Using a laptop during live performances.

Using a laptop during live performances (Friday 25 August, 2023)

Nowadays, an increasing number of musicians to use laptops or tablets during live performances and/or band rehearsals. In the past I used generally multiple synthesizers on stage, and used a Windows-based laptop with Cubase to set the correct sound patches for the songs on a playlist by sending MIDI program changes and SysEx messages, and to do other changes in the setup. Later, when I acquired the Yamaha Motif ES this could more easily be done from its master mode and, therefore, I abandoned my laptop.

Various live bands use laptops to play backing tracks to complement the instruments played by the band members. For example, specific instruments, voices/choirs, or effects. This, however, requires that the band (or drummer) plays with a click track to ensure that everyone stays in sync with the backing track. From experience, I know that this requires practice and a good monitoring system. Some thoughts about using backing tracks are found in the next video.

Another application is the use a laptop to play virtual instruments (VSTi) or samples by using a MIDI controller such as a MIDI keyboard or synthesizer or any other instrument that is MIDI-enabled. For example, one may use the Roland GK-3 element to connect a guitar to MIDI instruments and/or VSTi’s. Guitarist may also use a laptop to run effects plugins and/or amplifier emulations (e.g., Amplitube) instead of a regular pedal board and guitar amplifier but a Kemper profiler might be a better solution for this.

Finally, a laptop is used to show the performance playlist, scores, chord progression, and lyrics. However, for this one usually uses an tablet (e.g., iPad) or smartphone in which case a simple pdf viewer will do the trick. You can also use an iPad to run Apple’s GarageBand for which Sound Libraries are available and expanding.

Considerations

Audio interface and amplifier/monitor

If you use your laptop to play backing tracks or to use VSTi’s then you need to connect your laptop to an amplifier/monitor. Thus, your amplifier needs to have sufficient inputs. However, a better solution is to connect your instruments and laptop to your own small mixer to also have easy control over the volume if you don’t want to be using a mouse during live performances. I have been using all sort of mixers on stage but a simple rack mixer like the Behringer RX1602 will do the job. You also need to consider if you directly connect the audio output of your laptop to the mixer/amplifier, or if you use a simple external USB audio interface (e.g., a Scarlett from Focusrite). I would definitely prefer an external audio interface for its quality and robustness, and the fact that you don’t have to fiddle around with 3.5mm jack adapters. Moreover, using an external audio interface generally allows you to use ASIO (Audio Stream Input/Output) that allows specific software applications (e.g., your DAW such as Cubase or Ableton) to communicate directly with the hardware interface, without the OS as intermediary. This can give excellent low latency performance (see also [here]).

Figure 1. Typical setup with laptop.  The audio output of the laptop runs over USB to an audio interface which is connected to a small mixer.  The Motif ES synthesizer is also connected to the mixer. Finally, the mixer is connected to an amplifier (or active monitor). Of course, you may discard a mixer and directly connect all audio outputs to the amplifier if it has sufficient inputs. The laptop and the synthesizer are connected over MIDI using a midi interface (e.g., Roland UM-ONE) such that you can play the VSTi’s from your laptop. Audio out may either be mono or stereo. 

VST host

A VST host is a software program that can load VST instruments (VSTi) or third-party effects plugins (VST2/VST3; e.g., reverbs, equalizers). A VST host can be a DAW such as Cubase or Ableton or, alternatively, a dedicated software program just for running VSTs such as Apple’s MainStage, Cantabile, and VSThost. The choice between using a full fledged DAW or a dedicated VST host depends on your personal preference and needs. If you want to use native (e.g., Cubase) virtual instruments and/or effects plugins then you need to use Cubase since these are not available as VSTi/VSTs outside the Cubase environment and, hence, cannot be loaded into a dedicated VST host. It is perfectly fine to use your DAW as the VST host although dedicated programs are simpler to use and more efficient for your computer. Ableton, for example, has been designed for live applications. Also note that you only need a (dedicated) VST host if the virtual instrument does not come with a stand-alone version. For example, to use the Native Instruments sample libraries/virtual instruments you can use their software (e.g., the free Kontakt Player which also comes with several sound libraries, or the free Komplete Kontrol).

 Figure 2. Connecting to virtual instruments (VSTi).  The laptop runs a dedicated VST hosting program or a DAW in which you can load one or more virtual instruments. This instruments can then be played through your MIDI keyboard. Here we see the Kontakt Player from Native Instruments loaded into the host. Kontakt Player can run multiple VSTis (here, a bass guitar and strings). However, Kontakt Player (and all VSTi’s withing Kontakt Player) can also be used by running the player outside the VST host/DAW. Not all VSTi’s have such player, which makes a host necessary.

Also note the Native Kontrol Standard (NKS) that was introduced by Native Instruments and has now become an industry standard. It is an extended plug-in format that allows the integration of virtual instruments with Kontakt and Komplete Kontrol. Many instruments from many leading manufacturers (e.g., Spitfire, East West, Arturia; see [here] for complete list) currently support NKS. For example, The Spitfire BBCSO sound library does not comes with a standalone player but is used as a plugin in a DAW or dedicated VST host. However, the sound library comes with all required NKS files and, therefore, can also be loaded and played from the Kontakt player. However, in my experience the use of NKS does not always goes smoothly or easy.

Computer configuration

The computer configuration (diskspace, CPU, RAM) also requires consideration. Generally, a good starting point is to look at the requirements for the software and sample libraries (see below) your are going to use. Keep in mind that the hard disk storage of a laptop is often very limited and insufficient to host (multiple) large sample libraries. Moreover, disk read speed is also an important factor. Using external disks such as the ultra fast Samsung portable SSD T7 (Read 1,050 MB/s / Write 1000 MB/s; 1 TB) will solve this problem.

Figure 2. The Samsung portable SSD T7 external disk.

Preferentially, use a laptop that is dedicated to your music application to avoid having many other software applications that potentially infer with your live performance. If possible, don’t install (or turn off) applications such as Dropbox (you don’t want to synchronize during performances), Windows Updates, and virus scanners. Although, in general such programs do not give real problems, there is always a slight chance that they do.

Location on stage

Depending on your application, you may want to have your computer positioned in such way that you can easily interact with it. Thus, you might want to use an dedicated stand, or put it on your rack (if you use one). For live performances where stage lights are used, keep in mind to position your computer in such way that you can always read the screen and that none spot lights reflect in your screen making it unreadable. Turn up the brightness.

Be prepared for problems

Generally, musical instruments such as synthesizers are very robust. In the 35 years that I played in bands they never failed on me. Laptops are less robust. My general experience is that they become slower over time. At some point they will fail (e.g., due to hard disk errors). Or you suddenly get the well-known blue screen of death (which still happens to me on my laptop; perhaps a RAM issue). Software may become corrupted. Laptops may suddenly reboot (after a Windows update). They are more easily broken when they are accidently dropped by the stage crew or nearby audience. Don’t run your laptop on its battery to avoid a shutdown halfway during your performance. If this happens during a live performance, you need a plan B such as the possibility to continue with the synthesizer only, or to use a second backup laptop.  Think about it. And, make a backup. Also make sure you have all (backup) cables to connect your laptop. Finally, if you perform in smaller clubs with the band space easily accessible by the audience, then you may want to secure your laptop such that it cannot be easily taken away. Or get an insurance.

Windows vs Mac OS vs alternatives

I don’t have experience with Mac OS in terms of stability. However, I do believe Windows laptops are a good option and perhaps cheaper to replace after you spilled your beer on the keyboard.

I didn’t look into this, but probably there exist dedicated computers to run VSTi’s such as the MUSE computers (in the past). See also [here].

For certain applications (e.g., Apple’s GarageBand) you may even use an iPad.

Virtual Instruments and Sample libraries

If you are interested in using virtual instruments and sample libraries there are nowadays tons of possibilities. Just google. Here, I mention a few well-known examples. It all depends on your personal preferences and the sounds you needs.

• BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover (Spitfire audio; free). Contains 34 orchestral instruments (including a piano). Spitfire audio also has much more extensive sound libraries available.
• Kontakt 7 (Native instruments; free version available). Large variety of virtual instruments and samples. I use “KOMPLETE 13 ULTIMATE‘
• HALion SONIC 7 Collection (Steinberg). Large variety of virtual instruments and samples. I use HALion 7.
• Omnisphere (Spectrasonics). Large variety of sounds. I hear good things about Omnisphere but don’t have experience with it myself.
• Arturia Software Instuments. Software instruments ranging from modern hybrid synth engines to emulations of the most evocative instruments ever made such as the Yamaha CS-80, the Prophet-5, the Korg MS-20, the Roland Juno 6, and the ARP 2600.
• Roland Cloud. A suite of software synthesizers, drum machines, and sampled instruments.

There are many more (free) sample libraries. See for example [here]. For a complete list of virtual instruments/sample libraries that I use see [here]. Just to give one example of how good some of these virtual instruments sound listen to one of my productions in which I used violins from KOMPLETE 13 ULTIMATE but which also contains violin parts played by a real violinist. See also [here].

References

• Using Laptops for Live Music (SoundOnSound)