Soulbrixofficial’s Dream Live Set – The Dawless Adventure

Circuit Rhythm, Circuit Tracks, Digitakt, Digitone, Pioneer RMX 500, Roland TR-8, SP-404 MKII

Ever dreamed of crafting a live set that bangs harder than a warehouse party while keeping your kit portable? Soulbrixofficial takes us on a wild ride through his quest for the perfect dawless setup. Discover how he juggles grooveboxes, wrestles with gear choices, and asks for your take on his live music vision.

Creating the Perfect Dawless Live Set

Soulbrixofficial kicks off his video by diving into his vision of crafting the ultimate dawless live set. It’s not just about pressing play and dancing around like a wannabe DJ. The ambition here is to create a dynamic performance where each show serves up new treats for the audience. The aim is to keep things vibrant with evolving synth parameters and on-the-fly beatmaking, making every gig a unique journey. To achieve this, he knows he needs gear that allows for maximum control and flexibility, without being chained to a laptop screen. It’s all about having fun with the performance and keeping the audience on their toes.

"I wanted to go on a specific path because I believe that a live act..."

A Tour of the Gear Arsenal

"Is that a thing? I don't know if you feel the same, but..."

In this segment, Soulbrixofficial gives us the grand tour of his current setup, or as I like to call it, his arsenal of sound. From the Circuit Tracks to the Arturia MicroFreak, Roland TR-8, SP-404 MKII, Digitakt, Digitone, and the Pioneer RMX 500, the dude’s got a buffet of rhythm machines and synth flavors. He’s spent years gathering these synth treats, much like a kid in a candy store. Each piece has its strengths and quirks, and Soulbrixofficial has tried blending them into a cohesive live set multiple times. But as it turns out, throwing all the gear into one pot didn’t quite give him the sonic stew he was hoping for. So, he’s picking parts that vibe with his creative flow, pivoting away from a tangled web of hardware.

Digitakt and Digitone – The Dynamic Duo

Soulbrixofficial’s secret sauce starts with the pairing of the Digitakt and Digitone. The Digitakt, holding the title of ‘the brain,’ orchestrates samples and sequences with precision. It’s like a conductor leading a chaotic symphony, all while Soulbrixofficial keeps those dance floors vibing. On the other side, the Digitone serves as the synth powerhouse, though it’s not without its head-scratching FM complexities. But therein lies the charm – it’s a happy accident generator, bringing unexpected twists to performances. With presets covering a range of sounds, this duo sets the stage for a fresh sonic pallet every time.

"You just experiment, experiment. I like that. I really like that."

Bass and Beats – Circuit Tracks and Circuit Rhythm

Now onto the backbone of the beats – the Circuit Tracks and Circuit Rhythm. These are what I’d call his groove technicians. The Circuit Tracks handles bass duties, bringing those gritty low-end lines to life that hit deeper than a broken subwoofer. It’s got enough flexibility to layer bass textures effortlessly, making it an indispensable tool in Soulbrixofficial’s setup. Meanwhile, the Circuit Rhythm takes on percussion, letting Soulbrixofficial separate his drum patterns into their own playground. It’s not typical to split drums from the Digitakt, but he’s all about breaking conventions for the sake of creativity. With the freedom to tweak rhythms and layer effects on the fly, this setup cranks up the energy in any live set.

Decisions, Decisions – The Gear Left Behind

Any synth journey means sacrifices, and here, Soulbrixofficial shares his tale of gear left on the bench. The Roland TR8 and the SP-404 MKII, while amazing in their rights, didn’t make the cut for this particular live act. The TR8, though loved for its classic drum sounds, didn’t fit the evolving puzzle of his performance needs. Meanwhile, the SP-404 MKII, a beast for sampling, proved cumbersome when slotted into the Digitakt-driven workflow. It’s all about finding that sweet spot of simplicity and power, and sometimes that means letting go of beloved gear for the bigger picture. But out from the shadows emerges the Pioneer RMX 500, hinting at its utility for graceful transitions.

Building the Future Set – Your Ideas Matter

"Your ideas are important to me!"

In this final stretch, Soulbrixofficial opens the dialogue to the audience, asking for their insights and ideas on live performances. It’s an invitation to jam with him on this creative journey, crafting a live act that resonates not just with beats but with the community that loves them. He’s all about keeping the vibe collaborative and interactive, inviting other live performers to share tips on getting gigs and making a name on stage. It’s about creating a flowing dialogue to pave the path for future gigs, and making sure his dawless dream turns into a reality that’s bigger than just gear – it’s about the music and the connections it creates.