I know that many fantastic live features are incorporated into EnergyXT. I'm wondering how many people are actually using EnergyXT as their live machine.
I'm interested in pursuing this myself potentially. Integrating eXT into a live setup. I know stuff all about performing music live but I think I'd prefer something a little more interactive than a backup CD while I'm singing my little heart out.
I'm thinking of adding a section on the Energy eXTra site for the use of eXT as kit for live performances and I was wondering if I could pick the brains of the best for my own benefit and potentially for the benefit of others.
The idea is to explore what you need to set yourself up for live performance including hardware setup, software strategy, eXT setup (live arranger and the main window).
Hopefully, the idea is that a new user looking at a live setup based around EnergyXT can have a decent resource to set themselves up for a gig or two.
1) Do people think this is a good idea?
2) Is anyone experienced interested in sharing their experiences and knowledge with me so that I can put this all together. You will of course be credited on the site as collaborators on this project?
As a side note - this is the kind of thing I'm hoping that Energy eXTra will provide in the future - a great eXT-centric resource for musicians who want help in linking a great application with practical music-making and performance.
Why?
Because documentation/learning does not start and stop with a manual.
Caleb
EnergyXT - the "LIVE" machine
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- KVRAF
- 4143 posts since 7 Sep, 2001 from Melbourne, Australia
Happiness is the hidden behind the obvious.
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- KVRAF
- 7315 posts since 7 Mar, 2003
Because I don't have a laptop, it's a bit hard for me to do anything Live. But I do use the Live mode to piss around in my bedroom, doing gigs for essentially myself and any friends who are in my room getting wasted 
I think your idea is a good one, and I'll be glad to contribute any thoughts, theories, and general mish-mash ideas that I have.
I really REALLY REALLY wish that EnergyXT had Rewire features, because using EXT in combination with Reason 3 would be a wet dream for me, as far as playing Live goes.
I think your idea is a good one, and I'll be glad to contribute any thoughts, theories, and general mish-mash ideas that I have.
I really REALLY REALLY wish that EnergyXT had Rewire features, because using EXT in combination with Reason 3 would be a wet dream for me, as far as playing Live goes.
My Youtube Channel - Wires Dream Disasters
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- KVRist
- 423 posts since 22 Jul, 2004
Caleb,
I think your idea is fantastic and I like your vision for your website. I have barely touched the live aspects of eXT but I do use a laptop and am interested in the live applications of eXT. It is something I will be exploring shortly and would love to contribute.
I think your idea is fantastic and I like your vision for your website. I have barely touched the live aspects of eXT but I do use a laptop and am interested in the live applications of eXT. It is something I will be exploring shortly and would love to contribute.
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- KVRist
- 308 posts since 11 Feb, 2004 from Sydney
Great idea Caleb. I'm using eXT live, but only as a host for a bunch of VSTis, that I switch between and mix using CCs. I don't understand the live sequencer mode yet, so I'm looking forward to finding out how to use it.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4143 posts since 7 Sep, 2001 from Melbourne, Australia
Hey James - that can also help.jamesb wrote:Great idea Caleb. I'm using eXT live, but only as a host for a bunch of VSTis, that I switch between and mix using CCs. I don't understand the live sequencer mode yet, so I'm looking forward to finding out how to use it.
If you're using eXT like a monster synth or sound module, that's a valid live performance use. And if you've had quite a bit of experience you probably have something to say about what is more stable, what is less stable particularly in hardware.
I'm particularly interested if you've had mishaps or lessons learned along the way. Other people can benefit from these types of experiences.
Caleb
Happiness is the hidden behind the obvious.
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- KVRian
- 992 posts since 16 Dec, 2002
I use eXT every week for live sets and love it. The biggest problem I've had is that eXT is only as stable as the least stable VST you use. And for live use, some (otherwise excellent) VSTs just can't cut the mustard. For example Green Oak Crystal is a fantastic free synth but it's just unusable for live use.
As long as you use only select VSTs that you know and can trust live, you can't go wrong with eXT for live use. In fact, there's nothing out there that compares, in my opinion.
As long as you use only select VSTs that you know and can trust live, you can't go wrong with eXT for live use. In fact, there's nothing out there that compares, in my opinion.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4143 posts since 7 Sep, 2001 from Melbourne, Australia
Cool db - you probably have some great tips on getting the most out of a live setup with eXT then.
I'm very interested in hearing about your experiences.
I had a feeling synths like Crystal would be a little too much. Do you ever get around it at all by sampling your favourite patches for the eXT sampler or anything like that? I imagine that would be one way in getting the wonders of Crystal in your live act somewhat.
If Crystal has a problem, I'm wondering if WusikStation makes a great alternative? This is meant to be a very low CPU synth/sampler so could make up some of the different for live use.
Caleb
I'm very interested in hearing about your experiences.
I had a feeling synths like Crystal would be a little too much. Do you ever get around it at all by sampling your favourite patches for the eXT sampler or anything like that? I imagine that would be one way in getting the wonders of Crystal in your live act somewhat.
If Crystal has a problem, I'm wondering if WusikStation makes a great alternative? This is meant to be a very low CPU synth/sampler so could make up some of the different for live use.
Caleb
Happiness is the hidden behind the obvious.
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- KVRian
- 992 posts since 16 Dec, 2002
Truthfully, when I need a live sample player, I usually turn to rgc:audio's free sfz. I own Awave, so I'm able to easily convert things into SF2 format to load into sfz.
I never really miss Crystal. As great as it is, there are so many other great VSTs out there, and my primary needs are the ability to respond to MIDI cc's in realtime, so I can 'play' the synths like I would outboard synths. This is where a lot of VSTis and VSTs fall down - they can't handle simultaneously tweaking controls while generating sound in realtime.
Ironically, the Synthedit VSTs seem to be among the most stable for live use, although they are usually not as efficient CPU-wise. But there are plenty of other VSTs that are also good for live use.
I never really miss Crystal. As great as it is, there are so many other great VSTs out there, and my primary needs are the ability to respond to MIDI cc's in realtime, so I can 'play' the synths like I would outboard synths. This is where a lot of VSTis and VSTs fall down - they can't handle simultaneously tweaking controls while generating sound in realtime.
Ironically, the Synthedit VSTs seem to be among the most stable for live use, although they are usually not as efficient CPU-wise. But there are plenty of other VSTs that are also good for live use.
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- KVRian
- 992 posts since 16 Dec, 2002
Oh, and Wusikstation also seems very good for live use as well, although I must admit I haven't pushed it very hard.
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- KVRist
- 308 posts since 11 Feb, 2004 from Sydney
I'm using Tassman, Lounge Lizard, Oddity, B4 and SymptohmPE live. All of them are very stable, however, some Tassman patches can be a bit too CPU intensive.
One big problem I have had is eliminating buzzes from the audio outputs of the pc. I have just bought an audio isolation transformer, to go between the pc and amp and it's completely fixed all the buzzes (both 50Hz and digital CPU noise).
Here's a screenshot of one of my setups:
Very simple, but for me, the main thing is that everything is going to work solidly, and not having to play with the computer to change things around.
The first channelizer sends everything on midi channel 1 to the synths, for note and CC control. The second sends everything on channel 2 to the mixer and effects (Tassman), and I use my control surface to mix the instruments and vary effect levels.
eXT is great for this stuff. It's far more flexible than any hardware synths I've ever used.
One big problem I have had is eliminating buzzes from the audio outputs of the pc. I have just bought an audio isolation transformer, to go between the pc and amp and it's completely fixed all the buzzes (both 50Hz and digital CPU noise).
Here's a screenshot of one of my setups:
Very simple, but for me, the main thing is that everything is going to work solidly, and not having to play with the computer to change things around.
The first channelizer sends everything on midi channel 1 to the synths, for note and CC control. The second sends everything on channel 2 to the mixer and effects (Tassman), and I use my control surface to mix the instruments and vary effect levels.
eXT is great for this stuff. It's far more flexible than any hardware synths I've ever used.
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- KVRist
- 423 posts since 22 Jul, 2004
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- KVRist
- 308 posts since 11 Feb, 2004 from Sydney
Hi. I bought this one from Jaycar in Australia:adds2one wrote:James, do you reccomend a particular audio isolation transformer?
http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=AA3085. Not sure who the manufacturer is. I assume it's a bit of a cheap and cheerful one (only $20AU), but I've done some listening tests and I can't hear much of a reduction in frequency response or dynamic range.
I've heard there are similar transformers that cost up to $200 (jasefos on the LaptopMozart yahoogroup pointed me to one), but the $20 one works fine, especially in a live situation where no one is going to be able to tell if the frequency response is rolling off at 16kHz instead of 20kHz
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4143 posts since 7 Sep, 2001 from Melbourne, Australia
James,
Do you use your setup just for playing keyboards live - or are you also using an external sequencer to trigger the sounds?
Also - do you find latency a problem?
What sound card/device do you use with your setup?
What hardware in general?
Caleb
Do you use your setup just for playing keyboards live - or are you also using an external sequencer to trigger the sounds?
Also - do you find latency a problem?
What sound card/device do you use with your setup?
What hardware in general?
Caleb
Happiness is the hidden behind the obvious.
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- KVRist
- 308 posts since 11 Feb, 2004 from Sydney
hey CalebCaleb wrote: Do you use your setup just for playing keyboards live - or are you also using an external sequencer to trigger the sounds?
Also - do you find latency a problem?
What sound card/device do you use with your setup?
What hardware in general?
Caleb
I'm just using a 88 note keyboard with a PC1600x control surface. No sequences at this stage, just playing live keyboards with jazz and funk bands. But I'd love to learn how to use the 'live' feature in eXT when I get time!
Latency is no probs at all. I'm using an M-Audio 2496 PCI card inside a Shuttle P4 2.6GHz with 512MB RAM. I run it at under 10mS latency. 10mS is the time it takes sound to travel 3.4m, so it doesn't worry me at all.
Have you done any live things with eXT? Others?
james
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4143 posts since 7 Sep, 2001 from Melbourne, Australia
Ah - so you're not using a laptop at all.
Does anyone use EnergyXT with a laptop as a live solution? Is it wise? Is it folly?
I've never done any live performing at all. The closest I've got to live performance is playing a church organ for church masses and presentation nights and some karaoke singing. I LOVE singing.
I wonder if setting up a rackmounted PC with a good low-latency card like an M-Audio is the best solution for live performance these days.
Caleb
Does anyone use EnergyXT with a laptop as a live solution? Is it wise? Is it folly?
I've never done any live performing at all. The closest I've got to live performance is playing a church organ for church masses and presentation nights and some karaoke singing. I LOVE singing.
I wonder if setting up a rackmounted PC with a good low-latency card like an M-Audio is the best solution for live performance these days.
Caleb
Happiness is the hidden behind the obvious.