How high is the cpu load? Any tips on using midi track to run?

[strings n sax]

I'm just getting started looking into this... our band uses backing tracks, and I've created midi tracks that run in sync to switch VSTi's, effects, and switches saved scenes on our mixer. I run everything from a laptop.

I think if I get a USB to DMX interface like the Entec Open DMX USB, and something like Freestyler, I should be able to program a midi track for each song...? Any tips on how to use freestyler to create a midi track?

Anyway my main concern is cpu load... I know it depends on the laptop, but how much cpu load does Freestyler typically run at?

Any thoguhts of Thanks!

[Rod_Horning]

Consider using the Entec Pro instead of the Open. The Pro should lessen the CPU load.

[buttza]

Well you can't create midi tracks in FreeStyler itself. You will need to create the track in say Ableton Live or something like that.

Then from the device that is sending the midi channel on a specific Midi Channel you can then trigger the cues and overrides etc you want from that track using assigned midi notes.

It does take a little messing around.

I was hoping that they would allow more Cue Pages as per image so that I could create songs for each page and just drop them in.

Cue Pages.JPG

Hope this info helps.

[Flip]

As Rod mentioned it depends on how "intelligent" your interfaces is. But usually the CPU load of Freestyler is pretty low. Just yesterday I checked during a live show (8 Heads, 12 LEDs) on an older laptop with a Intel Atom 1,6GHz CPU. Load is under 5% in total.

[Laudrin]

I was hoping that they would allow more Cue Pages as per image so that I could create songs for each page and just drop them in.

You're right, it would be more convenient using a Cuelist tab per song, but I thing there are addons like GO Monkey which can achieve the intended result.

And if the original poster wants to control FreeStyler via MIDI, he can trigger the cues from a cuelist separately or in combination, so for a concert with no more than 16 songs you may get by with just one cuelist tab without using the same cuelist twice.