http://www.comeandplaypiano.com/learn-to-play-piano-keyboard-software-midi/
Can Backing Tracks Help Your Band?
Are you in a band and wonder what it’s going to take to get your performances to the next level? Well, backing tracks are the answer to that question. Backing tracks give you the ability to add extra instruments or voices to your show, giving you a much bigger sound, without the bother of hiring extra musicians on a full time basis. Suddenly you may find you have a want or need for a keyboard part or some horn shots in the songs you perform. Why not put them on backing tracks and have them at the push of a button?
You can approach it several different ways. If you have a song that requires a piano part for example you could rent yourself some studio time, hire a pianist, have him play the required parts along to a click track (ensuring that the click track is being recorded as well), and mix it down to a usable MP3 file with the click track on one side (usually the left) and the music on the other side. Simply load the MP3 file onto an MP3 player of some sort, separate the signals so that only the drummer (or other band members) hear the click track via a set of head phones and send the music to the mains. This is accomplished by separating the left and right channels from the MP3 player and running them into a small mixing board. It’s sent to the headphones or the mains from there.
Option number two would be to purchase a music editing program that is MIDI compatible and purchase some VST (Virtual Studio Technology) instruments. Go on the internet, download the MIDI file, import it into your editing software, assign instruments to each channel and mix down to MP3. The problems with this method are the cost of the software, the time it takes to figure out how to run the software, and finding MIDI files that are programmed accurately. When they’re not programmed properly and the song is missing parts then you need to be able to write a MIDI file to fix it. This all takes time to learn.
Option number three would be to download MP3 backing tracks from the internet. There are some real high quality ones available out there for not a lot of money. They come in different formats, MP3 being my personal favorite, and add that extra “something” to your show. Simply find them , download them and put them on your MP3 player. Easy…
When you use backing tracks on stage the possibilities are endless as to what type of songs you may perform. I’ve used tracks that have had vocals added to give a choir effect, keyboards, piano, violins etc. There’s no end to what you can do with them. When you perform with them you give a more accurate representation of the song you’re playing and they aid in making your band sound “bigger.”
About the Author
Ian Kurz is a singer guitarist and is the owner of the website www.backing-tracks-for-bands.com where you can find all kinds of information about backing tacks and how to use them. Be sure to check out his pages on downloadable backing tracks as well when you visit.
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