music performance playback systems | nerdmatics

New 128ch redundant playback rig for @illenium at @spherevegas . Utilizing 4 computers we are able to play and effect all 128ch with custom racks created with @nativeinstruments #guitarrig7pro by passing audio between our @digitalaudiodenmark DAD256 units via #dadlink, through our @netgear AV switches to the @directout Prodigy.MP which sends and receives audio via the 2 Dante.Dante.src.io cards. Vocals are passing through our @uaudio #x16d do keep our signal chain completely digital. This has been a huge undertaking and I appreciate all the help from @cammakesloudnoises and the Illenium team as well as the numerous companies that make up this system. Will be posting more on the system as well as taking a look at Nicks midi gear that he performs with. Come check out the show!

Over the last few months I have helped @linkinpark build their live show and design new performance stations, here is a quick look at the 4 systems; Digital/Analog Playback Audio FX Mike Shinoda Keyboard/Ableton Joe Hahn DJ/Abelton I appreciate the help and support from @asapsoundglobal and look forward to our new partnership. I have been doing this kind of work for a long time and I am excited to find a group of like minded individuals to help raise the bar in live performance. . . . . . . . . #linkinpark #nerdmatics #asapsoundglobal #directout #prodigymp #digitalaudiodenmark #iconnectivity #ableton #liveperformance #madiplayback #danteplayback #rtpmidi #midi

New 4 computer system for @feid Using Ableton for playback and Live.professor by Audiostrom for real time vocal fx Will post more in depth photos from my homie @absent_words in the next week with a breakdown of the setup . . . . . . . . #feid #ableton #liveprofessor #directout #prodigymp #digitalplayback #madiplayback #dante #danteplayback #playback #radialengineering #autotune #liveperformance #nerdmatics

Turning on the Illenium Sphere Playback Spaceship When dealing with larger systems like this it is super important to be consistent with your boot up sequence. My rack alone has 10 Dante devices and once the other audio systems are booted up we have about 35 Dante devices that all talk to each other and send and receive sync. Playback is already a hectic job, be neat, be organized. . . . . . . . #illenium #thesphere #nerdmatics #asapsound

A quick demo of the system in its earliest, functional form. The second slide is a screen shot that shows the current template and what the fx do and what stems can be isolated to be manipulated. The fx are controlled with CC messages that are copied to the other controllers so you can control the fx in different ways depending on what feels most comfortable in that moment. For testing purposes I have all outputs selected so we can easily hear the fx as they happen. The real magic of this system is when you isolate stems and manipulate them while the rest of the track plays. For instance, you can select everything but the vocal and low pass it to give the crowd a guide to sing along, you can add delays and reverbs to just the synths or beat repeat only the drums. Using fx in this way gives subtle variation to your show without disrupting the listening experience. Edit: Some other important details of how much strain this adds to your session. In this project I am running about 60 instances of Guitar Rig with about 13 individual fx in each instance. My buffer is at 128 and my CPU sits around 15%. . . . . . . . #nerdmatics #asapsound #nativeinstruments #guitarrig7pro

@illenium midi rig for @spherevegas Thank you to all the amazing companies and technicians involved in this build. It’s always awesome to build a concept on paper and see it come to life. The primary controller is a Steven Slate Raven MTi MAX monitor using OSC/Pilot for the software, @stevenslate and @deadmau5 were super supportive and it’s exactly what we were looking for. The 2 Sway controllers were also a favorite in this rig, allowing Nick to not only control his multi output effects racks but to also move audio around the sphere in real time, a first at the sphere. Thanks to Jeremy from @audimalabs for being there every step of the way. To control our synths and samplers we used the Erae Touch 2 and had a custom keyboard controller from Hackin Toys. Really amazing gear that helped Nick to add to the already epic show. Edgar from @embodme and Xavier from @hackintoys , I appreciate your help and support. For our main playback controller we used the tried and true Liobox 2 by @gooroo_controllers_official and all our audio fx were created and ran in @nativeinstruments Guitar Rig, literally one of the only ways to have DJ style FX from Traktor and there were about 60 instances to effect the 100+ channels of playback. A big shout out to my dawgs @skydyedmusic for helping put the rack together and taking care of the rig during the show and @ian_swartz for making the custom housing for the stage gear. This was a huge undertaking and I can’t thank @illenium and @cammakesloudnoises enough for trusting and believing in me. Also special thanks to mi pez @cm.media.wav for helping with the patch to control the spacial audio and guiding us through this whole process. . . . . . . . #thesphere #illenium #nerdmatics #asapsound

Short POV of @jordanullman using his midi performance rig. His 3 devices are; @wearenovation 61SL MkIII keyboard - Triggers Ableton samples, instruments, patch changes and audio fx @akai_pro MPD 233 - main FX control for @nativeinstruments Guitar Rig 7, drum sequencing to Ableton drum rack, and for triggering one shot samples Midi Kinetics Lemur App - song selection and transport, metronome feedback, fx output selection and mute groups With these three devices he can remotely control the playback rig and not need a screen to see what is happening in playback. All devices send midi information so audio does not have to travel to and from stage. One of the many benefits of midi is if there is a major issue with his stage rig all audio will still be working and the tech has an iPad at playback that allows the operator to select songs, mute fx and unmute safety tracks. . . . . . . . #majidjordan #nerdmatics #midi #liveperformance #novation #akaipro #guitarrig7 #lemur

Last year I got do some more work with one of my favorite artists @majidjordan Although this setup looks pretty simple it is definitely one of my favorite systems. All playback is controlled onstage by the artist, synths and drum machines are hosted in ableton and we are using multi output fx to manipulate the audio live. By keeping control on stage the artist can treat show like a DJ gig, have the ability to skip ahead to the next track, loop sections and create live remixes on the fly. . . . . . . . #majidjordan #nerdmatics #playback #liveperformance #asapsound @asapsoundglobal

@asapsoundglobal

The Prodigy.MP has become an industry standard with its modular platform and high quality components. Here is a quick video of how I assemble these units and a rundown of the current rack I am building for @illenium . . . . . . . #illenium #nerdmatics #playback #madi #dante #liveperformance #playbackrig

New playback and autotune system for @iambeckyg Based around the @directout #prodigymp this system has Dante, Madi and analog as well as a redundant #autotune system via the @uaudio Apollo Twin interfaces. To help with ease of setup I added 2 of the @rme_audio Madiface USB but still have a #dante card in case they need to multitrack record anything. I was excited to build this system as it has custom DC power supplies that power the following components; @plugable USB C Dock @tplinkus network switch @iconnectivity_interfaces MioXM midi interface @uaudio Apollo Twin Autotune interface @radialeng Backtrack Switcher @brainstorm_electronics SR-112 Each power supply can power everything listed above for redundant power and the primary power supply powers the switching components. The secondary power supply has DC cables for the switching components as well and they are wrapped up for easy access in case the primary goes out there is a “cold backup” I thought that this may be a good way to help clients as they can leave all the factory power supplies in storage and be confident that if any issues happen at least one side of the system will always be in operation as well as the switching components. Special thanks to @tps.ca for helping me spec and build these awesome power supplies. . . . . . . . #beckyg #playback #madi #madiplayback #dante #danteplayback #autotune #liveperformance #nerdmatics

While playback and MIDI backline systems have been my primary focus over the years, I’ve also started exploring other industries to expand my knowledge and reach new markets. Intimate performances often lack the right tools to fully support live music and lighting. With this in mind I designed a wireless, battery-powered DJ and lighting system. It runs for up to seven hours and is ideal for small events, weddings, or any setting where power and space are limited. I’ve already used it successfully at weddings and events in Hawaii, and I’m now looking to also connect with interested partners in California. If you’re interested in purchasing or collaborating, please reach out. 🎥: redringstudio #weddingdj #eventdj #dj #batterypowered #wirelessaudio