SCS for live performace

[MaleXLR]

Hi y'all,

Just to clarify - I am not looking for a step by step method ['coz ain't finding the solution half the fun?], but confirmation that this will work in principal. Better still, confirmation from anyone who knows that I would be absolutely wasting my time and energy.

I have used SCS for many years and am wanting to use it as I venture out of the safe environs of my studio and into the hostile world of live performance.

While playing I want to have all the technical stuff happen magically. I want to get the best sound and so will do a multitrack recording of rehearsals/performances so that back in the studio I can select and apply the best DSP FX and processors to each channel and then save a song, or group of songs as a scene on the mixing console. Currently there is also a drum module [kick drum only], Kontakt and a MIDI guitar pickup [TriplePlay]. I am particularly interested in having a MIDI guitar preset so that I can call up an open tuning without having to retune.

My plan is to just use an old Roland RC-3 (that can send MIDI program and channel changes) to trigger SCS, ie: Program 33 for song 33. Then have SCS send MIDI program changes and sysex cues and sub-cues to:
a) A drum Module [USB MIDI to/from a Windows 10 computer];
b) The mixing console [5-pin DIN];
c) Kontakt [internal MIDI routing].

I like this concept because we could choose to do song 2 next and don't need to strictly follow a cue list.

A USB footswitch could be used to trigger "Go" on SCS, but this would mean starting at Cue 01 then going through consecutively. With my RC-3 I have a simple display telling me which program change was sent and don't need the computer alongside me - although we had better have an acoustic set for when everything turns to custard!

Thoughts anyone???

[Mike Daniell]

My plan is to just use an old Roland RC-3 (that can send MIDI program and channel changes) to trigger SCS, ie: Program 33 for song 33.

I don't have any personal experience of what you are trying to do but your suggestion of using an RC-3 seems quite workable.

[rborsey]

Hi

I do something very very similar to run the sound in our live gigs. I have SCS to run the audio - 8 parallel tracks with drums, bass, keys etc and each song has a midi prog change defined so I can hop around the songs. As each song plays it also sends our several midi messages to control the desk (01V96), guitar patches, lighting commands - whatever I need. Commands to the desk include changing channel levels (to make eg the mics louder for talking between songs and to switch levels for backing vocals), EQ settings, FX selection. Many songs have loops for extended solos, audience participation etc - Mike kindly introduced the facility to mutiple parallel tracks locked even when looping.

All this is controlled from a midi footpedal. To do more complicated things (like demand response exchanges with the desk, and in particular to be able to set up a playlist for each gig) and also to provide virtual midi channels between software on the PC I use a free/cheap utility called Bome Midi Translator. This has a programmable element to it and it very reliable too! I have it all set up so that from an Excel sheet or text document with a list of songs I can instantly set up the playlist and then use the foot controller to play next song, skip songs, go back in the list etc. The foot pedal means that at any moment I can also choose any song from our repertoire.

So - yes - very feasible, very solid (SCS is rock solid) and quite fun to set up!! I also run most of my lights from midi tracks running in SCS along with Freestyler - a free and efficient DMX lighting software.

If I can help then just ask.

Cheers from sunny France

Richard

[MaleXLR]

Thanks Mike and Richard...

That sounds way more complex than we will need, but it confirms that it is a resounding "yes" that SCS will be able to handle our little setup with room to expand. The MIDI footswitch is a nice idea.

Although we will be using samples we probably won't be using MIDI files or loops and hope to generate all sounds "live", even if "live" means triggering sampled sounds - just to put a bit of pressure on our musicianship! Of course, our musicianship may not be up to the task, but it will be fun trying.

Thanks again,


Shane.

[rborsey]

I would add one other thing and that is that unless you have the need of W10 then I would seriously recommend rooting around for some solid old laptop running XP. SCS doesn't take much oomph, and ever since W7 Microsoft seem to be more interested in using your computer for who knows what when really it should be concentrating on what you want it to do . . . The last thng you want in the middle of a show is your pc rebooting itself for its own pleasure . . .

Bon courage!

Richard