How many folk here play live sets with (mainly) live drum/synth synthysis

[DVNT]

I think there is a big confusion arising from the Ableton 'Live' name of the software and the term DJ Name (Live)

Everyone is going to have a different level of what they consistute as live. A bit like music genres and that.

[fatcollective]

my mates is an amazing guitar player and has some really good fx pedals, thinking of getting him to jam along sometime time see how it works!

[RDR]

my mates is an amazing guitar player and has some really good fx pedals, thinking of getting him to jam along sometime time see how it works!

Sounds good man, I love working with other musicians live, ive worked with bassists and vocals before now and it was wicked!

[acidsaturation]

Sounds good man, I love working with other musicians live, ive worked with bassists and vocals before now and it was wicked!

I've had some fun doing that, putting live guitars instead of the samples I usually use... Unfortunately went back to samples mostly, 'cos creative as my mate's playing was, a couple of pints and his timing went well shoddy

As for live, and being a hardware luddite, I run with 2 electribes playing their own loops, and my RM1-x doing the body of a tune sequencing loops on various other bits and bobs and mix and match that all together... I have the tunes set up in my head, and they are written as tunes that follow a pattern, but I can move bits about, extend a section if folk are liking it, or move on if they don't etc...

As said before, doing what I do, how I do it I think that is as live as I can with my set up and abilities...

Do still think my multi-coloured cable spaghetti is more visually interesting than a lap-top even if I really do need to get a driving licence and a large van very soon...

[RDR]

I've had some fun doing that, putting live guitars instead of the samples I usually use... Unfortunately went back to samples mostly, 'cos creative as my mate's playing was, a couple of pints and his timing went well shoddy

As for live, and being a hardware luddite, I run with 2 electribes playing their own loops, and my RM1-x doing the body of a tune sequencing loops on various other bits and bobs and mix and match that all together... I have the tunes set up in my head, and they are written as tunes that follow a pattern, but I can move bits about, extend a section if folk are liking it, or move on if they don't etc...

As said before, doing what I do, how I do it I think that is as live as I can with my set up and abilities...

Do still think my multi-coloured cable spaghetti is more visually interesting than a lap-top even if I really do need to get a driving licence and a large van very soon...

Thats the thing isnt it, a laptop looks horrible as musical device... even im embaressed about it, and its mine.

LOL

[davethedrummer]

my mates is an amazing guitar player and has some really good fx pedals, thinking of getting him to jam along sometime time see how it works!

it'll sound like guitar verses techno mark my words
no good will come of it
do not cross the streams

[dirty_bass]

it'll sound like guitar verses techno mark my words
no good will come of it
do not cross the streams

I agree, guitars and techno just don`t work, in fact, it sucks.

Only people who ever really got it almost right was cubanate.

[rhythmtech]

I agree, guitars and techno just don`t work, in fact, it sucks.

Only people who ever really got it almost right was cubanate.

agreed... and chris mccromack

[dirty_bass]

agreed... and chris mccromack

Well, I didn`t even think erase techno needed a mention.
That`s the only truly working techno and distorted guitar record.
You could start to mention industrial, but then it`s more song structured, and the percussion isn`t the main element, so their is more room for the guitar
ala young gods
nitzer
chem lab
psychopomps
yada ydada

[TechMouse]

@Tocsin: I can see what you're getting at, but really you're saying that for you the ability to play an instrument (i.e. some level of virtuosity) is a requirement for a "Live PA".

I don't hold with such a requirement. Virtuosity is basically a motor skill at the end of the day. A commendable one, and I'm a sucker for a good musician on any level, but there is much more to performance than the ability to play an instrument.

For me, doing a Live PA is similar to conducting an orchestra - you have a range of different instruments at your command. Much of it has to be pre-prepared. Many of the notes have to be at least pattern sequenced, and unless you're Tim Exile all of your samples will be pre-recorded. Your job is to marshal all of this stuff together into something that's at least listenable. You can make this as easy or as difficult as you like - but make it too easy and it's incredibly boring for both you and the crowd.

Have it set up so there is some flexibility how you navigate around your material, so you can detour in different directions as the mood takes you, and you're on to a winner.

This is something I'm thinking about a lot at the moment.

[rhythmtech]

@Tocsin: I can see what you're getting at, but really you're saying that for you the ability to play an instrument (i.e. some level of virtuosity) is a requirement for a "Live PA".

I don't hold with such a requirement. Virtuosity is basically a motor skill at the end of the day. A commendable one, and I'm a sucker for a good musician on any level, but there is much more to performance than the ability to play an instrument.

For me, doing a Live PA is similar to conducting an orchestra - you have a range of different instruments at your command. Much of it has to be pre-prepared. Many of the notes have to be at least pattern sequenced, and unless you're Tim Exile all of your samples will be pre-recorded. Your job is to marshal all of this stuff together into something that's at least listenable. You can make this as easy or as difficult as you like - but make it too easy and it's incredibly boring for both you and the crowd.

Have it set up so there is some flexibility how you navigate around your material, so you can detour in different directions as the mood takes you, and you're on to a winner.

This is something I'm thinking about a lot at the moment.

exactly.. i play a ton of instruments from electronic to acoustic but it doesnt mean i wanna use them in a pa. far to busy with other stuff

as steve said, the sound is paramount

[tocsin]

@Tocsin: I can see what you're getting at, but really you're saying that for you the ability to play an instrument (i.e. some level of virtuosity) is a requirement for a "Live PA".

I wouldn't say it's a "requirement." It's just my opinion on it. "Live" is something I've always held as meaning that there is a chance of mistake. Kind of like a trapese artist in a sense. It's personal opinion, but not any "requirement" I'm throwing out there. I've found plenty of "live" Ableton or Traktor sets quite enjoyable. You won't find me badgering someone over whether or not they actually played "live."

[davethedrummer]

I wouldn't say it's a "requirement." It's just my opinion on it. "Live" is something I've always held as meaning that there is a chance of mistake. Kind of like a trapese artist in a sense. It's personal opinion, but not any "requirement" I'm throwing out there. I've found plenty of "live" Ableton or Traktor sets quite enjoyable. You won't find me badgering someone over whether or not they actually played "live."

thats way too many apostrophes for my liking

[acidsaturation]

For me, doing a Live PA is similar to conducting an orchestra - you have a range of different instruments at your command. Much of it has to be pre-prepared. Many of the notes have to be at least pattern sequenced, and unless you're Tim Exile all of your samples will be pre-recorded. Your job is to marshal all of this stuff together into something that's at least listenable. You can make this as easy or as difficult as you like - but make it too easy and it's incredibly boring for both you and the crowd.

Kind of how I've always described it.