USING GUITAR PLUGINS LIVE ON STAGE?

I go on a mission find out if it's possible to use plugins live. Together with a Macbook and a UAD Arrow Audio interface. With technology becoming better and better, will it be something more we see of in the future? Probably! Let me know what you think in the comments.

UPDATE. The "secret" plugin was the STL Howard Benson Plugin that I use for leads. Wasn't sure which video would be up first so I censored it.

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[OlaEnglund]

What do you guys think about this? Should you subscribe or not? I know the answer...

[tharsgaard]

Like I said in last video, work with an effects company and build a dedicated unit to replace the laptop, an effects 'pedal' that can be programmed at home and used live, with the option to tweak . Slap the Ola emblem on it, make millions, give us all free Solar basses :P

[lairdey]

It is true that you may run into some fragility issues with a laptop rig live. It’s also true that your tubes, batteries and cables can go bad, too. So if the argument for a completely analog rig is that it’s reliable, I’d like to take issue with that here and now.

[Magondeth]

I've been using such a setup like this with my band for quite a few years now. We let the whole band go through the windows 10 laptop using a Focusrite interface and Ableton Live and it really works like a charm. We also used midi footswitches for band practice and jamming.

[andresilvasophisma]

Now all we need is a Ola Englund "The Swede" signature plugin based on the Randall Satan.

[WODesb]

It can also be really useful in band situations. A lot of modern metal bands use backing tracks for synth and other programmed sounds. Why not use the automation for the guitar at the same time? It's worth considering! I don't really think reliability should be a big problem.
Personally, I'm done carting amps around. So happy for my Helix and maybe this is the next step.

Thanks again Ola 👍

[nicksacco]

This so sick. As a guitar player and interning producer, this is quite eye opening and just all around informative. This is so sick!

[Michael-vkws]

Laptops have been the central piece of gear of karoake DJ's for years. Spills, drunks, daily gigs and they make it work. I think the reliability issue, while valid, isn't as big as one would think.

[emearauli]

I´m using this system combining vst plugins and a tube amp since 2 years (before to watch it in the Ola videos i was the only who was using it at least that i knew it, although I thought that probably more people would have the same idea), and specifically i use a Ignite amp head and overdrive, cubase 5, focusrite interface, into a normal laptop with windows 10, plugged in the fx return of a bugera combo amp.... The result: sounds nice, i have all chanel changes, boost, delay and effects, etc completely automated and till nowadays 0 problems in live shows

[MarcCoteMusic]

There's another advantage to using in-ears when playing through computer plugins... it lowers the real-world latency. If you have, say 10ms round-trip latency in your processing, you have to another 5-15 ms latency depending on where your cab or monitor is. By using in-ears, that analog latency (distance) is removed.

[hamtheman]

This is SO seriously cool! The automation thing blew my mind.

[Elmerikoo]

We’ve this with our band and it very convenient as you dont have to bring two 4x12 and weighty tubeamps on the stage. Everytime better live sound!

[opt]

12 years ago I played live gigs using Guitar Rig 3. I had 7ms latency

[DawnofExistence]

Definitely think this will be the future for a lot of live applications. Apple’s Mainstage has implemented this concept for a long time but I like the idea of using the DAW for everything: backing tracks if needed and all of your automation. You’re essentially setting up your entire performance 🤘🏻

[hanislip]

If my drummer could stay in tempo with logic that would be cool

[pawel]

Even John Petrucci with dt are runing protools session live. I've seen that even jp's sounds are switched via midi commands in protools. Good Job Ola! Big fan!

[InfinityDsbm]

I know a guy who brings his computer to gigs to get guitar effects but he couldn't play because his computer started doing Windows updates 😂

[WSBM]

mind blown at 5:30. Just wow. Never thought of that!

[AnilSingh-inol]

I used this method few months back on stage during my office event. Where I played some melodic death with my laptop and USB powered audio interface. Works perfect for me and it's very portable n mobile.

[Gary_W]

I went to a similar route like you, I just finished a show with just my guitar, an iPad, an interface, and a bluetooth MIDI pedalboard. Sound is great, no latency issue, my rig got a whole lot smaller and a whole lot more efficient, and I like this new iPad setup. I think this is the future, I'm not sacrificing anything in terms of tone and reliability so far, so yeah, just like you I will continue using this digital solution.