Playing through a laptop live

[Roland Rock]

I'm very new to this type of thing. I've been approached to play with a DJ, playing filthy squelchy synthy bass over his music. He says that the software on his laptop has all the relevant effects.

So, what do I need and what potential issues are there?

I have a little Focusrite interface which will enable me to plug into the Mac.
I have a good DI - would I need that as well?
What about potential issues with latency (is that the right word? Where a delay occurs between playing and hearing)

If it's as simple as plugging into the laptop and playing, then I'm wondering why people spend so much on midi equipment?

Edited November 14, 2015 by Roland Rock

[Owen]

If your bod is happy to program all the squelchiness then that is one step less. You have all the kit to do the rest. There will be at the very least a "small" amount of latency. Probably not enough to bother you. You adapt pretty quickly. I have often wondered why more people do not use the filters etc which are in all DAWs by now.

[Roland Rock]

Thanks Owen, that's good to know.
I'll go down and have a jam with him and see what this bank of effects can do. Could be fun!

[paul_5]

Your biggest issue will be the latency on the I/O device. If they can provide a real time foot controller then you're golden.

Try it, you might like it.

Edited November 14, 2015 by paul_5

[Roland Rock]

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1447542098' post='2908503']
Your biggest issue will be the latency on the I/O device. If they can provide a real time foot controller then you're golden.

Try it, you might like it.
[/quote]

Sorry, bit new to all this. Have you got a link to an example of one please

[Owen]

Look for an Apogee Gio and slap an expression pedal into it. Good times.

[Owen]

The foot controller will let you control various paramaters such as open and closing filters.

http://www.eowave.com/instruments.php?prod=52