• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

'Live' bands with backing tracks

#121
Turock said:
I go to see bands play their instruments. If I want to hear the record, I'll stay home.
Call it what you want, I call it cheating. Either you can pull it off, or you can't. If you can't, don't pretend.
Click to expand...

^^^Absolutely. In the case of covers, in most cases I've heard the record. If I go to the trouble of planning a night out at a "live " venue, pay an admission charge, buy overpriced drinks, etc...I want to hear how the band sounds, covering the songs. Otherwise, I'll just stay home and listen to a recording, or watch the band on dvd. Or, go to a disco, where the "live":rolleyes: dj hangs out and where you know the music is preorecorded.
 
#122
I just watched a couple of tunes from the 2011 Rush Time Machine tour on VH1 Classic. On Tom Sawyer, Geddy is using bass samples on parts. A close up of him playing the synth breakdown right before the solo and clear as day he is playing the synth with his right hand and manipulating the bend wheel with the left and a bass line is heard that is not being played live by him. Most likely a triggered sample for that part, but a sample none the less. So for those purists out there even your heros do it. I wonder how many of the hard core Rush fans really gave a s**t?

There is a time and place for it and I am sure 99% of you give Geddy a pass for doing what many of you are so critical of.

As far as playing a whole set of recorded music and "lip synching" with the instruments, yes that is lame. To me what makes a live show exciting is the element of risk that they might f**k up. But pros don't or at least they don't telegraph it to the audience.

That is why I really don't like going to big concerts any more. It is getting rarer and rarer that it is real. I saw on TV that Bon Jovi is touring this Summer. My guess is that it will be Bon Jovi doing Karoke with a bunch of posers, or worse yet lip synching with a bunch of posers.
 
#123
For some live bands it is just a matter of economics. My band does some backing tracks because we are a four piece band and can't afford, based own at clubs are paying these days, a horn section and background singers. Clubs will often forego hiring a live band for a D.J. This is not a live performance either but they will work for $250 a night. Bands can't compete and so,we make concessions.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Westsailor
#124
moles said:
I just spent the last three nights working on the backing tracks to two new songs my cover band is going to be doing. We could've pulled some lame midi files off the net somewhere, but I'd rather put the work in and PLAY the stuff for real, make it musical, make it sound compelling - and make sure that no one's parts that will be played for real onstage are stepped on by the track. Everything the audience hears are sounds that this band made, and everyone on stage is playing. We sound awesome and I don't feel like we're pulling the wool over anyone's eyes. I also sure didn't feel like we are taking the easy way out while I was shutting my system down at 2am last night.
Click to expand...

You have precorded music backing you up. The source of the precorded music isn't the issue. You're using prerecorded music during a live gig which means the band is not 100% live.

I guess if it's a cover band no one really cares if it's live or not. I think at clubs and venues that showcase original bands and touring bands, the expectations from the audience are a bit different. At least that's been my experience.
 
#125
DoggBisket said:
I just watched a couple of tunes from the 2011 Rush Time Machine tour on VH1 Classic. On Tom Sawyer, Geddy is using bass samples on parts. A close up of him playing the synth breakdown right before the solo and clear as day he is playing the synth with his right hand and manipulating the bend wheel with the left and a bass line is heard that is not being played live by him. Most likely a triggered sample for that part, but a sample none the less. So for those purists out there even your heros do it. I wonder how many of the hard core Rush fans really gave a s**t?

There is a time and place for it and I am sure 99% of you give Geddy a pass for doing what many of you are so critical of.
Click to expand...

I think a good portion of Rush fans would give a s**t seeing how such a large part of their fan base is comprised of musicians. But since it's Rush, they will get a pass by most.

I like Rush, but I'm disappointed that they use so much prerecorded music live. Obviously, they don't need to do it which makes it even more disappointing that they do.
 
#126
DoggBisket said:
I just watched a couple of tunes from the 2011 Rush Time Machine tour on VH1 Classic. On Tom Sawyer, Geddy is using bass samples on parts. A close up of him playing the synth breakdown right before the solo and clear as day he is playing the synth with his right hand and manipulating the bend wheel with the left and a bass line is heard that is not being played live by him. .
Click to expand...

A sample, sure. Of, err.......HIMSELF.
How would you suggest they handle it better? I'm serious. How? Would it be better if they hired a guy for that?
 
#127
AaronVonRock said:
To me, you're on a slippery slope. You have precorded music backing you up. The source of the precorded music isn't the issue. You're using prerecorded music during a live gig which means the band is not 100% live.

I guess if it's a just cover band no one really cares if it's live or not. I think at clubs and venues that showcase original bands and touring bands, the expectations from the audience are a bit different. At least that's been my experience.
Click to expand...

You've never seen an originals band using backing tracks and nobody minding? I wouldn't say it's expected but nobody seems to care as long as it doesn't define your live sound and is just being used to paint on the edges.
 
#129
One very talented person can play multiple instruments, sing lead and harmonize, and wrap it all up in a delicious sounding track to be played wherever, whenever, at the touch of a finger. Convenient and economic!

A DJ can do the same thing. And not be talented. (kidding!) :D

Both the multi-talented musician and the DJ are "one-man" shows. Both bring energy. Both bring fun. Both can be greatly enjoyed. Both are likely earning more coin than those of us in gigging bands.

Live bands -- using little or no tracking -- bring energy, fun, and enjoyment as well. It's a different kind of energy -- one that spotlights human emotion and interaction. There's just something about a live performance with live people using live instruments that resonates in a special way.

For those of us that prefer being involved with the "live" band setting more than the "DJ" type of setting, take comfort in this: The road less traveled in life is often less convenient and involves less economic gain, but often is more rewarding in the long run.

Whatever you (we) decide…play because you love to play! :bassist:
 
#133
People are entitled to their opinions of course, but personally think there is a place for live samples and backing instrumentation... BUT, like all aspects of music, it should be done tastefully!

My old band used samples and backing instrumentation live because there are real logistical issues that limited our instrumentation live... Reality:

1. not all stages can support eight band members, and an eight person payroll for an originals project is stretched at best.

2. it would be entirely unprofessional in some circumstances to need 45 minutes to set up and sound check.

3. our "sound" included electronic elements like 808 hits and percussion elements in addition to synth and orchestral parts. Yes, we would have loved to always have a 40ft stage and afford four keyboard players, but that is not always realistic.

All four members of that project are proficient at multiple instruments, so you can kiss off if you think that we were not musicians. We wrote, recorded, and orchestrated all of the samples, and had it tight with our live instrumentation. That is an art in and of itself... It requires a lot of time learning equipment and getting everything tuned up... "Lazy"... Hardly! We poured countless hours into making a seamless, high energy, professional performance that left our audiences with jaws rightfully dropped! ... And we could be on and off the stage in 15 minutes... That is all you have when you are a local opening for larger acts.

I agree when it is not done tastefully it is really wonky, just like a poorly placed guitar solo, or a poorly written drum fill... But some of these opinions are really ignorant about the entire idea of sampling.

Like a lot of aspects of music, there is a place for it! Hell, most of the naysayers on here probably wouldn't have the first clue as how to pull it off anyway.

One of my more recent projects is a one man band where I play live looped guitar, bass, keys, omni chord, theremin, vocals, live lighting controls, and live DJ elements.... But I guess I'm just a hack with backing tracks...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Westsailor, Rickter and CRich0205
#134
dmusic148 said:
A sample, sure. Of, err.......HIMSELF.
How would you suggest they handle it better? I'm serious. How? Would it be better if they hired a guy for that?
Click to expand...

My personal preference would have been for the live bass playing rather than the backing track that was going on during the keyboard part. The synth part could have been played on guitar. Another option would be for them to have a keyboard player, they certainly can afford a hired gun for a tour. Most people wouldn't be disappointed if Geddy didn't play the keyboard parts himself live, but I for one and very diapppointed to hear a pre recorded bass track playing while Geddy plays keys.
 
  • Like
Reactions: byoung93888
#136
AaronVonRock said:
I think a good portion of Rush fans would give a s**t seeing how such a large part of their fan base is comprised of musicians. But since it's Rush, they will get a pass by most.

I like Rush, but I'm disappointed that they use so much prerecorded music live. Obviously, they don't need to do it which makes it even more disappointing that they do.
Click to expand...

Some of their music is really hard to replicate live. And Lee is using samples at least of something HE played. He's not compensating for a lack of talent.

But this is a different situation. Comparing bar bands to pro bands, and the need of a pro band to replicate their signature tunes for people who have dropped $150-$2000 for a ticket, is quite different. This isn't the reason a lot of cover bands do this.
 
#139
QORC said:
using backing tracks for instruments or voices that you actually have on stage is cheesy and a bit fraudulent. I'm not a fan. I see a band doing took many backing tracks, I assume they must not be very good and don't stay.
Click to expand...

This.

But there is nothing wrong with using backing tracks to enhance what you are doing on stage. We have some keys in the background on a couple of songs and some guitar fills and even a bit of vox that we don't do ourselves. We are a 3 piece and used to be a 4 piece so when we lost our rhythm guitarist we put some of his stuff on a track. It works very well and we get nothing but compliments.

If done well, it should be an enhancement to the performance, not stand out like a sore thumb. It can be done well and easily. We always send all the tracks to the sound board so the sound man can mix and a good sound man knows this is a background track and is not going to put it out front of the live music.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back