Has anyone ever used a computer or laptop with amp sims for live sound?

True, though - depending on the DAW - there can be conflicts, where various CC's are hard-coded to DAW functions, so you end up with funny situations where you program one thing, but the control does two things. Whee!

 

Not sure why you'd want to use a DAW in a live situation these days (except maybe Ableton Live) when there are many other host applications designed for using VSTs/AUs for live performance:
Mainstage
Cantabile
Blue Cat Patchwork & Axiom

etc etc.

Or ... how about sequenced live looping? Record your loops and have them come back again in the song whenever you want without even hitting a button during the performance.

Zen.Audio ALK2

 

In my case, Ableton is my primary point of reference. Been using it since version 6.

Honestly never heard of the other stuff. Will have to look into it. However, MIDI being what it is, I expect the same principle is roughly applicable. Also, the screenshot you posted sure looks like a "DAW" program, to me.

 

The applications I listed above can do most of that, albeit with a need for some third-party plugins or apps.

ALK2 would be the most comprehensive and would be able to facilitate all of that, I believe.

And it’s not a DAW. Watch here:

 

And an example of someone who really knows how to use it well. I think you have to be really good at looping in a songwriting context to utilize this program to its fullest extent.

 

Band I saw last weekend uses ableton. A lot of not-at-all-metal musicians I know of use it also. I use it for the little recording and mixing I do. It's a pretty cool program.

 

I’ve still yet to have any amp sim software crash on me yet. :dunno:

 

Seriously, with things such as current multi-Fx units or preamp pedals (AMT, Mooer), and even poweramp pedals (SD Powerstage)... Why bother?

I'm playing a full show at my drummer's wedding next weekend, and I'm only taking a pedalboard with me. In fact, I could just take my AMT SS-20 preamp and do the whole gig with that thing alone.

 

Depends on the value you place on your time.

So far, this thread has been a great thought experiment, but has anyone here built a computer rig that they gig with regularly?

 

I would only consider it if I was going to automate the set with backing tracks or click tracks or lights or whatever. Otherwise I'd for sure pick either a modeler or pedal rig or regular amp, just for the plug-it-in-and-turn-it-on reason.

 

Some good arguments here for multieffect/modelers vs. laptops.

I think it depends on what you’re doing in your performance. If you’re just playing guitar with a band, something like a Helix is probably more cost-effective.

But if you’re a multi-instrumentalist, one-man-band sort of show, a laptop and interface could give you more flexibility for looping, backing tracks, and controlling multiple things with MIDI all at once.

 

Tonight, our laptop USB port decided not to work anymore, so we couldn't use the stuff we had on a USB drive for the show. Yay for laptops! Good thing I wasn't planning to connect my guitar to an USB interface...

And... cheaper? I highly doubt it, specially considering not only money has value. Reliability, ease of use, portability, latency... I'd rather take a dedicated guitar preamp (either digital or analog) than a laptop, hands down.

And I wouldn't trust a cheap laptop, either. So where are the savings?

 

I ran across this video from Ola while researching the UA Arrow and thought it should be relevant to this thread.

 

This idea is okay for practice/jamming or performing one song intended with no patch changes. Otherwise, it's not too practical considering alternative options. For example, I picked up a Pod HD for $80 today and is much more feasible for a live rig.