So, I’ve been getting several questions about the rig that I use for playing and programming. Thought it would just be easier for me to post the info here.
I’ll start with the basics of my programming/pre-production rig:
In my office, which also serves as our audio studio control room, I’ve got an OmniRax desk that houses everything I need and use. The core of my system is a Mac Power PC Dual 2 GHz with 6GB of RAM. For those of you that do programming and recording you know that lack of RAM (memory) will kill you. Depending on how much producing you do, amount of tracks you run, and the software apps you use will help determine how much RAM you may need. I wouldn’t even think about using less than 2 gigs of RAM. My main DAW (digital audio workstation) is Digital Performer by MOTU. I’ve got ProTools M-Powered installed but quite frankly I don’t like working in it all the time. In my opinion, DP is MUCH more flexible, intuitive, and advanced as a sequencing program. The interface is fantastic and just makes sense. Plug-ins, VST, AU’s, etc…integrate seamlessly into it as well. It’s also not a proprietary software that must use it’s own hardware to run like ProTools. LOVE IT! I will say this about ProTools….I do like using it for vocals and audio recording because the plugins are fantastic. So sometimes I find myself recording things into PT and dropping the audio files over into DP for integration into a sequence or track.
I am also a big Reason fan….developed by Propellar Head. Reason is one of my “meat and potatoes” applications that shows up in a big way on pretty much every project I produce. It’s the program that all of my clicks are produced from. Also, with all of the available Reason Refills by Sonic Reality that are out there….there isn’t much that I can’t produce from loops to strings, pads, organic textures, keys, etc…
As far as drums and loops are concerned I love Stylus RMX (by Spectrasonics) and BFD by FXpansion. They are both exceptional. I control all of these while slaving them to Digital Performer.
As far as an hardware interface and controller goes I have 2 different systems hooked up into my computer. For programming I use a MOTU 828 MKII.
This is a great firewire interface with 20 inputs and 22 outputs. Mind you, some of these inputs are ADAT and SPDIF. There are a total of 10 analog inputs….2 of them are on the front and have pre-amps. The other 8 are on the back and are TRS inputs that need pre’s. For those inputs I have a Focusrite Octopre that has…you guessed it…8 pre’s on it and than outputs with a DB-25 to TRS connector snake that you can buy from Hosa or several other cable makers.
I use a Roland Fantom X8 as my main controller and synth in my office.
I love Roland synths and pianos. I’ve tried almost everything and I returned back to Roland without a second thought about it. It’s an all-in-one instrument that blows my mind as far as the quality of sounds, feel, and features. Amazing instruments!
For reference monitors I use both Mackie HR-824’s and M-Audio BX-8’s. The Mackies are quite transparent and sound really nice. The M-Audio’s are a great full size reference monitor, especially for the price. You can get a pair of these for under $400. Mackies will run you closer to a $1000 for the pair. I also love the Presonus Central Station for monitor switching and studio talkback. It’s the only thing from Presonus that’s worth buying….and it’s definitely something to buy if you have multiple inputs and outputs that you need to monitor.
OK….now my live rig:
The main keyboard is a Roland RD 700SX.
This is one of the best, most intuitive, and flexible stage pianos EVER! It sounds amazing, is very easy to operate on the fly from the stage and looks simple & clean. It has balanced XLR outputs so there is no need for direct boxes. Just plug your mic line cable(s) in and go. This is my foundational keyboard for pianos, rhodes, some leads, etc… You also have four zones on faders for seamlessly blending sounds together on the fly. No more “hiccups” while switching patches with this baby. The brand new version of this, the RD 700GX has even more stuff and is sicko!
On top of this I stack a Roland Fantom X7. This is the 76 note version of my main workhorse in the studio. This one doesn’t have the weighted keys so it’s great for synth leads, organ, pads, whatever… Has the same engine and interface as the X8 but just a little smaller.
Now to one of my favorite toys. Everyone wants that vintage B3 organ sound but shelling out the money for one and then hauling it around is not an option for most of us. Here’s the next best thing that is completely indistinguishable to most ears….the Roland VK-8M.
I can’t say enough about this thing. It is an organ modeler that actually thinks it’s an organ. Rather than just sampling sounds it actually builds and creates its own sounds. The Roland D-Beam sensor serves as your leslie brake. Wave your hand over the unit and the horn spins. Wave it back over the unit and it slows down. The D-Beam does several other things too. It models several amps and cabinets, has all the percussion settings….just everything you could want in an organ. It rocks. For the MIDI controller for it I use an M-Audio Axiom 49.
This whole rig sits on a keyboard stand on my right side in an “L” configuration. This allows me to hold down a pad with my left hand on the Fantom X7 and play a B3 lead in my right hand on the organ. This weekend I’ll shoot a picture of the rig and post it for you.
Lastly, I run a black Macbook on the stage with Digital Performer for all of our tracks. This computer just sits on a second tier above the organ rig. We have another MOTU 828 MKII on the stage that plugs via firewire into the computer and then runs 8 channels out of the back into a rackmount Radial Pro DI
so that we can send out separate channels of tracks to the front of house so our audio engineer can mix the loops, tracks, clicks, etc…into our in-ear-monitors as well as the front of house mix individually. He now has complete control of the balance of the programmed mix to make sure it sits well with all of the live instruments.
Here’s the sad part….
Normally I lead from guitar so I don’t get to use this live rig all that much. I’ll play keys once every 3-4 weeks at church while our other worship leader is leading. So, it’s always nice to have a gig come up where I’m MD’ing for someone and leading the band. Many times, however, I’ll jump over on the rig for a special performance tune that we do to add texture.
Final thoughts….
It’s interesting to see how the role of the keyboardist has and continues to change in the context of the modern band. Music is very rarely “keyboard driven” anymore. The role of the keyboardist is to add texture, color, and support to the big picture. Begin to look at your self as glue to hold the foundation together…finding space to add simple texture to. Learn to let the song breathe and don’t think that you need to drive the boat anymore….you don’t. Also, it’s OK NOT to play during every moment of the song. Lay out on the verse sometime and just enjoy listening to the rest of the band play. Then when the chorus roles around take 2 fingers and add some texture on a pad or organ sound. You’ll be amazed at how much more musical you’ll become.
Less is more….except for the gear itself.
What are YOU using to make it happen?
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