Recently, I received this question posted on one of my YouTube videos.
"I was checking out your rc-50 video where you had it connected to your computer through what seemed to be a little black box? and it was running ableton live i believe. what exactly are the things you are running and hows it working out for you? Im asking because I have my RC-50 loaded with about maybe 2hrs worth of music, but im running out of room to put more music on there for longer sets and i thought about intergrating my computer in with it, but i dont know how it works."
Here's my "professional" response.....
"Ok, what I wanted was a backing "band", (like Band in a Box), that I could sync up with the RC-50. What I wanted to do was use the RC-50 pedals for control, so I could start sections, tracks, whatever, and then record live loops into the RC-50 while still having everything synced together. Ideally, I envisioned something like Band in a Box on the PC, synced to the RC-50, and that would be my "performance / backup band".
The problem I had with Band in a Box, (hereafter BIAB), is that it did NOT do MIDI sync. So, I looked around for a "sequencer" that I could easily edit backing tracks in, and still sync to the RC-50. I tried one or two, and the only one I found that would work correctly was Ableton live. So, here's my set up.
I run Ableton on my PC. I MIDI sync the PC to the RC-50 through a MidiMan USB-2-MIDI interface. Ableton allows me to assign MIDI events to any function in Ableton. So, for example, I can assign the MIDI CC output from the RC-50 pedal to a specific start / stop of a track in Ableton. That gives me good control using the RC-50 pedals to run my sequencer, (Ableton), and everything stays in sync.
Now, the only problem I still have is, Ableton is NOT an "easy" tool for creating cool backing tracks. It will do ANYTHING. BUT, it is somewhat complex. So, what I do instead is, I use BIAB, (or more recently I purchase MIDI backing tracks online), and import them via MIDI into Ableton. Then, I tweak them in Ableton using Ab's MIDI instruments, etc, and get a sound I like. Then, I assign them to tracks, etc, to create the tune I want. Now, I have the entire package. Once I have the backing system set up in Ableton, and synced to the RC-50, I can do jam. I can kick off a track in Ableton, (using the RC-50 pedals), and record guitar loops over the top of it. I can also switch between programs, etc, on the RC-50, and have Ableton follow along.
It's not perfect, and I'm still figuring it all out. (Sometimes I have to record an empty track on the RC-50, just to get things started the way I like. Basically, I burn one of the three loop tracks, and just use the other two...) But, it's the most comprehensive thing I've found so far. "
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2 comments:
Now that you have this set up...have you learned to do different things or have any other suggestions.
I have an RC-50 and I am thinking about getting a focusite DSP Firewall audio-interface and not sure which sequencer to use.
I like to produce/compose mainly and would like a format that could easily be adapted to a live situation. any suggestions?
I have the exact same goals as you: compose & use live if possible.
Due to latency issues I experience with Ableton, I use it more for post-processing now than live composing. However, it would still be useful for live situations AFTER the composing is finished. The problem is, I find the latency (and complexity) of Ableton a deterrent to composing, rather than an aid. I've really searched looking for stuff that will help me compose, and not spend time trying to learn the tool! Ableton just hasn't been that useful for composition.
However, the RC50 is great. I can select a beat, and lay down a riff, and spend all day playing over it. Wonderful.
My current composing set up looks like this:
1. Drum machine (various)into mixer
2. Guitar / Mic through BR600 into mixer
3. Ableton on the side
Using this, I create a beat on a drum machine. Then, I use the BR600's effects to tune my guitar. I run them through the mixer so I can play together. Then, if I get something I like, I just lay down a track on the 600. Once I have a "theme" going, I USB the tracks over to my PC and polish them in Ableton. If I want to add more, I can always plug the Ableton out into the mixer as well, and layer more sounds / tracks, etc.
I find this set up is awesome and really helps me get ideas.
I could go on here, but this probably warrants another blog entry. HTH.
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