Saw them live twice. Although it was an impressive show, I have my doubts that they really play these machines live... The nature of their sound is fine sample work. And this is something you do in a studio. Many live bootlegs sound more or less similar. Sometimes there were different set lists and new transitions. But you cannot really arrange/play these things live. The best they could do is to alter some elements of a track (f.e. the lead beep synth sound of "Music:Response" and do some pan and delay. I think it is more or less Midi Vanilli. But I like it anyway
You're looking at this like they're a rock band and you're disappointed they're not playing their instruments. But they're playing a lot of MIDI loops with launchpads, and they've got a ridiculous desk and a million inboard and outboard FX. They're mostly playing with faders and clip launchers and maybe some percussion. I do kinda agree, though. It's not like they're Richie Hawtin doing a different thing every night with some open-ended MIDI loops. Their live sets are very linear, almost like Deadmau5, and I think a big part of the reason for that is that they're big into using elaborate visuals and they just do a very planned thing. But I still gotta love them even if that's not exactly my thing.
But why it's impossible to find a close up video of them playing it live???? ....why Orbital or other artists they don't mind to show what and how they can do it but Tom and Ed never let un see them??? ....not fair for truly fans that follow them since early days ....
