Anyone using a laptop for setlists?

[MrDOS]

I decided it was time to stop killing trees, and have been using my laptop (with a huge font) for the past few weekends.

Has anyone else tried this? I'd love to have an app that would only highlight the next song -- seems we always skip around accidentally whether we are using paper of 17" screen!

I'm just using Excel, and moving the cursor down every 3 or 4 songs.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by MrDOS

I decided it was time to stop killing trees, and have been using my laptop (with a huge font) for the past few weekends.

Has anyone else tried this? I'd love to have an app that would only highlight the next song -- seems we always skip around accidentally whether we are using paper of 17" screen!

I'm just using Excel, and moving the cursor down every 3 or 4 songs.

I am all for being effecient, but i am stll sicking to that peice of paper on the floor. The places I play you do't want to bring any more of your good stuff into than you have too.

[MrDOS]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I am all for being effecient, but i am stll sicking to that peice of paper on the floor. The places I play you do't want to bring any more of your good stuff into than you have too.

...looking for the "Like" button. LOL

[grisezd]

This is probably over the top, but I play in a few bands that have me covering a lot of material that we dont play enough to memorize, and I like to have a little cheat sheet for each song. At least the key, maybe the opening progression, etc. I've thought about doing a Powerpoint document to keep me from flipping through a book. Would be backlit, etc. It's easy to shuffle pages around in PP to adjust the setlist.

[Nev375]

I had the same idea a few weeks ago, but immediately nixed it cause I don't want my expensive laptop in a bar with a bunch of clumsy and curious drunks.

However, now that you mention it again I'm thinkin' it might be a pretty good use for an old obsolete machine with some foam rubber duck-taped to the corners....

[Pilgrim]

This falls under the category of "something may be possible, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea".

Paper is cheap, not subject to expensive damage by being dropped or having a drink spilled on it, matters little if it's stolen, and can be propped or taped onto convenient surfaces. None of these are true of a laptop. I don't really see that it's desirable even though it's certainly possible. There are times when using up some paper is a great idea.

[sleepytime]

Bad idea, done for a silly reason.

[Jazzdogg]

I print a set list, in large type, for every person in the band. A little gaff tape and we're done.

[slaps76]

No way I would do that, for all the obvious reasons listed above.

[StereoPlayer]

I know this is weird...but the vocalist calls off songs as he pleases.

I did try to use a small laptop with short samples....openings of songs, etc

like the jet in the beggining of Back in the USSR., and the ending jet.

The opening of Mexican Radio
The end of Glass Onion.

It worked kinda cool....the rest of the band resisted.

[tooloudalex]

www.planningcenter.com

(hope im not breaking rules with that one)

its a great tool, you click reharse -> music stand -> and push f11 then it will go in whatever order you want.

only downside is you need internet for the music stand, you can download the pdf's (assuming you uploaded them) and it will put them in a single pdf in order you want them

we use it at church all the time

[JohnMCA72]

I saw somewhere online (can't find it, now) where a guy built a wedge-style teleprompter with a laptop inside & an external display on the angled surface of the wedge. He ran PowerPoint on it with his lyrics, etc. The thing looked like a normal wedge sound monitor until you got behind it. Might be a good use for an old/cheap laptop.

[hrodbert696]

I've become skeptical of the whole paperless thing, honestly. All those laptops and electronic devices buzzing away -- not to mention all the servers that you don't see, at a big Google or Yahoo industrial park in New Jersey or somewhere -- are consuming piles of energy that is taking just as much of a toll on the environment as running off a sheet of paper and turning the machine off for the night. Not to mention all the practical reasons others have mentioned for not bringing sensitive, expensive technological devices into a bar...

[Yerf Dog]

Originally Posted by JohnMCA72

I saw somewhere online (can't find it, now) where a guy built a wedge-style teleprompter with a laptop inside & an external display on the angled surface of the wedge. He ran PowerPoint on it with his lyrics, etc.

And then hack the thing and have your singer belt out odd lyrics.

[BobWestbrook]

I've been thinking about using an Ipad for song chord charts

[lsabina]

Originally Posted by MrDOS

I decided it was time to stop killing trees...

Paper IS a renewable resource.

[wemmick]

I think something like the iPad is a better choice than a full laptop. There's a separate thread about using the iPad for charts. (Yes, I know that's more than just the set list solution you discuss.)

[MNAirHead]

I'm really considering to use a Kindle for this.. much stealthier.

Anyone know if there's an affordable version that will accept MIDI?

tim

[DWBass]

We use paper but I'm trying to get our keyboardist going with a basic midi program that will instantly change his patches with every song. Our biggest issue is in waiting for him to change his patches which is a huge no-no in my book! I don't like an idle stage! Just not very professional, IMHO!

Does anyone know of a good program that's easy to install and use?

[rtslinger]

No enough expensive equipment on the stage to have to worry about someone walking away with a laptop