What setup is SEONN using nowadays? PAGE 3 - Mobile Server Update

Etienne

@oldsynthguy said:

@supadom said:
Never improvise with your set up before the gig, As @rs2000 already mentioned, everything needs to be tested thoroughly and any slightest possible changes accounted for (ie lighting at the venue).

We always forget how different and how much more stressful it is to perform in front of an audience. I think stress testing and well drilled muscle memory are an absolute must. Many times I’m at home moving my usual faders and getting it always right but then, on stage, everything becomes smaller, more fiddly and on top of everything the stress element can make things so much harder.

Also, sound checking before the next act and then people on stage messing with the rig before you finally go on can mess things up. Have a plan. Do you leave the device plugged in with all apps on and ready to go or do you plug it in just before playing and fire everything off there and then adding extra stress?

So many things to consider. This is why I’ve opted for a small briefcase approach because at least it’s all plugged in and cosy without the risk of shitty usb cables being pulled and breaking. I also prefer battery powered gear. Some interfaces aren’t great with iffy electrical wiring so if there’s grounding issues there’s buzzz.

I almost prefer to jam in solitude 🤣

Ah, almost forgot. Monitoring!!! Headphones or in ears are probably preferable then being at the mercy of venue’s wedges. Some haven’t been serviced in years with blown tweeters etc.

Seriously good advice, all this. I’ve noticed that even just in rehearsals, it’s like I’m using a completely different device to the one I sit at home with!

Exactly !

@jwmmakerofmusic said:

@Etienne said:
@jwmmakerofmusic Yeah Dave Porter is a creative synth nerd, and I could not imagine this series with a conventional orchestral composer lol.

Alright, I found the proof in my archives ahah. It's at the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City :

Whoa! 🤯 👏 That's so cool mate!

Thank you for reminding me that it happened dude, I completely forgot it before this conversation lol.

seonnthaproducer

@jwmmakerofmusic Forgot to answer your conversion question

I had initially planned on converting the 1989 RV Into a studio

The problem with that is, it is very hard to fit it in the city. Especially someone like Toronto there’s one lane roads and very tight spaces.

So I opted for a different approach. I bought a tent trailer in 2024.

This badboy can be folded and has about the same square footage as my car.

Here's the old car and the tent trailer for comparison.

That's another conversion project where I'll turn it into a mobile studio. I have a seperate project for the RV that I'm working on.

jwmmakerofmusic

@seonnthaproducer said:
@jwmmakerofmusic Forgot to answer your conversion question

I had initially planned on converting the 1989 RV Into a studio

The problem with that is, it is very hard to fit it in the city. Especially someone like Toronto there’s one lane roads and very tight spaces.

So I opted for a different approach. I bought a tent trailer in 2024.

This badboy can be folded and has about the same square footage as my car.

Here's the old car and the tent trailer for comparison.

That's another conversion project where I'll turn it into a mobile studio. I have a seperate project for the RV that I'm working on.

That's absolutely brilliant. ☺️ I think this thread may become the "what set-up is Seonn using these days" thread. 😅

seonnthaproducer

@jwmmakerofmusic Updated the title. Thanks for the idea. Didn't want to make a seperate thread for all these stuff.

jwmmakerofmusic

@seonnthaproducer said:
@jwmmakerofmusic Updated the title. Thanks for the idea. Didn't want to make a seperate thread for all these stuff.

Ha! I love it mate! This thread, while it started a little rough, turned into something quite interesting indeed. 🍻

seonnthaproducer

@jwmmakerofmusic said:

@seonnthaproducer said:
@jwmmakerofmusic Updated the title. Thanks for the idea. Didn't want to make a seperate thread for all these stuff.

Ha! I love it mate! This thread, while it started a little rough, turned into something quite interesting indeed. 🍻

Nah, you, @Etienne , and others made this thread evolve to this. And I'm thankful. Makes it easier to talk about some of my experiences.

I also updated the original post to reflect this change.

seonnthaproducer

Back to the tent trailer. It's an older model. I picked it up for around $600.

I had to modify my car to install a hitch which allowed me to tow the tent trailer anywhere. Here's what one looks like. It's not the one I used, but it gives you an idea of what to look for.

Also, don't forget to get the right sized attachment to connect your trailer to your car.

Here's to the future. Working on a new video on SCM's new technology. This was me in 2021.

jwmmakerofmusic

@seonnthaproducer said:

@jwmmakerofmusic said:

@seonnthaproducer said:
@jwmmakerofmusic Updated the title. Thanks for the idea. Didn't want to make a seperate thread for all these stuff.

Ha! I love it mate! This thread, while it started a little rough, turned into something quite interesting indeed. 🍻

Nah, you, @Etienne , and others made this thread evolve to this. And I'm thankful. Makes it easier to talk about some of my experiences.

I also updated the original post to reflect this change.

That put a smile on my face. ☺️ I'm glad for how this thread evolved into something even better.

seonnthaproducer

Wanted to finally share a bit about my "mobile" studio.

This is my "server" Mac Mini. It's a Mac Mini M1, secured with some zip ties to a solar panel battery.

Solar panel battery ensures this Mac Mini lasts longer than any laptop out there.

I'm currently optimizing it but I'll share a bit more when I've finalized it.

My mobile setup is a Windows computer and an iPad. I do have plans to shrink that even further, but for now, here's it in all its glory.

I use a $20 HDMI capture card to directly connect the Mac into the Windows computer. Using OBS studio, I can view the capture card full screen and run Mac on my Windows PC. The wireless Bluetooth and mouse ensures I can seamlessly switch between them.

I also got rid of my Apple Dongle. I no longer need it. I use a $15 cable with USB B and a charger. I bought 3 of them, which is the same cost as 1 Apple USB-3 dongle on Amazon.

Hope this helps someone.

seonnthaproducer

Did anyone spot the fancy braided cable in the earlier post? Well, this is my new favorite charging cable for phones and other electronics.

Comes with 2 lightning ports, 1 USB-C port, and a micro USB port.

2 for the price of $20. Best Christmas present…EVER!!!

In addition, I use an Anker battery with a wall mount. Depending on which country you’re from, you’d have to find one unique to your zone. Here’s one in mine.

seonnthaproducer

For the white lightning cable with charging port, I bought it via MeloAudio on Amazon. They’re currently out of stock but honestly, whatever marketplace you use (AliBaba, Temu, Amazon), just make sure it works, and they have a good return policy. Here’s what it looks like.

That’s why I’m posting pictures. I really don’t care about the affiliate marketing, or clicks. This is just to show gears I genuinely use.

I used to use the Lightning dongle. It was just too messy. This is cleaner, and I can use it for a dedicated device plugged into one of my iPhone SE’s with a headphone jack output.

seonnthaproducer

Finally, for the capture card, here’s what I use. I connect it to OBS Studio. I haven’t found another app that automatically renders it as good as OBS Studio.

Drrabbitfoot

You sir are a very busy Bee lol

seonnthaproducer

@Drrabbitfoot said:
You sir are a very busy Bee lol

Haha, that’s not even the half of it. Sometimes my work intersects with my music.

I was on my way to the Apple Store and I saw this…

That’s a cyber truck. I used to build Tesla parts since 2016.

Goldiblockz

ugly ass car.

real cool photos, nice seeing your travels and how you're rigging everything together

seonnthaproducer

@Goldiblockz said:
ugly ass car.

real cool photos, nice seeing your travels and how you're rigging everything together

I’ll be honest, I like it as a fashion statement.
But in real life? Yeah, idk…although I’m already getting used to it. Seen enough of them that it’s just another vehicle on the road.

Funny thing though…my drummer who’s now 19, just bought a Tesla, and is learning how to fly planes. And I couldn’t be more proud of him.

Okay…that aside.

I refined my Windows/Mac/iPad/Android configuration to this

Acer Nitro 5 laptop (bought a powerful, yet previous generation one a few years ago, upgraded the storage to an NVME, and I can run what I need, easily)

Mac Mini M1. Legitimately the best Mac out there. The new mini is definitely solid, but I’m looking for cost effective solutions.

Google Pixel 5. That, and the 5a are the last few Android phones that allow unlimited photos and videos to be stored on the cloud.

iPad 9th Gen - Because I need the headphone jack. It’s just too good of a diagnostic tool.

iPhone 12 Pro Max - Been using this phone for 3 years, and it’s still going strong. The new AI on the 15 and 16 is cool and all, but I’ve been able to do that with iOS shortcuts since ChatGPT was made public.

I honestly don’t need the Mac all the time. Only when I need to do advanced music production work, or to test stuff on Xcode. Windows computer lets me run the libraries and software I want, easily.

And I can use the HDMI capture card combined with the camera application on Windows to view my Mac. Just switch the camera from the default webcam to the USB video and you’re good.