The best backing track player ever

[glyderslead]

Hello Ladies and Gents.

For many years, hitherto, I used a small portable CD player to play a preselected set list of tunes when using backing tracks

Yes, you’ve guessed it. The backing tracks, held on a pc, were loaded onto a disc and used that way, through the player.

Not the best method or the most user friendly.

My old pc recently died but thankfully I managed to get the recordings put onto my new pc, an Apple Mac, so they are not lost,

My quest now is to find an up to date, user friendly, way of dealing with my tracks.

Any suggestions and help would be most appreciated.

Cheers

mick

[gusstrat]

Hi Mick,
I have my backing tracks on my iphone and ipad, for live shows I play the tracks through the p.a mixer,
sounds good.
Regards, Garry.

[glyderslead]

Hello Garry,

Thank you for your reply and suggestions.

I don’t know much about putting sound files on iPhones or iPads, but it could be the way forward for me too.

A couple of things have come to mind though. What happens if a call comes through, does the screen time out, is it easy using such a small touch screen between tunes, do you fix the iPhone or iPad on to a mike stand, would it perhaps be best to have an iPad solely for use with backing tracks?

Lots of things to think about.

Cheers

Mick

[mojolomjl]

Hi Mick,

You can buy a clip on gadget that attaches to a mike stand which is a very popular way of playing
BTs and displaying songs. I would not recommend using a phone but an ipad is very easy to use.

Best regards,

Maurice.

[garystrat]

Hi Mick

There is a good iPad solution called Stagetraxx, it creates play lists and cues the next track ready to play. Transferring BT's from your iPad is done via iTunes, all you have to do is create a play list and copy it across with a standard lead to the iPad by syncing the play list, they will then be available for use in Stagetraxx.

fieryapps.com/stagetraxx.html

Gary

[shawbridge]

Boss JS10, fabulous piece of kit, look one up on You tube.
Peter

[timryland]

Hi Mick.

I use an iPad for everything. I don't use amps or effects, just use ToneStack on my iPad. As well as the amps/effects, it also has a BT player and 8-track recorder. If you're looking for just a BT player for an iPad, have a look at One Track, it could be just what you need.

My iPad is mounted on a stand as shown:-



Tim

[glyderslead]

Hello Gents, thanks for your suggestions

Maurice and Tim, you have helped sort out one thing, it seems an iPad on a stand could well be the way to go, particularly with the sound management apps.

Gary and Peter, thanks for your suggestions, . I’ve had an initial look through and will have to delve deeper. First impressions though seem to show Stagetraxx is a system I could manage tracks on in conjunction with an iPad. The boss js10 needs further investigation by me to see how tracks are managed though it certainly seems to have effects covered. I have the effects I need on stomp boxes and my Roland GP100 at present so this might be the time to downsize.

Thanks again for your help in this

Cheers

Mick

[George Lewis]

Hi Mick,
Not sure if you are looking only for a player to use on the Mac or are looking for a player to use with a PA etc.
It depends on your requirements but for gigs I use a cheap generic Android 10" tablet with an older 7" for backup and a Moto G4 Plus phone as reserve backup !! The tablet was only $99 so if damaged or stolen when in public it would be no big deal.

Audio is from the headphone socket into a mixer then PA. Many android tablets also allow an external USB audio adaptor to be used which gives better quality if required. I have not found this necessary in a live gig scenario.

There are literally a squillion Android apps to play music but I use Poweramp which is excellent, easy to use, plays file based playlists and cost about $5-$6 from memory. As with all apps from the Google Play Store it can be installed at no extra cost on unlimited numbers of android devices using the same Google account.

Regards
George

[glyderslead]

Hello George,

Thanks for your helpful contribution towards my quest. In fact as I have had replies I have been able to formulate in my mind just what it is I am looking for.

So far I think I will stick with having a dedicated iPad, so all my computer items are from the same stable and compatable, though I have yet to look into the Boss unit mentioned by Peter.

I’m hoping for a few more suggestions regarding easy to use apps that allow simple selection of backing tracks and general track management before I make my final decision.

The tracks will be played through my Bose L1 which has a suitable input socket.

Guitar will also be played through the L1 after going through a further H & C S E an AC Tone and of course Charlie’s latest gadget, when it becomes available.

I’ve already decided that I will leave the task of getting the tracks onto the iPad to someone who knows what they are doing and will be able to do it without losing the lot - which I am likely to do.

Thanks again for your input George. Oh, and keep enjoying the sunshine as we freeze in the U.K.!

Cheers

Mick

[George Lewis]

Hi Mick,
I also use a Bose L1 Compact with amp sim and EFTP Magicstomp.

The Bose sure is an amazing PA ... and I can actually lift it without any problem.

Beautiful weather here in Wagga Wagga. Unusually cool Summer so far, though cool for us would be a heatwave for you !

Cheers
George

[timryland]

Hi Mick,

This is the stand my iPad is mounted on in the picture. If you do not already own an iPad, you probably don't need the latest, fastest to run Backing Track. The one in the picture is my old iPad2 which worked fine. One thing to remember is put it in Aeroplane mode to prevent any unwanted interruptions.

LINDY Portable iPad & Tablet Tripod Stand, for use with 7-10 inch tablets:-

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ZQXOM8C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_SlKsAb5HCZBV1

Tim.

[glyderslead]

Hello Tim,

Thanks for the link. That iPad holder looks quite strong.

I haven’t found the BT player on the ToneStack searches I have looked at so far, , but I’m still looking.

Cheers

Mick

[timryland]

Mick,

Sorry for the confusion. ToneStack is an amp and effects simulator. You use it instead of your analog effects and amp. It just happens to be able to play BT's so you can practice along to and record.

For a dedicated BT player look on the App Store for One Track by Sean Bergin. There is a free version you can use to evaluate it.

Tim.

[noelford]

I agree wholeheartedly about the iPad and Bose combination. As well as using them for my guitar sound processing and effects, I also run the BTs through that system. The sound quality is extraordinary and knocks spots of many of the much bigger 'normal' systems used by other players I have performed alongside.

[gruntfuttock]

Hi Mick. i use One-track on my iPad mini - and have the same app on my iPhone as a back up. It's a brilliant piece of kit designed by a musician for musicians.
Regards
Dave

[glyderslead]

Hello Tim and Dave,

I see you both use One Track, so I will be looking that one up to see how it compares. Thanks for your suggestion.

Hello Noel, nice to hear from you, in fact it was your post some time ago that prompted me to try out and buy a Bose L1. It is a remarkable amp. Do you have any suggestions as to backing track players?

Cheers all

Mick

[sandytuck]

Hi Mick,
One track is easy to use and sounds great. Load BTs into itunes arrange how you want them order etc.
Load into Ipad, Ipod a small unit play through stereo at home or PA live easy.
Cheers Les.

[glyderslead]

Hello Les

Thanks for that suggestion. I still haven’t had the opportunity to delve into how One Track works and operates yet, but you now make 3 members that have confirmed it is one to look into.

Thanks again,

Cheers

Mick

[glyderslead]

Has anybody had experience of an app called Back Trax? This seems to be an Apple item.

Cheers

Mick

[gusstrat]

Hi Mick,
Yes I use Backtrax, it is a good system,you load your songs or albums from itunes and can set up so one song is played and you can select the next song when your ready. For vocals you can send the lyrics to it and put it on scroll if needed.
Hope this helps you Mick. Regards, Garry.

[glyderslead]

Hello Gary,

Thanks for that info ‘ Gary. I don’t dare do any singing, so I don’t need lyrics! However, if it has the capability of having a couple of notes come up that could be useful.

It has occurred to me that having reminders, such as echo patch number, key and perhaps notes on the outline of the geography of the tune, such as verse verse bridge chorus verse or whatever, could be useful.

Cheers and thanks

Mick