Hardware vs. Software!!!

[The Black Surfer]

Hello fellow Levites!!!
If any of you have seen Tye Tribbett live lately then you would notice that I'm using a laptop in addition to the keyboards. The reason for this is to create an even bigger sound using multiple sound engines simultaneously. I often get ?'s about the Laptop. To me i believe that it is easier and more cost efficient then some bulky keyboard. It's like having your own custom keyboard with you at all times. You can either get an 88,76,61,49,25-key controller of your choice or you can use whatever keyboard there. My fav controller is the M-audio Axiom. As long as it(keyboard at the church/gig) has a midi-out then your all set!! I consider myself blessed cause I have a Diversi Organ at my church. This organ has midi outs on it. You could get a macbook for about $999-$1900. I paid $2700 for mine only because it's a tricked out Pro. It(your Mac) doesn't need to be a pro, the old white and black one's work just as well. If Im ever in your city then just hit me up. I'd be glad to give you some of my sounds. Trust me dudes, it's a great investment.
Be Blessed!
~Law

[ddw4e]

What VSTs you using with Pro Tools bruh?

[The Black Surfer]

What VSTs you using with Pro Tools bruh?

With Pro Tools I normally use Ivory(Italian), and some Moogerfooger sounds. I normally run Pro Tools, Logic, Abysynth, Massive, Garage Band, String Studio, Lounge Lizard, Analog Studio, and Jupiter 8 all at the same time. sending different feeds to my Motif ES8, and the Triton Studio(top board), and the Keytar. The Fantom G is the only one I play str8 up.

[JazzJunkie]

What kind of Program you are using?.....I have a MacBook Pro

[JazzJunkie]

Why all of them at the same time? I just got my macbook and im tying to learn how to use it.

[The Black Surfer]

What kind of Program you are using?.....I have a MacBook Pro

Pretty much everything I mentioned in my last post but. you should already have garage band on your Mac. That's got some hot sounds. All you need is a USB to Midi cable and a 1/8 to 1/4 inch plug and your rockin'

[The Black Surfer]

Why all of them at the same time? I just got my macbook and im tying to learn how to use it.

Since I'm playing Mains and sharing Aux I like to have all my sounds at the ready. Some programs will have a piano/keyboard sound. I send that to the ES8. The programs with lead and pad sounds I send to the Triton. And the Keytar is a blend of different Lead sounds.

[JazzJunkie]

Oh Ok. I have Acoustic Piano software im using right now

[sjonathan02]

Does it have to be a Mac?

[under13]

Does it have to be a Mac?

No, but all the cool kids have macs.

[ddw4e]

Pretty much, they are better with audio. That's my next purchase.

[under13]

Pretty much, they have better with audio. That's my next purchase.

.

And supposedly more reliable on stage. And many programs still dont work with vista.

[The Black Surfer]

.

And supposedly more reliable on stage. And many programs still dont work with vista.

That's a fact my friend! Now don't get me wrong, DJ's rock PC laptops all night long and don't miss a beat. I too was a PC guy until i noticed that all of the hot musicians in Philly had Macs. I first bought the white joint to fit in but when I started playing around i realized how dope Mac really was! 

[themidiroom]

.

And supposedly more reliable on stage.

Just don't drop it.

[kodacolor]

Just don't drop it.

   Just like the iPod!

[themidiroom]

  Just like the iPod!

Exactly!  Funny thing about devices with a hard disk inside. 

[ddw4e]

.

And supposedly more reliable on stage. And many programs still dont work with vista.

Tell me about it. My fast track, sonar and Vista does not work together. Latency problems all day with it.

[dReam_fpd]

Hey I was wondering can someone give a detail example on how to go about using a laptop with a keyboard and what programs to do need and how to get different sounds and transfer it to the keyboard from the laptop.

thaks

[B3Organist_007]

Hey I was wondering can someone give a detail example on how to go about using a laptop with a keyboard and what programs to do need and how to get different sounds and transfer it to the keyboard from the laptop.

thaks

All you need is:

1. Laptop
2. Software (To many to name, but I think the most popular is Reason   or Kontakt):
      http://www.tweakheadz.com/software_samplers.htm
      http://www.tweakheadz.com/software_synths.html     

3. USB Midi Interface
     
4. USB Audio Interface
     http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_and_audio_interfaces.htm
     
5. Controller(Keyboard)
6. Some type of audio output (speakers, headphones, monitors)

You would connect the keyboard to the laptop using the usb midi interface.  This is so you can send midi signals to the software on your computer with the keyboard. Some of the newer controllers already come with midi interfaces so you might not have to buy one.

You would then connect your laptop and your speakers or monitors using the audio interface.  The audio interfaces turns the midi signals that you trigger with your keyboard into actual sound (I think).

Check out these video for examples of actual setups (There are tons of videos like these on youtube):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d-qT7baac0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX8fL9WmdZg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv4uCzsnwi8

[acts2-38]

I have been using a korg TR 88 and a casio wk3300. I stack the casio on top and use the organ bass sound which is pretty decent. I midi the korg to my laptop and use the native instruments B4 II organ software. This is the best organ software I know of....