send if you need it.

I have no idea about traktor.

For less money than a laptop + multichannel interface would cost you could buy a second-hand Yamaha 01V96 digital mixing console. Near-zero latency, compression / limiting + 4-band parametric eq on all channels. All neatly packed in a small 19" box, less hassle to set up. Built for the purpose. Can be controlled through midi if you want your sequencer to handle that.

NB: for live gigs I don't like to use limiters & compressors. It's just not nescessary and it sounds odd live.

This depends on a lot of things for me, but, I've played a lot of live gigs with nary a compressor in sight. My guitar rig frequently had one, but it was built into the effects unit, and my vocalist(s) sometimes used them inline. I've also used them on full mixes both for bands but especially as part of the sound for electronica either on the drum buss or on the full mix.

Still, I couldn't be bothered with trying to use a laptop to get per channel effects for a simple live rig if I wasn't doing a complete ITB gig. I'd just go with a simple analog mixer and whatever effects device I had lying around on the send bus, done.


These are cheap used and they have pretty much all that you need for a small gig.



By default, send 1 is your monitor mix, and send 2 routes to the built in effects.

Traktor is a DJ program, NOT a sequencer. Direct monitoring will depend on your audio interface ... Live can do what you're asking, no problem.

Guys, I am trying to do this with software only, I don't have any hardware.
nor the musicians.

Just trying to find out if it is possible.

I will need at least 1 eq and 1 compressor per track, vocals would need more effects.

I know live can do it in theory, but adds a lot of latency with the plugins per track and it has compensation per track and global, but does it work perfect for situations like this?

How powerful the CPU must be and how much ram is enough?

Does the soundcard has a big role on that setup to make it work? Without dsp, like motu 828 mk3 or UAD stuff.

Traktor has inputs so, in theory it could be used this way as well.

Just trying to understand what would be needed for that to work.

4 tracks:

1)Vocal
2)Guitar
3)Juno 6
4)Previously made Electronic beats with bass and some strings/pads

Again I am trying to do with software(without dsp),a laptop and soundcard only.

In case this is not possible, what about using a soundcard with dsp plugins like a MOTU 828 mk3, does anyone tried that before?

Thanks.

Talk about a brain slip, I read that as Traction, and I even have a traktor license.

DAWs add latency. Compensation is not possible in live situations, since time travel has not yet been implemented.

Use hardware instead of software. It's build for that.

There's sort of a contradiction here. You are too inexperienced to answer the question yourself, yet, you are seeking perfection. Live works fine for this and it's what people often use.



Why, what's your constraint, cost, weight, size?



The MOTU Ultralite will do everthing you need and give you a nice reverb and bus compressor for your master mix to boot. You can (and probably should) use the laptop to control its settings, but, strictly speaking, it's not necessary as you can control all of the setting from the front panel. It's not really convenient to do that of course.

Keep in mind, that all this is in this situation is a digital mixer in a box without the nice interface of a traditional digital mixer. No other software is necessary unless you want to track the performance as well.

If you are more cost sensitive than that then the Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 DSP will give you similar features with fewer inputs/outputs, but, enough for what you're doing. I've not used the focusrite, so I'm not sure how well it works in standalone mode, I can assure you though, that the MOTU boxes with DSPs work well standalone and have competent per channel EQ.

Thanks Bertkoor,

What if I use a soundcard with dsp plugins like motu 828 mk3?

http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/828mk3/summary.html

I just answered that question, why don't you read the thread.

That MOTU unit is just like a Yamaha 01V96, but without the easy hands-on controls Digital mixers offer the same DSP effects.
Seriously, if you want a mixer then why don't you get a mixer.
Sounds like you currently have a hammer so all screws look like nails to you.

Was wondering how you're planning to get vocals, guitar and synth into your DAW without a mixer tbh.

[edit] I see you're considering a MOTU 828mk3. Isn't that slight overkill?[/edit]

I said the same thing above. But, there are advantages of a an interface over a digital mixer. First, it's extremely compact and one can remove the laptop once everything is set. I wouldn't want to run a live rig that way, but I've seen simple acts do that sort of thing. I know that the 0196v is compact, but it's not as compact as an ultralight. Second, if you only occasionally need a digital mixer and you frequently need a multi-io interface, I'd say a motu interface is a better investment. Finally, the 01V96 costs quite a bit more than an ultralite.

I'm still not really buying the need for eq/compressors on every channel for such a simplistic live performance. A simple analog mixer with reverb can be had all night and all day for under $200. I have one of those little DFX mixers and it cost me about $100 second hand. I don't use it much, but it works great for simple live shows.

BTW: I can think of two other choices that would work reasonably well. First, digital multi-tracks are cheap as dirt second hand. An AW2816 or one of the older Roland units, assuming it had enough inputs would suit your needs.

If you are absolutely set on software with minimal latency/overhead and have a suitable interface in mind, then you could use Propellerheads Reason Essentials to give you an easy to configure live rack. It's not clear to me how'd you use "direct monitoring", however, unless you are already using an interface with effects built in as described above, in which case, reason will serve no purpose. You're still not getting latency compensation at all, of course, but I'm guessing that you won't have variable latency across tracks coming out of the big mixer which has everything that you need built in, and, given the efficiency, you will probably have tolerable and most likely inaudible latency through the mixer.

To be clear, you do know that many (most?) vocalists like some form of comfort reverb in their monitor mix, right? Further, you also understand that no DSP based effect unit that I'm aware of, even hardware, has "zero" latency.

Thanks guys,

I would like to use what I already have: motu 828 mk3 with dsp efx, audio8,ableton live and traktor.

Is that possible?

How?

Thanks.