Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Most Reliable Live Setup for Backup Tracks

Geetarpicker · 12th November 2009

This isn't very high tech, but I sometimes use backing tracks on an IPOD to "perform" at Guitar Clinics.

I have my backing tracks stored as 16 bit WAV files in an IPOD Nano, the one prior to the current model is the one I'm familiar with. These units will work with straight wav files which seem to net a little better quality than the mp3s. Then using Itunes you configure each song to be in it's own "playlist", that way when each song plays the unit stops instead of going to the next tune on it's own. It's a little fiddly to use, but OK once you get the hang of what you need to press to go back to the menu to call up the next playlist. I have two tracks, the click/count off track running to my inner ear mixer, and the "backing tracks" in mono. On the click side I have a quick verbal cue of what song it is right before the count off just so that if I hear the wrong tune announced I have enough time to kill it before it starts. The only issue I have is if the units is in standby too long it goes into a sort of sleep mode, and makes a slight audible click once it wakes up. But usually that's only if you wait a while. I use the NANO versions as they have solid state drives and no moving parts. I keep a second Nano as a backup. I made a bracket the holds the unit at waist height, plus I use an adapter on the bottom which gives a mini 1/8" stereo line out so that the level is fixed and consistent. I think using the regular headphone out would be to easy to bump the volume settings, so the adapter works to access the line out. The separation in the unit's audio is fine and there is no bleed of the click track side to the "tracks" side that goes to the PA.

There are better ways I'm sure, but this might be the most cost effective. Folks might know better which IPODS actually have better converters, and it's probably not the NANOs. That said I wanted to stay away from a hard drive based unit.

I hope that gives you some ideas. The limitation is only 1 track for your "tracks". I almost prefer it that way, as it gives the sound guy less to deal with.

GK

12th November 2009	#3
Geetarpicker Gear maniac Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 178	This isn't very high tech, but I sometimes use backing tracks on an IPOD to "perform" at Guitar Clinics. I have my backing tracks stored as 16 bit WAV files in an IPOD Nano, the one prior to the current model is the one I'm familiar with. These units will work with straight wav files which seem to net a little better quality than the mp3s. Then using Itunes you configure each song to be in it's own "playlist", that way when each song plays the unit stops instead of going to the next tune on it's own. It's a little fiddly to use, but OK once you get the hang of what you need to press to go back to the menu to call up the next playlist. I have two tracks, the click/count off track running to my inner ear mixer, and the "backing tracks" in mono. On the click side I have a quick verbal cue of what song it is right before the count off just so that if I hear the wrong tune announced I have enough time to kill it before it starts. The only issue I have is if the units is in standby too long it goes into a sort of sleep mode, and makes a slight audible click once it wakes up. But usually that's only if you wait a while. I use the NANO versions as they have solid state drives and no moving parts. I keep a second Nano as a backup. I made a bracket the holds the unit at waist height, plus I use an adapter on the bottom which gives a mini 1/8" stereo line out so that the level is fixed and consistent. I think using the regular headphone out would be to easy to bump the volume settings, so the adapter works to access the line out. The separation in the unit's audio is fine and there is no bleed of the click track side to the "tracks" side that goes to the PA. There are better ways I'm sure, but this might be the most cost effective. Folks might know better which IPODS actually have better converters, and it's probably not the NANOs. That said I wanted to stay away from a hard drive based unit. I hope that gives you some ideas. The limitation is only 1 track for your "tracks". I almost prefer it that way, as it gives the sound guy less to deal with. GK __________________ http://www.glenkuykendall.com/