Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
How to fit into a band - What to play? - When to play? - When NOT to play?
What gear to use, keys, controllers. Using computers on stage, or not?
This and many more questions asked and broken down as I prepare for a live gig with a rock/blues band.
Check out my friend's music here: soundcloud.com/user-15030393
The gig is at Kulturhuset Halden, Norway - Friday February 6th 20pm.
00:00 Intro - asked to play in a band
00:34 Why play live?
01:31 What songs will we play?
02:13 What gear to use?
03:21 Keys and controllers
03:38 Mainstage - laptops on stage?
08:02 Breakdown of a slow song - what to play?
13:09 Counterpoint - what is that?
14:05 Breakdown of a fast blues/rock song - what to play?
20:07 Closing thoughts - have fun!
Gear I will use:
Roland Alpha Juno 2 as master keyboard. I love the feel of these keys and organ playing is so easy on these keys.
Macbook Air M1 with Mainstage as the sound source.
X-Session Midi CC controller to control various parameters in Mainstage with physical faders and knobs
Zoom H6 as my audio interface. 1 stereo output going to a DI box and to FOH
Emagic mt4 midi interface (bus powered)
As a backup I also have a Korg TR-Rack sound module with 3-4 programs set up to mimic what I have in Mainstage.
If the Mac fails live I have this close at hand and can swap pretty easily and fast. Hopefully it won't be needed.
How to fit into a band - What to play? - When to play? - When NOT to play?
What gear to use, keys, controllers. Using computers on stage, or not?
This and many more questions asked and broken down as I prepare for a live gig with a rock/blues band.
Check out my friend's music here: soundcloud.com/user-15030393
The gig is at Kulturhuset Halden, Norway - Friday February 6th 20pm.
00:00 Intro - asked to play in a band
00:34 Why play live?
01:31 What songs will we play?
02:13 What gear to use?
03:21 Keys and controllers
03:38 Mainstage - laptops on stage?
08:02 Breakdown of a slow song - what to play?
13:09 Counterpoint - what is that?
14:05 Breakdown of a fast blues/rock song - what to play?
20:07 Closing thoughts - have fun!
Gear I will use:
Roland Alpha Juno 2 as master keyboard. I love the feel of these keys and organ playing is so easy on these keys.
Macbook Air M1 with Mainstage as the sound source.
X-Session Midi CC controller to control various parameters in Mainstage with physical faders and knobs
Zoom H6 as my audio interface. 1 stereo output going to a DI box and to FOH
Emagic mt4 midi interface (bus powered)
As a backup I also have a Korg TR-Rack sound module with 3-4 programs set up to mimic what I have in Mainstage.
If the Mac fails live I have this close at hand and can swap pretty easily and fast. Hopefully it won't be needed.
