Live setup 2023

I had a few people inquire about the gear I use live.

Essentially all of the above goes through Ableton in the "Session" view through the audio interface. Generally my mixing living needs to be very clear and is part of the songwriting (like a lot of other noise artists, just more high-tech) so I can't rely on the sound engineer to know what to do. Usually they don't. Everything comes out of a stereo L/R out into the PA. I also don't just use live equipment, I always load samples and loops into the session view to layer over everything too.

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Let's start with my in-studio monitors, which are x2 JBL LSR308P's 8" (I believe). I am not sure if they are the MKII's as I've had them for years. They are fantastic monitors, although I don't use them live (unless somebody forgot to bring a PA to a house party).

Now let's go clockwise from the top left. I use a Elektron Digitone , an FM digital synth, predominantly for ambient drones, bass lines and glitchy soundscapes where I don't want to use samples. I find it really powerful for bass lines, especially with the sequencer aligned to the MIDI clock. Finally, I plug it in via USB rather than audio out via the Overbridge Engine, so I can modify its parameters in the DAW and seperate the four oscillators into different in tracks so they can be mixed better and have additional effects added on the DAW side.

Moving rightwards and up a little is the VE-20. It's a vocal effects processor and looper. I generally don't use much of the effects on it minus pitch shifting (I prefer Ableton for eq, compression and reverb insofar as I have free CPU). The looper is important for making loop choirs which are a staple of mine. It does the job, although I am on the lookout for an upgrade to something more powerful. I also use it as a pre-amp/phantom power for recording, but I really need to upgrade to better one.

Behind the computer is my audio interface, is a PreSonus Studio 1810c. It has a lot of inputs (four on the front, *at least* another six on the back), great sound quality and low latency. I used to use a Scarlett and these things are so much better. I use both for live and recording.

Further right is my pedal chain for "hybrid noise", which is plugged into the audio interface.

I use a MASF SCM as a contact mic for feedback and scratching. It does the job and last a little longer than a basic contact mic, however I might use something else in the future as a contact mic can be anything.

Next is the now-discontinued and rare Devi Ever Bit Mangler. Sadly it's tricky to get these things these days (and mine is currently being repaired) but it really helps glitch/vary the noise tone on the fly with the joystick.

Next is the venerable Boss DD7. The input signal is mono and the ping-pong delay helps widen the sound into stereo when on, plus adjusting the decay length knob usually causes some cool effects.

I also use a passive cut-up button, which mutes the signal. This is custom-made by Nova of Pathological Function.

I also use a power supply, but any one will do here and I am constantly getting new ones.

To the bottom right is my Akai APC40 PRO MKII which I use to activate loops, mix the various tracks and use the macro knobs to control effects, such as sample slicing and beat repeat. I also use the master knob for sudden endings. This thing is essential to my setup, as it controls everything.

Finally to the bottom left across the computer is the Monome Grid 128, an older thicker version. I basically just use this as a MIDI controller for sample slicing, as each of the 128 buttons momentarily activates a different sliced sample. You could easily use any MIDI controller here, but the grid for me is kinda part of the live Uboa 'personality' now. Here is me looking very exhausted with it.

Other gear: a 4-input USB hub, a Keystep to control the Digitone a little better and a Macbook Pro M1 (I need a powerful laptop to avoid latency issues live.) I have used the same mic for about 10 years, which is essentially a weird Australian SM59 clone.

The model is of Major Motoko Kusanagi.

Please don't rip off my setup exactly (this is why a lot of noise artists keep their setups quiet), but use this info to help build your own setup with your own ideas. Plus, this will almost certaintly be changing now for Roadburn now that I have acquired a Hydrasynth.