Playing with Backing Tracks live

[thewilderdaze]

Hello,

I'm a guitarist/singer trying to play live with pre-recorded Backing Tracks. Basically, I have a track for drums and a track for auxiliary (keys, minor sounds) and am trying to figure out the best way / best program to use to create a setlist, drag the pre-recorded tracks in, pre play and play along to them.

I've looked into Logic and Mainstage which seem like the best two options. Unfortunately, both sound like they need a Midi controller rather than simply just pressing play or the space bar.

Planning on using a MacBook to an interface that'll plug in the venues PA.

Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks!

[Music Wolf]

When I was doing this I used stereo backing from an iPad.

Right channel - mono backing mix.
Left channel - count in / cues.

Send to two tracks of the mixer. Backing to FOH & monitors, cues to monitors only.

I used an app called SoundCue http://www.soundcueapp.com/ which displays the tracks as buttons, 25 songs per page / 5 pages. Press button and song plays to end - very simple. iPhone as a backup.

[Mike Stranks]

I'm a PC man so my solution(s) are no good for you...

... but this http://www.theatrecrafts.com/pages/home/topics/sound/sound-playback-software/ may be of use.

(Good to read there that a new version of Multiplay is in the offing! )

[Luke W]

QLab would be worth a look, you'd be able to do the sort of thing you need to do with the free licence, so giving it a try will cost nothing. That is assuming you already have the MacBook!

[MarkPAman]

Absolutely what Luke said. Brilliant piece of software.

Very easy to have your tracks in that, alter them if required and just drag the cues into any order you want.

If you only need L&R output, it would be free, though if you want more, the audio license can be rented by the day for less than the price of a pint, and after so many hires (110% of the up-front price) you get to own it anyway.