working with Backing tracks.

[stagetech]

Simple question really.

How do you employ your backing tracks. Do you use a seperate amp, or rack type amplifier and speakers?
And do different methods alter the sound of the backing track and effect overall sound quality?

Ian

[JimTidmarsh]

I personally re-record my BTs to Mini Disc so that I can edit out any unnecessary count-ins. I then play them through a PA system, via a mixer where I mix in the signal from my guitar amp.

I have played them through a guitar amp in the past, but they don't sound as good.

Hope that helps.

[dave robinson]

I put my backing tracks through the PA via my laptop/notebook and DI my Fender Superchamp XD along with my microphone and mix it live. . . . . simples.

[nigel]

Hi
I play in small venues and i used to use a full PA system However two weeks ago i purchased an AER Compact 60 this little amp allows me to plug in the minidisk player into the return socket and then I plug the guitar in via my 508 into the POD xt (AC15 setting ) problem solved all in one 60watt amp

Regards Nigel

[noelford]

I edit the BTs that I haven't created myself and play them, via iTunes on a MacBook, into a Peavey Escort PA. My guitar goes into my Atomic 112/50 amp, via Alesis Quad GT with EFTP and a Pod XTL set to model a Vox AC15. If I want a really compact set-up, I play guitar, via Quad and Pod XTL, plus BTs via computer, into a Fender Powerstage 100 monitor/pa, which sounds pretty good even with evertything from the same 12 inch speaker.

[David in Scotland]

hi, new to the site, im experimenting at the moment - use '57 strat thro copycat and twin reverb (70's)
play the backing track thro hi fi and if it sounds right in the room i film it to a Sony HD cam. When im happy with
this demo i will do the job right with a valve mic and reel to reel multi-track.
the old strat has an amazing tone but i also use a £100 china squire and get a great sound. goes to show!!!!

[Shadow Steve]

I am new to guitars and have a very limited range of 1 tune so I play my backing track on my iphone resting on the laptop (showing the tabs) and pray to the gods that I can keep up with it.
Most times the backing track wins but now I find that I am beginning to finish along with it at the end as I now know all the tabs off by heart.

[donna plasky]

Hi. I, too, am new to guitar playing and am rather intimidated by much of the equipment. But what I was told to do, is to use the USB audio interface device that I bought. It has two audio-in jacks (I think that's the right word). I am supposed to plug the amp into one jack and my laptop into the other jack. The laptop has the backing tracks stored on the hard drive. The software associated with the USB audio interface will bring in the B/T and the live guitar at the same time.

I haven't had the nerve to actually try this. If playing guitar with backing tracks were a horse race, then the backing track left swiftly out of the gate when the bell rang, but I stumbled and am several paces behind.

Kind regards,
Donna

[noelford]

Interesting to see this topic revived after nearly three years! I now play everything through my Bose L1 Compact system. BTs go in from a USB/SD player and guitar through a Quad GT and Pod X3 Pro.

Something I see relatively new players having problems with when playing to BTs is loss of timing. I've frequently seen players get a couple of beats behind or in front and stay resolutely behind or in front right to the end. They are clearly not really listening to the track! To anyone having this problem, I would say, listen to the track as well as what you are playing and, if you get out of synch, just stop, relax, and find your place again.

[Olsson]

Hi
We now use a Denon DN-F300 and we are very satisfied with it.

http://www.solidstatesound.co.uk/denon%20dn-f300.htm

/Bertil