-- Laptop Vs. Live Band -- (gear Questions) Options

[But Face]

Hello all

Recently I just started performing with my band Izabelle after 2 years of recording an album on my powerbook using pro tools as the recording medium. As we go to convert these songs to a live setting (with electronics and live band), I have some crazy needs/ideas. ANY IDEAS/HELP???


So, I am using ableton live as of now to trigger things like chopped up windchimes, voices, etc. as textures to go behind the live band. I have the m-audio firewire audiophile that (at this point) sends the drummer a click and the music while the PA just gets the L/R music mix. In an ideal situation, I would love to have the laptop be just the "brains" for the sounds and not depend on a pre-determined click and arrangement. So...

1) What is a good soft-sampler for playing along with ableton live?

2) Is there some sort of recommended midi foot controller/ pedal board (w/ a tap tempo function?) that would allow me to trigger samples with my foot as I play guitar?

3) What is a recommended soft-samplers for triggering banks of sound files (from samples made from the keyboards used in the recording) in use conjunction with live? (I have a M-Audio 49E midi keyboard). I could key map all the notes in Ableton in a row on a track I suppose but am thinking there may be a better way...possibly feeding in another programs intput through Cycling 74's Soundflower? - without latency rearing its ugly head?)

Any ideas? I am looking for some inspiration to keep our setup simple and effective.
-Sean