Rob LaLiberte
Rob LaLiberte, a lead worshipper, keyboardist, vocalist, programmer, drummer, writer and arranger with a heart to serve the local church by living out his calling as a "bridge builder" amongst a variety of generations, denominations and cultures, He incorporates a variety of musical expressions in worship settings, both traditional and modern, seeking to unite congregations together in worship. Rob's worship leading is characteristically marked by excellence combined with authenticity, transparency, and a strong sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Rob currently serves as Worship Leader for the CrossWalk Worship service at the 14,000-member Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, TX.
In addition to working in the local church, Rob also serves as a worship leader and clinician for various conferences, retreats, and seminars around the United States and abroad.
From an early age Rob began showing a unique giftedness in music. At age two, while his mother worked around the house, Rob would wear headphones and listen to music which he would later play back on a toy xylophone. This ear training would prove essential to Rob's calling. Rob says, "Not being exclusively shackled to sheet music has certainly been a useful gift for moments of spontaneity and flow in live worship settings."
Beginning at the time when he was asked to lead music for a small 7th grade Sunday school class of about fifteen of his peers, Rob soon found himself pursued by a relentless and inescapable call to ministry, specifically in the area of music. "I found myself on a journey which I did not seek out on my own nor did I have to fight to keep- I just walked in it. It was and is as natural as breathing to me. When God calls a person to a specific thing, with that calling He equips and keeps on equipping as we continually surrender ourselves to Him. Its just all a part of the process by which He is molding and shaping every believer into His likeness."
The journey of which Rob speaks continued to take him through a variety of experiences that have shaped the heart of a "worship bridge builder" among multiple generations, denominations and cultures. While raised primarily in the Baptist church, at the age of 17, Rob embarked on a worship/ministry tour in New England which visited a variety of denominations including Congregational, Presbyterian, Charismatic, Baptist, and others. Then his first paying church job came his senior year of high school when he served as worship leader for a small United Methodist church. Since then he has served full-time and part-time in Baptist, Non-Denominational, Anglican, and other churches while still maintaining the opportunity to travel and minister to other churches.
Rob studied music at Belmont University in Nashville and the University of Mobile in Mobile, AL.
Rob is blessed with a wonderful wife and two amazing children Katelyn (born November 2006) and Christopher (born July 2009). Jesus Christ and family are his true joys in life.
Artist Q&A
1.) How did you first hear about Open Labs?
I had been searching for a way to run massive VSTs live. I had seen several different products out there but they were all rackmount type units and they required separate midi and computer interfaces. It was all just too messy and too many cables. Then just by chance I was looking through a music gear magazine and saw a one-page add for the Neko. It was exactly what I was looking for I've been a fan ever since.
2.) What Production Station do you have?
The 1st Gen Neko. It has been updated to Gen 4 software and most of the internal hardware.
3.) How has the gear changed your method of work?
It has completely changed it. I'll never go back to using a hardware workstation again. When you a keyboard workstation, you're basically buying a dead and outdated board right away. You're stuck with those sounds for life unless you want to shell out more money for limited subpar add ons.
4.) What is your production station's primary function, live or studio?
Both, but my primary reason for buying was for live.
5.) What is your favorite software on the board?
Riff.
6.) How do you use it?
My primary use of the board is running click and backing tracks through Ableton Live with our band in the worship service. I love the fact that I can assign any of the hardware buttons, knobs, and sliders to perform specific functions live. It allows so much room for on-the-fly changes and spontaneity. Plus, I never have to worry about a software crash on stage like I did using a laptop- It's never happened.
7.) Which kind of equipment have you owned in the past and how do they compare to your Open Labs equipment?
I've owned several different keyboard workstations beginning with the Ensoniq TS-12, Korg Triton, and Yamaha Motif. Those are all great boards, but again, you're stuck with their sounds and limited processing power. The instruments sound like they're all being made by the same machine....because they are. With software synths, each instrument has it's own uniqueness. I've fooled many people in thinking I hired live musicians for my tracks.
8.) Has the gear changed the way you write songs?
The whole process is streamlined so much more quickly. I can set up hundreds of templates that I can easily come back to. Setups are quick and easy. All the knobs and faders are right there in front of me so there's no patching all kinds of midi cables and wires to and from different pieces of gear- I can just turn one machine on and go.
9.) How different is the composition process compared to the standard computer or laptop system?
I don't have to constantly reboot from running out of processing power or memory. And again, all the knobs, keys, faders, QWERTY keyboard, mice, etc is all right there.
10.) Do you think the quality of your production now would be possible with another keyboard?
No way. Hands down. No one has come up with anything close. OpenLabs owns the market.
11.) Have you had any experience with our Tech Support and how does it rate with you?
OpenLabs has amazing tech support. The support team has the ability to easily log into your machine and help you with whatever problems you have. They can do everything for you right there from their offices while you look on at your screen and learn. It's just about like having a real live person with you in the room.
12.) What is next for you and your Production Station?
I'd like to acquire some more OL gear, such as a Miko, for even more portability.
Equipment Used
Purchased NeKo 64
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