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Post by cleggy on Oct 12, 2009 20:23:24 GMT
Hi all,
I was just wondering what backing machines members are using to play UB HANK cd's etc. It would be great if a manufacturer made a backing machine with a footswitch so it could be started & stopped like a drum machine when both hands are on the guitar. I am currently using a Boss DR5 drum machine which does drums, bass & other instruments, but it takes up all my time programming when all I want to do is practice guitar!
Anyone got any advice?
cleggy
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Post by bill on Oct 12, 2009 21:11:26 GMT
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Post by sheendigs on Oct 12, 2009 21:13:03 GMT
Hi Cleggy I use in the past A Sony minidisc..but one has to program the music in the right sequence. With the advent of MP3 players..this is easier. But I once posted a gadget..which used a foot pedal..WIll try to find it back and post it for you. ;D I have found something that is new...but could not find more reference about it..a chinese company that makes a pedal with MP3 backing..LM3 LIVE MATE..scroll down the link Check it out: www.stompthatbox.com/cherub.htmlSheendigs |
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Post by sheendigs on Oct 12, 2009 22:08:34 GMT
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Post by cleggy on Oct 13, 2009 16:49:33 GMT
Thanks bill3 & sheendigs, I will check out these gadgets
cleggy
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Post by noelford on Oct 14, 2009 20:15:09 GMT
I use my MacBook and have loaded all my BTs into iTunes. The advantage of this is that you can instantly create new playlists (just drag and drop) and you can see you BTs clearly on the display. Playing 'live'. I have the MacBook sitting on a music stand at arm's length, at a height and angle that are convenient for operation. You can play tracks individually or segue seamlessly from one to another. Emergency pausing is just a matter of hitting the space bar.
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Post by cleggy on Oct 15, 2009 20:17:03 GMT
Thanks noelford for your input.
Is a macbook a smaller version of a laptop?
cleggy
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Post by tonybiker on Oct 15, 2009 22:55:52 GMT
A lot depends on personal preference. There are pitfalls with whatever you use as well as the expense. Here is what I have available and use or have used.
Mini disc: Expensive and if your gigging you need the rack mountable type because the desk top type don't like being transported. They are easy to use and one big factor is you can getting better volume levels when you record your backing track because you set the level yourself before you start recording. This has to be better than using volume balancer software. You can also at a click move the track order about. The discs are cheap enough. But I have seen them fail and wipe a full disc of tracks.
CD Player: You can get a set of rack mountable twin DJ type CD players for approx £120 new and half that if there used. Some of the newer types will even read mp3. The advantage of these sort of CD's is the common fault of the CD draw failing or a laser problem is quickly overcome because you have another one as a spare. All the buttons are huge and lit up, so its easy to see and on cue/auto pause its a simple task of pressing to start the next track.
Laptop: I currently use a lap top and carry the CD's as back up. If the intention is to gig then there are horror stories of when they fail. DJ's will say its best to use one with only the software you need to run the music. Software like 'PC DJ' is far better and has more functions than Itunes or Media Player. However, external sound cards are a must for sound quality due to the not so good internal sound cards in the laptop. The internal ones can pick up hardrive sounds which I found out when it did that at one venue, fine at the others. The external sound cards also use the USB to connect not the headphone socket thats normally the only way to get at the sound. Some DJ's also insist on using a ground loop isolator.
Its very difficult to get quality from an ipod due to the way the sound files are compressed. Also they are designed for headphones not for patching into a PA.
The 3 systems I have noted above work well. I favour the laptop due to its small size, but one failure was enough that I also drag along a CD player to ensure I am not left with nothing to use.
If its CD, then always use quality discs to record on.
Audio CD's have far better sound quality than mp3 or AAC (ipod).
Always back a CD up with another one for a spare.
Use quality leads.
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Post by noelford on Oct 16, 2009 5:47:50 GMT
Thanks noelford for your input. Is a macbook a smaller version of a laptop? cleggy MacBooks are Apple Laptops. They come in several sizes but I use the smaller 13 inch. |
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