Backing Tracks...PC/Speaker Setup

[sailavg]

This is so basically stupid but.....

Just back into playing (Strat) after a 15 year hiatus....but back into it full force. I've been using a ton of backing tracks to re-learn the feel for the scales, etc... through my PC speakers, which are just that, PC speakers. Basically, I'd like to ramp the sound up to amp levels. Is it possible to do this with just the PC and a couple of small PA speakers or do I need other equipment, etc...?

Not getting into the whole recording and studio at this point, but would like the ability to loop lead or certain song sections similar to those little Tascams do. With that in mind, what hardware & perhaps software would you recommend as a good, basic and simple, "play-along-with" system using my PC?

I appreciate the feedback (no pun intended).

 

[johnnymegabyte]

same boat here ... but always behind 8 ball financially until recent years, and $$$ for xmas this year

3 years ago, my setup was based on using my Yamaha 4 track (with 6 inputs) as a mixer. No guitar amp.
1 mic into 1, guitar via Zoom 505 into 2, Roland D-70 synth into 3/4 and "free / used" Pentium 3 PC into 5/6 ... output was split to Line In of PC (SB PCI-128) and to Sansui Receiver with Fried Studio Monitors (and they fried on me 2 years ago), so I used some older tower speakers, and they blew last year. But fortunately my friend gave me some old but very nice Pioneer towers.
I was playing MIDI or MP3 BT's to jam along on guitar. It was really fun

• Two years ago, the Zoom 505 got replaced by a Zoom G7 with USB interface. Now I had two ways to do audio OUT of the PC.
• Two yeas ago at Xmas, my wife won a Sony Vaio laptop with 1GB RAM, I added another 2 GB (removed 512) so now I have 2.5 GB
• Last year, I got some KRK Rokit 6 mkII monitor, strictly for playback.
• Then, at Xmas, I got a Tascam M-164UF mixer with USB 2.0 Audio interface

Finally, I have decent gear to play with, minus not having a guitar amp

You can get some decent used receiver and speakers cheap ... or free

 

[Chili]

. Is it possible to do this with just the PC and a couple of small PA speakers or do I need other equipment, etc...?

You can run out of your computer into a PA amp then your PA speakers. Use a stereo 1/8" to two RCA or 1/4" plugs; whatever input your PA amp requires.

Something like this:
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--HOSCMP15

 

[sailavg]

Thanks Johnny & Chili...I really appreciate the info. At this point I really just want to play back, so don't need all the bells & whistles of Johnny"s system...maybe in a few years (also didn't want to spend much money either as I just bought the deluxe Strat and an amp...it's important to keep the wifey happy!)

With Chili's suggestion, is it as simple as that?.....just hooking PA speakers through the cable you suggested from my PC? Will I need an amplifier or something between the PC and the PA speakers/monitors? Ironically, I thought to myself before I posted the thread here..." I'm sure I can't just plug in PA speakers to my PC"!!! Also, how would a Tascam (handheld unit) fit into the equation? Do I even want one of these Tascams or is there software out there that does the same thing?

BTW...I was checking out some of your songs Chili...Awesome bro! Came across some sailing references and pics on your site....Do you sail? Mumm 30 and Lightning sailor here (east coast) hence the nickname.

 

[johnnymegabyte]

I might have digressed a bit, and I went from rag-tag mostly used gear to "decent", but it took 30 years, and most in recent years I upgraded.

Seriously, you will need an amp to drive those PA speakers. Check Craigslist for 100 watt receiver, but match the speaker ohms, which could be 4, 8 or 16. A receiver will usually be 8, but some have variable ohms of output. You can get cheap or free. Ask around.

Today, I usually play my guitars through my Zoom G7 into the mixer into a Sansui 100 watts per channel receiver into Pioneer towers, or headphones. I have no guitar amps anymore. Backing Tracks or MIDI coming off the laptop into mixer to Sansui.

Right now, I'm going through downtime after hernia operation, and don't know when I can lift anything ... like a guitar. Sort of a little bummed out about it all​

BTW ... I used to like in Ramsey, now i'm in Toronto

 

[Chili]

Hey Sail, give my previous reply another quick glance, I said you have to go through a PA amp, but yeah, basically it's that easy.

Comp Audio Out> adaptor cable> PA amp> PA speakers.

Not sure what you're asking about the Tascam. For recording? From what I hear those handheld units work pretty good. I've heard some decent recordings from one, but I don't think they are best suited for home recording for the money. You can buy an interface with more features for less money.

Yeah, I've got an O'Day 302 for sale in Virginia. Wanna buy it?? LOL It's a poor market for boats right now and I can't even give it away. We moved to Texas about 2 years ago and haven't been sailing since. At some point in the future, we'll get the big boat and cut the dock lines for a few years. A year in the Carib and a year or two in the Med.

Thanks for the nice comment on my songs.
Cheers,

 

[sailavg]

Thanks again guys....I did read right over the "PA amp" part (wife's away for the weekend and I've got three little one's clinging to me). Ok, seems easy enough, just need to find a good used PA amp or receiver and some decent speakers that match the ohms of the amp or receiver. Any recommendations on brands?

Regarding the Tascam...My business partner has one and I checked it out. I really liked some of the capabilities such as looping a certain part, slowing it down for solo copying, etc...and eventually recording. But I'm sure there must be software (maybe even freeware)for your PC that will achieve the same tasks, no? Any ideas?

Johnny....ah, a former New Jerseyian or is it New Jersyite? Spent a week up in Toronto doing a sailing world championship at the RCYC...beautiful up there and nice city. Up there for work I would assume?

Chili...you gotta get back on the water bro! How far away from the Gulf are you? And yes, a trip to the Carib sounds most welcome at the moment, especially here in the northeast right now. It's been about ten years since the wifey and I did a bareboat in the BVI's....Oh, what a coincidence, it's DIRECTLY related to the amount of years my oldest has been on the planet! Honestly can't wait to get back....we're waiting for the baby to get a bit older...maybe this fall or next year. One of the most relaxing trips we ever took....All I really do is race and the trips are all race related, so I'm looking forward to some "carefree" sailing.

 

[Chili]

Chili...you gotta get back on the water bro! How far away from the Gulf are you? And yes, a trip to the Carib sounds most welcome at the moment, especially here in the northeast right now. It's been about ten years since the wifey and I did a bareboat in the BVI's....Oh, what a coincidence, it's DIRECTLY related to the amount of years my oldest has been on the planet! Honestly can't wait to get back....we're waiting for the baby to get a bit older...maybe this fall or next year. One of the most relaxing trips we ever took....All I really do is race and the trips are all race related, so I'm looking forward to some "carefree" sailing.

When you mentioned the Mumm 30, I figured you were into racing big time. But World Championships?? Nice. The gulf is at least 4 hours away. there's a good size lake nearby, but I've got to sell this boat before thinking about another. I sailed across the gulf once and did several trips up and down the coast, then just mainly in the Chesapeake when we lived in VA.

The wife and I agreed we'll probably embark on our cruise right about the time our 3 yr old daughter hits 'dating' age.

When you're ready to start recording, do a lot of browsing and searching in the Newbies section. Lots of great info to help you get started.

cheers,