Kontakt 2 used for Elton John's AIDA

I'll be using this software for a live stage production with pit musicians and will let you know how it works out here. Tech support so far has been outstanding and I'm ready to roll.

So far in rehearsals we haven't had any problems.

Details on AIDA premiere here:
http://www.conradaskland.com/blog/?p=79

 

That’s a very suspect headline, and you’re the first person I know to join this form and be listed as a NI Product Owner the same day……??????
??VERY MYSTERIOUS??

 

... I think the forum's join date will be updated every time you reregister your software - look at my join date. But I guess, he gets perfect support because of mentioning that he works for Elton John...

... gotta go back to my work for the Stones and McCartney now...

 

hehe...sorry, no conspiracy theory here. I bought Kontakt last year to use in the studio, and had to reregister to use it on my laptop for the show. And for the record, when I called tech support I made no reference to my application - I was just a customer. They were very helpful and didn't talk down to me which is my real pet peeve with other tech supports. So that's that.

My laptop isn't specifically configured for music, it's just my road computer. I've had to set the latency as far as 30ms to get rid of distortion. If anyone has another way around this that would be appreciated. Would like it to be under 20ms.

I'm using a Midisport 2x2 USB midi interface, and for some reason this install of Kontakt is not always reading it. It took me a half hour at the venue to get it working. Had to reload the Midisport software everytime, then reboot the computer and fire up Kontakt. Not sure if this is a glitch with Kontakt, the Midisport or my computer setup.

Just been using it in tech rehearsals so far, but everyone was really amazed at how much it brought to the table for the show. I have a very large library of foley, music and vocal effects so I'm able to use a lot of world percussion and dance effects. I did all the importing in the studio and was able to just walk in with the laptop, very nice.

Someone had asked me what the big deal was, in using this for a show, because people have been using samples in movies for ten years. Studio and film work is very different from live theatre. For those of you that have worked in live theatre, you know how complex it is to get everything working in tandem, and there's little room for error.

Thanks in advance for any input on the two issues listed above.

 

I suspect your problem with MIDI recognition is an issue between the Midisport 2X2 and Windows XP. Mine worked flawlessly in Windows 98 but the software update to WXP I have found very unreliable if you are plugging and unplugging it.

Suggest plug in MIDI before you power up the laptop. If the light isn't glowing, run the new hardware wizard, which usually (though not always) finds it. I had a shortcut to the hardware wizard on my desktop.

Stephen

 

had same problem using similar set up and agree first problem is generally resolved by having all midi/usb connected before turn-on (note- "reboot" sometimes not good enough). Also, see kontact manual for various system settings that improve performance (caching, etc). Disable everything you do not absolutely have to have running. I had many instances of loss of sound in the middle of working when i hadn't touched any settings. this improved as i eliminated anything i didn't have to have running (virus protection especially) and followed k2 system settings.

 

Lots but not all people have problems with the midisport stuff. I would try some diff. interfaces 1st... if you only need 1 in/out.. Rme Multiface is the best.

Best ,Rich Pell

 

...hmm, where have I left my big irony sign...?

Never mind, thumbs...