The lower Rack is my ‘Lightrack’ connected with USB for Dmxis…
and Artnet/Sacn for LED and also Dmx-Devices…
the Merger allows to work with both interfaces at the same time and I have also 4 different Dmx outputs …
As a result, I am not forced to switch all DMX-devices in line…
also it is galvanic isolated on all outputs
the lower connectors are for my led-Stripes
for longer cables I use 3Pin XLR (+,-,Data)… and the short Kabels with 5Pin XLR (+,-, Data to, Data from) …in loop to the next Cable.
because I had problems with flickering lights…
another big problem was the diameter of the cabels because the LED’s work with 5V ( 24 V would be better and less problematic)
but I only could have 5V stripes with 60 Led’s/m…
So my cable is 2x2,5mm2 …(much Fun to solder on the small Stripe)
Normaly my VoiceliveRack ist at home in the upper Rack but to work in Presets it is mutch better to have it directly in front of me…
so there is a hole in the Upper Rack on the picture.
…but it was a long way with try and error to find the best working devices for my music…
but this sounds great for all kinds of sounds I need.
It was also a lot of trial and error to do an acceptable work for me.
But also I had fun with tinkering I have to confess.
So it would be easyer to work with the Genos Vocalist but the VoiceliveRack Sounds to good so I could not give it up.
Also the oversized Mixer… but to have so much Options for Output Channels Is great when working with different Soundsystems or combined Systems.
At the moment I only have ’ private Family Gig’s ’ to test my Equipment…
and my living room …so my girl is not everytime amused what’s going on
I found a great deal on a used HP Zbook and started building on that. I really wanted everything contained and as much already plugged in as I could have, so I opted for a Gator GRC-STUDIO4GO -case for everything.
In the rack I’m running:
Furman M-10X e power conditioner
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 2nd gen
iConnectivity iConnectMIDI 4+
Audiofront MIDI Expression Quattro (a HUGE thank you to Neil_Durant for pointing this out in my original thread!)
t.bone IEM 100
2 * Palmer Pan 08 rack DI
2 * Boss FS-5U
Six output channels from the Focusrite go to first six channels on the Palmer rack DI’s. Last two DI channels are inputs, if the venue can provide, to get a monitor mix without keys so I can mix them myself for wired or wireless in ears.
All my MIDI goes through the iConnectMIDI 4, with only an ethernet connection from the box into my laptop. I’m then running RTP-MIDI on the laptop. I bought a cheap 7-port powered USB-hub, connected it to the host port of the iConnectMIDI and made a panel with 6 USB-ports on the rack. The two DIN-ports are backup DIN-midi for secondary keyboard and keytar. Now it doesn’t matter what keys I’m using, I just plug into a DIN-port or a USB-port and play. The Audiofront MIDI Expression also goes through one of the USB ports.
I’m using two Boss FS-5U pedals to change states and songs. Short press on the right pedal goes a state forward, press on the left it’s back. Long press on the pedals is the same but for songs on a setlist. Works flawlessly.
Normally I run a PC3K8 and an Alesis Vortex Wireless with the setup, but here I used whatever was at the rehearsal venue to prove a point - this time a Technics PX-7.
All in all I could not be happier. Sure I have some troubles, like not being able to use some AIR music bundle synths (hybrid,vacuum,loom) as it crashes Cantabile, but programming songs is so easy compared to what I used to do and getting new sounds means spending only little money (as opposed to a lot of money previously, with now more things to lug around).
I already have a lot of ideas what to do with the “V2” Cantabile rig, but I don’t think anyones journey on this is ever truly complete
nice to see an iconnectivity midi4 in a live rig. just got one for the home setup and i’m very impressed. for those running win7 it has the added bonus of turning class-compliant usb devices in to true multi-client. and the routing is game-changing.
but how does your laptop breathe in it’s snug and fluffy bed?
and why use the rtp-midi instead of a usb connection?
The iConnectMIDI 4 is a great piece of kit. I used to have some issues every time I wanted to make configuration changes a couple years back, but the firmware and the configuration software are much more stable now.
Initially RTP-MIDI was just something I really wanted to test out, but it has worked so well I don’t feel the need for a change. One of the great things about RTP-MIDI is that the virtual device is always there, it just doesn’t receive anything if things aren’t powered on. With a USB connection the device isn’t visible if the device isn’t there (shocker) and not all pieces of software can easily handle a situation like that, forcing a restart of the application. And all the various threads about Windows USB device handling and USB MIDI issues don’t exactly encourage me to go that path
About the air circulation, a great point! It’s one of the few things I need to do each time I take the covers off; I lift the laptop a bit and set these hard cushions (that came with the Gator case) under the laptop in such a way that air can move. This has kept temperatures in check with the fan never running at full speed.
It was great to see your keyboard in action. What plugin is the left hand playing in Bataillon D’Amour? Reminds me of David Sancious’ playing with Sting.
Interesting, i have a Ryzen 1700x 3.4 8 core processor with 95W tdp in a 1U rack soft case and hadnt had any problems with overheating. I have 6 40mm fans in the front and 1 low profile cpu fan on the cpu. I have a temp sensor and the inside case tempurature hasnt gone over 99 degrees F. I have have it set that the CPU and 2 of the 6 fans follow the cpu temp and the other four can be controlled to come on at a set internal case temperature…
My answer to the why not a trackball question is it didn’t even occur to me! I was a trackball user at one point. Small Logitech wireless mice are inexpensive, don’t require much real estate and are super reliable. I actually use two of them on the unit above.
I use this little battery tester before shows for any active bass or other battery operated device. Learned the hard way to not skip this step. The batteries are super easy to pop out of the Logitech M325.
The device is made by “Delkin” (as opposed to Belkin )
If the tester lights less than 4 lights I put the battery in a bag of 2-3 light batteries and use them for computer keyboards, desktop mice etc.
Update: One thing I forgot to mention is the laptop has a big touch pad - I’m more comfortable using a mouse but if mouse died I’m still fine.
Hi all,
Here is my self made little “Gig Box” 34x19x30 cm (has to fit in my scooter top case!)
HP EliteDesk I7 4770s @3.1 - 16GB ram 250+512 SSD’s.
Motu Ultralite Mk3 Hybrid
Wifi router (the white thing) for Remote Desktop on Ipad.
4 gigs yet and very happy with it. Setup time <2mn!!!
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