Quick set up for a quick band?

[muteboy]

Hello, I was recommended to try asking you lot by my old friend vxster.

A couple of pals and I want to quickly get something set up to do weird cover versions, with electronics, guitar, bass, and vocals. My part would be the electronics and vocals. Recording is not the plan, just a couple of noisy gigs, with covers like raucous versions of early Human League, Suicide, Nick Cave etc. It's basically a mid-life crisis thing, OK?

I have played around with old sequencers like the MC500, so I am familiar with pattern-based stuff like that. I can't play, so programming is more appropriate. I'm also OK with sound editing, so I could create samples. I've played around with software like Hammerhead for drums on Windows, but I run Linux now. On stage, I'd want to just select the track, hit play and hit the mic. Would a laptop cut it?

Would you be able to recommend a simple, cheap, (or even free!) set up to do the following:
* pattern based drums using drum samples
* pattern based sequencing of simple melodies and basslines, using samples or simple synthesis.
* simple effects (although the gig PA would do most of this)
* sample looping

I currently have a desktop PC running Linux, and a microphone.
I look forward to your expertise,
Matt

[stephen]

Matt,

Laptop should be fine. As for software, here's a few pointers (all linux!)

seq24 was designed as a minimal midi sequencer that would be suited for live play. You could use it to sequence other stuff, including hardware of course. There's a nice tutorial at http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8304

For creating drum patterns from samples then Hydrogen is the way to go. It has a really easy pattern editor and supports midi-in so you could use it with other kit. Audacity is a good sound editor for cutting up samples and adding effects.

Rosegarden is a more traditional sequencer. It's stablised a lot in recent versions, but you might not fancy using it live for any length of time. (Seq24 is rock solid though!)

Using JACK you could point your sequencer to a stand-alone synth. Zynaddsubfx sounds fabulous, and the newer phasex is looking good too.

Another options would be LMMS which is similar to FL Studio. It has nice VST support - there are plenty of free windows VSTs out there to try. Compiling LMMS with VST support is very easy, and I find it does a good job.

If you want to splash out some cash then it's worth trying Reaper using wine/wineasio. Another commercial option is of course energyxt-2.

For effects you can plug some LADSPA plugins into your synth's audio outputs, or if you fancy VSTs then the Kjaerhus classics or mda plugins work a treat. For native linux VSTs take a look at jucetice/jost.

Ardour might be worth a look for audio-only (although midi is on the way!)

Don't forget to sort out a real-time kernel for low latency!

[muteboy]

Hi Stephen, thanks for your detailed reply. I'm based in UK too (SW London). I took a look at your blog - may I pick your brains away from the forum?

Funnily enough, those packages are just the ones I've been fiddling with, with little success. I think there may be a problem with my desktop PC's onboard soundcard. It has multiple outputs (front, side, surround etc), and I've been having trouble getting Jack to work - the sound is also very clicky and broken.

Audacity is great, I use it a lot. Hydrogen suffers from the clicking. Rosegarden is more complex than I need right now, and also suffers from the clicking. I will take snother look at Seq24 - that looks just what I want!

I don't actually have a laptop at the moment, so for the purposes of this sudden desire to get with my buddies and do a gig or two, I'd need to buy one, install Linux and get it all to work just for this purpose. I may still do this, but I'd need to be sure that the soundcard would not cause me grief. I am waiting for the outcome of an eBay auction for a Korg Electribe EM-1.