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Anybody else going all software?

#101
I'm going about 50/50 hardware/software and should be done with my setup in the next 2 weeks or so. I'm using an Axe-Fx ultra for all of my amp modeling, time-based, and modulation needs. My Nord G2 Engine handles most of the synth and external filtering. I'm using my Macbook (non-pro) right now but I have a Mac Mini on the way that I'll be mounting in the rack. It's going to run Ableton 8. Then I'll have a MOTU Ultralite Mk3 that will be used as a firewire interface and mixer w/ effects. Since all of the mixing, synthesis, and amp modeling won't require any of the Mac's processing power, it'll be free to run pretty sizable VST's. I'm going to be running the StringPort for my pitch->MIDI needs. It converts pitch->USB 2.0 which I'll then convert to MIDI. That will definitely be loads faster than pitch->MIDI could possibly be and get my latency down to about 5ms, maybe even less.
 
#102
JimmyM said:
Justin wanted to use Mainstage but he bailed. The other guys were using it but he stuck with pedals and a MIDI switcher. Somewhere in there he mentioned why, but darned if I can find it.
Click to expand...

Gotcha.
Once the holidays are past, I'm thinking of going down this road.
But I'd like to know why he bailed on it. I'm gonna PM him and find out.

I'm WAY busy this time of year (big production at church, corp gigs etc...) so I'm not ready to let it loose on the big gigs yet.
But I will give it a shot.

I'm going to mainly use it to give me options with different amp models and some basic effects.
Nothing crazy.

edit:
Found it!:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=524834&highlight=mainstage
 
#104
Well since I last posted in this thread , lots of water went under the bridge!

I recently acquired a MacbookPro and the difference in processing power between that and what I had then is phenomenal. (cost me a lot too! )

I tried a different way since ; the VB99.
Since pitch to MIDi for bass is totaly useless , it's the only thing that I tried that really works to have "synthish" bass sounds.

I also have a RMC Fanout box and tried to process the 5 independant strings in DP through my 828MK3. The latency is at par with the VB99 (+-7ms)
I don't have a gig now that requires that kind of flexibility (VB99 is plenty) but it's fun to know that I can process the 5 strings in real time without latency and without bringing the CPU to it's knees!

Real fun all this world of plugins !
 
#106
jufros said:
I'm going to be running the StringPort for my pitch->MIDI needs. It converts pitch->USB 2.0 which I'll then convert to MIDI.
Click to expand...


If you find a way to convert Pitch to MIDI that is usable in real time , in the software world please let me know. I'm looking for this too.
I have a VB99 and tried everything on earth ,pitch to MIDI wise ,without success......
(meaning play real bass line in real bass register on a real bass)
 
#108
I'm pretty sure the StringPort is going to be the ticket. USB 2.0 should be plenty fast. You'd be more limited by how fast your computer can convert USB -> MIDI rather than how fast your hardware can convert pitch -> MIDI.
 
#110
Glad I've found this thread-I've been considering this for a while...I'm a bass player FIRST and then a producer but I'm finding I can get SO many great sounds out of building my own racks in Ableton Live (which, if you're going to play live I have to suggest you get Software that is designed to do it-not trying to start a war but I find Ableton WAY more reliable than Pro Tool in this kind of situation).

I've even found that I can build rigs that I NEVER could have/would be so expensive and inflexible for the spec that it wouldn't be worth it...

Will it sound as good as the Hellborg Rig? Maybe not...will anyone care? Probably not...!
 
#112
jufros said:
Haha. Yeah the problem is that I can't find any software that's fast enough.
Click to expand...

I use DP , and with the buffer set at 64 , I have the latency of the VB99 (7ms) and enough CPU power for my bass needs.

Any software that you can set the buffer will do.
On the other side , the plugins do make a big difference , some add lots latency (Altiverb) some don't.

EDIT; You're probably gonna have those latency numbers with the StringPort. With the Ultralite ,your still gonna have your bass sound even if the CPU crashes.....(CuemixFX)
 
#115
jufros said:
What software do you use to convert pitch -> MIDI?
Click to expand...

None , like I said , if you find something please tell me what it is. (answer #106)

I process the audio of the 5 strings independently , in Digital Performer with Audio plugins. I do this with a GK pickup (Graphtech)wich is basicaly one pickup per string , and an RMC Fanout box in my 828mk3.
The advantage of processing the strings independently is that you can do chords , dead notes, etc... stuff impossible to do when you use 1 output.
Ever tried a chord or a 10th on a Boss OC2 ?
That's why I said that the VB99 is the only thing that really works so far , for bass......

EDIT:
Apart from the Fanout box;http://www.rmcpickup.com/fanoutbox.html
There is also this ; Link Removed
 
#116
finally got the chance to hook it all up today and give it a whirl. I enjoyed being able to have a variety of options. I was able to mess around with multiple different effects that I've wanted to try but didn't want to spend the money on the pedals. Very cool, I can't believe that I had everything I needed to do this but never realized that I could. I bought this stuff for recording only. I'm thinking about getting a MIDI control pedal and see where it takes me.
 
#117
Any thoughts on live VST hosts? I think I'm going to go with Logic's Main Stage 2. I downloaded the demo version of Ableton and it can't sync to external equipment at all. All of the clock values are completely whacky.
 
#118
jufros said:
Any thoughts on live VST hosts? I think I'm going to go with Logic's Main Stage 2. I downloaded the demo version of Ableton and it can't sync to external equipment at all. All of the clock values are completely whacky.
Click to expand...

As a "Heads up" , Main Stage is AU and not VST.
Digital Performer works very well for me.
Lots of people use Live.
 
#120
This page ?
Invalid Link Removed

They say AU only....


Some are making VST to AU wrapper , like audio ease for DP , maybe you can find some that works in Main Stage
 

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