Modartt user forum » Pianoteq user forum » Using Pianoteq hardware standalone unit for live performance
I'm looking for a stable solution for live gigs: a midi keyboard connected to a "box" that runs Pianoteq. Ideally I can scroll through some presets.
I read about Raspberry Pi 4, but the whole set-up and command line things frightens me. Is there any off-the -shelf solution that is comparable with installing Pianoteq on a Mac or PC? Which "box" do you recommend?
Both the Microsoft Surface tablet and MacBook Air are live-performance friendly. They are all-in-one (monitor+keyboard) with solid-state components (no internal moving parts) and can run off their internal batteries. USB keyboards can connect directly, but for MIDI DIN keyboards, you'll need a USB MIDI Host (e.g. Kenton, iRig MIDI). Also consider an external sound card that can output a stable level signal to a mixer. I use the Mackie MDB-USB DI which gives me XLR outs. On the Mac, the headphone output is decent for live performance, but a robust audio interface is better.
Intel NUCs, Raspberry Pi and Odriod N2 are as not live-performance friendly out-of-the-box. Along with the main box, you'll need carry to around additional/separate peripherals and cables. Plus you'll need to configure one-off customizations to get it all working. But - the Raspberry/Odriod with an attached touch-screen/stylus might work pretty well.
Personally I would get a Mac of some sort and then mainstage as a host for fast browsing of the patches. Mainstage is more or less guaranteed for you to work in a live performance, since it has been designed for exactly that.
If you want to keep the visible tech minimal, get a Mac mini, a small monitor that you can put somewhere (maybe with touch) and map the patch switching somewhere on your controller.
Depending on how much knobs and stuff you have on the controller (usually there are plenty) you can controll everything without ever touching the monitor and the visible tech part will be minimal. I created send busses for example for the reverbs that I use and mapped them to knobs on the controller, but you can do this for other effects. This way you can quickly switch through patches and add effects.
Probably better get the 16GB Ram version, one instance of PT uses up about 700MB, so you are limited to about 9-10 instances when you are using an 8GB machine.
I agree with the advice to use a Macbook Air or a Surface tablet (although my Surface tablet was hands-down the worst computer I have ever owned), running a DAW such as Reaper or using Mainstage on the Mac.
If you run the standalone version of Pianoteq for live use, you need to be careful to avoid waking your computer from sleep by hitting the spacebar key, which is how I used to wake mine...it can trigger the demo recording in Pianoteq and your audience will hear it. The voice of experience here. ;-)
minimal visible tech is indeed a requirement for me, I'm not a playback-laptop performer so the tech part should be hidden
Personally I would get a Mac of some sort and then mainstage as a host for fast browsing of the patches. Mainstage is more or less guaranteed for you to work in a live performance, since it has been designed for exactly that.
If you want to keep the visible tech minimal, get a Mac mini, a small monitor that you can put somewhere (maybe with touch) and map the patch switching somewhere on your controller.
Depending on how much knobs and stuff you have on the controller (usually there are plenty) you can controll everything without ever touching the monitor and the visible tech part will be minimal. I created send busses for example for the reverbs that I use and mapped them to knobs on the controller, but you can do this for other effects. This way you can quickly switch through patches and add effects.
Probably better get the 16GB Ram version, one instance of PT uses up about 700MB, so you are limited to about 9-10 instances when you are using an 8GB machine.
THX a lot. There's a huge difference in pricetag and hassle, so I need to think about this. My most important point is stability and reliability.
I have been using Mainstage in a previous project. This time I want to gig using a piano and a modular synth: no computer and all live. In many places, however, the quality of available pianos and accoustics made me decide that pianoteq is the best solution. It is important to me to not be a "laptop" musician: it must be clear that all the sounds are produced in the moment: staring at a screen between 2 songs is not an option
Both the Microsoft Surface tablet and MacBook Air are live-performance friendly. They are all-in-one (monitor+keyboard) with solid-state components (no internal moving parts) and can run off their internal batteries. USB keyboards can connect directly, but for MIDI DIN keyboards, you'll need a USB MIDI Host (e.g. Kenton, iRig MIDI). Also consider an external sound card that can output a stable level signal to a mixer. I use the Mackie MDB-USB DI which gives me XLR outs. On the Mac, the headphone output is decent for live performance, but a robust audio interface is better.
Intel NUCs, Raspberry Pi and Odriod N2 are as not live-performance friendly out-of-the-box. Along with the main box, you'll need carry to around additional/separate peripherals and cables. Plus you'll need to configure one-off customizations to get it all working. But - the Raspberry/Odriod with an attached touch-screen/stylus might work pretty well.
Probably because the music may be different - I play solely classical - but I use my MacBookPro with SSD at home and also for occasional classical recitals for charity. As I introduce each work or section, that gives me the chance to change instruments, even though this is rare. So, in my naivety, quite some years' ago I gave a recital covering a Hauptwerk chamber organ, Hauptwerk harpsichord (before the Pianoteq Ruckers came out), followed by a Pianoteq fortepiano (Walter) and finally Pianoteq SteinwayD. A sort of history of keyboard music from Anon onwards. No problems that time. I've had more problems with the keyboard itself: twice the sustain pedal went on strike which once caused me to scrap the programme and switch to a Mozart/Haydn offering. (I then manhandled the whole keyboard/stand/pedal unit ensemble each time to avoid issues when re-connecting) I also got into the habit of recording everything beforehand just in case the physical keyboard fails in some way. Obviously, having done this, I've never had a hardware issue.
Simple setup: midi to MacBook Pro, back out to monitor speakers via an Arcam DAC. Main non-hardware issue is adjusting preset (s) to the venue acoustics when necessary. (So easy to load a midi file and listen from the audience perspective) Generally, though, I have played a single instrument throughout.
THX a lot. There's a huge difference in pricetag and hassle, so I need to think about this. My most important point is stability and reliability.
If you just need to run Pianoteq the Odroid-N2+ with LCD looks pretty good: decent CPU performance, built-in heatsink, stereo line-out, 384Khz/32bit audio DAC and solid-state (no moving parts). Depending on the size of the LCD screen the cost ranges from US$100-200. It's a pretty cool solution, but the flip-side is, you're going to have to configure it, right down to fitting a case for it.
If you go the laptop route, maybe a briefcase to hide all the gear.
You could also run with the laptop screen closed, and use a MIDI controller like this.
THX a lot!
Jan De Block wrote:THX a lot. There's a huge difference in pricetag and hassle, so I need to think about this. My most important point is stability and reliability.
If you just need to run Pianoteq the Odroid-N2+ with LCD looks pretty good: decent CPU performance, built-in heatsink, stereo line-out, 384Khz/32bit audio DAC and solid-state (no moving parts). Depending on the size of the LCD screen the cost ranges from US$100-200. It's a pretty cool solution, but the flip-side is, you're going to have to configure it, right down to fitting a case for it.
If you go the laptop route, maybe a briefcase to hide all the gear.
You could also run with the laptop screen closed, and use a MIDI controller like this.
Jan De Block wrote:THX a lot.
If you just need to run Pianoteq the Odroid-N2+ with LCD looks pretty good: decent CPU performance, built-in heatsink, stereo line-out, 384Khz/32bit audio DAC and solid-state (no moving parts). Depending on the size of the LCD screen the cost ranges from US$100-200. It's a pretty cool solution, but the flip-side is, you're going to have to configure it, right down to fitting a case for it.
If you go the laptop route, maybe a briefcase to hide all the gear.
You could also run with the laptop screen closed, and use a MIDI controller like this.
If the visual impression that your audience gets from your using a laptop is a major concern, I suggest placing your laptop and interface on a small tripod table to the side of your piano bench, at a level just below your legs, out of sight of the audience. I set this up during sound check, and keep the laptop partially closed during performance. No one has ever commented on my use of a laptop, and most of the audience never notices it at all. I find it much easier to use my familiar laptop than to cobble together some special hardware for the purpose. It's easy to turn to one side to make adjustments if needed, but not generally visible to others.