Hey guys! I just wanted to share some quick pictures of my latest setup, and I think this might be my final setup.
I posted some pictures before but took them down because my room was really messy. Well, when I say “room,” I mean my dining/living area, so please excuse that. I’m sure y’all can relate. You move things around to set up your equipment and practice, and then you have to move everything back. So that’s what you see going on in the background, along with my Halloween tree.
Anyway, I play in two different projects. One is specifically focused on controllerism and turntablism along with my bandmate on bass in a live performance setting.
For my other project, my solo project, I basically have this controllerism rig with live keys added to it.
Now, when I say “live keys,” I don’t mean I’m improvising keyboard parts over the songs. I’m actually playing the keyboard melodies for each song. I export the notes note by note and load them into the keyboard, which I use as a sampler. That way, I don’t have to download a huge sound library onto my MacBook Air.
Let me run you through the equipment I have:
Two Traktor Kontrol F1s
One Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3
One Akai MPD218
One Novation Launchkey Mini 37 MK4
One dual-screen portable monitor
One mini audio interface
The dual screen is running MainStage, where I have all the different patches for the Launchkey Mini 37 MK4.
Meanwhile, Traktor is running on my MacBook Air, which is connected to the setup as the host.
Here’s how everything works; the first F1 is dedicated to the background sounds I play between songs. Since I’m not necessarily performing a DJ set, but rather a live electronic instrumental pop set, I have things like birdsongs, ocean sounds, and other ambient noises playing on Deck C while I load different songs and remix sets.
I use the Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 as a four-deck mixer.
Deck A contains the live versions of all my songs. These are versions where I’ve removed certain synth parts and other elements that I want to play myself using Decks B and D.
Deck B is a live input that lets me control the volume and output of my Launchkey Mini 37 MK4.
Deck D is a Remix Deck that I control using both the second Traktor Kontrol F1 and the Akai MPD218. I use both controllers to give myself more room and flexibility for expression during performances.
So, yeah, while it might be a pain in the butt to set everything up, but I’m really happy with it.
It looks like a Gundam, and I feel like I’m piloting one, lol.
I’ve named this rig my Custom 001.
The only other thing I forgot to mention is the mini audio interface. Nothing too fancy. I’ll probably upgrade it eventually because I’m getting a slight bit of feedback, which might be because this interface is about 16 years old.
The other challenge is that I can’t arrange everything exactly how I’d like to while practicing at home. I have a show coming up on the 24th, along with a few more shows after that so, hopefully I can set everything up in a V formation for those performances, with all my DJ controller gear on the left and the keyboard and dual screen on the right.
That way, I can stand in the middle and have everything within reach.
I think that would be pretty cool.
Anyway, please excuse the mess once again. Y’all know what it is.