We had the opportunity to speak with Fred Carlton from Nerdmatics, a leading expert in custom playback and MIDI backline systems, to learn more about his approach to live performance technology and how they optimize playback setups for artists.
" We are a technical integration company specializing in custom playback and MIDI backline systems, based in Los Angeles, California. Our main goal is to help musicians perform their music so that each show is unique and a true representation of them as artists.
After touring with Thirty Seconds to Mars as a guitar tech and managing the Ableton system, I realized that many other artists needed support with their playback setups. This led me to offer playback system design as a service. Over time, I expanded my role to consulting, helping musicians maximize the potential of playback, not just as a tool for backing tracks but as a dynamic engine for samples, VSTs, and FX.
At Nerdmatics, we differentiate ourselves as playback designers with a strong focus on live performance. Many playback engineers come from a studio background, primarily adding interludes and transitions. However, we believe artists should have full creative control over their sessions. Rather than introducing our own ideas, we assist by creating instruments from their stems, teaching them how to use multi-output FX, and showing them how to use Ableton like a DJ, allowing them to skip, repeat, and remix in real time. Our goal is to minimize pre-recorded audio, ensuring that performers actively trigger and play their parts, making each performance as authentic and dynamic as possible.
One major challenge is providing artists with real-time visibility into what’s happening on stage when they want to control playback. Traditionally, this required a screen, an RTP MIDI network interface, and a MIDI controller, a setup that was both costly and cumbersome to troubleshoot. When the Liobox came on the scene, I was immediately impressed by its efficiency and intuitive design. Combined with its exceptional build quality, it quickly became my go-to solution for playback control. The reliability of seeing those two green checkmarks and feeling the solid click of the button is essential when managing systems for high-stakes tours and performances.
Liobox² is now the primary tool for playback control in our setups. On Feid’s tour, we used two Liobox² units on stage and one in the offstage rack. The ability to monitor real-time feedback and transport status during the show provides an extra layer of confidence as a tech. You can see everything happening directly from your controller.
Our most recent project was designing and building Linkin Park’s new system. I developed the playback system, keyboard rig, DJ rig, and audio FX rack. The setup includes approximately 14 iConnectivity devices, facilitating RTP MIDI communication across all backline and creative tools. The Liobox² is the central trigger for all playback operations. Other recent projects using the Liobox² include Kendrick Lamar, Feid, Maluma, J Balvin, Illenium, Qveen Herby, and Hollywood Undead, among others.
One of the biggest challenges today is convincing artists to invest in their performance and equipment rather than allocating most of their budget to lights and video, elements they won’t even own. Live music has become increasingly focused on visuals rather than the music itself. Looking ahead, I believe all techs will eventually be integrated into a unified computer system. The main challenge remains synchronization. If everything were operated within an extremely powerful, redundant system, all departments could work together seamlessly to run the show in perfect sync."
- Fred Carlton from NERDMATICS
