Backing tracks

booleybooley

Can anyone help with what is the best way to play a backing track live from midi files.
Need to be able to edit tracks in set order etc.
Am told that playing direct from midi player via a usb key not very reliable?

dav nagle

Hi,

The reason playing tracks from a a laptop via midi is not very reliable is because you might experience latency (delay) you might also experience a messed up midi file in which case the timing might be out. If you have the midi files of the songs I would advise you to convert the midi tracks into Wavs and then play the Wavs instead of the midi. Playing Wavs will prove to be more stable just like playing a CD directly copied to your hard drive, this way you will have very little worries at all and you could setup a simple playlist on your laptop for live work. If you need someone to set this up for you I can do it in my studio for a fee. You could also try and use a laptop in a live situation to play the midi files but I can understand why you have been advised against working in real time with midi properties as it can easily lead to headaches.

booleybooley

Hi Thanks for your reply and your advice.
What about playing them live on a mini disc player?
Also some of the midi files seem to be at a higher level volume than the others and the seems to need adusting on playback live which is not great.

i57dwun4yb1pt8

free package called "anvil studio" might help

dav nagle

booleybooley wrote: »

Hi Thanks for your reply and your advice.
What about playing them live on a mini disc player?
Also some of the midi files seem to be at a higher level volume than the others and the seems to need adusting on playback live which is not great.

Mini discs or so dated and unreliable, forget about it, all it takes is a knock and its game over and you look like a fool trying to fix it, harsh but true friend.
PM me if you want to get the set organised and fixed up in my studio. You need to make sure all the files are at a fairly even level or else you will upset punters.

JonathanAnon

although there are many ways of playing the MIDI files using keyboards, modules, dedicated devices..... I prefer to convert to MP3 and this allows you to use your preferred MP3 players/ipod etc etc to play the track live.

To convert the MIDI files to MP3, I use Fast MP3 to MIDI converter (30 dollars).
http://www.directfreedownloads.com/midi_tools_20/fast_midi_to_mp3_converter_26348.htm?ref=about

What is important is that you use a different soundfont bank than the one that comes with your soundcard to get a more realistic sound. The program above allows you do this more easily than most other programs, and also allows you to convert all of your MIDI files in the click of one button.

The soundfont banks that I use are SGM v2.1, UGM, CrisisGM, RealFont all free to use. It's a matter of taking them all down and trying to see which ones you like the best.

JonathanAnon

dav nagle wrote: »

The reason playing tracks from a a laptop via midi is not very reliable is because you might experience latency (delay) you might also experience a messed up midi file in which case the timing might be out. If you have the midi files of the songs I would advise you to convert the midi tracks into Wavs and then play the Wavs instead of the midi. Playing Wavs will prove to be more stable just like playing a CD directly copied to your hard drive, this way you will have very little worries at all and you could setup a simple playlist on your laptop for live work.

I have talked to a lot of fellow giggers about this, and most dont bring along a laptop as it looks too much like you are a DJ or karaoke (i.e. not really playing). Plus there is the hassle of bringing the laptop gigin and have some idiot spill beer over it. In short DONT bring the laptop.

Like I said above, find an MP3 player that has a good interface, allows you to get easily from first to last track, easy to use and large buttons (i.e. so you can easily hit volume up/down during a song), easy to transfer files from PC, can be charged for a long period of time (as opposed to needing batteries). Creative Zen is what I use. Not perfect but adequate, attached to the mic stand.

I can also set this up for a fee ;-), but there really isnt that much to it.

booleybooley

Thanks for the advice Jonathan-we are surveying different types of MP3 player-any advice and what cost are we looking at would you say

Iomega Man

Don't mean to hijack your thread booley-booley,but seeing as we are on the subject...do any of you guys know of a player(CD or MP3...) that can be controlled via a footswitch...?

I'm thinking basic transport controls and next track etc....

JonathanAnon

booleybooley wrote: »

Thanks for the advice Jonathan-we are surveying different types of MP3 player-any advice and what cost are we looking at would you say

I havent evaluated the 'touch' generation of players, like itouch, iphone etc etc. They came about after I bought the Zen. What I did was draw up a list of dos and donts for my player. The list I had:

- NO batteries, a rechargeable device that can be charged from USB or power outlet.
- 3.5mm output, easier to work into your PA. A lost of MP3 players have 2.5mm which is to be avoided.
- Easy of use of PC software to connect to MP3 players. (e.g. iTunes is awkward to put MP3s on)
- Large buttons for volume Up/Down, and Next/Previous Tracks.
- Large Interface and easy to move/create/edit playlists.

Those that I had seriously considered at the time (like I said with taking into the 'touch' generation into consideration) were the Creative Zen, Ipod Nano, and Iriver clix. The Zen was bought for about 100 euro from PC world. You should look up youtube for user evaluations and a good view of the interface etc etc.. very handy.