After using my current setup for the better part of 2018, I finally got around to taking a few pictures at a rehearsal.
I took quite a bit of a turn from my original thread where I asked for advice (and got some really great pieces of it) https://community.cantabilesoftware.com/t/contemplating-on-taking-the-plunge/825
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.
Pictures!
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 