What do you use for playing Backing Tracks?

[JimTidmarsh]

I don't recall if this subject has been covered before, apologies if it has!

When doing my solo gigs, I currently use a Sony mini-disc player for my Backing Tracks. I always record them to MD, editing out any 'count-in' (there are exceptions, of course - Peace Pipe & TFYL come to mind) and putting them into 'sets', very often segued together.

Looking to the future, and thinking about Sony's decision to abandon MD technology, I'm considering replacing the mini-disc player with either a lap-top, chrome/note-book or tablet. I can still edit out the 'count-in's' by using Audacity or something similar.

I would like to know other people's opinions and usage of the options I am considering - or even another option I hadn't thought about. Also, do you use I-tunes, Windows Media Player or something else to play the tracks?

Thanks in advance,

[Alan Prudhoe]

I've successfully used a Twin Deck DJ CD Player with the Set List transferred to normal CD's.
Fits into a normal rack case and along with your processor.

[ShadsBass]

Dual SD Card Player. Specifically American Audio SDJ1

Eric

[Stratpicker]

Warwick Shads Club has recently moved away from BTs on CD to Ipad.
Works a treat.
I suggest you give WSC a PM, maybe Jason can give you all the details.
cheers
ian

[JimN]

I'll second either an iPad or a PC netbook, playing the material through iTunes in either case.

You need something with a long battery life (several hours) because of the fact that many laptops/netbooks output a mains hum through the audio out when they're connected to the mains, but not when they're operating from the battery. This doesn't happen with Apple products (whether laptop or iPad), but Apple Mac laptops ae expensive for what they are.

But iTunes, definitely, playing your tracks on the AAC format. You can find anything in an instant with the search facility.

At SMSE, we used to use CDs, then we moved to iPods (two of them, so we could line the next track up on the "other" iPod), but we later swapped to a Windows PC (which buzzed when connected to the mains), then an Apple MacBook (but the HD failed), then on to an Acer netbook with seven hour battery life.

[noelford]

I compile my BTs into playlists in iTunes and then sync my playlists from computer to my iPad. I use JamUp Pro as my guitar processing, effects and BT playing app, but there are a number of stand-alone apps that handle playing single tracks from playlists, such as One Track Mind.

[apache]

Hi Jim
For about 5 years I have been using itunes on a Mac laptop. (Just purchased a new Macbook Pro)
Never had any problems and it is easy to setup play lists before or during a gig. It's very flexible.
Searching the whole library is so quick. Just a tap on the space bar at the end of a number and then space bar again to resume and play the next number.
You can run Itunes on a windows PC but I am not sure if the facilities are the same. (I think they are)
Itunes downlaod is free so if you have a laptop give it a try.
I also use a mini disk player but that is for any singers that come to my gigs with their own disks.
Hope this helps.
All the best
Harry

[ecca]

Laptop-Winamp.
No problems.

[Alan Prudhoe]

I can really recommend Setlist Helper for anyone using Android.
I currently have about 600 songs in the Song Catalog and have used it on the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 for many shows of 2 hrs or more.It has always performed faultlessly.
Simply choose the tracks from your Song Catalog for the Set List - and you can use it as an auto-prompt for the patter between songs.
There is also a facility to include a backing track.

IIRC It cost under £1.

http://www.setlisthelper.com/SetList

[Garystrat]

Hi Jim

Further to Ian's reply, the great guys at Warwick Shadows Club introduced me to an Apple iPad App called "Stage Traxx" which they kindly demonstrated for me. It seems ideal for the task and at some point I think we will go this down this route at South West Shadows Club.

For club use the only downside is that one will probably also need a CD player for people who turn up with new B/T on the day, otherwise it is highly portable and Stage Traxx can pre-cue the next number. It also has features to prevent the number playing from being accidentally interrupted and can also provide a cue board for lyrics, below is a video demo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4Sm5HdQRUg

Hope this helps.

Gary