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Portable Power
Identifying the advantages
of Laptop computing is simple -portability, portability,
and pWhile laptops are becoming extremely
powerful and capable of running large DAW/sequencing
programs with multiple tracks of audio and MIDI,
many musicians who use laptops for performing on
stage or as a mobile recording rig utilize a scaled
down version of their desktop setup. "Streamlined
and stable" is a good goal to have for any
laptop setup for audio.
Over the past few years software
has emerged that can work out great on a laptop
system for music production and performance. Factors
to look for if you plan on running these programs
on a laptop are:
- STABILITY (you
don't want the program to
crash two minutes into a
live set)
- CPU
EFFICIENCY (as laptops
are not generally as powerful
as their desktop counter
parts - you don't want
a program that is a CPU
hog)
- EASE
OF USE (the program
should be intuitive, easy
to get around, and easily
controlled via MIDI controllers
- look for things like
MIDI Learn, or other ways
to easily link on screen
faders and knobs to physical
MIDI encoders)
Software: -The Virtual
Studio
(below is a screen shot of Propellerhead's Reason)
Ableton
Live 2:
Live 2 is an extremely popular loop-based performance software that can
also record
audio to disk and tweak signals with both its own plug-ins and any other VST
plug-ins you might want to use. Just about every parameter from loop triggering
to overall song tempo can be mapped to a MIDI or QWERTY keyboard controller.
You can also pump sounds directly into Live from programs like Propellerhead's
Reason via the Rewire protocol. Live 2 does not support VST Instruments or
MIDI sequencing, but personally I think this is a plus - keeping the program
simple, intuitive, and loads of fun to play with. In my opinion, Live 2 is
the best "master" program for laptop performance. You can create
loops, synth lines, etc., in other programs and use Live as your looping and
arrangement tool. You can check out a review of Live 2 here.
Sonic Foundry Acid
Pro 4:
Acid Pro is another popular loop based production software. It might
not be as performance based as Ableton Live 2, but it is a great loop based
production tool that incorporates MIDI sequencing, VSTi support, audio recording,
5.1 surround, video, and a slew of cool editing features. I haven't used Acid
myself but have worked with dance music artists who used Acid as their sole
production software and turned out some great songs.
Propellerhead's Reason:
Reason is a self-contained program that works like a virtual rack of
gear -making it a great candidate for your laptop rig. You have drum machines,
synths, samplers, effects, mixers, and sequencing all wrapped up in a neat
little program. Also, with it's Rewire support you can pump your individual
tracks or stereo mixes into other programs for further editing and processing.
In fact, Ableton Live 2 and Propellerhead's Reason is becoming a very popular
match up for laptop based production and performance. Recently Propellerhead's
updated Reason to version 2.5 -without increasing the price as well as making
it available as a free upgrade to existing users. The 2.5 version adds 6
new modules to the Reason line up and is still in Beta testing. You can read
a review of Reason here.
Cakewalks Project
5 and Synapse Audio
Orion:
 These
are two up and coming software programs that incorporate the idea of
proprietary synth, effect, and sequencing modules akin to Reason, while
also supporting VSTi/DXi virtual instruments. These programs could
potentially be great for laptop performance/production since you wouldn't
have to run a large DAW sequencer program just to play/record your
VST instruments. Orion is available now and Project 5 should be shipping
soon. You can read the review of Orion here.
Virtual instruments:
VSTi's and Virtual Instruments are perfect for laptop setups -allowing
you to replace hardware keyboards and samplers -making for a very portable
rig.
As far as sound quality goes,
virtual instruments can range from simple General
MIDI playback devices to extensively modeled virtual
reproductions of classic synths like Arturia's Moog
Modular V - which models the infamous Moog modular
analogue synth. You can find virtual instruments
that cover just about every type of synthesis: Physical
Modeling, FM, Subtractive, Additive, Granular, etc.
You can check out the various virtual instruments
available here.
An important consideration with
virtual instruments is latency. In other words,
the time it takes between your finger hitting a
key and your ear hearing the sound. Latency will
depend on the the virtual instrument itself, the
hardware you use to hear the instrument, the drivers
for the hardware, and the "host" program
you use to run the virtual instrument.
Another consideration is CPU/RAM
efficiency. Some virtual instruments can be CPU
hogs and limit your ability to play back multiple
tracks or use plug-ins and such. A great web site
for keeping track of virtual instruments and host
programs to run them is KVR-VST.
Guitar: -The New Virtual
instrument? (IK Multimedia's Amplitube)
Over the past few years we have seen guitar amps, speaker cabinets, mics,
and stomp boxes digitally modeled and reincarnated as "guitar" virtual
instruments. With many of today's audio interfaces accepting High Z, or direct
guitar input signals, it has become possible to record convincing guitar tracksdirectly
into your laptop without an amp. Personally, I would never suggest this as
a replacement for your vintage Fender Twin, but some of these software amp
emulators are great for quickly laying down ideas, doubling guitar tracks,
and not having to lug around a Marshall stack.
An important consideration for
amp modeling plug-ins is latency. Some of the newer
plug-ins, like IK Multimedia's upcoming Amplitube
Live, allow for stand-alone operation and "no
detectable latency" using OS X Jaguar and the
Mac's built in hardware for input.
Hardware:
What Do I Do With Virtual
Knobs and Keys?
So, you've got a great laptop, a low-latency, bus-powered audio/midi
interface, a bunch of great software, and last but not least - a tiny little
mouse to control your entire mobile studio? Well, if you enjoy clicking until
your finger falls off and only being able to control one, maybe two parameters
at a time then you can skip the next section. For everybody else, welcome to
the land of MIDI controllers "Laptop style".
MIDI controllers have been around
for a while. Basically, these are silent keyboards
or fader and knob modules that can help you "control" your
other hardware as well as software by sending out
MIDI data. The advantage for those trying to set
up a laptop production studio is that the latest
incarnation of these controllers are portable, bus-powered,
inexpensive units that can give real keys to your
soft synths, as well as real knobs and faders for
your software mixers and modules. Another great
aspect of these latest devices is that most can
connect with a single USB cable that handles both
MIDI and the power source. Many of these units can
also serve as a simple MIDI interface for other
devices.
MIDI Controllers come in a variety
of flavors. Some are simple hardware boxes with
just keys, or just faders, or just knobs. Some units
have faders, knobs, and keys. When it comes to portability
two-octave keyboards are generally the best (you
may need a bigger keyboard if you find it hard to
get your ideas down within a couple of octaves).
Also, some of the newer MIDI controllers have the
ability to load and save templates so you can quickly
transition from playing a soft synth to adjusting
pan and EQ in your mixer.
Knobs vs Knobs?
There are two types of knobs or rotary encoders to be found on MIDI controllers.
The first acts like a regular potentiometer increasing in value as you turn
the knob from the left to the right -usually placing 0 or the minimum value
at full left and 128, or the maximum level at full right. These types of knobs
work great if you want to control panning on a software mixer.
The other type of knob is referred
to as an endless rotary encoder and as its name
suggest it "endlessly" spins around 360
degrees with no full left or full right position.
These can be great for soft synth parameters or
plug-in parameters. 
(The Doepfer Pocket Dial uses "Endless" Rotary
Encoders)
The Ideal Setup?
So, what is the ideal setup for a laptop studio? Well, this depends on
exactly what you are trying to do. Personally, I would try to keep it to
just two external devices - an audio interface that suits your needs (check
out Firewire or PCMIA solutions if you plan on doing multitrack audio), and
a portable controller that has a keyboard, some faders, and knobs all wrapped
into one.
Additionaly, bus-powered devices
are a plus and any unit that you consider for your
laptop rig should at least be able to power from
a battery source if it doesn't provide bus-power.
Another thing to consider is
running a condensed version of your desktop studio.
Many people will use their home setup to create
loops and samples with bigger programs like Reaktor,
Logic, etc., and then load these raw materials and
sounds onto their laptops -using only a couple of
programs, like Ableton Live 2 and Propellerhead's
Reason, to create their songs and performances.
This helps keep your portable rig streamlined and
simple.
Look for interviews with
artist's who use a laptop as their main instrument,
and how they accomplish this, in an upcoming issue
of The Cutting Edge.
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