New to live performance

So, I'm really, really new to this whole live performance thing. I've been using FL Studio to produce music for 7 years now, but I don't really know the first thing about live stuff. I tried to wing it with Ableton in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTVigy8jq2I

I don't really know what I'm doing, because my gear is limited and I've not got much experience with it. I've relied on production for the majority of my time making music, and I'm just now dabbling in performance.

This is the gear I have:

- M-Audio Keystation 49e

- Saffire Pro 14

- AKAI LPD8

- Korg Nanokontrol 2

- Korg Kaoss Pad Quad

- Novation Launchpad

I'm giving a presentation/demonstration about computers in music for my college's performing arts expo in April, so I need to get the hang of this.

What kind of mixer do I need?

Do I need a mixer at all?

Those of you that perform regularly, do you have a lot of physical gear or is most of it digital effects and stuff that you control via MIDI?

How do you organize your live set in Ableton/whatever you use without it getting crazily disorganized?

How do you transport your gear?

Do you usually hook up to the venue's sound system or do you use your own PA speakers?

What are some good PA speakers for performance?

And of course, if I actually get the hang of this I'd love to do some gigs outside of this performing arts expo thing. How did you get your first gig?

I know nothing about performing live other than with actual instruments. (jazz gigs)

So I can't really help you but I can say that this sounded really nice and I enjoyed it. Was relaxing and well done. :>

Cute video, you sound like Lemon Jelly a bit, which in my book is a compliment! Needs more recorder!

i thought it was a bit global goon

  On 2/18/2014 at 6:25 AM, brendyman said:

What kind of mixer do I need?

Do I need a mixer at all?

Those of you that perform regularly, do you have a lot of physical gear or is most of it digital effects and stuff that you control via MIDI?

How do you organize your live set in Ableton/whatever you use without it getting crazily disorganized?

How do you transport your gear?

Do you usually hook up to the venue's sound system or do you use your own PA speakers?

What are some good PA speakers for performance?

 

And of course, if I actually get the hang of this I'd love to do some gigs outside of this performing arts expo thing. How did you get your first gig?

There are no rules!

1. One with enough input channels for all your gear. Something that's easy to mix live, but I think most do the trick for that.

2. Not really if you're sending a stereo signal of you're whole mix to the PA. I've done this most of the time by sending the outputs of my FastTrack Pro.

3. I used to do everything on a laptop in Buzz Tracker and I played my sequences, patterns, volumes, and effects live all in Buzz with the mouse and keyboard to resemble playing live gear. It worked for the most part, but I really don't recommend it. I just learned out of necessity and didn't want to DJ or just press play. I'm trying to replace all that with physically synced up gear à la early 90s techno.

4. I tried to use Ableton, but didn't end up liking the fact that I had to unlearn all my bad habits.

5. In bags and in my arms!

6. I usually only play venues with their own P.A. since I don't have one. Or if they rent one.

7. Something with subs are always a treat! You're at the mercy of the chosen P.A. and the room really. Try to get some monitors on stage though so you can hear yourself. Headphones aren't as fun.

I got my first gig opening up for a local band at a small club. I forget how I got it, but I knew the band. My set was with my friend where we had two Pentiums with Rebirth 1.5 synced together via midi through my Yamaha MD4's clock. We also had a Boss sampler of some kind with movie snippets in it I think. This must have been in '97 or '98.

Like I said, there are no rules. If it works for you, just go out and play. It's the best way to hear your music outside of your own head.

  On 2/18/2014 at 6:25 AM, brendyman said:

I don't really know the first thing about live stuff. I tried to wing it with Ableton in this video:

 

I don't really know what I'm doing

Lovely vibes mate, just do that for 40 minutes and you're set.

  On 2/18/2014 at 6:25 AM, brendyman said:

So, I'm really, really new to this whole live performance thing. I've been using FL Studio to produce music for 7 years now, but I don't really know the first thing about live stuff. I tried to wing it with Ableton in this video:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTVigy8jq2I

 

I don't really know what I'm doing, because my gear is limited and I've not got much experience with it. I've relied on production for the majority of my time making music, and I'm just now dabbling in performance.

 

This is the gear I have:

- M-Audio Keystation 49e

- Saffire Pro 14

- AKAI LPD8

- Korg Nanokontrol 2

- Korg Kaoss Pad Quad

- Novation Launchpad

 

I'm giving a presentation/demonstration about computers in music for my college's performing arts expo in April, so I need to get the hang of this.

 

What kind of mixer do I need?

Do I need a mixer at all?

Those of you that perform regularly, do you have a lot of physical gear or is most of it digital effects and stuff that you control via MIDI?

How do you organize your live set in Ableton/whatever you use without it getting crazily disorganized?

How do you transport your gear?

Do you usually hook up to the venue's sound system or do you use your own PA speakers?

What are some good PA speakers for performance?

 

And of course, if I actually get the hang of this I'd love to do some gigs outside of this performing arts expo thing. How did you get your first gig?

this is wicked

  On 2/18/2014 at 6:49 PM, paranerd said:

There are no rules!

 

1. One with enough input channels for all your gear. Something that's easy to mix live, but I think most do the trick for that.

2. Not really if you're sending a stereo signal of you're whole mix to the PA. I've done this most of the time by sending the outputs of my FastTrack Pro.

3. I used to do everything on a laptop in Buzz Tracker and I played my sequences, patterns, volumes, and effects live all in Buzz with the mouse and keyboard to resemble playing live gear. It worked for the most part, but I really don't recommend it. I just learned out of necessity and didn't want to DJ or just press play. I'm trying to replace all that with physically synced up gear à la early 90s techno.

4. I tried to use Ableton, but didn't end up liking the fact that I had to unlearn all my bad habits.

5. In bags and in my arms!

6. I usually only play venues with their own P.A. since I don't have one. Or if they rent one.

7. Something with subs are always a treat! You're at the mercy of the chosen P.A. and the room really. Try to get some monitors on stage though so you can hear yourself. Headphones aren't as fun.

 

I got my first gig opening up for a local band at a small club. I forget how I got it, but I knew the band. My set was with my friend where we had two Pentiums with Rebirth 1.5 synced together via midi through my Yamaha MD4's clock. We also had a Boss sampler of some kind with movie snippets in it I think. This must have been in '97 or '98.

 

Like I said, there are no rules. If it works for you, just go out and play. It's the best way to hear your music outside of your own head.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the advice. I know a lot of it seems self-explanatory but I just wanted to make sure I'm not doing something terribly wrong or forming any bad habits.

And thanks for the kind words, everybody.

whoa.. this is dope! that groove is pretty unstoppable...

Cheers from a fellow Phoenician ;D

dude, no joke.. if this was refined, i could hear it picked by a label like Hed Kandi

Just hit play in ableton. Then mute and unmute tracks. Map filter cutoff to the D-Beam=SET!!!

Also, you know the sound does not come out of the tip of the recorder?

Good job though.

It seems to me like you have the actual "performance" aspect pretty well down, you may pick some useful info out of this recent thread though http://forum.watmm.com/topic/82023-how-to-present-yourself-on-stage/

In terms of trying to play more gigs, it's sort of a chicken/egg problem. Once you've gotten yourself somewhat established it's pretty easy to get more gigs. The beginning can be rough though. If you don't have other local musician friends, try to get some.

A good way of getting involved is to go out to local shows that you're interested in often. Strike up conversations with people you see out and about multiple times. Let it be known that you too play music/shows.

Another option, though it requires a bit more leg work and is less glamorous, is booking the shows yourself. Depending on the venue this might not cost you anything more than your time, especially if you can get other local artists to play for free/cheap. Then put yourself on the bill! Seems kinda crumby, but isn't really, imo :X

Anyway, good luck. I'm sure you'll kill it once you actually get out there.

God, I really should have watched your video before replying! Keep doing this, this is great!