From zutphen@xs4all.nl Thu Oct 11 02:50:27 2001
Subject:Re: Laptop for Native Instruments

Thanks for you information. I have a Sony Vaio laptop (PIII/500mhz/256mb
ram/12GB HD), it's verry small and I would love to use it the way you do.
But the built in soundcard has a latency of more than 50ms, and this is not
acceptable. I wil look into RME-audio.com, thanks.

Grtz,
Jeroen

/----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Pothaar"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 3:56 PM
Subject: [CWSG] Laptop for Native Instruments

> I have actually lucked out. I had no idea my laptop would work well with
> software synths. In fact I didn't even know about NI until after I bought
> my laptop. I was pleasantly surprised to see it performs with relatively
> low latency. 15ms is the reading that I get...how accurate that number
> is....I don't know. It is decent enough for me to play comfortably with.
> (The normal latency for keyboard-to keyboard is about 6-8ms latency) It
took
> a bit of getting used to at first....but my playing has now completely
> adjusted. I don't even notice the slight latency at all now, because I
just
> jump on the notes about 15ms faster. The human brain is the best piece
of
> technology around.
>
> I've got:
> Compaq Armada E500
> 450mhz PIII, 64MB Ram, 12GB drive.
> The built in sound card is a Maestro ESS (something) It is DirectSound
> enabled...which makes it decent for soft-synths. However...I don't think
> it is duplex capable.
>
> The keys to being able to use NI stuff live:
>
> 1) Disable as many and all automatic functions that your computer does...
> ie. Antivirus...scheduled tasks.. screen savers
>
> 2) Make sure your NI synth or synths are the only software open.
>
> 3) Turn it on. Wait one minute for the computer to fully complete boot.
Open
> the software. Configure the midi settings. Wait for 5 minutes before
> touching the keyboard. Shut the lid of your notebook....and don't touch
it
> for the rest of the night. It may take you 10 minutes...but it's better
> than lugging a B3 and a Prophet 5.
>
> 4) All the controls....should be done via your controller keyboard.
> Changing programs.....or even editing parameters.
>
> I actually bought a Peavey PC1600x midi controller to act as
drawbars....but
> I found that it isn't that useful if you are using presets. Everytime you
> switch to a different preset....you won't know where the drawabars (or any
> other settings) are at. However.....if you choose to forget the
> presets and decide to use the PC1600 for ALL changes to your B3 sound...
> it'll work perfectly.
>
> I find that pre-programming presets is easiest. I just set 3 or 4
> different presets in sequential order. When I need to change the
> Drawbar...distortion or percussion settings.. I just hit ONE button and
> get a different preset. Boom. From cool Jimmy Smith to Screaming Jon
> Lord in one flick of a button.
>
> As for alternating between B4 and Pro 52.... I have 2X midi in and out.
So
> I set the Pro 52 for A and the B4 for B. On my controller keyboard I
> merely plugged in one Midi OUT at a time. I think I'm going to hunt
around
> for a simple MIDI switch that would save me about 3 seconds of plugging
and
> unplugging time.
>
> If you're considering a notebook purchase...I wouldn't recommend buying a
> Compaq. It'll be hard on your pocket book. If you DO have cash... check
> out RME-audio.com They have what looks to be the best notebook sound
> solutions available.
>
> Cheers,
> Daniel
>
> From: "Jeroen van Zutphen"
> Reply-To: CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com
> To:
> Subject: Re: [CWSG] Made the band! (Was: John Lord Recipe)
> Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2001 11:48:10 +0200
>
> Can you tell us what kind of laptop/soundcard combination you use?
>
> Grtz,
> Jeroen
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dan Pothaar"
> To:
> Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2001 11:04 PM
> Subject: [CWSG] Made the band! (Was: John Lord Recipe)
>
> > Hey guys,
> > Thanks for all your advice on the "Jon Lord" sounds. It was
vital
> in
> > helping me get the job. THe band was really picky about having "The
> > Sound".
> >
> > Interestingly enough, I used only "Native-Instruments" sounds for
> the
> > whole audition. I played "Smokin" by Boston, "Why Can't this be
love"
> > Van Halen, and "Highway Star" Deep Purple.
> >
> > For both Smokin and Highway Star I used NI B4. I played the Highway
> Star
> > LOUD and with attitude. I had lots of distortion and got a real warm
> > "tubey" sound with B4. I gave the guitarist and his Beasty Marshall a
> run
> > for his money.
> >
> > For "Why Can't this be love" I used NI Pro 52 to emulate the
> > Super-Fat-Mono-Flange-Analog synth used. I was very surprised to find
> that
> > I was able to emulate the sound perfectly in about 5 minutes.....after
> > trying for an hour and 1/2 with my Korg.
> >
> > When performing I kept both the NI PRO 52 and B4 open at the same time.
> I
> > basically shut the lid of my notebook and controlled the program
changes
> > directly from my KORG. I ran the B4 on "MIDI IN A" and the PRO 52
on
> > "MIDI IN B". I merely switched the cables on my keyboard. It
worked
> > like a charm.
> >
> > Thanks again,
> >
> > Daniel
> >
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