Some questions about getting started with Laptop

[stefandisgust]

Hey there friends!

I've always carried my FirePod in my rack with my head for convenience sake...

That being said...I started thinking about how I could incorporate my laptop into my live bass setup.

My Macbook has Logic, and all sorts of Line 6 stuff in it. I usually use Firewire when recording (from the Firepod to the Macbook)

Could I use all 3 things to saaayy..... have a digital set of effects? Would I need to run Ableton or something like that?

Not looking for opinions on digital vs. Analoge and those never-ending arguements though...

THANKS GUYS!

[seamonkey]

Stefan Lessard uses a mac on stage. Find videos on youtube for idea.
There's other video's of people using IK stuff on youtube.

Give IK Multimedia Amplitube FREE a try
It comes with some good free models and effects, but you can try anything from the Custom Shop for a couple days. There are many other choices that are totally amazing these days.

Modelers, etc. usually have a standalone mode so you don't need a DAW,
Unless you want to do a lot of automation.
Or if you want to also add some backing tracks.
Then a DAW really becomes a part of your music.

I use a regular PC laptop, software from Native Instruments, IK, Peavey, Ableton, Cakewalk, .... I don't know what Mac has or offers.

PC or Mac doesn't matter, when you hit the icon and the software starts up, it's all the same. Actually, when the PC boots all my stuff automatically starts. I don't even see windows.

I've been looking to go to an iPad next.

[Hactar]

Using modeling and/or plugins patched through a DAW is certainly certainly doable with your current setup.

Amplitube, Revalver, Guitar Rig 5, are all fairly useful, and all have a standalone mode, negating the need for a DAW.

If you want to go the a la carte plugins route, you can use Logic, Ableton Live, Reaper, etc. There are a huge number of free plugins available.

The main thing to be aware of is latency. Assuming your computer is of fairly decent specs, you should have no problem playing live.

[uhdinator]

Main Stage is designed for live use. Logic should work too. One track with some effects/plugins shouldn't give you latency if your Mac is fairly strong and can run it with 32 or 64 buffer size.

http://www.google.com/search?q=mains...&client=safari

[oniman7]

One thing I would caution: maybe buy a line splitter and a couple cheap tuning pedals or something. Keep an analog line and a digital line and whichever one you're not using, mute. That way, if something goes wrong with the digital line, you can switch to analog.

I'm a huge computer fan. But computers fail. I would go this route if you have the money, at least until you get familiar with what you're working.

Or at least have a backup plan to immediately go to the rig if you can live without the digital effects in the case of a failure.

Otherwise, my Dell XPS can run and monitor programs without any latency when using the ASIO4ALL sound driver. I have to imagine that a nicer laptop could run even more.

Best of luck to you! I expect sound clips either way

[stefandisgust]

Thank you for all the replies, guys. I'm going to give this a try today. I'd love to just start with a standalone program first and then get into the whole DAW way of doing things.

As far as signal chain....

Bass>(some sort of morley splitter)>Firepod>MACBOOK>Amp Correct?

[Hactar]

Ermm, you'd probably be better off running the output through the firepod and then to the amp.

[stefandisgust]

That's where I get a little confused. I always see these floorboard controllers for these things... Id like to have have one. I mainly wanna just have effects to use.

[stefandisgust]

Okay. I've got AmpliTube rockin! I really dig it. Here's the deal, though. I really only just wanna use it for effects. Will any ol' midi controller work? Some of them look a bit expensive :/

[seamonkey]

Yes, including the behringer
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FCB1010