Laptops live

The use of laptops on stage is redefining how musicians use technology when playing live. Mark Cousins explores a more lightweight approach to going on the road...

Over the last couple of years a quiet revolution has taken place: musicians and DJs have harnessed the power of the laptop studio to create true performance-based electronic music. Gone are the days of watching live electronic acts miming to backing tapes; the laptop performer is now creating and sculpting every detail of a live set – right before your very eyes. With the price of a laptop now around the same as that of a professional-quality guitar or drum kit, almost any musician can have access to cutting-edge performance technology. Also, performance-orientated software, including Ableton Live 4 and Reaktor 4, offers an interactive and spontaneous means of working with a live set. Even conventional musicians are beginning to re-assess what a laptop can offer: the ultimate synthesizer or sampler (subtractive, FM, additive, modelling and more, all in the one box), or a smaller and more lightweight replacement to tons of amplifiers and effects pedals for the gigging guitarist.

This feature first appeared in Music Tech Magazine issue 21
Filed under General Features

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