I have played outdoors and I can tell you it is a challenge. It is very difficult, especially without a dedicated sound man, to know what is being heard by your audience. In a club or other defined space, you can get a feel from the stage because the sound bounces off the walls and comes back. Outside, the sound just keeps going. I have played shows where we couldn't be heard and others where we could be heard from the highway two exits down. It is really hard to judge.

If people can't tell if you're checking their email, you'll have failed.

Talk about a captivated audience.

Thanks for the tip about the looper! I think that might open some possibilities I could easily transistion to.

I think you're right about not over-doing gear, but it's good to have several hardware controllers to give some freedom. I have a 3-keyboard system. Two separate keyboard controllers going to my PC is important for getting some good layering of sound.

Also, For simple performance tweaks, I use a Roland Alpha Juno 1. It is a great go-to synth for real analog leads, pads, and effects that need simple filter cut-off, envelope, and auto-chord tweaks. I also have a Moog MG-1, but it's old and kind of wonky. I would only use it in the studio, or a bigger, more special show as sort of an "icing-on-the cake" synth. For VA synths, drum machines, arps, and analog-type sequencer VSTi's, my Korg NanoKontrol works great! But I had to find a way to make it more intuitive. Even though every VSTi has a different architecture, I picked the most common parameters I'm likely to use, and assign them to the same controls on the Nano (Filter Cutoff is always dial 6, resonance is always dial 7, etc.) That way I only have to remember one set of controls for synths, one set of controls for drum machines, and one set of controls for a sequencer. Anything else that is special to a particular VSTi, I can always mouse. Then I got a hold of some small peel-and-stick scrapbook letters from a craft store, and labeled the NanoKontrol. Now, it's a lot more intuitive to use live, and it also makes patch-building a snap![/img]

arkaos

A webcam is a good idea!

I always envision a concert being outdoors in a natural setting. You can't plan the weather, but how cool would it be to have your audience in lawn chairs watching a summer sunset gradually turn the clouds from orange to pink, and open up into twilight, or a spot where crickets and birdsong become your inspiration?

what about playing at a prison or hospital

what do you want from your audience?
are you looking for people to be impressed or are you looking to entertain people?
ive done a couple of gigs in art gallerys where i set up in a cupboard, not being seen or able to see my audience except for a couple of occassions where i nipped to the loo (the can for americans or the head for any navy seals)

i wasnt looking for any sort of praise i was just looking to provide an atmosphere for some friends artworks.