How to play 4 separate MP3's simultaneously

  • Thread starter Thread starter Muffin
  • Start date Start date
M

Muffin

New member
I had posted a thread a few days ago but realized I wasn't really asking the right question(atleast not clearly). I'm not sure how to delete that thread so I'll try again.

I'm looking for a way to play 4 separate MP3's or tracks at the same time. I had bought a Focusrite 2i/4o usb interface, however I don't like the idea of hauling a laptop around for our shows(this is to play multiple backing tracks, but I need them all separate).

I'm looking for a unit that could do this, but that I don't need a laptop for. I've been told that a Boss BR-8 is what I need, however I can't seem to find much information about it.

Any suggestions?
 
I don't think the BR-8 has enough outputs, and it's discontinued. Something like the Alesis HD24 would do it, and allow you to use good sounding wave files instead of crappy sounding mp3 files, but it would be a bit more than you really need. Maybe you can find a used Fostex D-108 for cheap.
 
Thanks for your reply. Some buddies of mine had an old ADAT unit that they used, but I'm not sure how it's been working for them, they're a ways away from me.

The HD24 seems like a probability, I want something that I can simply plug into my computer to import the tracks and have them play separately. I was told that the BR-8 would be what I need, but we'll see.

Is the 108 essentially the same as the HD24?
 
The D-108 is an 8-track recorder. There was also a D-160 with 16 tracks. Unlike all-in-one mini studios that often only have stereo output it's just a recorder with 8 inputs and 8 outputs (16 of each on the 160). I haven't used them so I don't know how you would transfer your tracks, but I think it has ADAT Lightpipe I/O, so if you can do Lightpipe from the computer you can copy your tracks over in real time.

The HD24 is a 24-track recorder. It uses an accessory Firewire drive adapter (FirePort) for transferring files to/from the removable drives. It also has Lightpipe if you want to transfer in real time.
 
Yes it's for live. We want something that'll play separate tracks simultaneously but without having to use a laptop.
 
Just curious, would any ADAT device work as long as it has the number of the outputs that I need? Or do all ADAT's have as many outs as they do ins?
 
The Boss is the BR-800, but as said, only has stereo output. The only thing you could do from the unit itself is adjust the sliders for individual track volume adjustment.
 
Why are you against hauling around a laptop?

It sounds like you already have your backing tracks recorded multi-track in a recording software of some kind.

Do different band members need to hear different tracks?

It seems to me you already have all the mixing and control you need in the laptop. If you need the backing tracks to come out stereo you could use the laptops built in (vomit) soundcard to get the mix out.

If you need 4 separate outputs you need the Focusrite 2i/4o to output the tracks to different channels on your live mixing board.

To transfer all this into another platform seems redundant to me.
 
We did use the laptop with a Focusrite interface, however we found the laptop to be unreliable. We were playing a set and we ended up losing our click track half way through some songs etc. It just makes us nervous having that. That's why we want something that we can just plug and play.

Initially we were just doing backing tracks(left) and click track(right) and simply running it off an iPod. It was simple and painless, however we're wanting to add more to our live set
 
Better solution would be to determine why the laptop was unreliable. Background programs running, not enough RAM, etc. You can have issues with ANY hardware. The solution: backup hardware.
 
Well thank-you all for your replies.

The main issue with the laptop may have been the Focusrite unit itself. Whenever we'd plug the unit in, it would blue screen and restart. I'm not too savvy with the computer side of things, so the simpler it is, the better.

I'm interested in trying the Fostex D108 as it seems to be what we need and is affordable.

I'm just curious on how to transfer my files to the hard drive. It was mentioned that it can be transferred via ADAT Lightpipe. I'm just curious, would I need some sort of interface or adaptor, or is it a specific card needed for the computer to make it happen?
 
mjbphotos said:
Better solution would be to determine why the laptop was unreliable. Background programs running, not enough RAM, etc. You can have issues with ANY hardware. The solution: backup hardware.
Click to expand...

Pretty much everything that makes a general purpose computer unreliable is left out of single purpose hard disk recorders. Plus they rack mount and have all the needed controls on the front panel so they're more space efficient. They start up and are ready to record in less time and are all one piece with no USB or Firewire cable to worry about. Hard disk recorders are much more suited to live recording than laptops. The HD24 has 2 drive bays so if you have a rare hard disk failure you can switch to the second drive in less than a minute.
 
Muffin said:
I'm interested in trying the Fostex D108 as it seems to be what we need and is affordable.

I'm just curious on how to transfer my files to the hard drive. It was mentioned that it can be transferred via ADAT Lightpipe. I'm just curious, would I need some sort of interface or adaptor, or is it a specific card needed for the computer to make it happen?
Click to expand...

From what I read it uses SCSI drives, so it may be possible to connect the drive directly to a computer for the transfer. I don't know if the disk format would be recognized by a PC or not.
 
bouldersoundguy said:
Pretty much everything that makes a general purpose computer unreliable is left out of single purpose hard disk recorders. Plus they rack mount and have all the needed controls on the front panel so they're more space efficient. They start up and are ready to record in less time and are all one piece with no USB or Firewire cable to worry about. Hard disk recorders are much more suited to live recording than laptops. The HD24 has 2 drive bays so if you have a rare hard disk failure you can switch to the second drive in less than a minute.
Click to expand...

You may have missed the original question - this OP is looking for a device to PLAY 4 tracks at a time, not record them.
 
mjbphotos said:
You may have missed the original question - this OP is looking for a device to PLAY 4 tracks at a time, not record them.
Click to expand...

The OP specifically asked about non-computer solutions. The advantages of single purpose recorders apply to playback as well as recording.
 
Buy a top of the line laptop at a pawnshop for 300 bucks... And quit being afraid of computers. It';s like a guitar player showing up without extra strings, backup everything to usb and it doesn't matter what computer. Don't be scared to join the 21st century...
 
Last edited:
Auralsects said:
Buy a top of the line laptop at a pawnshop for 300 bucks... And quit being afraid of computers. It';s like a guitar player showing up without extra strings, backup everything to usb and it doesn't matter what computer. Don't be scared to join the 21st century...
Click to expand...

I'm not afraid of computers and I've used them for live recording and live playback of backing tracks, but there are inarguable advantages to purpose built hardware, especially when the user also has to be a musician. Splitting musicians' attention between playing the set and being a technician doesn't encourage the best performance. It's the same for me when I'm mixing and recording at the same time, I do a better job mixing when I don't use up my time and energy dealing with computers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top