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Advice on setup for backing tracks, MIDI


sparresparre

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Hi everyone! Greetings from Sweden :)

 

​I play as a live piano entertainer at parties, weddings and so forth.

 

​I now want to proceed using MIDI-files for backing tracks at my gigs.

​I have bought several pro quality MIDI-files, and now I'm considering a good way to put sounds to them in a convenient way.

​The tracks should not sound "too much", i.e. they should be pretty sparse, since I play "a lot" as a pianist ;-)

​Good drums and base, and maybe some guitar, horns etc. here and there.

 

​What is the best and, since I'm not really a technical guy, easiest way to do this?

 

I am considering the following:

 

-​ Ketron Midjay Plus, or perhaps the Roland BK-7m module.

- Sampletank / Roland Sound canvas, i.e. an app.

 

​I know that most of you guys do everything in Logic/Cubase but I do not think that is the way for me to go, due to my technical shortcomings :)

 

What are your opinions? Thank you!

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I've been asked this so many times before, I wrote a web page explaining both how I make my own tracks (not needed if you buy them) and (perhaps of interest to you) how I use them on stage (including equipment).

 

I've been in a duo since 1985 making and using backing tracks. It started on cassette tapes and has evolved through many different phases as new equipment came out that was better than the old way. I finally came to the system I use today, and if something better comes along, I'll change again.

 

Insights and incites by Notes

 

oops, I forgot the link:

 

http://www.nortonmusic.com/backing_tracks.html

 

 

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Hi

​I am in a similar situation. Vocalist setting up on my own after many years singing in a Gospel choir. Having to use backing tracks. Have Peavey 6000 PA and wanting to run backing tracks from laptop of which I have a Lenovo. What other equipment would you recommend to get the best vocal sound? Should I be using any DAW's?

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SuzieM see my other response as well.

 

You just need a decent midi player that doesn't automatically go to the next song in a playlist. That's not so easy. There are some old versions of Winamp that do that, but not many others that I can thing of. I simply use basic GM midi sounds, although sometimes I download SoundFonts,

 

I also tried what seemed like well over fifty Android music players and the only one that had EQ, selectable font size, and one play file choice was Music Folder Player. https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...r.donate&hl=en The one file play, is called "musician mode". Be aware that it plays MP3's but not midis (not without the annoying Android reverb). I convert my midis to MP3's - but it's tedious.

 

Midi Voyager is the only Android midi player that I have seen that has editing, selectable font size, and one play. https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...oopsfree&hl=en

 

For PC's,I always recommend Anvil Studio for editing. It's a midi editor and can be upgraded to a basic DAW. There is a free version available. Yes there are more comprehensive editors out there but Anvil Studio is very easy to operate. If you find it too difficult then you'll need some outside help, or a duo partner. http://www.anvilstudio.com/

 

I use Music Folder Player and Anvil Studio extensively. I also used WinAmp for many years, and Midi Voyager comes in handy as well.

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