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Lappy (was: Re: Delurk, intro and a couple of questions.)
On Jul 24, 2005, at 0:34, Risto Paalanen wrote:
> reconsider the PC option.
Risto,
Since I'm using a powerbook myself I think I should just post why I
picked that one instead of an equal pc laptop that would give more
processing power. It was just because I don't plan to use very much
processing power live (I do have a G5 for studio work). I plan to
record my live playing as audio chunks and manipulate them, witch is
not as CPU demanding. And I plan to use a lot of software cross
connections, side chains and nifty tricks to control the plug-ins
from external MIDI and have plug-ins being controlled by each other
as well as by random scripts controlled by me as I play. And the
answer to that was OS X with its built in support for streaming of
both MIDI and audio within the computers operating system, between
open applications. No need for Hubi's Loopback and those similar
third party add-ons I used on the pc. And when I looked at prices I
found that a pc lappy that equals a powerbook in build quality (for
example the sony vaio) was just as expensive.
I must say I'm very happy with the 1,25 mHz powerbook I have (2 GB
RAM). I'm looping mostly in the plug-in Augustus Loop (AU only for OS
X) together with recording loops on one track in Ableton Live 5. This
equals using two stereo looping devices and is as much as I can
handle in an improvising live situation. I can build up stuff in
Augustus, by layering with carefully controlling loop feedback from a
MIDI pedal, and dump it into a loop on the Live 5 track and then
start building new stuff in Augustus. Both Augustus' loop (playing
completely in RAM) and the Live 5 loops (recorded to the hard drive)
can also be pitch transformed by foot pedals (this is new in Live 5,
but it does only work by external MIDI control for the selected
track. So as long as you keep that track selected you can re-pitch
all recorded loops). While Augustus does not time stretch to keep
loop length intact during pitch transformation Live 5 does this. I
find that a very good combination, equalling the classic combo EDP/
Repeater. At least for my needs.
But if buying a lappy right now I might look into a super cheap one
like Acer or Toshiba, just to get the horsepower running for two
years (if they do not crap out before that) until maybe a better
alternative will be the new powerbooks that run Intel processors. I'm
really into the way OS X lets you look at software as an open system,
similar to sitting in a traditional studio with a bin of effect
pedals and a huge patch bay to set up whatever crazy sound design
idea you dream up (most sound bad or do not work IRL, but it's fun
and you learn by making mistakes). A pc lappy with Live 5 and the VST
plug-in Lexicon PSP42 would be nice too.
A tip on buying a powerbook - or any lappy - for audio application is
to get it with the full RAM stuffed inside. Please remember that when
calculating the prices.
Greetings from Sweden
Per Boysen
www.looproom.com (international)
www.boysen.se (Swedish)
---> iTunes Music Store (digital)
www.cdbaby.com/perboysen