Unit with guitar effects and backing tracks?

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mrx

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My band has been using pre-recorded (MIDI, MP3, etc.) backing tracks when a bassist and drummer are not available. I've tried every combination of small effects units, MP3 players, laptops, CD players, etc., but would like to get it all combinied into one unit. Tascam has a new combo CD player/Guitar effect box (CD-GT1), but their track record lately has me looking for another vendor.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
 
Yeah, put a REAL band together, and stop screwing around with lame-o backing tracks. Pre-recorded b&d? Oh pleese. Tell me the name of your band and where you play so I can make sure to advoid it. . .

LIVE MUSIC BY LIVE MUSICIANs!
 
Enjoy where ever it is that you live, because in most parts of the US a "musician wanted" search turns up two kinds of players - "assholes" and "idiots".

Plus we don't have subways where we live, so we're forced to play in paying venues, and those often have size limitations. The addition of some well programmed bass and drums make a perfomance way more entertaining than some jerk in a Hawaiian shirt strumming away on an acoustic.

Of course there's always the option of piling into a van a "touring"...
 
mrx said:
in most parts of the US a "musician wanted" search turns up two kinds of players - "assholes" and "idiots".
Click to expand...

So which are you?

If I want to watch someone trying to kareoke along with a CD, I'll watch "American Idol". My guess is ether you can't get gigs for a REAL band or all the decent musos in your area already know about you.
 
creosote said:
So which are you?
Click to expand...

Depends on the situation. Usually I just sit in judgement.

True, many guys who go that route with a Panasonic Minidisc player are glorified karaoke. I also tried to learn some lessons from Ministry, NIN, Garbage, and others I have seen mix live and Memorex to stunning effect. If you do it right, people don't even realize that it's three people making the noise of five.

In fact, you asked me for an autograph once - said I was an awesome drummer.
 
I attended an Elton John concert where Peter Henschels synth parts were pre-recorded. Apparently he was ill and could not perform. Peters most notable contribution was the synth work in 'Funeral For A Friend'. Point being that backing tracks do serve a purpose and therefore don't make you a bad person if you're compelled to use them. As to your original question, it's a tall order to find an all in one unit that will yield the quality and versatility you're looking for. LOL. :)
 
mrx said:
Depends on the situation. Usually I just sit in judgement.
Click to expand...

Oh, okay, so you're both. One of those guys who THINK they're as good as professional bands,b ut can't get anyone good enogh to work with them. Gotcha. Glad we were able to clear that up.

As for yer autograph, sorry, Im not apt to confusue someone who obviously THINKS they're talented with the truth.

Better luck next time, Mr X-lax.
 
Lambo,

Comparing our little friend here with Eltoh John is a bit of a stretch, I think. He's one of those guys who cna't find anyone good enoguh to play with him on stage, so he's up there playing with himself.
 
If you're into programming the Boss DR770 has drums and some bass sounds.The drum sounds are the best I've heard from a drum machine although I can't speak to the bass sounds.

I think it's perfectly fine to have backing tracks,sure it's not ideal but it is realistic.If the it helps you get the gig it's done it's job.
Still beats a DJ!:rolleyes: :cool:

BTW I used to wear a Hawaiian shirt and strum an acoustic.
 
acidrock said:
If you're into programming the Boss DR770 has drums and some bass sounds.The drum sounds are the best I've heard from a drum machine although I can't speak to the bass sounds.

I think it's perfectly fine to have backing tracks,sure it's not ideal but it is realistic.If the it helps you get the gig it's done it's job.
Still beats a DJ!:rolleyes: :cool:

BTW I used to wear a Hawaiian shirt and strum an acoustic.
Click to expand...

I've looked at the Boss (and the Zoom units that have drum/bass), but they don't have guitar effects, and need to be programmed internally, rather than just transfering tacks from a PC. The Tascam I mentioned at the top of the thread is a cool concept - It's a CD player that has a guitar input, amp sims, effects, and a simple footswitch for switching patches. It would be a perfect solution but early users are already complaining that it often chokes playing burned CD's, which makes it useless.

I'm finding more and more guys adding this stuff to their shows - seems venue owners are demanding a bigger sound from smaller bands. For a full gig it's not a problem, but for stuff like open mic it would be cool to have the tracks and a passable guitar sound in one box. The guy pushing that stuff at Tascam is now at Line6, so maybe they'll do something.


(Sorry about the Hawaiian shirt take - that other squeaky kid got me off topic... ;->)
 
Hey, bdbdbuck!

I was going to post this query on the Fostex board, because the advice there is so good, but didn't want to keep getting "off topic". Oh well, live and learn.

I'm still somewhat amazed that no one has come out with a product like this. Most guys I see using backing either have a bass player, so they just use a beat box, or use what looks to be the same rack mount minidisc player. It's either a Teac or Panasonic and must have a footswitch and be aimed at that market.

I was really hoping the Tascam CD thing would work, but now folks over there are indicating that it often chokes on burned CD's - kind of makes it useless for this application in that case!
 
You might look at the Digitech GNX3. Effects pedal with an 8 track digital recorder built in. Plays back at CD quality, stereo outs you can plug into the PA, all can be controlled by footpedals.

You can record your backing tracks onto it either live (it's got line and mic inputs) or off a Cd or whatever. Only problem is you'll need a bunch of Smartcards to store a gig's worth of backing.

I've used it for gigs in our duo days and it never let me down.
 
Garry -

I hadn't heard of that unit - it looks perfect. Even the first line in the brochure: "Why someone hasn't done this before is anybody's guess..."

Instead of kludging something together, the thing looks designed from the gound up to solve this very problem - incredible.

Thanks!
 
mrx - glad to be of service:)

Just one word of caution - check out how many track minutes of backing you can get with the 128MB SmartCard. I think its 48 at CD quality (there is a compressed alternative but the sound is not good enough) but I'll dig out the manual if you need me to. So you might need two cards, which makes it more expensive and fiddly if you have to swap them during a gig. The problem is worse if you plan to use stereo backing - but most people prefer mono, right?

I'm actually selling mine bacause it's now surplus to requirements, but as I'm in the UK and you are in the States that's not much use to you!

Cheers

Garry
 
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