Playing Backing Tracks on Ipad.

[carl c]

For some time now I have been slowly reducing the equipment in my Rack mount unit,
The last two units are my Q20 which has been replaced with the fantastic floor pedal The H/C unit, A definite improvement.
And the Denon DNF-300 which I have been using for Backing Tracks which I am now Trying to replace with a I-pad,
Something That Noel has advised me to do for sometime now.
So I Have managed to get a Apple I-pad and have thousands of Backing Tracks some on SD cards And lots on CDs.
How can I get the Backing tracks on my I-pad with the same control I have with my Denon as in single play pitch bend and queuing.
One thing I am hoping to achieve is the problem of balancing the volume of the backing tracks which come from different sources.
I am 70 this year and changing something I done for years is tasking so any help would be appreciated.
Regards
Carl

[noelford]

Carl, the easiest way to get BTs onto your iPad is to import them into a playlist in iTunes on your computer and then sync ipad and computer. To play single tracks, you will need to have an app like OneTrackMind or JamUp Pro, because the basic music app on the iPad will play all the way through any playlist without stopping at the end of each track. All these single-play apps will source the music from the iPad music app, though, so you don't have to do anything other than open the app and select your track. Any volume balancing of tracks, however, needs to be done before syncing.

Cheers

Noel

[timryland]

Carl,

If your backing tracks are analogue, i.e CD or Minidisc, you will need to convert them to a digital format, commonly MP3. This can be done by ripping them on a PC using Windows Media Player. If you want to equalize the volumes, do it at this point using something like MP3Gain.

Once in MP3 format, you can put them on your iPad using iTunes. They will then be in your Music library. Bear in mind that the iPad doesn't have limitless storage, so I would only put on the Backing Tracks you need.

The best app I have found for playing Backing Tracks is One Track, you can get this from the App Store.

It allows you to use playlists you have created in your Music library, or create playlists within the app. There are multiple option to play a track, then ready the next track until you are ready to play it.

One othe advantage is it supports the Airturn pedal, so tracks can be played, paused, etc.. all controlled from this pedal.

Hope this helps.

Tim.

[noelford]

You don't have to convert to MP3 before importing into iTunes. Just import the CD into iTunes and if you do want to convert to an MP3 version, it can be done with a single click.

[timryland]

Noel,

Agree you can just copy CD into iTunes, but wasn't sure if you could equalise volumes within it. That's the only reason I suggested converting to MP3's first.

Tim.

[noelford]

You can equalise volumes, to a degree, Tim, but it's not perfect. There are a few of my tracks that I have to tweak on the fly when playing gigs.

[carl c]

Thanks for the info; I have just downloaded iTunes on my pc windows 7.
I will try to copy a few of my backing tracks over to ITunes.
I used Nero before to get my tracks on wav files on my SD cards.
So I will try just loading them into ITunes and see what happens.
I will have a look at One track mind.
That will keep me going for a bit.
Thanks a lot.
Carl

[timryland]

Carl,

Just for info One Track and OneTrackMind are 2 different apps. I would look at both and see which suits you best.

Tim.

[carl c]

I have dragged some audio wav files, backing tracks across to ITunes.
So today I will see which app I can get for the I-pad.
I will have a go at the volume equalization once I get the I-pad up and running.
I don't think that mp3 gain works with wav files.
Still I am getting there slowly.
I should have listened to Noel way back, then it would be up and running now.
Carl

[noelford]

I hope it all works out as you want, Carl. In the end, no matter what the gear, it's down to how you get along with it, and it's never possible to get one hundred percent agreement on what is best. All I can say is that I am far happier using the iPad than with any of the rack-mount (and other) BT players I have had in the past.

[carl c]

Thanks,
I am struggling at moment because its new tech for me I manage to get a Apple Ipad 1, generation 1.
At this time didn't want to spend too much money on something I may not be able to use.
I have got ITunes sorted but trying to get( one track mind apps ) for that model is difficult.
there is a version 3.3 for the older models but they are only selling newer versions for the latest ipads.
I will keep searching, Perhaps I am getting too old for new tech -----
It would be easier not carting round Rack mounts.
Carl.

[noelford]

Ah! an iPad 1 might have trouble running a lot of current apps, I imagine. I get the feeling, sometimes, that my iPad 2 is struggling.

[carl c]

Yes still learning how fast tech can leave you behind.
There is a shop locally that I can trade it in for a newer version.
Now that I have looked into the Ipad as means of being a audio player
I can see why you started using it.
Looks like a visit to the Bank is in order.
Carl

[mojolomjl]

Hi Carl,

If you are thinking of trading in your I pad you might want to consider trying a
Samsung Galaxy tablet as this is what I use without any problem, maybe because it
is an android system. My technical ability is probably the same as yours so it
might be worth considering.

Best regards,

Maurice.

[timryland]

Must admit I get the same feeling with my iPad2. I have avoided upgrading to iOS9 because I don't think my iPad2 will like it.

This unrelenting race forwards which leaves older hardware in its wake is one of the reasons I ditched my iPad and went back to my trusty modelling amp setup.

Tim.

[carl c]

Hi Maurice,
Thanks for your idea.
I have been looking at the "One Track Mind" App and it looks really good.
My Phone is a Samsung and they make good reliable units.
At the moment I am looking on web for more info on the different apps
then see which ipad/tab to get.
Regards
Carl

[mojolomjl]

Hi Carl,

With Samsung you wont need a separate app as you can just use the music play app which should
be on your pad as standard. My BTs were on my PC and I just connected the pad with a usb to
pad lead and imported them. I can now play the list all the way through or stop and start the
tracks as you would on any player.

Best regards,

Maurice.

[noelford]

I love using the iPad for gigs, but I always have the ability to switch immediately to my back-up set-up at the touch of a button. Here's a pic of my 'belt & braces' set-up.

Channel A on the Fender ABY switch is just the iPad system – amp modelling, effects modelling and backing tracks, everything.

Channel B is a traditional pedals set-up. Although the latter set-up does still use the iPad for the backing tracks, if the iPad did throw a wobbly, I could quickly connect my back-up MacBook for the backing tracks. This level of redundancy may seem a little paranoid but it does mean I have less to worry about on gigs.

[carl c]

Hi Maurice,
If the unit plays one tune at a time then stops I will look into it.
When playing I rather have the player to stop after each tune,
In case I am away from the setup.
Does it have Pitch bend,Selection scroll,and visual queing.
I realise now why I have stuck to the rack mount gear but I have to modernise.
Regards
Carl.

[carl c]

HI Noel,
You certainly have a couple of pedals.
With your Bose L1 I bet you need more space for pedal board than amp space.
Back in the group days we needed to be tap dancers to get round the pedal board.
In my home studio I have, like yourself many pedals, But as a solo player
Nowadays just use a Tu3 tuner - Volume pedal - and the H/C unit on the floor.
I have a Vox AC15 heritage with EF86 and Top boost so just using the cut control
and the Rivera Rockcrusher attenuator gives me most of the sounds I need.
I have made my mind up about doing away with the Rack mount gear and going Ipad/Tab route.
Regards
Carl.

[noelford]

Jan 20, 2016 7:27:52 GMT carl c said:

HI Noel,
You certainly have a couple of pedals.
With your Bose L1 I bet you need more space for pedal board than amp space.
Back in the group days we needed to be tap dancers to get round the pedal board.
In my home studio I have, like yourself many pedals, But as a solo player
Nowadays just use a Tu3 tuner - Volume pedal - and the H/C unit on the floor.
I have a Vox AC15 heritage with EF86 and Top boost so just using the cut control
and the Rivera Rockcrusher attenuator gives me most of the sounds I need.
I have made my mind up about doing away with the Rack mount gear and going Ipad/Tab route.
Regards
Carl.

Carl, I still have to do some tap dancing, but only with the Morley volume and wah pedals that are connected to the system! The pedals in the pic all sit on a music-stand at guitar-level and are operated, when needed, by hand. You are right about the Bose – that takes up the least space of all!

[mojolomjl]

Hi Carl,

I have never looked any further than playing the tracks all together or stopping and
starting as I want. I will look into playing one at a time and get back to you.

Best regards,

Maurice.

[Steve Reynolds]

that is some impressive setup you have there Noel.

[sandytuck]

Hi Carl,
I use apple Ipod with "One Track" a good program for backing tracks.
Can be downloaded from ITunes, you can arrange your programs the way you want
and send to Ipad Etc. with different titles also, how many each list.
You can play, Pause, go back and stop or pause easy, and it stops at end of track
and shows next play. You can also have display in large easy to read good for eyesight problems
With the Usb I plug mine into my stereo unit and get great sound through the Pioneer stereo.
Cheers Les.

[carl c]

Thanks Les,
I have been leaning towards "One Track" and "One Track mind".
They seem to do every thing I want.
Just working on which Ipad now which will be connected to my Passport.
Regards
Carl.

[mojolomjl]

Hi Carl,

It looks like you can't play 1 track at a time without stopping it yourself, which has never
been a problem for me as all it takes is a tap to stop then another tap to select any other track
that you choose. There may be an app to do what you want on an android system but I have never
thought it was necessary for my needs.

Best regards,

Maurice.

[noelford]

Well, I would have expected an app called OneTrack to play one track at a time and, checking the app description, that's exactly what it does - plays a single track and lines up the next one ready for when you want to start it.

[mojolomjl]

Hi Noel,

I was talking about the music app which comes with the Samsung galaxy tablet as standard.
As I said it has not been a problem for me the way it is.

Best regards,

Maurice.

[noelford]

Ah! Apologies, Maurice, I misinterpreted your post. Must admit, though, when I was using the basic music app on the iPad for BTs, it was a real pain to have to remember to manually stop every track at the end. There are already too many other thing to keep your mind on at a gig.

[carl c]

HI,
I have always had a Audio player with Single play so I don't have to worry about getting back to stop next track.
I am looking at the 3rd gen model of ipad , I already have the cables and docking station for the 1st gen so
should fit the 3rd gen.
I have also been looking at the "Cue Sound" app, It does one track and unless I am mistaken it appears, you can adjust
the volume at cue for different tracks which is handy for those uneven volumes from different tracks.
Carl.