Let's get the band together!
May 12, 2017 12:12 PM Subscribe
Scenario: Coupla middle-aged guys who play guitars together have an actual “gig” (party, 45 minutes, woo hoo!). We've played before audiences, but generally are total amateurs. Usually, it’s just the two of us on guitars, but this time I’d like to add some backing tracks… but I’ve struggled with making this work, and not sound completely hokey. What are the best solutions for digital backing tracks for live performance? We don’t need killer drums and bass, just nice subtle backing that doesn’t sound too tinny.
Possibilities:
1. Make in Garage Band and export to files to play on whatever system we have there (could be PA, could be amps). Play from phone? computer? iPad?
Cons:
~ I’ve made a few, but they always sound robotic. Tips on how to get more “real” sound?
~ Start and stop - is there a foot pedal solution?
~ Does not allow for improvisation - gotta stick to the track
2. Drum pedal like this one.
Cons:
~ No bass
~ Gotta buy one
3. This Trio device
Cons
~ How do these sound?
~ Hard to get working well?
4. Your awesome suggestion!
Possibilities:
1. Make in Garage Band and export to files to play on whatever system we have there (could be PA, could be amps). Play from phone? computer? iPad?
Cons:
~ I’ve made a few, but they always sound robotic. Tips on how to get more “real” sound?
~ Start and stop - is there a foot pedal solution?
~ Does not allow for improvisation - gotta stick to the track
2. Drum pedal like this one.
Cons:
~ No bass
~ Gotta buy one
3. This Trio device
Cons
~ How do these sound?
~ Hard to get working well?
4. Your awesome suggestion!
I’ve made a few, but they always sound robotic. Tips on how to get more “real” sound?
The robotic sound often comes from the combination of not-so-great samples/sound sources combined with too perfect timing and volume. Many programs have a "humanize" function that will go through and vary the timing and loudness of tracks so it's less uncanny valley in those aspects. It doesn't look like Garageband has that built in but if you search for "humanize garageband," you've find some guides on how to do it the hard way.
If you can borrow a bass from someone, if you're decent with guitar you can possibly fake your way through it well enough to record a human sounding backing track with it.
Play from phone? computer? iPad?
I would recommend against phones to cut down on the chances of some app doing something disruptive in the middle of a performance. Whatever you use, if there's a PA, please have whatever cables you need to go from your device to quarter inch jacks with you. Most sound people have them, but it's better safe than sorry. If you want bonus points, have your own stereo DI that will also provide XLR outs.
As far as other options, certainly consider rearranging the song to not have drums and bass. Sometimes working creatively with the limitations of just having two guitars will sound better than trying to fake having an entire band. Depending on the song, you might be able to have some fun with looping pedals. You could use Ableton to create a few backup loops and use a touch controller on-stage to switch them up during songs.
posted by Candleman at 1:28 PM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]
The robotic sound often comes from the combination of not-so-great samples/sound sources combined with too perfect timing and volume. Many programs have a "humanize" function that will go through and vary the timing and loudness of tracks so it's less uncanny valley in those aspects. It doesn't look like Garageband has that built in but if you search for "humanize garageband," you've find some guides on how to do it the hard way.
If you can borrow a bass from someone, if you're decent with guitar you can possibly fake your way through it well enough to record a human sounding backing track with it.
Play from phone? computer? iPad?
I would recommend against phones to cut down on the chances of some app doing something disruptive in the middle of a performance. Whatever you use, if there's a PA, please have whatever cables you need to go from your device to quarter inch jacks with you. Most sound people have them, but it's better safe than sorry. If you want bonus points, have your own stereo DI that will also provide XLR outs.
As far as other options, certainly consider rearranging the song to not have drums and bass. Sometimes working creatively with the limitations of just having two guitars will sound better than trying to fake having an entire band. Depending on the song, you might be able to have some fun with looping pedals. You could use Ableton to create a few backup loops and use a touch controller on-stage to switch them up during songs.
posted by Candleman at 1:28 PM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]
If you're talking about whole slongs, some of the tracks on Karaoke-Version.com are available with the option to adjust the levels of individual instruments. Yeah, karaoke tracks also vary in quality, but some of the tracks I've gotten from there have been indistinguishable from the original. Some less so, but it's worth a look.
posted by straw at 2:36 PM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by straw at 2:36 PM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]
I've been reasonably happy with the Session Band apps. Pick a style and then put in the chord changes. You'd still be locked into the song structure though.
posted by doctord at 6:41 PM on May 12, 2017
posted by doctord at 6:41 PM on May 12, 2017
As far as the Beat Buddy and the Trio go, I'd suggest poking around on the more musician-oriented forums out on the web (like harmony central, tdpri, mylespaul, and the unfortunately named gearslutz) for some real-world user reviews and discussions of pros and cons.
posted by soundguy99 at 8:41 AM on May 13, 2017
posted by soundguy99 at 8:41 AM on May 13, 2017
What kind of music are you playing? If you're going for a more folky style then two guitars would be fine. One rhythm, one lead; or both rhythm.
If that's no good, one way to work with the GarageBand solution would be to get live drum loops or drum tracks. There's thousands on the internet ranging from free 20-second loops to expensive .wav multitracks. This avoids the robotic sound - somebody's played it!
posted by solarion at 12:30 AM on May 14, 2017
If that's no good, one way to work with the GarageBand solution would be to get live drum loops or drum tracks. There's thousands on the internet ranging from free 20-second loops to expensive .wav multitracks. This avoids the robotic sound - somebody's played it!
posted by solarion at 12:30 AM on May 14, 2017
Do you usually practice with backing tracks? If not, I'd skip trying to do this altogether, especially on short notice, and just play a whole set of what the two of you normally play.
posted by monospace at 9:57 PM on May 14, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by monospace at 9:57 PM on May 14, 2017 [1 favorite]
A musician friend I know uses a Tyros 5 keyboard to mix midi files. He performs regularly with a band and is able to have incredible sound, because he can either mix the tracks beforehand or do so during the performance. It never sounds tinny or robotic. There are other factors which go into the sound, such as the speakers used, effects, etc, but this is the best solution I have ever heard when it comes to backing tracks not sounding cheesy, and which allows the user control over the track during performance.
posted by Crystal Fox at 5:32 PM on May 21, 2017
posted by Crystal Fox at 5:32 PM on May 21, 2017
« Older ISO: Weird, tragic, mysterious, and/or spooky... | How to determine what is blocking iTunes from... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
Super fun and easy to learn, can be played with live as an instrument to change songs/patterns/sounds/tempo/filters/etc.
Relatively easy to set up simple drums and bass lines. Not so cheap as an impulse buy, but very high value and relatively inexpensive as portable and usable synthetic accompaniment. Sometimes you can find them around $200 used or $250 on sale, and would be much more fun and flexible than the Trio or drum pedal linked, I'd think. It has lots of drums and two independent synths. If you search for /Novation Circuit guitar/ on youtube, you'll find plenty of examples of people using it as a little robot backup musician, e.g. here.
On Garage Band, check out the "Virtual Drummer" bit - that has a nice organic feel, with built in and controllable variations.
Playing audio out from an iPhone or iPad is fine, you may have an easier time with a a 3.5mm -> 6.35mm jack (AKA 1/8" headphone to 1/4" like your electric guitar uses to plug in to amps).
posted by SaltySalticid at 1:17 PM on May 12, 2017 [1 favorite]