1. Audio setup
Requirements: 1 laptop + 1 audio interface with at least 6 inputs/6 outputs + 1 MIDI interface.
The concert laptop receives 6 audio channels from the FOH console, and outputs 6 audio channels back to the FOH console.
For this version, a RME Digiface DANTE audio interface and a iConnectMIDI4+ MIDI interface were used.
FOH –> input channels concert laptop:
Input |
Ableton Live Track |
Audio interface channel |
1/2 |
Strings |
DANTE 1/2 |
3/4 |
Winds |
DANTE 3/4 |
5 |
Tp |
DANTE 5 |
6 |
E-GTR |
DANTE 6 |
Output channels concert laptop –> FOH:
Output |
Ableton Live Track(s) |
Audio interface channel |
1/2 |
Synth, Reverb |
DANTE 1/2 |
3/4 |
Strings, Winds, Tp |
DANTE 3/4 |
5/6 |
E-GTR |
DANTE 5/6 |
2. Loudspeaker setup
The direct sounds of all the instruments are amplified directly via the FOH console, with frontal sound projection.
The laptop outputs 6 channels, assigned to the same speaker setup (frontal sound projection), covering the L/R stereo field. Panning is already done in the Ableton session.
3. Midi setup
A simple USB MIDI controller is used to control the levels of the processed strings, winds, trumpet, electric guitar, as well as the speed of the autopan effect in section III.
In addition, the MIDI pedal of the MIDI master keyboard is assigned to #CC 7, and controls the Synth track volume.
MIDI #CC |
Controlled parameter |
85 |
Strings track volume |
86 |
Winds track volume |
87 |
Trumpet track volume |
88 |
E-Gtr track volume |
8 |
E-Gtr autopan freq |
7 |
Synth track volume |
4. Software installation
a) Ableton Session
Mount the Prof_Bad_Trip_Lesson2_2023.dmg file.
Copy its full content in a folder on your HD or SSD.
b) Audio Settings
Driver type: Core Audio
Audio input/output device: Digiface Dante
Input/output config:
--> activate stereo inputs 1/2 3/4, mono inputs 5 and 6
--> activate stereo outputs 1/2 3/4 5/6
In/Out sample rate: 48000
Buffer size: 128
5. Ableton Session presentation
The session is very simple: a couple of synthesizer sounds played by the keyboardist, and some effects applied to the strings, the winds, the trumpet and the electric guitar.
The 2 synth sounds BT-II-Suono1 and BT-II-Suono2 are selected by the keyboardist by sending a program change message (PGM): 1 for BT-II-Suono1, 2 for BT-II-Suono2.
These PGM change values can be specified differently, if necessary, on the am.pgmchange M4L devices.
6. Initialization routine
N/A
7. System calibration and tests
Simply adjust the effect levels to taste, so that they mix well with the direct sound of the instruments.
Keep the E-GTR track volume down until section III.
In section III, raise the track volume up, while the dry sound is muted, so that only the autopanned sound of the guitar is projected from the loudspeakers. Adjust the rate of the autopan with the MIDI controller (CC#8).