Laptop vs. DAWless for live use: is it just me, or...?

[Music Wolf]

I use a laptop (running Logic) on stage, but it is essentially our drummer and second synth player and acts mostly as a playback device with just some user interaction. Because of this I try and tuck it away on stage, so that while it can still be seen it's not in any way dominating the human performers, and is controller by footswitches rather than from the computer itself.

The vibe is completely down to my abilities as a programmer both in terms of sounds and feel, although it helps that we have a very visual and emotive front person for the band.

We're pretty much the same, although I'm running Cantabile. The laptop handles playback of the backing (which we've created ourselves) as well as running the digital mixer, the lighting rig and switching my effects. It also records the show.

I have the laptop on a stand, stage right so that I can reach it whilst playing guitar, and I start it with a single push of an Elgato Stream Deck (it stops automatically and selects the next track). Having the laptop to handle all of the peripheral stuff, especially the effects switching, allows me to concentrate on my performance.

[BJG145]

Great topic, and a perennial topic, but always worth revisiting to see which way the wind is blowing. My initial reaction was what muzines covered in his first reply, and what others have reiterated since; that it's your excitement as a performer, rather than the sounds, that will engage the audience. I still feel this is true, especially at the level I play at, which is mostly dodgy pub open-mics.

My reservations about playing with laptops live are more technical reservations...will it start some enforced update just before the set...than audio ones. But whatever the reason, I think it comes down to the same thing...what will make you feel confident and expressive as a performer.

The range of sounds I can conjour from a laptop mostly far exceeds anything I could do in hardware. But having said that, I still rely heavily on a particular combination...an Akai EWI paired with a Yamaha VL70m with a Patchman ROM upgrade...and for me, there's nothing that can touch that for live sax sounds. SWAM are very good, they're the best in physically modelled wind VST, and they might be in the ballpark, but they're not the same. So I can understand someone insisting on particular inimitable hardware sounds.

As regards laptop v hardware in general though, personally, I would say, no, that's in your head. If you keep the laptop out of sight, the audience definitely won't know. 100%. I generally do keep it out of sight when I can, because for me personally, I don't like the look. But again, that's subjective, and probably driven partly by my lifetime in IT support...I don't really want to bring the office to gigs. But I do, because it works.

* * * * *

The wheel turns. In the past there was a point when I swapped collecting synths and started collecting MIDI controllers, because I felt that VST could cover my sonic needs and I was more interested in the human/machine interface. Recently I find myself increasingly drawn to trying new/old synths again (I really want to get my hands on one of these Hydrasynths people keep talking about), so by the next time this topic comes around you'll probably find me a die-hard hardware enthusiast...

[Arpangel]

I've never used a computer live, I've never had enough confidence in them.
I have taken virtually my whole studio to gigs, and never had any issues, I must have been completely mad.
Now just one keyboard is a pain to take out, my first question now if I have to play is "have they got a piano?" if they haven’t I think twice about it.

[The Elf]

We're pretty much the same, although I'm running Cantabile. The laptop handles playback of the backing (which we've created ourselves) as well as running the digital mixer, the lighting rig and switching my effects. It also records the show.

I have the laptop on a stand, stage right so that I can reach it whilst playing guitar, and I start it with a single push of an Elgato Stream Deck (it stops automatically and selects the next track). Having the laptop to handle all of the peripheral stuff, especially the effects switching, allows me to concentrate on my performance.

Identical to the way we do it. Our laptop also fades up the stage mic and lifts an audience mic into our in-ears. Having the laptop running the show means we have nothing to do but play and interact with the audience - the very opposite of what some seem to believe constitutes using a computer on stage.

[ef37a]

Ha! To further cement the view here that I am a Grumpy Old Bugger, I have just downloaded the user manual for that streaming deck.
What a horrible choice of background and lack of definition! I hope the thing is easier to read in the real plastic?
Looks like something my son might like.

Dave.

[MarkOne]

When using a laptop live, you look boring, and it feels boring, simple as that.
When I see a band live, or a solo artist, it’s all about movement, how they move, and interact with their instruments, I find this extremely interesting, that’s what playing live is all about, it’s a live "performance" both physically, and musically.
Keep the office off the stage.

Totally disagree Tony. In my current MainStage rig, the audience would be hard pressed to even see the laptop. It sits there on my right at about the height of my knees. All they can see is my keyboard stand and two keyboards. Patch changes are managed by a button on the top keyboard. I never even touch the laptop during the performance. How would this make me look more boring than if I had a Moog sat on top of a Hammond? Or more realistically a Gaia on top of a Montage?

[Arpangel]

When using a laptop live, you look boring, and it feels boring, simple as that.
When I see a band live, or a solo artist, it’s all about movement, how they move, and interact with their instruments, I find this extremely interesting, that’s what playing live is all about, it’s a live "performance" both physically, and musically.
Keep the office off the stage.

Totally disagree Tony. In my current MainStage rig, the audience would be hard pressed to even see the laptop. It sits there on my right at about the height of my knees. All they can see is my keyboard stand and two keyboards. Patch changes are managed by a button on the top keyboard. I never even touch the laptop during the performance. How would this make me look more boring than if I had a Moog sat on top of a Hammond? Or more realistically a Gaia on top of a Montage?

Great! in your situation you may as well use a computer, why not?
I’m talking about "laptop artists" who look like they’re checking their mail.

[ronmac]

If the artist delivers a great performance you likely won't notice them "checking for mail".

[Arpangel]

If the artist delivers a great performance you likely won't notice them "checking for mail".

I'd just love to see a great performance, laptop or otherwise.