How can I make backtracks to record over?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lane
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Lane

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I want to make some simple bass and drum tracks over which I can record my own vocals/guitar. Folk and country stuff. I have Ntracks and a SB Audigy card and I can record fine and I've been trying to figure out how to do this with a MIDI keyboard... has me boggled.
I've read about loops.... and I dont grasp synths and samplers and all that... Greek to me. Is there a simpler way I can do what I'm after?

Thanks!
 
One Suggestion

Here is a suggestion,assuming your software program can handle it. There is a software program out there call Band-in-a-Box that creates backing tracks you can use as a jumping off place. You input a few variables such as style, Key, Chord prog and such and it creates a drum parts, bass parts etc. You keep messing with it till it sounds the way you want and it renders a midi file in General Midi format that you can import into your recording program. I personally haven't used it but one of my band mates used it quite extensively when he was writing songs.

Another option is to get a programmable drum machine (many come with the ability to have bass tracks as well) and play it into your computer.

tmix
 
...actualy, you got everything you need by now. N-tracks, SB Audigy, and external keyboard. That's what you need for basic background tracks. To make the MIDI connection, plug your Audigy MIDI out to your keyboard MIDI in, and keyboard MIDI out to Audigy MIDI in. I don't use N-Tracks, so can't assist you for the detail in there... but let see. There's gonna be an option to select MIDI input and output devices. Select Audigy MID in for MIDI in, and Audigy Out for MIDI out. Open MIDI track 1, select channel 10 (for GM drums), select the patch (drum kit number) hit record. Play the notes on the keyboard, it will be recorded. Select other channel than 10, select bank and patch numbers reffers to likely bass sound, and record the bass line as well. What's your external keyboard anyway ?
 
OK, now I'll really show my ignorance.... I have Band in a Box, and I can "kind of" figure it out but I have a lot to learn and am fairly confused by it. But maybe that's what I need to be using...

As to the keyboard - that's what I was trying to do, use it as you describe. But I didn't know that N-tracks had that capability - not sure it does. I also have Power tracks, that can, I think do what you are explaining, but I guess I just dont know how to make it work. I have my keyboard (which is just a low end Casio) connnected via midi cables and I can make it play sounds through the Audigy - past that I'm lost - as far as getting different sounds(instruments) to play when I hit the keyboard keys. I know it will work, just cant figure out how.....

Help appreciated!!!

Lane
 
Lane said:
I have my keyboard (which is just a low end Casio)
Click to expand...

...does it GM compatible ? If so, then it must have the "GM Mode" or some sort of mode that allows you to play 16 tracks simultanous (multitimbral). Go this mode.
 
I'm not sure... as I recall it is GM capable, but to a very limited extent, I think and I dont think it will do 16 channels. I'm not home, and wont be for a few days, so I can't look, but I'll try to find out
 
OK... I checked it out and yes, I have GM capability and 16 channels.... now what?
I can get this thing to talk to the computer... but past that, I'm lost.
To be able to make some kind of backtracks.... what program should I use? The only place I've figured out to make the keyboard talk to the computer is in Band in a Box... but I'm thinking I can do it with N-tracks... somehow I need to tell the computer what souds to make when I hit the keyboard, right? How?

Also... are loops something I should be learning about?

Thanks!
 
Did you read THIS SECTION of the site... to get you covered on some of the recording basics?

Then there's a whole lot of reading to do HERE!!!
 
Yea, I've read that section and most of the links.... good info, but to a guy tha'ts green to all this, I haven't been able to grasp it all. I'm sure some of it is because it's specific to the software I'm using...

Again... all I'm after is to make simple backtracks that I can record my own guitar and vocals over. I don't understand loops, if that's a way to do it.... or maybe theres an easier way? I have just gotten Jammer since I was told it was easier to learn than Band in a Box.... . dont' know...

Lane
 
Unless I missed something...

...sorry, but it sounds like your best bet is to hire the musicians to play a backing arrangement for you....

Lane said:
Again... all I'm after is to make simple backtracks that I can record my own guitar and vocals over.
Click to expand...
If you're not willing to learn the basics of multitrack recording, then you're not going to be able to cut your own backing tracks.......... period.

S/W can't replace musical ability and you can't simply "learn only what's needed to record backing tracks".... THAT invovles multitrack recording and requires some understanding of basic recording techniques!
 
Yeah, you missed something, I think, which I tried to explain in the earlier posts in the thread.

I do understand multi track recording, to a reasonable extent - I record in N-Tracks, have done multiple tracks, usually recording my guitar, then a vocal over it and maybe a rythym guitar as well... nothing fancy at all, but I can get that far.

Now, what I was asking about doing was also generating, say a bass track, and maybe some drums. I have this keyboard that I have managed to connect and get to talk to the computer, but I can't figure out how to get the right sounds when I want them.

I also have used Band in a Box and have had limited success in making it work - I find it pretty complex and am now looking at Jammer, as I'm told it's easier...

I also am hoping to learn here.... about other way to do what I'm trying to do. Loops? Synths? I don't know.

I'm a fairly decent guitarist and vocalist, just trying to fill out my recordings with some backing....
 
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