Controlling Backing Tracks...
Controlling backing tracks when you’re performing
onstage is easy. I’ve seen it done a couple of different ways and will start
with the method I prefer the least. That method is using a mini disc player on
stage.
The mini disc player does come with its’ advantages. One of those advantages is that the mini disc (also called an MD Data disc) is a disc that is enclosed in a plastic case. Many musicians like this method because mini disc players tend to be reliable and the discs themselves are an advantage because they’re protected from scratches and dirt by virtue of their construction. One of the bands I play in uses this method and to be honest we’ve never had a problem with it. The machine is reliable and plays the backing tracks all the time. And they sound just as good as anything. The only real problem I have with using this method is that we haven’t found a way to load tracks onto the disc other than by doing it in ‘real time’. That is, we play the song from the computer and record it onto the mini disc. This can be very time consuming and frustrating.
The more common method (and my preferred method) is to use an MP3 player of some sort. You can pick your favourite but basically they’re all the same. You simply load the MP3 backing tracks onto your MP3 player and you’re off to the races. The obvious beauty of this method is the fact that it takes so much less time to load songs. You can create play lists etc or just load the songs up and hit pause between each song if you’re going to be talking between songs.
The mini disc player does come with its’ advantages. One of those advantages is that the mini disc (also called an MD Data disc) is a disc that is enclosed in a plastic case. Many musicians like this method because mini disc players tend to be reliable and the discs themselves are an advantage because they’re protected from scratches and dirt by virtue of their construction. One of the bands I play in uses this method and to be honest we’ve never had a problem with it. The machine is reliable and plays the backing tracks all the time. And they sound just as good as anything. The only real problem I have with using this method is that we haven’t found a way to load tracks onto the disc other than by doing it in ‘real time’. That is, we play the song from the computer and record it onto the mini disc. This can be very time consuming and frustrating.
The more common method (and my preferred method) is to use an MP3 player of some sort. You can pick your favourite but basically they’re all the same. You simply load the MP3 backing tracks onto your MP3 player and you’re off to the races. The obvious beauty of this method is the fact that it takes so much less time to load songs. You can create play lists etc or just load the songs up and hit pause between each song if you’re going to be talking between songs.
I recently came in contact with a fellow that had written an app for using
backing tracks with i-Pods or i-Phones. Some MP3 players don't shut off between
songs causing the next song to start when you may not be ready. Well this
program takes care of that in the case of i-Products from Apple. You can click
on the Backtrax Program link to
check it out and see what it can do for you. Of course this program only works on i-Pod and i-Phone pruducts.
If you're like many people and are using an Android phone and wish to run your tracks from it then you'll be happy to know that I just came across a similar program for them. Now, I do have to caution you because I haven't tried the program myself, but it claims to do all the same stuff as the Backtrax program, however this one is available for free. You can get it at this link.
Either method of controlling backing tracks is fine as far as I can tell. There has always been some debate among my circle of friends as to what type of files to use, the main choices being .WAV and .MP3 files. The .WAV files are huge when comparing them to .MP3 files. Where your average .MP3 file might be 4MB in size, the same song would most likely be close to 50MB when loaded on as .WAV file. I have seen funny things happen on MP3 players when using .WAV files so we’ve opted to use .MP3 files only, with the assumption that the extra memory that is required to store the .WAV files is causing us some of the problems.
So the separation is taken care of. Now the drummer hits play, waits for the click to start in his ear. My tracks all have a count in that is eight beats long so there’s four counts for the drummer, then he counts four beats for the band to start. As long as he stays with the click track the keyboards and whatever else will take care of themselves and come in at the right time. Now most MP3 players will continue playing when the song is finished so if you don’t want that to happen then the drummer has to make sure that the MP3 player stopped at the end of the song. For bands using i-Pods and i-Phones to control live backing tracks, there is an app to run backing tracks that I’ve come across that will do this automatically. It’s only a few bucks in cost and will save you a world of headaches.
If you're like many people and are using an Android phone and wish to run your tracks from it then you'll be happy to know that I just came across a similar program for them. Now, I do have to caution you because I haven't tried the program myself, but it claims to do all the same stuff as the Backtrax program, however this one is available for free. You can get it at this link.
Either method of controlling backing tracks is fine as far as I can tell. There has always been some debate among my circle of friends as to what type of files to use, the main choices being .WAV and .MP3 files. The .WAV files are huge when comparing them to .MP3 files. Where your average .MP3 file might be 4MB in size, the same song would most likely be close to 50MB when loaded on as .WAV file. I have seen funny things happen on MP3 players when using .WAV files so we’ve opted to use .MP3 files only, with the assumption that the extra memory that is required to store the .WAV files is causing us some of the problems.
So the separation is taken care of. Now the drummer hits play, waits for the click to start in his ear. My tracks all have a count in that is eight beats long so there’s four counts for the drummer, then he counts four beats for the band to start. As long as he stays with the click track the keyboards and whatever else will take care of themselves and come in at the right time. Now most MP3 players will continue playing when the song is finished so if you don’t want that to happen then the drummer has to make sure that the MP3 player stopped at the end of the song. For bands using i-Pods and i-Phones to control live backing tracks, there is an app to run backing tracks that I’ve come across that will do this automatically. It’s only a few bucks in cost and will save you a world of headaches.
The mini disc player seems to handle the .WAV files
better with no funny noises or the sound cutting out or anything else that might
be a problem. The inconvenient part is that they will only hold so many songs so
it’s not too easy to jump around your set list and the songs are better played
in order that they’re loaded.
In either case you need to separate the channels.
You’ll notice when you buy backing tracks from this site that the click track is
on the left and the music track is on the right. Most often the drummer is the
one listening to the click track (others can hear it too with the right
equipment) and will be the one operating the mini disc player/MP3 player. The
drummer needs to have the click track in his ear.You can accomplish this with a
couple of cheap cords you can buy at most electronics places. From the output of
the source split the signal with a splitter. The drummer will have the click
channel in his earpiece or headphones, the music portion of the file will go to
a small boarding one channel. From here the music is sent to the front of house
board where the volume can be controlled by the soundman. He is also able to
send the music signal back to the monitors so the band can hear the tracks too.
It's also possible to run the click channel to the small onstage board and from
there into a headphone amp and then into headphones.
Regardless of how you do it, controlling backing tracks is easy as long as you realize that the signals need to be separated so that your audience is not stuck listening to the left click channel.
Don't forget to check out our Downloadable Backing Tracks while you're here.
Regardless of how you do it, controlling backing tracks is easy as long as you realize that the signals need to be separated so that your audience is not stuck listening to the left click channel.
Don't forget to check out our Downloadable Backing Tracks while you're here.
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info on Backing Tracks.