Multiple interfaces into Logic Pro for live performance.

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Multiple interfaces into Logic Pro for live performance.

Hi ...I am going to be diving into Logic Pro 9 ..a first time Logic Pro user. I want to hook up multiple interfaces including an Apogee mini me, an Alesis Multimix Firewire, an Apogee Gio and then a midi controller interface for live purposes ...will all of these device/interfaces be able to be used simultaneously with Logic pro? In addition to this I will then want to stream the audio through the client software Nicecast ....is this all going to work? I have a Macbook Pro 2.5ghz duel core with 4 gb ram and an external hard drive. If need be I will upgrade the computer at a later date to do all of this. Thx for any input that can be provided.

Macbook Por, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jan 10, 2011 11:11 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 10, 2011 11:18 AM in response to headrc

Check out the AUDIO-MIDI application that's part of the MacOS and google "aggregate device" for relevant info.

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Answer 2

headrc Author

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Jan 10, 2011 11:31 AM in response to fuzzynormal

Well ...I just ordered Logic Pro 9 ...so not set up yet ....and have never used it before so I am a total newbie here. I have read a review of the Gio by someone who indicated the aggregate devices option did not work well with the Gio ...which is why I ask. I have not purchased the Gio yet or the midi interface yet (for keyboard)....but I do have the Apogee mini me and the Alesis Multimix Firewire

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Answer 3

Pancenter

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Jan 10, 2011 11:52 AM in response to headrc

Generally speaking, Apogee does not advice using their products as an aggregate device. It's worth a try however.

pancenter-

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Answer 4

headrc Author

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Jan 10, 2011 11:55 AM in response to Pancenter

Ouch ...kind of expensive just to try. Anybody have other suggestions to answer the need that I have.

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Answer 5

Jan 10, 2011 11:59 AM in response to headrc

Generally speaking, it takes some steps to make a computer reliable enough for live work. Using different devices from different manufacturers with different drivers is not one of them.

Christian

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Answer 6

headrc Author

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Jan 11, 2011 12:11 PM in response to christianobermaier

OK ...looking around several forums ...I am getting more and more pessismistic that this is not going to work unless someone else tells me otherwise ....seems like mainstage is designed for one input at a time .....i.e. for an electric guitarist or a keyboard player ...but not as an overall solution. I would still like to find out if anyone is doing all of this in Mainstage ...and how...what interface etc. Is this another one of those ..."looks good on paper" but really does not work ...????

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Answer 7

Jan 11, 2011 1:37 PM in response to headrc

It does not even look good on paper, so what do you expect? If fifteen guys tell you 'scrap it', why wait for the one saying 'well, I haven't tried it, but it should work, no?'

Christian

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Answer 8

headrc Author

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Jan 11, 2011 1:47 PM in response to christianobermaier

Well ....I have not had fifteen guys tell me that yet ....I have just seen a couple that have tried it ...and with disappointing results. Of course the marketing indicates it is a live performance solution ....but it certainly does not explain exactly what that means ....so that is why the investigating. Mm ....wonder if Ableton Live is a solution??

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Answer 9

Jan 11, 2011 3:05 PM in response to headrc

The application is not the point. Duct-taping together three brushes of different sizes into a makeshift lance will leave you harmed if you take it out to fight the dragon.

Christian

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Answer 10

Pancenter

Level 6

14,644 points

Jan 11, 2011 8:22 PM in response to headrc

Just to put a period on it... there have been several in this forum that tried using Apogee hardware with trhe aggregate device, some have it working for a while but it's not reliable. That's really not going to work for a live situation.
I thought you didn't own but had access to the hardware you mentioned, that why I suggested giving it a try.

The only time I've heard of complete success with any aggregate device is when the digital clocks are locked to a single device, either through s/pdif or wordclock.
If not, there is resampling performed on the aggregate slave devices.

pancenter-

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Answer 11

headrc Author

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Jan 12, 2011 5:35 PM in response to Pancenter

Ok ...so what about an all in one device that provides multiple a/d inputs and midi inputs ...talking on the Ableton forums it seems there may be some animals like that. If that is in fact available ....will Logic Pro 9 with Mainstage do what I want to do??

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Answer 12

Jan 12, 2011 7:34 PM in response to headrc

I have used an Apogee Ensemble with a two MOTU 828s in an aggregate device situation. The Ensemble was the clock master (they all need the same clock).
Whatever interface works on the Ableton forum will work with Logic - the beauty of Core Audio.

Enjoy.

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Answer 13

Pancenter

Level 6

14,644 points

Jan 12, 2011 8:47 PM in response to headrc

headrc wrote:
Ok ...so what about an all in one device that provides multiple a/d inputs and midi inputs ...talking on the Ableton forums it seems there may be some animals like that. If that is in fact available ....will Logic Pro 9 with Mainstage do what I want to do??

There are probably close to 30 or 40 multi-input audio interfaces out there.

I have nothing to do with the products or the store.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/manufacturer/Focusrite

if you go there, check the links on the left.

pancenter-

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Answer 14

hairyone

Level 1

4 points

Jan 12, 2011 9:45 PM in response to headrc

you need to buy the LINE 6 UX8 interface, 8 line/bus inputs, go on line download drivers for FREE, just plug it in and off you go, you can add as many as you need, i have two for 16 multi track live recording, cost $200 to $400 on ebay one cord to computer for each unit, in you preferences you adjust for multi interfaces.

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Answer 15

headrc Author

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Jan 12, 2011 11:24 PM in response to hairyone

Ok ....so if I get something that is an all in one unit like the RME 800 or comparable ....now the obvious question am I heading down the right path here for a live situation. Is Logic Pro Mainstage going to answer vocal processing, guitar processing and control, looping, midi controlled samples and synths all in one package that is stable? Or am I really asking for trouble here...meaning I should stick with existing dedicated hardware solutions that I have? My thinking in pursuing this is consolidation and opening up new enhancements ..but if it is more trouble than it is worth than of course it is not worth the investment.

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