In a previous post, we showed you the most basic setup possible to run loops in your worship set. This time, we wanted to get a little more fancy and layout what a multi-channel setup might look like.
(Click the picture for a full size version)
Archives For Hardware
Getting started with loops can seem complicated and confusing. People talk about interfaces, direct boxes, Ableton vs Reason vs Logic vs everything else and the complexity of some setups can be daunting.Rest assured, once you get started – you’ll want to do all those fancy things, but to get started – all you need is a couple cables and a pair of direct boxes. A picture is worth 1000 words right? Good!
There are a lot of different ways you can trigger a loop. You can use a computer keyboard or a midi controller but sometimes you just don’t have your hands free to trigger your loops. If you are a guitar-playing worship leader, you definitely know what I’m talking about. My hope for this post is that you can grow in your knowledge of how you can start triggering loops with a foot controller and learn about some of the Foot controllers that are out on the market.
A midi foot controller is a device that can be configured through midi usb to ableton live or another DAW (digital audio workstation) software. Most of the controllers I will be talking about in this post are used by worship leaders or musicians to trigger loops clips or tracks in the live music environment. I’m not going to go into much detail, but want to highlight the top 5 Foot controllers out on the market. If you’ve ever used any of these pedals, we’d love to hear your comments… post them below!
Here are a few controllers you might want to check out.
SoftStep Foot Controller
The first Foot controller is the Soft step controller created by Keith McMillen instruments. The softstep controller has many possibilities that go way beyond triggering loops giving the user unlimited potential for creative expression. Retailing at around $259.00. Purchase from Loop Community!
POK Controller
The Second controller is the Pok controller created by Xtempo. This is an 8 button wireless controller that can be connected to your DAW from 100 feet away. Retailing at $319.00.
aBility Controller
The third pedal is the ability controller created by Youn Works. This is an 8 button controller witth 20 banks and 6 assignable switches in each bank. Retailing for around $445
Rocktron Midi Mate
The forth controller is the Rocktron Midi mate which is created by Rocktron and is a 9 button assignable controller. Retailing for around $199.oo.
BOSS FC-300
The fifth controller is the BOSS Fc-300 this is a controller with two assignable expression pedals, two control pedals, nine footswitches and expandability. Retailing for around $449.00.
Once again this post is not to review these controllers in detail, but to give you a glimpse of some of the controllers other worship leaders are using and hopefully get your mind stirring on how you can start triggering loops without your hands.
Written by Jake Stemo.
Matt McCoy walks through his new loop rig modifications, including the new addition of a PreSonus AudioBox VSL 1818 and how he is interfacing Ableton and PreSonus software to create a headphone mix.
Lets face it. We all know the benfits of an in ear monitoring system and many a small church sings the same tune – “I wish we had the funds for an Aviom System.” Consider the following price tag for 16 channels of in ear monitoring:
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer $620.00 x 5 = $3,100 (1 for each musician)
Aviom A-16D Pro A-Net Distributor $1365.00 (Connecting the musicians to the input module)
Aviom MT-1 $31.00 x 5 = $155 (Mounting hardware)
Aviom AN-16/i Input Module $1195.00 (Standard 16 channel input module)
GRAND TOTAL = $5,815! ZOWIE!!!
Well the party is over, Aviom. Say hello to Qmix.
Qmix is a highly affordable alternative for any church on a budget and is part of Studio Live by PreSonus. This system not only addresses personal mixer issues, but it does it with hardware most of you already have, It also provides a full channel strip on every channel and the ability to multi-track record every channel on the desk every weekend. Just the channel strip (EQ and Compression on every channel) alone is worth thousands in analog hardware.
Well… a picture tells a thousand words. Check this video out.
The cost for the same 16 channels from PreSonus?
PreSonus StudioLive 16.0.2 = $1,299.00
Need we say anymore? The Aviom alternative has arrived!
If you have questions about how to implement Studio Live in your church send us an email.
