Get out there and do it

“There’s no substitute for taking your setup out there and playing some gigs; it’s the only way to truly get a handle on what works and what doesn’t. You could spend ten years tweaking your live rig in your bedroom, or on the living room floor, but just one gig will change the way you see and hear everything. This kind of revamp is part of the experience; nobody gets it right first time. These things can’t be done in a vacuum. And let’s not forget, artists are typically restless and inquisitive, and keen to move on to the next thing! There are always reasons to put off gigs as well – ‘I’m not ready, I don’t have the right gear’ – that kind of thing, but the bottom line is you need a computer, a controller, and an audio interface; that’s it. As far as software goes, you can use the ‘Lite’ version of a DAW that perhaps came bundled with your controller. Any developments or additions beyond that will be a matter of personal preferences, and experience gained over time, sometimes changes that only you will be aware of, while the audience are happy just to watch or dance.”