Anyone using a Midi bass and/or using a laptop for FX?

[Waterpilot]

Originally Posted by M Sterling

The problem was when I attempted to run hardware pedals in the inserts of ableton. Each new insert added significant latency and more settings needed to be adjusted to find a happy medium. It was nice to have control of pedal order by dragging and dropping and It works beautifully in the studio. But live, I can't deal with any latency at all.*

Originally Posted by twocargar

I recently upgraded to a faster Mac, but am still having latency issues when I try to run my rig as an effects unit too.

Originally Posted by behndy

yah. LIS, i've had issues with latency with some effects even with very fast comps.

Latency seems to be a common theme. I don't know anything about what you're trying to do but this alone would give me pause...

Originally Posted by MSUsousaphone

I for sure wouldn't be able to test the waters, first....or at least without the expense of the Timeline, Schism, Octron, and Unpleasant Surprise. Wifey and I have a rule where I can add in fund money to paypal on my bday or other special occasions, but all flippage has to come from my paypal account and I can't just use our monies any time I want something. A good rule, actually. Keeps me grounded. But the fund is at about $200 and I don't have anything at home that can run and handle that stuff.

Originally Posted by behndy

hurm. another thing to keep in mind is any laptop is going to have NO resale/trade value. specs change so often that you'd be lucky to get half what you paid for on a hot laptop 6 months later. same with software.

Now this is something I do know a little about. Both the computer and software industry are running so fast that it's practically impossible to get your money back out. I've bought used pedals from the 80's and 90's that still work fantastic. No software compatibility issues, no stalls or blue screens... Can't say the same about computers. You can of course constantly upgrade your components and software but that's money that won't be coming from a virtual trade.

[DeltaPhoenix]

I kind of think Sousa would do well with the Roland VB-99. It is solid and proven, It has tons of effects, like the ones that Sousa would be replacing (trem, phaser, filters,multiple delays, reverb, on and on), stuff he wants like polyphonic octaves and pitch shifting, with plenty of parameters to control on them all. It can do complicated signals (parallel, etc) his dirt pedals would easily fit in (especially in the parallel signal).
Plus the virtually no latency synths, a dedicated user forum for when he gets a bit stuck when first learning and to swap patches with people.
PLUS there is one for sale on here with the footcontroller and pickup for 60% of new, and it is in great shape.


edit: Damn, now I am pondering selling everything effects related that I have for this sucker...better not...

[MSUsousaphone]

I'll have to check that out. That would be more of a pedal for pedal swap than a completely changing directions, thing. But the resell on that puppy does not seem all that good, either.

[DeltaPhoenix]

It is a hard call.
It is a niche unit.
I think the guy selling it priced it a little low (good for buyer). Resale couldn't go any lower really.
I'd suggest that it does trump virtually pedal rigs. You can run 3 effects chains at a time with it, more likely switch between effects chains by pushing a button with your hand, on your bass. then push a footswitch and change the effects chains.
It adds the visual element with the V-Beam and ribbon control.
Plus you have synth bass that tracks fantastically and no latency virtually, no synth pedal can touch it. You could do that Muse sound that you wanted very easily.
There is a ton more that it can do.

[JCRob]

Originally Posted by DeltaPhoenix

I kind of think Sousa would do well with the Roland VB-99. It is solid and proven, It has tons of effects, like the ones that Sousa would be replacing (trem, phaser, filters,multiple delays, reverb, on and on), stuff he wants like polyphonic octaves and pitch shifting, with plenty of parameters to control on them all. It can do complicated signals (parallel, etc) his dirt pedals would easily fit in (especially in the parallel signal).
Plus the virtually no latency synths, a dedicated user forum for when he gets a bit stuck when first learning and to swap patches with people.
PLUS there is one for sale on here with the footcontroller and pickup for 60% of new, and it is in great shape.

edit: Damn, now I am pondering selling everything effects related that I have for this sucker...better not...

+1

Been using it for 1 1/2 years, and is so much that I've had to learn more about effects and signal chains just to keep up with it...

[twocargar]

To be fair, I am using a 5 year old Mac (that I got for free--just paid a few bones for some RAM) and an older version of Logic/Mainstage that I also got for free. I'm pretty certain if I had a brand new Macbook or iMac in my case, I would not have the limitations I have now.

I usually try to go as cheap as possible. My 'new' iMac replaced an almost 10 year old Powerbook G4 which was running my bass pedal rig with no issues. It was way too slow to run as an effects rig.

Originally Posted by Waterpilot

Latency seems to be a common theme. I don't know anything about what you're trying to do but this alone would give me pause...


Now this is something I do know a little about. Both the computer and software industry are running so fast that it's practically impossible to get your money back out. I've bought used pedals from the 80's and 90's that still work fantastic. No software compatibility issues, no stalls or blue screens... Can't say the same about computers. You can of course constantly upgrade your components and software but that's money that won't be coming from a virtual trade.

[DeltaPhoenix]

Okay, my VB-99 arrived as well as the GK-3B. I plugged in last and WOW. I have used Roland stuff before so I get how ther presets are, some good, some okay, and a decent amount of blah. The Good presets went into amazing territory. I was digging playing on one called ChilliP, yup a Chilli Peppers preset. A MusicMan bass and a Strat with the right amount of gain to sound just like BloodSugarSexMagic era Chilli Peppers, I was Jamming on "Suck My Kiss". The digital dirt sounded good on the presets with guitars. I was not really into any of the VB-99s gain applied to the bass. I was not expecting to be though, there was one preset with gain on the bass that sounded alright. I have definately not checked out the different types of dirt in the effects section, so there may be a sound or two that I like in it, I didn't buy it for dirt though...
Tracking is great, pretty much no latency. I haven't even set the machine for the pickup placement yet, so I am sure it will get better too. There are some good sounding synths, some that were okay and some that kind of sucked. Presets, I know... I am certain that I can end up with quite a few that I like. There is one that had a filter on the V Beam that I was able to get that DubStep Wobble on, I am not obsessed with that but it is cool to know that is in there. I heard one of the 20 slicer patterns lastnight, it sounded nice and lush. Octave down was great, pitch shifting sounded great. The stand-up acoustic basses, some good, some ehh. I doubt that I would use a stand-up bass patch in my rock band but the option is there.
Anyways, I did only run through the presets, so I have only scratched the surface. I am happy with the VB-99, I can see a ton of potential with it.

[JCRob]

And the journey begins...

Enjoy my friend!!!!!

[JCRob]

Reviving this old thread... Here's a demo of me playing keys in my bass!!

http://youtu.be/KJaOOGXpG2Q

Comment!

[Mike Flynn]

Hey guys - I just Googled using Macbook as Bass FX unit and it's something I've been working on for a year or so - I'm basically running it all through my MBP 13" but I've just got hold of my ideal soundcard - the RME Babyface - which has pretty much killed any latency issues I was having - anyway I'll try and post a more detailed run through of my set up - but here are a few vids of me using the set up to play synths at the same time as running a separate channel for the bass with Guitar Rig 4 on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxn-H...E2u1XwMMicv6ag

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxDb7_KWma0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0WrGEX6u8A

Hope you dig - more on the way soon

Mike

[Punkybasil]

this is very impressive stuff guys. Mike, more info about your setup please! youre using an i2m and youve nailed the latency, AND you use a 5string (isnt this holy grail territory?)? amazed.