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The "Laptop-based live rig" club

#61
Major_Rager_4MF said:
Hi all, I’m very interested in this topic, so thank you for sharing, but I’m also very naïve about it. For live performance I recently went ampless with IEMs so I’m moving in that direction. I even dabble with a 12 step, with the help of some more technology minded friends haha. But I still have a number of effects pedals, plus an interest in options for amp/cab modeling. I’m finding the next step a little intimidating though: lots of options, and whether it’s hardware or software, experimenting is $$ to $$$$. Any advice for someone making their entree? Which route gives the most options, specifically for bassists? Or best bang for the buck? The floor based modeling processors (helix, tonex, quad cortex)? The laptop/tablet programs with midi controllers (guitar rig pro, amplitude, loopy pro, gig performer, ableton, mainstage, cantabile)? My needs aren’t crazy, just a few effects preferably in parallel (octaves up/down, envelope filter, something synthy, maybe a little drive), some functional stuff (EQ, hpf/lpf, noise gate, compression), and maybe a couple amp models (b15, svt, maybe something darkglass-y). Maybe there is something free or reasonably priced that would get my foot in the door? As I said I’m naïve and I don’t really have all the lingo down (DAWs VSTs plug-ins) so please be merciful lol. Thanks
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I don't use my laptop for bass but I use it for guitar. I'm using my Eleven Rack or my HX Effects for bass.

I already have a Macbook M1 and it comes with a large selection of free plugins and a free DAW (Garageband). I just experimented with those first so I didn't spend any additional money just to check if I like it or not. Result: I like it a lot.

Audio interface is IK Multimedia Axe IO One. Affordable with a section dedicated to guitar/bass. USB-C powered and I wanted midi I/O because I have a foot controller and a Roland eDrums. If you don't have wired midi requirements, I would suggest to have a look at Hotone Jogg as it's also usb-c powered but also 9v as regular pedals. It can also act as an active DI. Axe IO One (and the other two in the family) allows you to take a capture of your current equipment with included Tonex software and play it back within Tonex, Amplitude or any other audio unit host.

Midi foot controller is Tech21 Mongoose but I recently bought an M-Wave Chocolate bluetooth midi foot controller. Cheap and working well.

I'm using Garageband (DAW) for recording or create loops for my personal use. I'm using Loopy HD on Macbook and also use it on my iPhone when I'm using my guitar modelers (Atomic Firebox mk1 and mk2) to replace my looper pedal. I programmed a small 2-button footswitch connected to my Axe IO to control it. Best looper ever IMHO and only $8.

Since Garageband is not supporting midi PC and CC, I'm using Kushview Element (free download). It took me couple of hours to create my signal flow and midi mapping. I'm finally using my M-Wave bluetooth to control it as I can map short/long PC or CC messages, so doubling the available footswitches. It's battery powered and bluetooth, so no cables, small and very convenient.

Here's the Graph of my free Audio Unit guitar setup (sounds incredible):
433005829-aaadf429-c7b0-40ea-aca5-bdf1d4fb54c0.png


So in theory I haven't spend any money as I already had the laptop, the audio interface, the midi foot controller and Macbook is coming with plugins. I downloaded 3rd party free plugins to complement my setup (tuner, wah, tube screamer, amp sims and IR loader).

If I wanted to gig that setup, I would get a 2-space rack case (that I already have) and a 1u sliding shelf on which I would velcro my MacBook and my audio interface. I would play with the lid closed so the laptop would be inside the case for security, and the input for the audio interface accessible from the front.

BTW, I would never gig with a Windows laptop. I have one provided for my job and it's a total PITA with all the notifications, patches and reboots.
 
#62
Naigewron said:
It's 2025 - How many have abandoned physical rigs, amps, floorboards and pedals and moved to the ultra-digital realm of using a laptop rig live (and elsewhere)?

Let's share experiences, tips and tricks.

I'm just getting into this world permanently now, but it's been moving this way for a few years.

My rig has gotten more and more digital over the past decade, with fewer and fewer individual pedals and components.

Last year I ended up with a Helix Floor straight to FoH as my entire rig, moving up from an HX Stomp with external pedals and an optional amp, and this year I finally made the last step and went for a full laptop-based rig. So now I have the exact same setup and tones available in my home studio (using the laptop as my studio machine) as I do when playing live or recording in other studios (routing my audio interface straight to the desk), and as a bonus my studio is now super portable as well (no more big and bulky desktop computer).

Side note: I've already used plugins for my live synth rig for 1-2 years, so from that perspective it made even more sense to just adapt my bass and guitar rig to that setup, to minimise the amount of gear I have to maintain and lug around. The Helix is huge and heavy.

The biggest part of making this transition seamless was that Line6 offers the Helix as a full-featured plugin, which no other modeler does. So I was up and running with all my core tones straight out of the box; I just had to set up the laptop. Using Gig Performer as my VST host and virtual rack, and a simple Arturia interface for traveling (leaving my main one at home).

The rig had its first real test yesterday in a studio session, and it performed flawlessly. Very eager to test it out live once I get it even more properly set up, and get a MIDI footswitch added to the setup.

Looking at one of the Morningstar MIDI footswitches, preferrably the MC6 Pro, but that's not decided yet. I figure I'll let the rig live like this for a little while and see what my needs are, since I don't have any gigs lines up at the moment.

Current specs:
- Laptop: Macbook Air M1 (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)
- Travel interface: Arturia Minifuse 1
- Keyboard controller: Arturia Minilab 3
- Plugin host: Gig Performer 5
- Main bass/guitar tone plugin: Line6 Helix Native

View attachment 7144474

View attachment 7144473
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“I was for a while, a laptop straight into FOH. Now it's a small pedal board into FOH and that's it.”

1745264871272.jpeg
 
#63
DonaldR said:
I would never gig with a Windows laptop. I have one provided for my job and it's a total PITA with all the notifications, patches and reboots
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True. Even with a Macbook I had a macro setup to turn off all non-music services when gigging. And turned off the accelerometer that would park the spinny HD's head if too much bass was present (like on stage).

Shound't need that with SSD drives tho.
 
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#64
Probably age showing.....walked out on a good band after year together cause BL insisted on computer for "missing" parts. Keyboard, wind instruments whatever

They work steady but now w a digital bass and drummer. And sound it. No soul for my ears. Nothing but Karaoke

I know , get off my lawn but school I from
 
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#65
Not yet said:
Probably age showing.....walked out on a good band after year together cause BL insisted on computer for "missing" parts. Keyboard, wind instruments whatever

They work steady but now w a digital bass and drummer. And sound it. No soul for my ears. Nothing but Karaoke

I know , get off my lawn but school I from
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Hopefully this thread is to replace amp, cab and effects, not the player ;)
 
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#68
So I finally bought the Crumar Mojo 13 pedals and that means I am now 1 USB port short on my MBP 14 for mu MIDI devices. What are you all using for power hubs? I'm thinking about a CalDigit, and wanted to check before buying. I will have a Clarett 2Pre, Yamaha CP73, Novation MKIII 61, and the Crumar's to run though my MBP with Mainstage. Might throw on a small 25 key MIDI board down the road. Appreciate any thoughts.
 
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#71
TedH said:
So I finally bought the Crumar Mojo 13 pedals and that means I am now 1 USB port short on my MBP 14 for mu MIDI devices. What are you all using for power hubs? I'm thinking about a CalDigit, and wanted to check before buying. I will have a Clarett 2Pre, Yamaha CP73, Novation MKIII 61, and the Crumar's to run though my MBP with Mainstage. Might throw on a small 25 key MIDI board down the road. Appreciate any thoughts.
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My rig consists of
2x Crumar Mojo Pedals
2x Radial USB Pro Interfaces (1 Stereo/1 Mono Bass)
1x M-Audio Oxygen Pro 61
1x Logidy UMI-3

I use and highly recommend this one by Anker. It powers my entire rig and never let me down.
 
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