Tecoustic Vocisma suggestions
I'm currently gigging with my Techoustic Vocisma band. People often ask me about my setup so I figured I'd create a page with some info about the system. If you are interested in putting a rig like this together, I set up a seperate page with information on aquiring this stuff.
The bulk of the system is my rack of audio gear:
 |
- QSR sound module |
The rack is controlled by a Windows computer running my custom MidiMapper software. A MIDI foot controller allows me to interface with the MidiMapper program which plays MIDI sequences, controls the vocal harmonizer, triggers loops, selects effects on voice/guitar, plays audio samples and will even control DMX512 lighting. MidiMapper is a new program that is still under construction but even this early version provides an amazing amount of control over equipment used for live entertainment events. MidiMapper is actually part of a larger system I'm calling MidiDowntown (www.MidiDowntown.com) which consists of multiple apps that communicate over IP (internet, wifi, etc..).
Connection Diagram
This is a diagram showing audio and control data connections:
(note- I'm currently not using the GR33 and the second MPX G2)
| Voiceworks |  |
This is a rack-mountable vocal harmonizer made by TC Helicon. I really use this device as my "gold channel" for my vocal as it provides compression, EQ, reverb and delay in addition to harmonies. Though the device is capable of detecting the pitch of your voice and calculating the appropriate harmonies automatically, I primarily trigger the harmonies via MIDI from a MIDI sequence playing on the MidiMapper program.
| JamMan |  |
The JamMan is a 1U rack-mountable audio looping device made by Lexicon in the mid 1990s. This particular JamMan is running a special "JamMan Pro" version of software which is under development by Stecware. Check out my JamMan home page (www.JamMan.org) for news and information.
| MPXG2 |  |
The MPX G2 is a 1U rack-mountable guitar effects product made by Lexicon in the late 1990s. I was one of the software developers for this product and, though it was designed for electric guitars, works quite well for acoustic guitars as well (which is how I use it). I'm primarily using it for EQ, compression, delay and reverb of my acoustic guitar though it is capable of a whole lot more. Check out my MPX G2 home page (www.MPXG2.com) for news and information.
| QSR |  |
The QSR is a 1U rack-mountable MIDI sound module made by Alesis. This is really my EBand's musical instruments. This sound module can produce an amazing assorment of musicial instrument sounds but I primarily use it for drums, bass, keyboards, stringed and wind instruments.
| SM82 |  |
This is a simple 1U rack-mountable line level mixer made by Rane. The audio from all the other devices feeds this device which produces a stereo output which I feed to the main PA system. The mixer includes an effect send which I use to feed sound sources to the JamMan for looping. In this way, I can loop both guitar and vocals.
| MidiMapper |
The MidiMapper is part of a MIDI software system called MIDI Downtown which is currently under development by Stecware (my software company). MidiMapper is an application that interfaces with multiple pieces of gear using MIDI as a sort of electronic assistant and band during live performances. The performer interfaces with the program through a MIDI footcontroller device (I use the Lexicon MPX R1) to play MIDI sequenced backing tracks, change programs on devices (guitar/vocal effects processors, etc..), control the JamMan, generate MIDI notes, play wave files, change light settings and a whole lot more. Refer to www.MidiDowntown.com for more details.
| MPX R1 |  |
The MPX R1 is a MIDI foot controller device developed by Lexicon for use with their MPX G2 and MPX 1 effects processors. This acts as my primary interface to the MIDI Mappper program which outputs MIDI note data to the QSR sound module, controls lights, effects units, etc.. (see MidiMapper section). Check out my MIDI Footcontroller page for a cross section of available devices.
| Unitor8 |  |
The Unitor 8 is an 8 channel MIDI interface for Windows and Mac PCS made by the company EMagic. The 1U rack-mountable device serves as the communications interface between the other rack gear and the computer. Emagic no longer seems to exist (absorbed by another company I believe) and the advanced configuration software never seemed to work on any of my PCs so I don't know if I'd recommend this particular piece. Though the Unitor 8 seems to behave itself in general use, I've had better luck with MIDIMan/MAudio devices.