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...

[@L3AF]

instructions unclear i am already subscribed. xD SEND HELP!!

[@stephen686]

You look like how i imagine Jesus looks.

[@austincrouch8532]

Should check out the omec teleport!

[@eugenech8937]

Ola, what is the back track?

[@karmacore]

I am so on board with this. I am doing this with bands for years now, also check out humanitys last breath and they are doing the same

[@tharsgaard663]

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

[@matttaylor1449]

Ola, listen to the blobfish.

[@tharsgaard663]

YOU, I like you :D Just basicaly a mini PC loaded with a proprietary DAW simple enough for 'noobs' but enough features to be usefull for pro's , and obviously load any VST's you have, I have a feeling it would sell

[@chrisrowe6835]

Even if Ola didn't do that, I hope someone has that idea because it sounds amazing. If Ola ever did that though we know it would be damn near perfect lol

[@JbfMusicGuitar]

That's a really great idea, would be a fantastic bit of kit!

[@cibbantwist]

Considering that the MOD 2, which is basically just a bunch of open source plugins and a plugin host running on an embedded linux computer in a special purpose housing, sells for something like 600 €, you're probably more right than you know.

[@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.

[@nicksacco5148]

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

[@hanislip]

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

[@brandenburns3322]

some in ears have metronomes built in. Maybe he cant hear what's going on with mudded sounds

[@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.

[@andresilvasophisma]

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

[@matttaylor1449]

YES or an Ola FX automation pedal board system.

[@jaredmckee2569]

Biasfx metal pack has an ola englund satan

[@andresilvasophisma]

But it's not an Ola Englund "The Swede" Satan, wich has extra bass.

[@brugvp]

shiiit that would be awesome! Ola we need this!

[@hamtheman222]

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

[@ArtGuitarLTX]

You got me pumped with this! I’ve been searching on this subject for 2 days and then I stumble upon your video. Thanks Ola for the info, never thought of automation for brining in and out the sims. Genius! A bit tedious at first but sounds like it gets the job done. Gonna try this with the Mesa Amplitube sims. 👍👍👍🎸🎸🎸

[@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!

[@Michael-vk6ws]

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.

[@TheCheesewalrus]

the iPod nano is the wedding DJ's #1 competition :D

[@neonether]

Good point, though some may point out a metal show isn't quite the same dynamic as a solo DJ on stage. A good metric might be to know the number of laptops DJs go through in a year or per number of shows.

[@GregRickard]

A backup laptop is easier to carry than a backup amp.

[@evilgremlin]

@@GregRickard And cheaper as well.

[@GregRickard]

@@evilgremlin True. You could get a pretty nice laptop for the cost of a new valve amp. And it would serve other purposes.

[@monsterk7603]

This is fantastic. Your tone is stellar as always man. I can see this being the next big thing.

[@cortical1]

Hey Ola Swedun, the Eng. Makes perfect sense. I think you should do more of these tech tips and methods videos. You know a huge amount about all of this.

[@Athenascars]

the demo songs sound amazing! Also, I’ve watched several clinics and they also have this kind of setup, which I observed is very handy and easy for them to go with the program. So maybe we are already in the age where plugins are embraced in live situations :)

[@techniqueswithtodd]

BRILLIANT!!! I've been proposing this type of system for some time now and I"m thrilled to see you using something like this. I'll be money you end up using for Live Band shows in the future.

[@ejwang615]

it's great to see people who actually have the balls to use that kind of setup on stage, that's pretty innovative. thanks for sharing

[@rorycorpuss]

Thanks for the info Ola!!! I’m an old tube and pedal guy, getting into this computer stuff is a little daunting but your info really helps!!!

[@danitwisted7300]

Maybe not the first one to try this method, but atleas you put the effort to share your experiance! Thank you for this Ola, you are one of a kind!!

[@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 🤘🏻

[@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.

[@pawel280390]

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!

[@SHORYU616]

As someone who has lugged around cabinets, heads and pedal boards for over a decade... I am ready to start using live plug-ins yesterday!

[@PsyckadeliTV]

I have started to use Mainstage 3 and I think I am in love. It's a great live tool. No need to open the Logic project and it's great for a song set...

[@Xenious]

I came here just looking at UA Arrow reviews but this is a really creative fresh idea on automating signal paths/FX. Well done!

[@WOD89esb]

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 👍

[@Jon_lust_]

Exactly when I'm digging this stuff. Could you do another video explaining more about how getting familliar with this software? Thank you for being such dedicated to what you do, you really are a source of inspiration for me. Cheers from France Ola !

[@AnilSingh-in2ol]

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.

[@red240red2]

Really thinking about ditching my axe fx for this route. Trying the nameless plug in trial and I'm in love. Unbelievable tone which handles really low tuning like a charm. So much clarity and brutality at the same time!

[@xerlin871]

I know its an older video but you just earned my sub! Thanks man you are going down same path I am. I appreciate that you are sharing some of the methods you have experimented with. This is the future I know it.

[@tstarunshekhawat7]

Hey Ola! Even I use my laptop during my jams and performances but the only problem I had was to change presets live. The only solution I could figure out to go to clean patch was to lower the tone and the volume knob on my guitars but that didn't work out so well. But thanks to you I know what I have to do to change my presets! Thank You!

[@emearauli4083]

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

[@peterrovaniemi138]

What focusrite interface do you use? Thinking about maybe getting a clarette but not sure the usb C (or thunderbolt 1 as they are the same more or less) will be fast enough latency wise.

[@emearauli4083]

@@peterrovaniemi138 I use focusrite saffire 6, in the buffer length i have choosen 2 ms (with plugins is more), but latency isn´t a problem if you have a fast and good computer (mine is a HP i5)

[@Gigirizzolihhhhyyy]

That s my goal, have u tried wet dry wet configuration?

[@Gigirizzolihhhhyyy]

I don get the precise signal chain

[@nightlightsounds3549]

holy... was wondering how you were doing those switcheroos with the guitar the sound. props man! cool stuff as always! love your videos :D

[@LeeJoRo]

Imagine if logic, cubase, ableton etc made a computer (or DAW console). It would be like a pc but locked to only be used for music production. Lieterally nothing else. I think that would be genuinely amazing. Have it built like a interface which would be robust, and gig-able

[@opt123123]

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

[@MorganReidguitar]

Yeah I've used it, that pedal they had was pretty sick.. could easily automate loop pedal/expression pedals too

[@sonicwingnut]

Yeah I had a native instruments guitar rig live IO interface doing that - size of a cigarette packet and ran Amplitube at something daft like 32 sample buffer. One thing I noticed is smaller less complicated USB interfaces with solid drivers are best for live performance latency. Firewire at the time was better but less reliable on non-apple laptops due to a lot of non-TI chipsets.

[@dylanmyhill1188]

That's guitar rig for you

[@johnnyguitar7921]

and 12 years later we are stuck with shitty usb 2.0 powered audi interfaces,,,, they fucking dared to kill FIREWIRE man, and they did it....

[@UnknownIdaho]

@@johnnyguitar7921 Now of course we have USB-C- which is the direct descendent of FireWire!

[@ferlottes]

Merci Ola ! This is the way to go for clinics and also for recording and make a living of it. Now, I can start my personnal studio recording at peoples home !

[@ignyte]

wow. slowly im understanding what is this plugins thing. from a peds user like 15 years ago, now that im getting back to my beloved hobby. plugins got my attention. thanks for this post.

[@VasilisZi]

Brilliantly video! Pretty good job as always Mr. Jesus!!! I’d really like to see the settings you’re using with the Nameless Suite sometime!!! 😉

[@anibalojeda]

Ola this video helped me a lot on my flow! I was thinking to look on how to do this but didn't have the time to search it.. watching your video I started to do this trick one a project & bingo!!!

[@stefanodeangelis7591]

Very interesting video!!! Completely agree that reliability is THE issue..as for the rest, once all different needed sounds are programmed, all you need to care is focus on guitar playing, which is perfect! Thanx for this cool lesson, Ola, and keep it up🤘

[@danielhorvat6266]

Nice and informative vid as always man

[@manucernello]

You just saved me. This Is exactly what i needed. Thank you Ola

[@AKFitnessNO]

Hi Ola! I believe that this approach is the future. I actually did a similar setup for a performance back in 1997. Of course it didn´t sound anywhere nearly as good back then, and I had to combine it with some rack hardware to pull it off. Had my clunky big ass computer cabinet and huge CRT-monitor on stage, and performed with just my guitar. I did another similar setup of this for my Bacherlor´s degree about 10 years ago, this time with a iMac, Logic, some automation and a Boss GT-8. Keep up the good work :) Cheers from Norway

[@rammsonne]

Great video Ola, very informative. The future is most certainly digital, it's only a matter of time though for us amp lovers, we can still use them if we wish. I'll embrace both!

[@MarkLumsley]

Thank you for showing me this Ola, as a proud owner of an Axe-Fx II and MFC-101 owner, this has given me a lot to think about! ^_^

[@racabe]

Great video, Ola! Could you make a video teaching how to program the plug in changes automatically?

[@redxxfour]

Thanks for the great video Ola. I've tinkered a bit with plugins, but found that it's hard to nail down a nice tone. Do you have any videos, or plan on making a video about how you sculpted your tone in this video?

[@AleArzMusic]

Great great video, you're always one step ahead of the others 🤘

[@1lorenzoercoli]

That seems a pretty smooth and solid rig. Also the guys from Periphery use a similar setup where they have Logic changing all their AxeFx patches. It seems a very convenient setup for clinics and you are left with just making sure the venue has electricity.

[@andrewrwhitfield]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks Ola!

[@Citizen_JQP]

You sir, have a killer sound. I love it! Your videos introduced me to your bands. They sound amazing man. What/ how do you do to get that sound?

[@TheAngelfuu]

Yes, I've been using a laptop with bias fx to a cab 4*12 for more than a year and never had a problem and super happy with it. Best choice I ever did in gear

[@rickyred001]

i really like Ola, i've only subbed to his channel a couple of weeks, me and ola should be neighbours, it would be one long party !

[@pjrodz]

Thank you for sharing this Ola! 😊

[@DeadGodMetal]

Me and my bandmate always use one focusrite 2i4, Cubase and amp sims with laptop for rehearsals and shows. I set my favorite settings and tones with automation.

[@sc4v3]

Awesome solution and great video! btw that secret lead plugin sounds to me very "nevermorey" :D

[@jimyounger9490]

Awesome Ola , you’re embracing new technology and learning how to make it your bitch !! I see this eventually making its way to the live gigs probably with you leading the way !!

[@christophergreco6173]

Thank you I've been wondering about this question for a long time

[@AVEMAREAMUSIC]

As a young lad, I always thought to myself as I entered Guitar Center" all these huge amps and keyboards at expensive prices". All while the people I knew had sound banks on flashdrives.

[@GuitarAcademia]

Dear Ola, this was really helpful, wow, thanks a lot!! Almost every word was what I needed. True!! All the best. I guess, checking this setup in Moscow would be a little different by now... I will try it at home first 🙂

[@Grafo32]

With my band we were playing just with a computer for a few years now and so far its been working!

[@darrylportelli]

Really thinking of doing this live .... either through the fx return or to the desk .... i can have 2 outputs , one metronome out from the interface and one to the desk/return .... the metronome out is for the drummer - that way i can automate the whole performance as the songs are in time since the drummer is using the metronome of the same project file

[@daimon7066]

Thanks so much to bring that subject to the table 😎👍🏻💥

[@KevinWuOfficial]

Very cool!!!! The two outputs (L/R) were plugged into two different channels of a mixer? Or a speaker power amp? Thank you!! 🙏

[@EliasRedbass]

You're awesome! Thank you for trying out this solution! Makes life and live gigging easier :)

[@AttackCityMedia]

I was wondering about to use this setup with my band, and dont know how the youtube suggestion shown up. Ill try

[@onzkicg]

This- “if it works”.. lol 😂 I love that.

[@alejandroperez8285]

You could also use something like Bias Fx or Amplitube and connect a midi controller like the MeloAudio MIDI Commander, that way you could change between completely different presets in the same way you switch a pedal on/off, and also link it to a especific pedal, in a specific preset you can choose which pedal you want to be able to turn on/off, even configure a wah or volume pedal with a expression midi pedal

[@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.

[@hilomdulom8689]

what program are you using?

[@sronedgecustom9396]

Ola, perhaps your best video yet! not just subscribed; JOINed

[@tylerrg8966]

Been doing this with Leo Pou plugins in Studio One. Pretty awesome to see Ola is doing it now too! I always set the buffer rate to 64 and as long as youre careful about not using CPU hogging VST's there shouldent be latency. Some reverbs do cause issues be careful and see what works for you and your PC. Ola makes anything sound brutal though!

[@scaleop4]

man this dude its ridiculous with the stuff that he plays its so fucking hard i love it.

[@duaneanderson6393]

computers are o.k. for home use recording into my DAW. Sounds good, I love the automation , fun.

[@TriumphWithoutGlory]

A foot controller for plug ins in your DAW concerning a live situation would be a very pleasant future for me ! I'm a logic user but don't know how you do to change the sound with automation

[@MetalJody1990]

This setup is badass! Technology is amazing.

[@S1kTh66]

It must be weird calculating in your time travel moments when planning videos. Always fun :).

[@hollywoodactress]

I think it is great that technology is pushing the boundaries of real amps and effects pedals. Only a matter of time till a laptop plug in will replace a tube amp. Like one of the guys below said if you can make the plugin outside of a Daw and have it switchable via a pedal then they would be great.

[@robzohrab5158]

Thats a great setup for that stuff bro! Keep it up ! If you used the ENGL amp plugin ( UAD- brainworx etc ),, would the latency be less too ? not the same sound I know,,but curious ? or is the logic low latency feature better ? It sound cool anyways! Big ups from NZ

[@StaticTeaz]

Ah, this is fantastic. This may be how I perform in the future (with Reaper).

[@megatronthakilla]

your videos always crack me up :)

[@ahmd3tf]

My last gig I used Amplitube on iPad Air 2 on an Alesis iO Dock II. It went very well, and people thought my sound have even improved!

[@berndkiltz]

Very cool, thanks so much for the video!

[@xboxnissan]

Really nice, we'll have to see if it works in the long run :)

[@mindful__gardener]

That clean riff was funkyy

[@JulianKleiss]

Thank you for this informative overview! Is there a way to utilize the UAD unison amps with automation?

[@MrDreamsAlot]

U know this is freaking clever!!! Dude awesome!

[@tcrane8630]

Ola... that was pretty cool.. Please do a vlog on pack, travel, unpack / unload and gig set up / play... see how it is live..

[@adamwhiting5648]

Great video. Very informative!

[@krustdogg131]

This is something I've been wanting to do for a while . I May just use a midi footswitch to toggle between plug-ins and pre sets

[@felipeturbayr]

Hi Ola, thanks i just came across this video! do you have another video explaining how to do this kind of automation? Thanks!

[@cjleongson]

automation is so nice and consistent in ears

[@t1mastr10]

Im using similar thing even with live band for some time meanig - Bias FX running on my Ipad + Positive grid Bluetooth switch for changing presets and it works kinda cool, very convinient solution + i bring one tiny silver case with wireless + ipad + magnum 44 (in case there is shit pa on the venue and play thru guitar box is needed).

[@MostlyElectrolytes]

Pretty cool that you did this with Logic. I believe that Digital Performer was designed with this kind of application in mind (I think that it can even control lighting to sync everything up). I only dicked with it a little bit years ago and came to the same conclusion.....too much latency back then using plugins. Plus lets be honest....I don't go out and tour and do clinics so it was just the techy side checking it out at the time. The wife said thanks for that damn AxeFXIII video you did......after the third time watching it I ended up selling my II and getting a III. She appreciates you pushing me over the edge. ;) I just didn't realize how much things had improved and it really is an amazing box. By the way, if memory serves correctly I think that you can use MIDI to switch patches and maybe even scenes (effects would probably require sysex data) from your DAW....so basically you could have all of your effects switching done just like this, but with the AxeFXIII instead of plugins. Not quite as portable, but you'd have damn near zero latency.

[@the72u7h4]

I know NiN uses LiveStage and they run all sorts of stuff through there (decapitator, echo boy, to name a couple) It's handy for a live show where you don't need a pedal board anymore. Just have your drummer have a midi controller send the midi out (even if you don't even use midi) controlled by bass drum / snare / whatever and everything just works. You can go from acoustic, to high gain to lead to whatever parts of the song need whatever. It's like having your tech backstage do this, except done via logic / mainstage. It's been part of my rundown for a few years now. Now it's bring a half stack, head and run the audio via interface > mixing boards and your in ears and boom. All you get to do is play and no touching anything as it all just works. Takes a while to get this set up, but once you do it's really good.

[@akashdhurbarry9157]

Hey Ola! Love this video. I’m wondering if you are using software monitoring inside logic? Or you doing some monitoring routing? I just got a similar Apollo interface and been struggling to set it up for using guitar plugins inside logic.

[@DaveZnoise]

That is badass. Very cool setup.

[@Gonza.R19]

Hey Ola! New subscriber here, loving your content. Do you have any video on how to config BIAS FX to sound like you do? Keep up the great job man, thank you!!!

[@mikedervos5974]

Fantastic idea!!

[@high_drivexxx]

Such a great video. Good man.

[@RadityoPramAdi]

Great video Ola! Always wondering about your laptop setups.......

[@sceptic12]

Hi Ola! How about if you need backing tracks + click track in your iem and the actual sound that goes through the foh? Can you show us a detailed video on how you route the signal using your current setup? Thanks a lot!!