backing tracks... too much , too little, just right...

Ipod - Click on the right (8 count intro), mono mix on the left, run by the drummer. Make each song it's own "album" to avoid running into the next tune by accident.

 

Sometimes we use a prerecorded track, other times we use Ableton live and the singer controls the loops with a foot controller. This way we can stretch a song an improvise some and still have our backing tracks.

 

Use some MIDI device to launch sequences on a laptop running Ableton Live. A used cheap keyboard like a little Yamaha PSR would work, or a Korg PadKontrol or something similar.

KO

 

Very interested in this... Does ableton let you tap in the tempo *while* it's playing? That would be great for Correction in live performance...

 

Here's the controller he's using. Our drummer hears the click and we just keep time with him.

Ableton Live Foot Controller "ability" - YouTube

http://www.younworks.com/www.younworks.com/aBility_II_Controller.html

AFIK the tempo of the loops is set, I don't think you can alter it on the fly... but I'm not completely sure about that.

 

You can change tempo on the fly from the computer UI, right?
And Ableton can probably sync to external MIDI clock...
I hope it can do it (sync to tap tempo), that might make the difference for me.

EDIT:
Found it! According to this guy, you can tap in the current tempo at any time:
http://www.allindiebands.com/performing-with-ableton-live.html

 

For the songs were using ableton on we usually have a loop for each section of the song (intro, verse, chorus, etc.).

 

For those who use backing tracks, do you have them for every song? I would think that you would have to or the songs without them would sound thin. But I am just guessing, I have never used backing tracks.

 

We don't. Some songs we can work arrangements that sound fine without them, others not so much.

 

Ok, so it is not an all or nothing type deal.

 

No not at all. Some of our backing tracks are as simple as some auxiliary percussion instruments or synth pads in particular parts of the songs. We don't have any that have extra backing vox, or guitar parts on them. Most of them are more subtle additions that work to add dynamic layers to the song when needed.

Here's one that we use sometimes. Click the sample and take a listen.

Worship Clicktracks and Loop Library | mymusicwriter.com

 

Nice! I didn't even know tracks like that existed. I thought you had to make them yourself.