Alternative to the Laptop Method?

[analogika]

Do you really need that high-quality for live playing? Not sure if the audience will notice. Same song for the higher quality piano samples...

Players drastically over estimate how closely audiences at any type of venue listen. Even other players at a gig might only listen for a few minutes then they are more into what's going on around them the rest of the night. People mainly go to live events for the atmosphere the energy, the vibe, they listen to the beat and the lyric and the rest is just background sound. If you don't believe listen to some off the sound board mixes of bands that had the audience going crazy and hear just how bad the band and artist really sound. I my recording engineer days I worked on and was around sessions for "Live" albums and people be surprise how much overdubbing goes on on live albums to make the artist sound good. One album in particular one of the biggest groups ever (they're still around) and the only thing that was still from the live recording was the drums and audience sound, everything else had been overdubbed.


Audience don't care they just want something close and a thumping beat.

There is no general right-or-wrong for this I think, it depends on the kind of live event and also the kind of music. You may be right regarding people going to live events to have fun and enjoy a live band playing, the bigger the event the more it's true I think. However, there are events which might have a different demand on the quality and the music and the audience might be more focused on listen to the details of the music rather than just enjoying the full vibe and energy of the beats etc.

In addition, and I don't want to leave this unmentioned, there are the musicians themselves. I for my part and also my band make music not only for the audience but also for ourselves, and we are quite able to perceive the details and have a certain demand on the quality. This is certainly not perceptible for the audience as a rule, but for me/us it makes a difference - might be a bit selfish but it's our hobby, not our profession and we therefore also look at ourselves

[analogika]

All of what Schorsch says.

Also note that these days, any gig may be easily multi-track recorded from a mixer directly onto a USB drive, or it may be streamed in parallel to the live performance. So while Joe Blow in the club audience may not notice after his third beer, I want my work (and that includes the choice of instruments and the sound design) to hold up to scrutiny from more discerning audience, as well as those watching a stream on their home system.

Not least, if my sound design gives me the band goosebumps when we hear it on our in-ears, that translates directly into a superior performance. I don't consider that "selfish" — in the end, I'm the one who's going to have to want to play. If the surface of your desk feels like crap under your fingers because you skimped on the furniture, it's going to affect whether you enjoy working there in subtle but important ways over time.

[monsterjazzlicks]

In addition, and I don't want to leave this unmentioned, there are the musicians themselves. I for my part and also my band make music not only for the audience but also for ourselves, and we are quite able to perceive the details and have a certain demand on the quality. This is certainly not perceptible for the audience as a rule, but for me/us it makes a difference - might be a bit selfish but it's our hobby, not our profession and we therefore also look at ourselves

Hey Schorsch,

I think it is important for musicians to aim for a higher audience than the one they are currently playing to. I'm not putting down the intelligence of our audiences (without their presence there would be no gig, or money!!!); it's the same for all parameters relating to one's performances: better venue, better surrounding musicians, making yourself more competent. I mean, if you are not focusing on achieving status upon a higher plane then either your music will remain stuck where is currently is, or else it will never progress into new territories.

Paul

[monsterjazzlicks]

Also note that these days, any gig may be easily multi-track recorded from a mixer directly onto a USB drive, or it may be streamed in parallel to the live performance. So while Joe Blow in the club audience may not notice after his third beer, I want my work (and that includes the choice of instruments and the sound design) to hold up to scrutiny from more discerning audience, as well as those watching a stream on their home system.

Not least, if my sound design gives me the band goosebumps when we hear it on our in-ears, that translates directly into a superior performance. I don't consider that "selfish" — in the end, I'm the one who's going to have to want to play. If the surface of your desk feels like crap under your fingers because you skimped on the furniture, it's going to affect whether you enjoy working there in subtle but important ways over time.

Hi analogika,

It's the same as if you were an actor. If you were expected to shoot outside in the winter snow for 3 hours, in the dark, and with a loud whistling wind and no lighting, then of course you would not be able to act or project. It would be a disaster! And your career would never develop.

I had not considered you observations regarding the 'recording' of one's work. Yes, that's a very important factor!

Paul