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Solo Performing 2 - Using Backing Tracks
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- čas přidán 5. 08. 2024
- This is a lengthy discussion of what I've learned gigging as a solo performer using backing tracks, mostly consisting of drums and bass. This is a semi-controversial topic, mostly because people want to tell each other what to do. If you perform solo, backing tracks can give you and edge, but only if you use them "correctly." Lots of tips and tricks in this one.
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I'm interested in backing tracks because I miss playing with a band, but it's really hard to get 4-5 different personalities on the same page in terms of schedules, wants/needs for performing and so forth. I really miss playing with a band but not the drama that comes with it.....
Not to mention the fact that, when you're in a band, any one of the other 4-5 people can, at a moment's notice, screw up the band's plans, or even shut the band down. I feel the same way - I'd rather play with backing tracks but have 100% control than to have to rely on other people.
Awesome man
I totally acknowledge you're
Direction of entertainment
And l'm from the old error of
4 to 5pce groups also. I'm a
Guitarist And vocalist still
Active today. You're information on this subject
Is worth a million bucks to
Be honest. I wasn't tech
Savvy myself but l needed
To adjust to keep performing
At any cost cos personally l
Just love music so thanks so
Much for your inspiration and
Direction and l'm from,
New Zealand
Kia ora ihoa
I am just a hobby guitarist, I have been playing for over 50 years, I started using backing tracks over ten years ago when I would use backing tracks at friends back yard BBQ parties, etc. The crowd always enjoyed and appreciated it. In recent years I would use them at an open mic at a local bar. The crowd loves it. You are spot on when you said that an acoustic guitar and voice can really get dull for an audience.
I mostly play country, and I love to have steel guitar, fiddle alone with bass and drum.
I used to play in bands, it was fun, but playing in bands can be very frustrating and disappointing. Now my band is on my tablet, they are always ready to play.
Good information. I've been doing this since the mid-90's and it's helped me book more better paying gigs.
Thanks for your thoughtful presentation. Appreciated your tips about converting midi tracks, keeping it lean and keeping variety. Excellent. Subscribed. Best wishes!
Thank you so very much! I've been doing a solo act for 40 years. I've fought the "Track" thing forever. But, I'm in Florida now...and thats the way it rolls. It's not that you told me anything new...but you agreed with everything that I was thinking. (Bass, drums...Keep it simple.....Don't use on every song etc) I really needed to hear that from someone else. Thanks again!!!
This video is a treasure for me. Thank you.
This is very useful advice, thank you
This was super helpful, thank you!
Great tips presented well! Looking forward to your next video
Thanks! I appreciate the view. :)
Love this video. I've been on this path for a while now. Great job video! I mainly sing and play guitar over the backing tracks I use via the PA, usually play an electric guitar through a small tube amp, so I can do a solo here and there also. For extra kicks and giggles I sing and play lead guitar in a keys, guitar, drums trio with a good singing keyboardist, who eliminates hiring a bassist by playing good left hand bass. It's a blast. We pretty much do all the corny cool old 1960 and 70s danceable stuff.
Thanks for making this video. I am looking to go solo and this would be a great starting point.
Great tips, thanks 🙏
Nice material. Thanks!
Thanks for the great backing tracks series. I have been looping for about a decade and recently with a beatbuddy. It has served me well, but wanted the bass lines and drums to be more like the record. I did a lot of tap dancing. Lol! I Looked into importing bass lines into my looper, but it got really complicated. That’s when I realized it was no different from using a backing track. Like you say, less is more. I use bass and drums only for most songs and at least 1 song per set guitar and vocal only. I have been using backing tracks for around 2 or 3 months now, I haven’t had any negative comments. People seem to be dancing more and I have picked up some very lucrative private gigs. Most people don’t care, they just want to hear their song and have a good time. I use to be one of the people that looked at backing tracks as karaoke. Now I can’t see myself gigging without them, Although I can.
I’m using Stage Traxx app on my Ipad and getting my multi-tracks from karaoke-version. It allows me to add 6 separate tracks and be able to mute, eq and adjust individual volume for each track in the app. I’m just using a stereo out, but you can also send individual tracks via usb if your mixer is capable. It also sends and receives midi via Bluetooth. Which I use for my lighting and eventually change patches on my HX Stomp.
Sorry for the long winded comment. Just excited about my new way of doing things.
Thanks again for the very informative video.
Thank you for this video. I was thinking about using backing tracks because I'm an acoustic guitarist, singer, and whistler. Many of my songs sound great on an acoustic guitar. Well, they were designed for a solo acoustic guitar. Hiring band members would be a waste. But I'd like to add some variety to my performances and play some "full band" songs.
My compliments on one of the very best CZcams videos I've ever watched. Every sentence had something of value.
Mike OHara
Halifax NS
This is a topic that has fascinated me for some time. When we took my eldest child to Disney a few years ago, there was a solo performer singing and playing ELECTRIC guitar to backing tracks, at one of the resort’s pool/outdoor bar setups. I had never seen that done before, and this guy did a really good job with it.
I’ve always been a band guy, and still am, but every year it gets harder and harder to pull everyone from their lives to do gigs more than 6 or 8 times a year, if we’re lucky. This seems like a nice way to fill out the schedule and have a bit of extra income, from something enjoyable. Without having to do the solo acoustic thing, which has never been my forte (though I certainly enjoy it as a spectator, and have a healthy respect for those that can pull it off).
I totally agree. I've started performing solo sets to backing tracks, because I don't write music for acoustic. I loved the band experience back in the day, but these days I just don't have the flexibility or the patience to write music with other people, to be frank (aside from my wife). Performing electric to backing tracks lets me sound close to a band performance without having all the baggage and stress of a band. It's quite awesome. Plus, if ya think it's silly for rock music, just wanted to say the duo They Might Be Giants played electric (+ an accordion) to backing tracks for almost 10 years when they started!
I play solo. I enjoy it. I play nesrly every genre you can think of. I just improvise over backing tracks and jam and have fun. I have 2 gigs every week and really enjoy it.
Thanks for the tips. This might be my next project, solo musician w/ backing tracks.
Glad you liked it! Next week's video I'm stepping through how everything is set up and some of the cool automation you can do if you use a laptop.
All the tips make sense. Do you have a video of one of your live sets ?
Might want to play an entire piece of music, with an audience, using the backing tracks.
Thank you very much for your practical knowledge. I am British and I play covers in Belgium to a non-native English speaking public. Just solo voice and guitar + FX., plus foot drum. I am going to start using a few backing tracks with my own songs to add variety to my show and to sell my own CD's. I wish us both luck. Cheers. Robin Rowley
Good luck to you also!
Thanks Richard. Your comments on trying to keep a 4-5 piece band together is so familiar to me !
I have been going around in circles deciding how to make and use BT's and what parts of multi instrument BT's to use so I don't sound like a solo performer doing Karaoke! I probably already have all the necessary equipment /DAW's / Audio Interface(s) necessary to make this happen so having watched your recommendations on how to actually go about putting this all together has been so great. I have tried using BT's with individual MP3 stems but I don't like the audio quality it still sounds like "radio". My instinct has led me to get multi track midi files and then swap out the GM/XG midi files for quality instruments in Ableton Live or Cubase then convert to individual 48KHz .wav files . This way I can get a balanced mix and still be able to modify the mix when playing live if there is an EQ or volume issue with a certain track. I have been doing this with midi in Cubase and Ableton so I will revisit the "keep it simple" approach you recommend. Steve
This was much more informative than I thought it would be. (I think that's a compliment.) especially about not using too much reverb or you'll sound like karaoke (especially if you are starting with a karaoke backing track. LOL). Also to remove strings or extra layers so it doesnt' sound fake! Side note: I am convinced to run in mono for several reasons. Fewer cables especially when you have stereo signals running through several things... and no 2 bars are shaped the same - with few benefitting form L/R separation, and- you can premix your backing track and get away with a single high quality MP3 file. Thanks!
PS pros use the vocal cues because they are at a level where they might have a different bass player or drummer each gig. As a guitarist I have had to learn 40-70 songs for a gig or a few gigs and taped notes on the top of my guitar more than once, so anything helps. You also never know in this biz when the guitar player might be late or car break down or drunk... Or like Cirque du Soleil show- even though they have the same player for a long run, it's most important to hit the cues perfectly etc than it is to have fun or enjoy a good mix. but I would never use them in my own one-man show
There’s nothing wrong with having click and cue tracks available. Think about this: lower the click volume so it’s barely heard, or even not heard, when the drums are playing. Then, when have a break where there are no drums except for a barely heard HH, the click will “pop out” of the mix and help guide you through it. Placing everything center also helps get rid of the “click pounding in your ear” syndrome and make for a more pleasant experience.
You're absolutely right. I was a bit flippant about it, but when I record, I ALWAYS use a click. It's totally up to the musician.
Hi, great video. 👏🏻 What would your opinion be on using Garage Band to run live backing tracks from a mac for a pub gig? I have tested out mp3s and the clarity of my backing tracks (particularly drums) is much better when I play them through Garage Band. Thanks and keep up the great work. 👍
I have a Question! Great discussion on the topic. I too like to not overcomplicate things with click tracks for small sets. What do you do for breaks in songs when you don't use click? I sometimes leave the kick going or use a new drum stick count in in the wedges. Or just leave out the break sometimes. I guess varieraty is the key as you said. But still curious if you have a go to solution for songs with "iconic" breaks.
Used
Em for years started with Roland on 3 and and half inch disks
Jamzone app on my 10" Samsung Tablet and my EV50M with just Drum and Bass playing. I stay busy. Loop zones allow me to solo as long as I want.
Good presentation, some things I had not considered. Also nice is not having to mange four or five schedules for a band, hiring subs etc...
In the mid '90s I played with "Nik and the Nice Guys" and they were using midi-driven backing tracks along with a full band sometimes with a horn section, a click track going to the drummer. It was an ancient Macbook into a General MIDI sound module (I want to say it was a Roland) This gave them consistency demanded by the corporate clients that often hired them. I don't know where they got their tracks or how much altering they did to them. I'm sure they now have recorded tracks played off a computer.
Wow - they were ahead of the curve, I'd say. I still prefer the idea of no tracks, but if you're a one man "band" it's hard to have the "band" part without them!
People have the attention spans of my dog...on a GOOD day! 🤣
I've got a bit of a leg up on some other musicians because I play 9 instruments...I'm learning how to use backing tracks because I play traditional Celtic music, and would like to switch from one instrument to another... Thank YOU!! Would you go into more explanation, perhaps with an example of how to add different instruments at a predetermined point in a song?
Example: intro of song with Irish flute, joined by fiddle...both FADE AWAY...
I begin to play (live) guitar and sing...
The bridge: fiddle and guitar RESUME..
I h
Placing my guitar down, I pick up my flute...this carries through the bridge...
... at which point I resume playing guitar....
the exit melody enters again, by (BT) Flute and fiddle, joined by live guitar.
Hope this made sense? 🙏
Yup, it makes perfect sense. Sure, I'd be happy to make a video with a few examples of playing different instruments in the same song. It'll take a little bit of time, but it'll show up here.
Some great points made in this video, bit long winded though.
Hello. I’m doing mostly solo gigs now using acoustic electric and electric guitars. I usually play 7/10 tunes on my acoustic ( with a pedal board including a looper, harmonizer..)and the last three tunes on electric with backing tracks. I stay pretty busy and I play a variety of genres. I have a HX Stomp which I’d like to use but need direction in using it. The HX seems a bit complicated. How do you use it?
What suggestions would you share. Thank you.
Victor from Cali.:)
To be honest, I use the HX Edit software to program it. The software is ten times easier than doing it with the stupid little buttons. Once you learn the software, it's super fast to make and save patches. And then I use Ableton Live to run my background tracks and send patch changes to the HX Stomp. Saves me from tap dancing.
Where in FL are you located? I'm in Jax and we love solo looping up here :D Gives us creative freedom but also has limitations on what we can loop live.
You mentioned to send the individual stems to the mixer but how? Do I need to bring a multitrack recorder with separate line outs? What would you recommend. I have a Panasonic 24 track digital multitrack but there is only stereo out.
You don't have to use stems - you can just use a stereo mix. The simplest setup is to use a stereo mix coming from a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. That goes into a mixer along with your vocal mic, guitar, keyboard, whatever you play. That can work fine. But if you have a computer with an audio interface that has multiple outputs, you could send a stereo drum mix, bass, and other tracks separately to the mixer. It just means more control over the volume of each element, but it's not mandatory.
I have a solo show coming up on a big stage at a festival for which I have prepared clickless backing tracks very much in the format you recommend. My worry is that they might be hard to follow on stage as my own guitar/voice in the monitors may cover up the track causing me to fall out of sync. Other than a really good soundcheck (which I might not get) do you have tips for avoiding this situation?
The only way for it to work without a click is to make sure the backing tracks are loud enough in the monitors for you to hear the drums. The BEST scenario is where you can control the volume of the backing tracks in the monitors - that way you can turn the tracks up if you need to. If you don't have control over the backing tracks level, then it'd be good to tell the sound guy "hey, if I point up, turn up the backing tracks in the monitor."
Thanks for info. If using an ipad or laptop what backing track player or audio player app do you use ?
John, if you're interested in the computer part, check out my video Solo Performing 3 - I go through my computer setup. Basically I use Ableton Live Intro, which is only around $99.
@@budgetguitaristcom Thanks
GREAT INFO SIR...I DO USE BACKING TRACKS IN MY BUSKING/GIGS.
I USED TO PLAY WITH A BAND & I DO PLAIN JUST GUITAR & VOCALS...I LIKE WHAT UR TALKING ABOUT.
RICK BEATO CAN RESPECT EVEN BANDS USING BACKING TRACKS.😊😎✌️👍
This is what I do. I make my own backing tracks
Good morning! Can u recommend a pro quality site for backing tracks that I can truly change song key. I’m not using a DAW and would like to keep it very simple and just download on my IPAd. Great information.. thank you for taking the time to help us out! I’m a solo artist who is strictly acoustic guitar and would like to explore this route.
Yup. www.karaoke-version.com/ has tracks where you can change the key AND mute/unmute any instruments you want, and it'll let you download an mp3 version. It's about $3 per song, and you can preview the track online. The DANGER is that if you leave ALL the tracks on, it sounds like Karaoke because that's what it is. If you turn off everything but the drums and bass, it's pretty decent. More keyboards = more cheese.
How to mix down all of them so they have all the same loudness and bass / highs?
A batch handling to get an average level.
I master all of the BG tracks I use and get the levels all fairly similar. Then I adjust the volume levels (if needed) in Ableton Live. I do each set as an Ableton Live file, with enough time between tracks to catch my breath... or I can always just stop it and then start on the next track.
@@budgetguitaristcomcoming back to Ableton:
Can you please explain a bit deeper how you organize your songs?
Is there just one session in _Live_ with several songs one underneath each other?
Or do you use sequencer mode and all songs are organized from left to right?
how would you start a song, manually or MIDI?
I know you can start scenes by MIDI, so you'd step from one to the other loop combination back and forth.
My goal would be to start with some live looping, then switch to pre recorded loops as the song goes on... (combining two world's) maybe in conjunction with a pedal looper who sends midi to Ableton ...
But I'd be worried recording loops in Ableton in a live situation as of too much routing and pre checking the slots asf!
Thanks
Amen, I always say Eric Clapton couldn't hold your attention for 3 hours in this market. Bottom line, the difference is just acoustic 150 a night here in Louisiana, backing tracks 300 a night. Now I am very very picky with my backing tracks, they must be a step above the regular karaoke tracks. I average about 30 minutes or more trying to find great tracks for each song and scrutinizing them. They are on you tube but you've got to find them. Sure the guys who aren't working are going to try to look down their nose at you for using tracks but I could care less. Its sad that we all including me can be so petty. Finally, I love playing to tracks and singing to them. If you can't notice the difference between playing tracks and not, ITS HUGE, then I can't help you.
Preach! I love it. :)
You will hold MY attention for a whole show playing only acoustic instruments if you've put the time and effort in and it shows.
Learning how to choose the right songs for solo performance, playing with a picking style that involves more than just strumming chords, making full use of dynamics, proper tone, singing with feeling, and much more are what separates a seasoned performer from an average open mic strummer.
I'll walk away quicker from someone clearly using backing tracks as a crutch out of laziness than I will from a beginner getting his or her feet wet performing acoustic solo as a beginner.
I have NO problem with looper pedals and software, electronic percussion devices, guitar effects pedals, and vocal harmonizers... when they are used LIVE.
If someone did all the work, brought a full show of self performed, self recorded backing tracks with very well played drums, bass, keys, and harmony vocals of their own voice along with an impressive light show, I might hang around for a while to appreciate the hard work and dedication.
But to me, it CANNOT capture anywhere near the entertainment value of a live performance, whether solo, or with an energetic and tight, gigging, band. It's just glorified karaoke. And I can sing along to the radio driving down the road and get the same amount of entertainment.
I think a lot of musicians feel the way you do. But most local gigs are attended by non-musicians who don't have the same criterion.
The problem is that most times musicians turn up late, drunk or don't turn up at all and that's where backing tracks come in handy. Musicians can be some of the very unreliable people on this planet 😂😅
@@user-dm6sg1bk8x I don't know what part of the globe it is where what you're describing is occuring, but I can assure you, it ain't happening where I live.
I've been performing for over 43 years. With the exception of 3 people, every musician I ever played with that drank or used any type of drugs was dismissed before ever playing a gig. The other 3 were weeded out after the first gig.
We did hire a new sound technician once who, after a few gigs, simply decided to take an unannounced night off. He was fired before we played the first note.
Every long term band I've belonged to consisted of musicians of a like mind who did not need or want chemicals or stimulants to be able to have a good time.
It's ALWAYS been band policy that we all are sober upon arrival and on through to departure at all engagements.
I will concede that there are indeed many ill conceived attempts these days at playing live. By and large, these are ALL rag tag groups of young people who muster just enough commitment to pull together 5 or 6 songs, then go book a gig thinking they can wing it the rest of the way. These are not gigging bands. They have no desire to put in the work to become one.
Like most all zoomers, they're aimless, clueless, and unreliable, yet are bursting with unfounded self confidence.
Again, these aren't gigging bands. You can spot 'em a mile away.
Relax fella. Take a deep breath. Maybe it's a good idea you don't visit people having fun and playing how they want for customers. The customers are the final vote. You must be in a musicians union? Maybe that is why you only have 9 subscribers on your channel.
@@frontcentermusician I'm not the slightest bit interested in how many subscribers I have. Didn't know I had any. I don't live in cyberspace. I live in reality. I use my device as a tool, like a screwdriver. It use it for specific purposes, then put it away.
I breathe deep and am very relaxed always, living life on my terms in retirement. I play the music I choose and am booked as heavily as I care to be.
I spent many years playing what the audience wanted to hear... as long as I liked the songs. If I didn't, I didn't play them. That arrangement worked swimmingly.
Now, I play the songs I enjoy. Thus far, the audience seems to approve. If a club owner decides he or she no longer prefers what I bring, I'm fine with that too. It hasn't happened yet, but if it does, I can play elsewhere.
But at no time in my years of performing have I ever relied on backing tracks. Everything I play has been and will continue to be performed live.
Sorry you're so bitter.
Is there anything better than karaoke version?
Better in what sense? What’s not there that you’re thinking would be a desired enhancement…? More granular with respect to instruments? That would really be the only thing that would make it better…. You know you can get uncompressed files as well now ! What are you looking for….?
The biggest draw is the singer and always will be
The template for a music act has changed💯👌🎤
Yep 3 hours of a guitar and singer is boring
Amen.
True