"This is how you get your brain out of the technical side": Chromeo's live rig – exclusive tour

Summary

In this insightful walkthrough, Chromeo's P Thug reveals the technical setup behind their live performances, highlighting the use of two Mac minis running Ableton with a redundancy system for seamless audio control. He explains the integration of Ableton's Able Set for managing song sections and lyrics, the autotune setup for live key changes, and the use of MIDI for synchronizing various instruments and effects. The video also showcases the iPad-based control system for monitoring and adjusting show elements, emphasizing the automation and efficiency of their live music production.

Takeaways

• 🎛️ The stage setup is controlled by a redundancy system with two Mac minis running Ableton, ensuring a seamless transition if one computer fails.
• 🔄 The use of USB over Ethernet extends the connection across the stage, allowing for comprehensive control of audio and other elements.
• 🎵 Ableton's Play audio 12 is integral to the setup, with features like dual computer inputs for redundancy and automatic failover.
• 📚 Able Set, a playlist system, has become a standard in managing live performances, offering synchronization and section creation for songs.
• 🎤 The script highlights the use of Able Set for managing lyrics and sections during live performances, providing a visual guide for vocalists.
• 🔄 MIDI is used extensively for controlling various aspects of the performance, including autotune, lighting, and effects on instruments.
• 🎹 The autotune system is automated, with presets for different keys, allowing for dynamic key changes without manual intervention.
• 🎚️ A custom OSC page was created for additional control and monitoring of the autotune system during performances.
• 💻 iPads are used on stage to access and control Able Set, providing a convenient way to manage the show and troubleshoot issues.
• 🔌 The network setup includes a device to convert MIDI over Ethernet, allowing for expanded control across the stage.
• 🎥 Mention of a Resolume computer for visuals and a Line 6 system for guitar and bass, all controlled via MIDI from the Ableton session.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the two Mac minis in the setup described by P Thug from Chromeo?

The two Mac minis are used for redundancy in controlling everything on stage, including audio playback. They run the same Ableton session simultaneously, and if one computer stops working, the system automatically switches to the other without any interruption.

What is the role of the USB extenders in the stage setup?

The USB extenders are used to extend USB signals over Ethernet, allowing the stage setup to control various devices and instruments throughout the stage, such as guitars and other equipment.

How does the Ableton Live's 'Playlist' system enhance the performance setup?

The 'Playlist' system in Ableton Live allows for the creation of sections and vocals directly from the Ableton session. This feature enables the performers to follow along with the lyrics and sections of the songs, ensuring a seamless performance.

What is the significance of having the same Ableton session running on both computers?

Running the same Ableton session on both computers ensures that if one computer fails, the other can take over immediately without any loss in performance continuity, providing a fail-safe mechanism.

How does the autotune system work with the Ableton setup?

The autotune system is connected to the Ableton setup via a MIDI trigger that tells it to switch to different presets for each song. This allows for automatic key changes during the performance without manual intervention.

What is the function of the UA MIDI Control program mentioned in the script?

The UA MIDI Control program enables the user to send MIDI messages from the computer or network to any UA parameter. It is used to control various aspects of the performance, such as autotune presets and lighting cues.

How does the stage setup ensure that all technical aspects are checked before a show?

The stage setup includes a test loop run for sound checks, where all lines and equipment are verified to be working properly. This includes checking that the autotune is changing keys and that MIDI is sent to control lights and other stage effects.

What is the role of the MIDI network setup in the stage performance?

The MIDI network setup allows for the control of various instruments and effects from the Ableton session. It enables the automation of patch changes, effect controls, and other performance aspects, reducing the need for manual operation during the show.

How does the iPad with Ableton and the custom OSC page enhance the performer's control during a show?

The iPad with Ableton and the custom OSC page provides an extra layer of control, allowing the performer to monitor and adjust autotune keys, mute tracks, follow lyrics, and switch between digital and modular sounds in real-time during the performance.

What is the significance of using the Nord Modular and Nord G2/G2x keyboards in the setup?

The Nord Modular and Nord G2/G2x keyboards offer flexibility in sound creation and are used to recreate the sounds from the album without having to bring all the synthesizers on tour. They also allow for MIDI control of patch changes and integration with the modular system.

How does the performer ensure that the autotune system is functioning correctly before a show?

The performer runs a line check loop before each show to verify that the autotune is changing keys properly. This test ensures that the autotune system is ready for the performance and can be monitored from the iPad for any necessary adjustments.

Outlines

00:00

🎸 Overview of the Stage Setup and Redundancy System

p Thug from Chromeo explains the stage setup, highlighting the use of a redundancy system with two Mac minis to control everything. The system uses Ableton for playback, ensuring seamless transitions between computers if one fails. This setup has revolutionized their performances, enabling flawless automation of audio and lyrics display on stage.

05:01

🎤 Vocal Processing and Automation

The setup includes an Apollo twin interface connected via USB-C to handle autotune for vocals. The mic runs through monitors to ensure real-time tuning, with preset changes triggered by MIDI. This system allows for key changes during performances without manual intervention, simplifying the process and minimizing potential issues.

10:02

🎹 MIDI Control and Network Integration

MIDI controls are extensively used to automate effects and patch changes for instruments. The network setup involves a switch and MIDI-over-ethernet to distribute signals across the stage. This ensures seamless control of various instruments, including the Nord modular and electro keyboards, enhancing performance efficiency.

15:06

📱 Custom OSC Page for Live Control

A custom OSC page built for the iPad provides real-time monitoring and control of autotune keys and other parameters. This system allows for manual overrides and key changes, ensuring smooth operation during shows. The iPad interface integrates with Ableton and other tools, providing a comprehensive control system for live performances.

20:08

🎛️ Automating Guitar and Vocal Effects

Guitar and vocal effects are automated using MIDI, allowing for precise control during performances. The system handles distortion, patch changes, and other effects, minimizing the need for manual adjustments. This automation ensures consistency and reliability, enabling the band to focus on their performance.

25:09

🎚️ Integrating Modular Synths and MIDI Control

The setup includes Nord G2 and G2X synthesizers for modular synthesis, controlled via MIDI. The system allows for seamless integration of digital and analog sounds, with patch changes automated through the MIDI network. This flexibility enables the recreation of album sounds live without carrying extensive gear.

Keywords

💡Redundancy System

A redundancy system is a backup arrangement that ensures the continuity of operations in case of a failure in the primary system. In the video, this concept is applied to the use of two Mac minis running the same session on Ableton Live, which ensures that if one Mac mini fails, the other can take over seamlessly, maintaining the performance without interruption.

💡USB over Ethernet

USB over Ethernet refers to a technology that extends USB connections over an Ethernet network, allowing devices to communicate over longer distances without the limitations of traditional USB cables. In the script, this technology is used to extend USB connections across the stage, enabling control of various devices from a central location.

💡Ableton Live

Ableton Live is a digital audio workstation for creating, producing, and performing music. It is central to the video's theme as the software that controls the entire stage setup, including audio playback and synchronization with other devices. The script mentions the use of Ableton Live's session mode and its integration with other hardware and software for a comprehensive live performance setup.

💡Auto-Tune

Auto-Tune is a software used for pitch correction of vocal or instrumental performances. It is a key part of the video's narrative as it is used to ensure that vocals are always in tune during live performances. The script describes how Auto-Tune is controlled via MIDI and integrated with Ableton Live for automatic key changes.

💡MIDI

MIDI, or Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a protocol for communication between digital instruments and computers. In the video, MIDI is used extensively for controlling various aspects of the performance, such as triggering Auto-Tune presets, controlling lighting, and managing patch changes on synthesizers, all synchronized with Ableton Live.

💡Talk Box

A talk box is a device used by musicians to modify the sound of an instrument with their mouth, creating a vocal-like effect. The talk box is mentioned in the script as a part of the performer's setup, used to shape the sound of a synthesizer by pushing the sound through a tube with their mouth.

💡Modular Synthesizer

A modular synthesizer is a type of electronic musical instrument that consists of different modules or units that can be connected in various ways to create a wide range of sounds. The script discusses the use of a Nord Modular synthesizer, which is controlled via MIDI to change patches and sounds during the performance.

💡MIDI Network

A MIDI network is a system of devices connected via MIDI, allowing for synchronized control and communication. The script describes setting up a MIDI network to manage various aspects of the live show, including sound, lighting, and visual effects, all controlled from a central location.

💡OSC

OSC, or Open Sound Control, is a protocol for networking digital audio devices, similar to MIDI but with more flexibility and capabilities. The script mentions building an OSC page for monitoring and controlling the show, including Auto-Tune key changes, from an iPad during the performance.

💡iPad

An iPad is a tablet computer used in the video for controlling various aspects of the live performance setup. The script describes using iPads with specific apps like Ableton's Ablet Live and custom OSC pages for real-time control and monitoring of the performance.

💡Patch Changes

Patch changes refer to the process of switching between different sounds or settings on a musical instrument or synthesizer. In the context of the video, patch changes are automated using MIDI to transition between different instrument sounds and settings during the performance, ensuring smooth and timely transitions.

Highlights

P Thug from Chromeo and Future Music provide an in-depth look at the technical setup for live performances.

Stage activities are managed by a redundancy system with two Mac minis for fail-safe operation.

Use of USB over Ethernet to extend connections throughout the stage for audio and other equipment.

Ableton Live with Play 12 is central to the audio management, featuring dual computer inputs for seamless redundancy.

Ableton's Able Set is highlighted for its role in creating song sections and synchronizing with live performances.

iPads are used on stage to follow lyrics and sections in real-time, enhancing live performance fluidity.

Integration of Auto-Tune with MIDI for automatic key changes during live performances.

Use of UA Apollo Twin for processing vocals with Auto-Tune, offloading processing from the main computer.

MIDI triggers are utilized to switch between song keys and presets automatically.

A custom MIDI network setup allows for control over various stage elements, including lights and visuals.

Resolume is mentioned for visual displays, integrated into the network for synchronized multimedia performances.

Line Six and MIDI patch changes are used for guitar and bass effects, streamlining the tech setup for musicians.

A custom-built switch manages power and network distribution to various stage components.

MIDI over Ethernet technology is used for extended control and flexibility in stage setups.

The Nord Modular is highlighted for its role in sound generation, controlled via MIDI for dynamic live adjustments.

A custom OSC page was developed for real-time monitoring and control of Auto-Tune and other stage elements.

The talk box is explained as a physical instrument for sound shaping without digital processing.

Automation of guitar effects like distortion is demonstrated, controlled via Ableton and MIDI.

Nord G2 and G2x keyboards are praised for their flexibility in recreating album sounds for live performances.

The modular system is integrated with the Nord G2x, allowing for both digital and modular sounds to be played simultaneously.

Transcripts

hey this is p Thug from Chromeo we are

here with future music giving you a

rundown of the nerdiness happening on

stage

[Music]

everything that's happening on stage is

controlled here

by um a redundancy

system um we got two Mac minis inside of

here if you want to get

close you want to get close and check

this

out so there's two Mac minis or play

audio 12 in here

and a bunch of um USB extenders in the

back here so it's USB over ethernet that

I

extend all the way I'll show you right

now all the way through the stage

through guitar

stuff so everything run runs on Ableton

same session on both

computers um

the the playlist system is able set

which is incredible um I think it

started maybe like 2 3 years ago maybe a

little longer but it started really

getting solid a couple years ago

um we used to we used to do it another

way with like uh the radial switcher but

since this system came out with like the

uh play audio 12 that

has two uh computer inss so it have

computer computer B if one stops playing

or something happens it automatically

goes to the next one and if you're

running the say session same session at

the same time it's Flawless it's

absolutely incredible and then able set

kind of communicates with the play audio

12 also um it's becoming uh the standard

I would say so here's the way that we

use it um what you're listening to right

now is the test Loop run for sound

checks and before every show has we're

changing over making sure all the lines

work so we' got

um beats left and right music left and

right bvs left and

right and click and slate as the woman

uh is uh

saying but also what's amazing about

able set is that from your Ableton

session you can create

sections and vocals so for

example I'll take you to a song Here

Chromo test track left let's say we go

to lost on the way home cuz that one has

lyrics click so what you

do is you click on the song song

[Music]

starts you have all the sections here

that correspond

to uh Clips on Ableton if you just name

your track you can have a a a mini track

and you name the SE the clips as your

sections it's going to read

that exactly where you have them you can

also have a vocals track where you name

the

clips the the lyrics and then you can

just

follow the lyrics of the song and I'll

show you how we have access to that on

stage through our

iPads so as you can

see every time a clip comes in it'll

scroll so the lyrics sorts follows along

with you

um at the same

time I have keys going to the autotune

for automatic key

changes so basically I'm sending a midi

note from my key to an a uh IAC

driver and this is a system where I have

both computers on the same mouse and

keyboard so I just switch from computer

one to computer two uh I run the

autotune separately on computer B so it

doesn't take too much uh too much weight

off of computer a and then I switched to

computer B so now I'm controlling this

computer as I can as you can see

here this is the UA uh interface so I've

got an Apollo twin uh right

here that's connected

USBC into computer B

here this guy is running autotune in

unison so we're not taking you know

there's no law C load off of that

computer it's all from the Apollo

itself so you see here we've got the mic

runs going from monitors back just to

get the autot tune from here can you uh

roban

Dave so we've got a wireless run of the

mic that's sitting at

monitors uh

say say check check check so as you can

see it's coming inside here and coming

back out it's basically an insert for

the vocal track

and it's tuning right now um and then

every time I change songs I've got a a a

midi trigger that tells it to go to

another preset and every preset is

basically a different key some songs we

switch keys

right in the middle of the song so it's

really useful it's self-contained nobody

has to attend to it during the show

um unless there's a problem then we have

to figure it out but nobody has to sit

there and change Keys manually or

anything of that sort

um and this is all going

through this little program called UA UA

midi control which is able to take

uh a mini message from your computer or

from the network and send it to

any

UA uh

um parameter that you want so you assign

like here I have assigned Dave

box it it recognizes the insert number

two that I

have over here which is my autotune

which is open here and then it has all

the presets with all the different

keys and once I

move songs around I'll show you the the

I'll go back

to the main Loop uh the test line Loop

that we use during that test line loop I

verify that all the keys switch

properly so if I go to line Loop here

I'm going to start that

and you can

see all the keys circling

through from this midi

here every before every show we check

this make sure the autotune is changing

keys this is also

sending and midi to the lights to the

front so we've got a line Loop

sending one midi note to the grandma in

front all of these songs have midiq for

lights if you can see here click and

this whole track is all midi lights for

every

song and to test that everything is

working before a show super important we

just have a signal going to multiple

different things all over the network

which I will show you in a second we

even have a resum uh sometimes we have

visuals uh for shows so I have a resol

computer not on this tour but usually I

would have a resolume computer also on

the network sitting

anywhere where it's close to the input

for the video wall and that'll read it

off of the

network I also have the line six here

that's my guitar and my

base all of these are also done from the

session with midi uh patch

changes CHR and midi bypass for every

effect and right now you can see it it's

circling through

it's turning the gain

off and then it's add putting the

distortion on on the base side it's

putting the Wawa

on and it's changing Patches at the same

time so you can see all of these all

this is automated for every song so all

I have to do is just play my base um it

gives much less work to the guitar tech

he can focus uh on Dave stuff Dave stuff

is mostly manual he doesn't have any

midi midi stuff going on this is mostly

for me cuz there's a lot going on I'm

switching from bass to guitar to talk

box uh to

synthesizers on top of all

this for the tests we have uh patch

changes going to my side to my modular

and this is also done on the network so

once I have everything set up and my

switch so there's a switch inside of

here on the bottom and all the outputs

that I'll show you go to different parts

of the stage and to the front of

house so basically what I'm

doing is I

find the midi network

setup I have a little box that

transforms the midi from Network has

from Network to MIDI so it's like midi

over ethernet it's a little thing called

dor midi a a product I found online it's

very random there's other boxes to do

that but this one I found was like the

the most solid so right

now what you're going to hear um in the

monitors is my Nord modular triggering

by midi Tri triggering notes by midi

this clavinet sound that you hear

quick and SL that's the Nord modular and

that's the

electro so both of my keyboards right

now are playing let's take you there and

I'll show you exactly what's happening

so right now my

switch inside of

here is sending this midi to the front

of

house for the lights and he's seeing

everything that's happening and timing

the M perfectly for lighting these two

are

going one of them is coming here

which connects to Dave's

iPads chrom

TR and if you come look

here this is sending uh data and power

so this network switch is power over

ethernet also so it's charging the iPad

at the same time as sending data through

this little box

here so I'm sending ethernet and this

little box is getting ethernet to USBC

and it's sending everything that I need

here I can control the whole show from

here choose the

songs uh go into sections of

songs so it's really easy for rehearsal

sound checks figuring out issues uh

quick fixes on light maybe anything we

need

right so let's go back to the line Loop

chromium test

that's Dave

station on my

side that switch that's behind the

playback system comes to my switch here

my switch is a little more involved uh I

built this so inside of here

[Music]

is it's powering everything it's got

another switch that is splitting which

is also power over

ethernet this is taking um the the

network from the playback and

distributing on my

Riser and this is sending midi with this

little box I'm getting ethernet here

it's transforming it to MIDI and sending

it inside of here to control my two node

modulars for all the patch

changes um it also has everything is in

one power so I have the

USB powering this little box up

everything happens inside

chrom and then I've got a wireless

network extension in case the cables go

wrong at some point I can still hop any

iPad any iPhone on the wireless network

and I can still control everything even

receive midi um I can do anything from

this or from the

wires I pref much prefer wires so

hopefully I'll never have to get there

during the show but um so basically this

is going to my station

[Music]

here sending midi to my iPad which has

an extra layer of control um it has this

the

same able set system as Dave's main iPad

but I have something extra that's really

interesting um I built an osc page that

will allow me to first of

all follow all the autotune changes so

you see right now it's circling to

through our um line check Loop and I can

see the keys changing

so I have I constantly have a visual on

autotune Keys during the show I know

every key for each song If I see that

the key is not working properly and

something's wrong I can either bypass it

if you go on the autot tune over there

right now it's going to be bypassed from

this button chomi test TR I can also

change the key from here so if we

[Music]

stop click and

if I stop this line

Loop and I switch the key here you will

see it switch on the actual autotune

over there this is the

bypass this is really really useful uh

cuz I can keep an eye on the whole show

from my iPad with this osc thing that uh

I've built this is not I couldn't find

it anywhere online I just got together

with a pro I I learned

programming um and I got together there

this guy who was a little more advanced

and he helped me like build this this is

also useful for me

[Music]

to so right now you can hear those two

[Music]

guys these two guys are playing right

now

[Music]

these two

[Music]

up they're being triggered by midi but

if I decide to stop this and it's going

to stop playing right now it's not

playing anymore you're not you're not

hearing it but you'll hear in the

recording these two these two SS stop

playing in

completely and this is sending osc

messages to both this whole thing is

it's touch OC basically so it's sending

osc messages to Ableton mute

the midi test

tracks and it's sending OC midi uh midi

messages to uh the UA click

appun the autot tune yeah through the UA

yeah so basically this is the brain and

I just

split I split my iPad screen to also see

able

set so this way I can I can

control the show I can see

my lyrics this is my part on that song

lost on the way home I can see my lyrics

I can see the key we're in I can

decide if I mute M tracks or

not and then if I get lost on a song I

can also see the sections it tells you

exactly how many bars are left what the

tempo is uh it's this great uh this is

my talk

box for those who don't know how this

works it's basically any

synthesizer you send a sound into the

talk box which is basically like a mini

amp it sends the signal through the

[Music]

tube oh oh

yeah and I

shape the sounds with my

mouth I'm not speaking into it I'm not

nothing is coming out of my mouth I'm

just shaping

literally Chromeo Chromo yeah baby baby

that's that's it's very like it's a

crude instrument it's very physical

there's no like crazy technology

involved you're basically pushing the

sound of a tiny uh uh speaker into your

mouth and then shaping it and and

pumping it back

out

um so I'll put you a a section where the

guitar comes

in so as you can see every time I start

a

song the key changes right

away so I know everything this is the

same he has the words with you and needy

girl see how it switches automatically

and then when Dave wants to speak in

between songs it's

automatically done or I can also

manually turn it off so right now the

autotune is

bypassed and back

on the whole thing needs to be automated

this is you know how you get your brain

out of the technical side once this is

going and you have many ways to

troubleshoot from where I'm from where

I'm sitting like during the show I can

literally troubleshoot and change the

key just like that um I'll show

you this is the part

where my guitar automatically turns the

distortion on

reverse during this

solo so when I start the

song My Guitar is

muted nothing's

happening I'll skip to the section where

the guitar solo is now it's still

muted but when I

need just automatically

[Music]

and now it's going to stop automatically

so all this is done by midi all from the

playback from the um from the ablon

session and this whole network is all

wired in sending midi to their here here

when we have a resum and a resom setup

and led wall it's going also to wherever

the computer is once you have a network

going you can do anything literally with

a little bit of like osc knowledge and a

good app like

ablet connected to

Ableton super

easy all of these are

discontinued Nords G2 and Nord G2

X's um it's just the most flexible uh

for us to recreate to not bring with us

all our syns from the road which would

be you know a pain in the ass every day

um this was the easy way to

recreate all of the sounds that we have

on the album because it's like a modular

kind of it's a digital modular system um

we have this G2 Chrome this one we have

one that's Chrome but I had to send it

send it back up to Mexico and this one

doesn't really you can't really see it

because of these panels so I decided to

keep the red one here but usually all

four of these are Chrome so we got one

G2 here one G2x here uh Dave's notes are

pretty uh

he's not really a keyboard player so all

of his notes are uh every song has the

notes that he needs to to reach in the

key of the song um and on my

side I've got a chrome Electro on the

bottom and a chrome G2x on top um all my

patch changes happen with the system

that I showed you it's all sending

through midi through this little box I'm

getting m in here and M in here so I

don't like to worry about patch changes

too much cuz sometimes songs are

triggered quickly and like we're moving

fast I don't there's like 45 different

patches in there I don't have time to

manage that so I just have to rely on

patch changes like a lot of people

do um and the interesting thing about

this is that when we extend

to the actual big modular that you've

probably seen us

um the sn.com module that we've been

using uh in the in

America the reason why I keep these

around the G2x is is that you have four

midi channels inside of here that you

can select on four

slots and there's an input in the back

so you can process any external signal

inside of this engine uh which I use for

the modular system

so the output the audio outputs of the

modular that we have come in here in the

input and everything comes out of this

in terms of audio not only that but I

can also

control the

midi and still have my digital sounds

from the G2x during the show and if I

want to use the modular sounds I just

switch patches here this automatically

tells

the G2x that midi channel one is now in

use from this slot it sends to the midi

in of the modular and I can play the

modular the whole Beast can be played

with this keyboard with this keyed so I

don't need like a dedicated keyed for

the modular I can just use this and

basically the analog sn.com modular

becomes a patch a different patch on my

on my

G2x which is the big reason why I keep

those around it's so flexible I've I

haven't seen any other keyboard that

does this in such like fluid manner up

to date so I really really like those I

I I try to get my hands on on on these

as soon as I see one like I have a

backup it's just it's really useful

um and yeah that's for the S pretty

pretty simple yeah