constructing the "virtual rack"

ed packard · From: Show Low AZ

Having decided upon the possibility of a virtual rack to replace a hardware rack, the question becomes, what goes into the virtual rack, and what “things” are needed/used.

In previous threads, the use of a laptop as the control element, and several ways of locating it in front of, or at the end of the PSG were discussed. Some of the ways were illustrated by photos on the forum … these included leg mounts, and screwed on trays. Not illustrated, but discussed, is the method that I prefer = photographic tripod.

We need to get the PSG output signal into the computers sound card. The input impedance (line or mic) of the sound cards in the computers are commonly not high enough to leave the pickup output signal intact. We will approach this issue from the standard PSG usage of a 500 K Ohm pot volume pedal plugged into the PSG output jack.

To eliminate the sound card’s pickup loading characteristic, we will use what is called a “recording interface” device. There are many. I want one that is configured such that it may be mounted on the end of the PSG with a bit of Velcro, and leave the ins/outs and controls in a useable location. I chose the M-AUDIO FAST TRACK unit … for several reasons: It is small; the controls are convenient; it has a mic (XLR) jack and mix control; it has a headphone output jack (32 ohms); and most importantly, it is NOT battery powered but plugs into one of the laptop’s USB ports. M-AUDIO makes a variety of recording interfaces … look them up on the web to get full specs.

The easiest way to use the FAST TRACK unit is to plug your volume pedal output into the ¼” input jack on the FT unit. This “instrument” input measures higher than most amp/preamp inputs.

An alternative way that you might like to try is to plug the PSG directly into the FT ¼” input jack, then (with a Y connection), plug the “to amp” output of the VP into the PSG. This allows the VP to shunt the pickup signal away from the FT input. It uses one cable instead of two for the VP. The load of the VP on the pickup has an extreme range, so there will be a tone vs. volume effect that you might, or might not like, and the loudness vs. VP position will be less.

Because the signal from the FT device gets to the laptop via the USB cable, plug that in and away we go.

Now that the PSG signal is in the laptop, we want to add the functions that we had in the hardware rack and on the floor = preamp, effects, tuner, etc.. Conveniently, the M-AUDIO interface comes with software providing EQ, REVERB, DELAY, DISTORTION, NOISE GATE, and ECHO, TREMOLO, and a bunch of others may be added. These functions show up on the screen looking like stomp boxes. Set to suit and store.

There are a number of other goodies that come with the FT box that we will not cover here and now. Look up D SOUNDS on the web for more details. The next post will cover adding BIAB/POWER TRACKS/and tuner(s).

Ken Skaggs · From: Phoenix, AZ

Interesting post; I've been looking for an excuse to use my laptop on gigs; plus the by product of ditching the rack is appealing.

ed packard · From: Show Low AZ

Ken: Come on up to Show Low, see the real thing, and cool off at the same time.

Bob Martin · From: Madison Tn

Hi Ed, that is a great idea. I already record at home like that but I never thought about playing live with it. It sounds killer with my 6 string guitar so I may try your setup at a gig one of these days.

Bob

Jon Bergh · From: St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Ed-
What kind of latency do you get on the effected output? Is it acceptable for performance?
-jon

ed packard · From: Show Low AZ

Big Bob: My preference for the tripod laptop holder is to allow it to also be used by the "stage wandering" musicians also; makes a good electronic music stand too. You can be free from the computer by using wireless from instrument to either the "recording interface" (M-Audio box in the case of this discussion), or direct to the sound card input. I like BLUETOOTH for now.

Jon: As best I can tell, the latency for applying the effects to live straight thru performance is too small to be noticed. This comment is based upon using, by themselves, distortion, chorus, delay, and reverb. The key buzz term is ASIO, which I believe stands for Audio Streaming Input Output. Asio drivers come with the M-Audio device, and/or are available from the web via download (use a search engine for ASIO).

ASIO will work with most of the up to date sound cards ... check yours with the manufacturer.

John Lacey · From: Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada

This setup would be good for doing a steel single, something I've done a few times with the added flexibility of accessing BIAB files immediately and having all of your output sound integrated. You did it again, Ed!

T. C. Furlong · From: Lake County, Illinois, USA

HI Ed,

A while back, I did a full day of recording in Milwaukee and the studio suggested I use a software amp modeling program for my steel called Guitar Rig. I did and I was so impressed that I was thinking about adapting my laptop for stage use. After some thought, I ended up not liking the idea of having my laptop on stage being subjected to potential hazards. Maybe it would be worth it if you were to put charts etc. at your fingertips.

I did however get a Vox Tonelab all in one modeler box and it sounds really good but it's just a little noisy compared to my rack. You may want to look at Native Instruments Guitar Rig software. In my experience, it blows away anything else! And...I noticed no noise while recording.
http://www.nativeinstruments.de/index.php?id=guitarrig_us&ftu=b78801274f

TC

[This message was edited by T. C. Furlong on 23 July 2005 at 07:02 AM.]

ed packard · From: Show Low AZ

John: Just the thing for doing a single! Also for these “round robin” meetings where BIAB is commonly used. It is kind of sad watching the chap(s) with the BIAB in the laptop trying to find something to set it on that they can reach, and then having to deal with their racks too. Too many cables to trip over.

The laptop approach also puts the laptop CD player into the game; Lots of tracks available by noted players … some are the backup tracks from their albums.

T C: Your name is famous in the music peripheral industry … type it into Google or ? and watch what comes up.

Your point on noise is spot on. It is interesting to note that most of the “preset” effects groupings contain a noise gate to kill the sound when the signal drops below a certain level. I don’t think that this “system” noise is of great concern for practice, playing singles, playing gigs in a band, etc., but for recording, it must be dealt with.

NATIVE INSTRUMENTS makes good stuff. There are a number of manufacturers for these types of devices and sounds. The associated language is also a problem. For those that want to “get into” it all, I would suggest getting on the mailing list (catalogs) for SWEETWATER SOUND, zZOUNDS, and MUSICIANS FRIEND. Look them up on Google.

The “system” being described in my posts is NOT intended for the more sophisticated users, or for those with deep pockets, but is for the beginning of what will/may be a long and continuous road of fun , frustration, and experiment. The “recording interface” device described does not handle MIDI = Musical Instrument Digital Interface. Simplicity and economy is the thought so that most pickers with a laptop can add one or two “gadgets”, plug their existing equipment into it/them and open up a fun road to the future. As T. C. indicates, this addiction will probably lead to “home recording” at least.

Ken Skaggs · From: Phoenix, AZ

Thanks for the pics Ed!

John Macy · From: Rockport TX/Denver CO

I'll second TC on the Guitar Rig--truly amazing

...

Bob Martin · From: Madison Tn

Hey Ed thanks for the pics I am riggging up my laptop to use on the next gig. TC I use the guitar rig all the time from Native and I can tell you that in the studio it is the quietest rig I have ever heard.

I haven't done any giging lately but I have messed around in my studio and I have come to really enjoy the Native guitar rig.

I can't wait to hear it live. I'll let you guys know how it turns out. The only downfall that I can think of is that on Lower Broad the stages are pretty small and I might not be able to use it every where. I sure don't want to jepordize my 2500.00 dollar lap top :-)

Oh Ed your ideal about the tripod as a stand is pergect. I'm in the process of rigging it up as we speak and I intend to use it as much as I can. Thanks for the tips. Hee hee I bought that darn tripod 3 uears ago for my video cam and have never used now my wife will quit complaining.....

Bob

ed packard · From: Show Low AZ

BBM: you might consider surrounding your Laptop tray with the foam pipewrap available at ACE, Home Depot, etc. just in case it gets knocked over (shock absorber).

Here is a rough “cost of doing business” list re Virtual Rack components:

The M-AUDIO Fast Track “recording interface” box: Includes DSOUNDS software = US $99 at Fry’s Electronics, also at several online stores. It has 6 of the basic effects, a track player, and some other toys. It will mount nicely on the end of the PSG. It is USB powered. It’s impedances are such as to allow using your existing 500K pot pedal.

Band In A Box = BIAB 2005: About US $70. Includes to much to list here … includes a software tuner, recording/playback/editing/printout capability. It is a music education in itself. This is your backup band.

Those two items are probably the lowest cost ones for getting your feet wet. They can be upgraded and/or replaced by more expensive items if and when desired.

The DSOUNDS can be upgraded to GT-2.5 for about US $100. This gets 13 effects, track recording, and a bunch of other toys. Check the DSOUNDS web site for details. I have seen GT-2.5 for $60.

POWER TRACKS can be added for about US $50; or it and BIAB can be purchased as a unit … email Jim Baron (Forum member) for details & $ … he also has lots of tracks for the BIAB.

TC and John Macy like the “GUITAR RIG” by NATIVE INSTRUMENTS = US $450 (about). This gets you a floor structure with 4 stomps and a pedal for control, plus the software for effects, amp/speaker “emulation” (= sounds like).

For $150 you could get GUITAR TRACKS PRO by PROTOOLS.

If you want to go “wireless” from PSG to Computer, or Computer to Amplifiers, look at the BLUETOOTH technology. BLUETOOTH DONGLES (USB) are available cheap ($6) on EBAY. I chose the MACALLY BLUETOOTH earphones, not for the earphones, but because they had a jack on the earphones to connect the phones as the input to the amps … the transmitter plugs into anything (computer or ?) with a small stereo jack (= IPOD also). About $150 today.

All this equipment/software may be expected to drop in price at a rate of about 30% per year, and at the same time become more powerful re functions.

You might want to check out what PROPELLERHEAD and TC ELECTRONICS has to offer.

For the totally insane (or super studio) there are reverbs that cost from $1000 up, and other single effects in the same ballpark each.

This whole thing evolved as software replaced/augmented hardware in the recording world. It is now at the point where the half serious PSG picker can consider becoming “virtual” re racks , recorders, etc.. In another thread b0b stated that a “dashboard” would need to be rethought every three years (or something like that) … agreed, but everything in the music industry (except the PSG) seems to get “updated” every spring NAMM show. The desktops/laptops themselves have a less than three year lifetime for music purposes. The software updates/replacements happen at least yearly. I would feel bad about that except look at the amount of “older” hardware most of us have lying around in our garage.

There is a staggering amount of freeware/shareware software available on the web. The number of recording/editing/sequencing programs available is hard to keep up with. Most of them provide a downloadable demo edition = try before you buy.

Jack Francis · From: Queen Creek, Arizona, USA

ED

Every time i read your posts or talk to you at our functions, I have brought to mind that statue of the guy sitting and thinking....You certainly do that!

Bob Martin · From: Madison Tn

Once again Ed your full of great ideas. I'll check out your suggestion and try to rig it up. I know that will help out in case of a mishap.

Ed as soon as I get it all together and I gig out with it I'll send some pics.

Bob

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