Harnessing the Power of MIDI for Live Performances with iConnectivity

Standardized in 1983, the MIDI (musical instrument digital interface)
protocol was developed to allow electronic musical instruments and processors
to communicate with each other. For nearly 40 years, MIDI has remained
unchanged, and it has been applied in numerous ways, including syncing devices,
sequencing synthesizers and drum machines, controlling complex multi-effects
rigs, and even running stage lights. While MIDI has existed for decades,
artists and technology developers are continuing to find new ways to use it.

Recently, Sweetwater spoke with Al Joelson, vice president
of sales and marketing at iConnectivity,
about the ingenious ways artists are using MIDI to enhance their shows.
iConnectivity audio and MIDI interfaces are a popular choice among touring acts
for automating aspects of a performance — from audio playback and MIDI program
changes to lighting effects and visual media. Al has helped artists at all
levels assemble their touring rigs, and he shared several of the cool ways you
can harness the power of MIDI for live performances!

iConnectivity: Helping Artists Bring
Their Visions to Life

Founded in Calgary by a group of former telephone network
engineers, iConnectivity began as a practice in pure engineering. A few of the
members of the group were musicians, and they saw an opportunity to create devices
that would make it easier for technology-savvy artists to integrate their
mobile devices with their computers via MIDI. Along the way, they discovered
there was a desire from musicians to support live performances with the
computers and devices they used to create their sounds in the studio. This led
to the company focusing their efforts on developing products that facilitate
seamless communication between any MIDI-enabled devices. Al and the team at
iConnectivity derive a lot of satisfaction from helping artists bring their
full musical visions to life onstage.

“It’s rewarding working with live bands, helping to put the shows together, and then seeing the artists interact with [your technology] and the response from the audience,” Al said.

iConnectivity PlayAUDIO12 Dual-USB Audio and MIDI Interface for LiveLearn More

iConnectivity mioXL 8×12 USB-MIDI, DIN-MIDI, RTP Network-MIDI InterfaceLearn More

iConnectivity AUDIO4c Dual USB-C Audio and MIDI InterfaceLearn More

iConnectivity mioXM 4×4 USB-MIDI, DIN-MIDI, RTP Network-MIDI InterfaceLearn More

Streamlined Playback for Backing
Tracks

Much of the popularity of iConnectivity interfaces comes
from their use as playback devices for touring acts. The iConnectivity
PlayAUDIO12 and the mioXL
8×12 MIDI interface are secret weapons among musical directors and tour
managers. Modern studio productions tap into all of today’s available technology
and can be densely packed with layers of electronic and acoustic percussion and
sound-design elements as well as traditional instruments. Translating such
complex productions to a live show can be a challenge.

However, with a dedicated playback device, artists can bring all the sounds they created in the studio with them onstage. The iConnectivity devices make it relatively easy to sequence a set and stream all of the auxiliary instrumentation live, essentially taking the place of a massive backing band. They’re also capable of connecting to two host devices to provide redundant backup in case the primary computer goes down in the middle of a show. Many bands using iConnectivity devices for playback purposes run their sets from an Ableton Live session, which gives them flexibility in terms of re-ordering their set on the fly or even looping certain sections for impromptu jams. Plus, the PlayAUDIO12 features 10 analog outputs, meaning you’re not limited to sending out a single stereo mix. You can output individual tracks (or pairs) to the front-of-house mixing console or through onstage processors for on-the-spot manipulation.

5 Critical Elements for Building a Playback RigDo you want to start using live audio playback in your performances, but you’re not sure where to start? Check out “5 Critical Elements for Building a Playback Rig” by From Studio to Stage’s Will Doggett.

Automating Program Changes

Al is quick to point out that playback is only the tip of
the iceberg when it comes to the capabilities of iConnectivity devices. When
asked to provide some use cases for iConnectivity interfaces, he highlighted
how the devices are really intended to facilitate communication between
MIDI-equipped gear for functional and creative purposes — so the use cases are
as varied as the artists who use the devices. As one example, Al pointed to a
popular touring artist who is known for eclectic arrangements that employ
everything from synthesizers (both hardware and software), custom samples,
loops, hardware drum machines, and heavily processed guitars, bass, drums, and
vocals.

Playback is one way this artist uses iConnectivity devices,
but the iConnectivity devices play a bigger role in triggering program changes
for instruments and processors. Imagine a system that automatically changes
patches on your synthesizer, not only from song to song, but from section to
section. Or, if you’re a guitar player, you can automate changes on your
MIDI-equipped effects units. If you’re using a modeling amp, then you can have
even more flexibility to cue up song-specific tones reliably and instantly
without the need for a complicated MIDI switching system onstage. Even
vocalists can get in on the action by having specific vocal processors fire at
predetermined points during a performance. For instance, you could add a
one-shot delay to certain words or phrases, change reverb types and amounts to
add interest to chorus and bridge sections, or mix in weird modulation effects
that would be difficult to pull off outside of a studio environment.

“The more control you have over the show, the more you can focus as an artist on performing and interacting with the audience,” Al said.

Integrating Sound, Video, and
Lighting

Over the last several years, manufacturers have created
technology to bridge the gap between MIDI, DMX lighting protocols, and video
switchers. For artists, this means they can control every audio and visual
component of their stage show from a single DAW session. Lighting and video
cues can be programmed to respond to pre-recorded MIDI sequences or triggered
in real time via MIDI control messages.

In practical terms, you could link musical sequences to strobing lights, create pre-programmed geometric patterns that shift in time with the music, or hit the audience with strategic splashes of floodlights. What’s more, you could sync your musical performance to a projected video that responds to incoming MIDI messages. With a laptop, an iConnectivity interface, and a handful of auxiliary gear, you can host multimedia performances with a level of sophistication previously relegated to expensive touring outfits and large venues.

Theaters, Houses of Worship, and
Other Permanent Live Sound Installations

We’ve placed a lot of emphasis on touring rigs, but
iConnectivity devices are just as useful in permanent installations. For live
venues, like houses of worship and theaters, iConnectivity devices can be used
effectively to automate certain time-linked elements during any performance.

Houses of worship are a good example since worship services
often follow some kind of structure, week after week, which provides an
opportunity to automate audio and visual cues. And, if there’s a dedicated
worship team, they can leverage iConnectivity devices to host dynamic
performances on par with professional touring acts. Theater companies can also
take advantage of iConnectivity devices to streamline their audio cues,
lighting, and stage effects.

Not Just for the Stage!

The MIDI and audio interfaces from iConnectivity aren’t just
for the stage alone. In the studio environment, you can use iConnectivity
devices to integrate numerous MIDI-enabled instruments and processors to
facilitate a faster workflow and to remove technological impediments to
creativity. Al and the team at iConnectivity have assisted with numerous studio
setups, and they’ve seen artists use their technology in a lot of unique ways.

One iConnectivity user, a film composer, utilizes his
iConnectivity mioXL to set up several MIDI-routing scenes for his hardware
gear. Each of the scenes is set to accommodate a particular workflow. To
generate ideas, this composer likes to work outside of his DAW. So, one of his
scenes configures his hardware MIDI routing for DAWless jam sessions. When it’s
time to record, he simply selects his preconfigured recording scene, and he’s
ready to lay down tracks in his DAW.

Because iConnectivity interfaces include Ethernet
connections and wireless MIDI, they are well suited for multiroom recording
facilities. By networking iConnectivity interfaces, artists and engineers can
control any MIDI device on the network from the comfort of the control room.
One successful hip-hop producer and iConnectivity user took this concept
further by putting his entire studio workstation on a VPN, which he can
remotely access to play and record through his hardware from anywhere.

Another challenge that iConnectivity is helping artists
tackle is livestreaming. With the popularity of livestreams exploding during
the COVID-19 pandemic, iConnectivity realized that their technology could be
adapted to simplify the process of executing a successful livestream. Their
latest audio and MIDI interface, the iConnectivity
AUDIO4c, includes a streaming operation mode, which allows artists to
record and stream high-quality mixes live from their computers or mobile
devices simply and effectively.

Conclusion

According to Al, iConnectivity’s focus is on delivering
“enabling technology” to artists. With their devices, iConnectivity strives to
provide technology that lets artists do things that they couldn’t do before
while making previous tasks easier by orders of magnitude. If you’re interested
in learning more about how iConnectivity devices can support your creativity
both onstage and in the studio, please reach out to your Sweetwater Sales
Engineer at (800)
222-4700.
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