I’m in the process of re-building my live synth setup around Gig Performer for more flexibility. The main use case is playing live in a trio context with drums and bass/guitar.
My current setup consists of:
Sequential Rev 2 (main keys)
Sequential Pro 3 (bass and sequences)
Oxi One (arranger + sequencer)
Strymon Volante (delay)
Empress (reverb)
Mackie VLZ1204 (mixer)
What I want to use Gig Performer for, is:
Integrate virtual instruments (E.g. Piano)
Flexible instrument routing (e.g. sequencing a virtual Piano, playing virtual instruments with the REV2 keyboard, etc…)
Flexible effects routing (Currently REV2 directly plays through Volante and Empress, would be great to be able to route other instruments to each or both of them)
Simpler switching between song parts and songs, orchestrating program changes for all instruments and effects
Level control of all instruments per song/part
Now, the big question is, should I go with a digital mixer or an interface and which one?
Requirements:
10 line-ins
6 line-outs
Level, mute and ideally routing control from Gig Performer (MIDI or OSC)
Rack mountable, ideally light and portable
Currently participating in the race for best GP interface:
RME Fireface 802 FS (1u, 1550€, fully controllable via OSC/MIDI?)
Behringer XR18 (3u, 365€, fully controllable via OSC)
Behringer X32 Rack (3u, 728€, fully controllable via OSC)
What are your thoughts and experiences in regards to playing live with mixers and/or audio interfaces, which devices would you choose or add to the list?
Cool! A lot to get into. I guess you have a love for hardware analog synths. Interestingly, it is one of the areas where when many have replaced hardware with physically modeled synths (hosted by GP). (I know you know that).
I do not have much to add in terms of audio interface/mixer.
I think the interesting issue is navigating retro analog synths. Are there some functions that are missing, which would exist in newer hardware?
I guess one tiny point (of many) is, I think you would ordinarily want to turn “local off” on your hardware synths and then run them though GP so you can use GP effects. (You don’t have to go this route, but I think it is generally considered preferable.)
Can you turn local off on those synths?
Do your keyboards accept program changes messages from outside? (You might need to study their midi implementation).
Those are just a few of many issues you would need to work through. But, ultimately, I have no doubt GP is the right tool for the job.
Yes, exactly. I like the hardware stuff for improvising with sounds during performances and also for jamming/songwriting, it just feels more immediate.
The midi and audio routing stuff (including program changes) as depicted in the rig images is working already (with local control off on the synths), tested that with a small focusrite interface.
A little annoying is the buggy midi usb implementation in the Pro 3 which Sequential doesn’t bother to fix though known for years. Thus I have to run the Pro3 via DIN Midi alongside the Empress reverb which doesn’t have USB.
The focusrite doesn’t have enough inputs for the synths + effect returns + in ear monitoring (5 stereo inputs) and it is not controllable via Midi/OSC, thus the quest for a better solution with solid stability for live.
My only comment on the wiring diagram is that by having the midi constrainer block all MIDI you may end up blocking note off events resulting in stuck notes if you enable it while notes are playing. (Pitch bend returning to neutral and pedals being released could also potentially be a problem.)
I usually use a midi filter instead, and just have it block note-on events when un-bypassed. That can have issues of its own for some plugins, so your mileage my vary.
Thought about the note-off events on routing changes again - letting those always through would mean that notes could be accidentally shortened, right?
E.g. while playing a chord on the Rev2 a note off event from the sequencer could stop a note of the chord if its the same note, right?
Not sure how to solve this yet, seems to be rather a logical problem
