Hi All,
To keep it short, im a software engineer and together with some other experienced colleagues we are initiating a new project. Before going into research-phase and do market-research, i want to lobby first with some gear-heads what they think of the basic concept. ive created an really short version of the idea:
Context
Nowadays on stage allot of bands / music-groups use samples, backing tracks, triggers to create a bigger more solid live production. In most common solutions an laptop with dedicated sound card is used to program these effects. However an laptop is not designed for stage environments and therefore lack in some critical features. think of robustness, unstable drivers, it runs an os for general personal computing.
Goal
making an dedicated device that eliminates the bad features of the laptop-solution and makes the next step in the evolution of automating live music production for a fair price. This means that creating such live-set will be more accessible and easier for musicians. Smart software helps syncing backing-tracks and playback samples in a live set
Solution
a dedicated device that offer around 5 outputs, 5 trigger inputs, midi out and separate mix for headphones. The idea is an device which you program at home and take with you at an gig. (most likely going to be an 19 rack). at home you program you click-tracks and samples tracks which you can assign over the 5 outputs. on stage you plug these 5 outputs to FOH. there is an separate audio output where the drummer can plugin his headphones/ monitors. here the clicktrack is audible.
The device will offer 3 basic core features:
what i want to know:
- do you recognize this problem, or is this idea an solution for a not existing problem ?
- do you need such device ?
- are you willing to pay around 500 dollars for such system ?
- are there systems who offer similar functionality ?
To keep it short, im a software engineer and together with some other experienced colleagues we are initiating a new project. Before going into research-phase and do market-research, i want to lobby first with some gear-heads what they think of the basic concept. ive created an really short version of the idea:
Context
Nowadays on stage allot of bands / music-groups use samples, backing tracks, triggers to create a bigger more solid live production. In most common solutions an laptop with dedicated sound card is used to program these effects. However an laptop is not designed for stage environments and therefore lack in some critical features. think of robustness, unstable drivers, it runs an os for general personal computing.
Goal
making an dedicated device that eliminates the bad features of the laptop-solution and makes the next step in the evolution of automating live music production for a fair price. This means that creating such live-set will be more accessible and easier for musicians. Smart software helps syncing backing-tracks and playback samples in a live set
Solution
a dedicated device that offer around 5 outputs, 5 trigger inputs, midi out and separate mix for headphones. The idea is an device which you program at home and take with you at an gig. (most likely going to be an 19 rack). at home you program you click-tracks and samples tracks which you can assign over the 5 outputs. on stage you plug these 5 outputs to FOH. there is an separate audio output where the drummer can plugin his headphones/ monitors. here the clicktrack is audible.
The device will offer 3 basic core features:
- Basic sampler. the user can connect triggers to the device. when a trigger is fired, the configured sample for that trigger will be played.
- Pre-defined sample sequences. aka sample automation. by programming the songs into the device the user can automate the trigger moments of samples.
- Because the device knows the structure of the songs, it can offer “smart” functionality to aid the band with their performance. (aka those moments the drummer fucks up again).
what i want to know:
- do you recognize this problem, or is this idea an solution for a not existing problem ?
- do you need such device ?
- are you willing to pay around 500 dollars for such system ?
- are there systems who offer similar functionality ?
