Hello, I am an aspiring entertainer looking to use MIDI tracks along with my keyboard and vocal when playing at restaurants, weddings, etc.

What is the basic setup when performing with MIDI?

What is a good sequencer for running MIDI live?

Is it better to have a small laptop with me for controlling live MIDI?

Where can I find quality MIDI programs for cheap, or MIDI files that don't require me to go through my sequencer and change every sound?

Thank you for your help.

Hi,

Not sure how much I can help but I use midi in a live setting quite a bit. I have multiple guitars into a Presounus Firepod which inputs into a Laptop via firewire. Audio effects (e.g. reverb, delay, flanger, etc) are controlled via Guitar Rig plug in. I also have a wind synth which uses the Presonus's midi ports and routes to Hypersonic for sounds. All plugins are managed using Brainspawn's Forte and I have had not problems to date. oh, I also use a Baheringer FCB1010 foot board to send messages to guitar rig for things like effect on/off and volume.

Forte will permit you to route midi in any way you desire (e.g. from sequencer such as cakewalk or band in a box) but study up on how midi works because it can be a pain to set up.

Good luck.

You should definitely go the laptop route.

On a laptop you can store as many MIDI sequences you like, generate good quality sounds from them, and also apply some MIDI processing so you can recall settings/sounds/whatever for different songs at the touch of a button, or MIDI program change message.

Also you can run plugins to expand the sounds you already have on your keyboard.

Not sure exactly which software enables you to do this, but i know it's possible.

good luck -

o