janeenurs Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 I'm just trying to work out if live backing tracks should be prepared differently from the track that is made for release on CD/digitally? There seems to be conflicting advice on this. And I'm struggling with getting a good live sound - so think I need to revisit my backing tracks as they are causing problems in live situation - plus sounding undefined and muddy as far as I know. Does anyone have any views = on the best way to prepare fairly busy backing tracks for live use, alongside live vocals/keys/bass/drums? The backing tracks typically can have layers of atmos/strings/rythm/drum loops/bass. Stereo/mono? Compressed or not? Other fx - or not? Any other tips? Happy to post a link to one of the tracks if that would help. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Simplify and include only what's necessary. The more instruments/sounds in your backing track, the muddier it's going to sound. If possible, use stems, rather than a single mix: it's easier for a live PA engineer to deal with one percussion stem, one synth stem and one piano stem than with a single mix including pre-mixed percussion, synth and piano. Mono. Not compressed. No FX other than what's part of the sound of the instruments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janeenurs Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share Posted July 20, 2015 Thank you! That all sounds great - and really helps me get clear on what to do. It sounds like it'd be best to use a multi output sound card then..? Would you recommend any particular way of routing them to the desk, other than Mainstage? And build each stem as a mono stem? Very much appreciate your advice. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 It sounds like it'd be best to use a multi output sound card then..? Would you recommend any particular way of routing them to the desk I connect the multiple outputs to multi-directors (http://whirlwindusa.com/catalog/black-boxes-effects-and-dis/direct-boxes/multidirector) then run balanced lines from the multi-directors to the PA. And build each stem as a mono stem? Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janeenurs Posted July 24, 2015 Author Share Posted July 24, 2015 Thank you. Will look into this now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janeenurs Posted July 28, 2015 Author Share Posted July 28, 2015 Sorry, another question here - do you have any suggestions for a multi-output sound card from Mac to the multi-director? My current Saffire has only 2 outputs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplets Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 Motu Ultralite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 Motu Ultralite Yup, that's a good one. Look at products from MOTU, Presonus, RME... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janeenurs Posted July 30, 2015 Author Share Posted July 30, 2015 thank you for suggestions - I'm wondering I I can create an aggregate device using the 2 sound cards I've currently got, to afford me 4 outputs (and 2 headphone outputs) - it should just be enough for the amount of outputs I will probably need (for now). It would be using a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and an Apogee Duet Firewire ... I have a feeling I might be setting up problems here though as I've had problems with audio cutting out on Mainstage (which I"m close to having to replace with another live output option - it cut out on my last gig twice) - previously I managed to resolve this by removing (conflicting?) audio information stored on my Mac - at that time the Duet software seemed to be the problem, partly why I've now got a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2... ahh well I will try and see! Since I've installed the updated Mainstage the problem has come back - not sure why now, trying to work this out... or move on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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