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WARNING! This page is only for the terminally technologically curious!
This is a description of how we use MIDI technology to achieve our great
sounds, and the equipment we use live to make it all happen.
After many years of trying to find a stable lineup with
numerous bass and keyboard players passing through, we decided to improve the odds of arriving at a viable, stable band
and form just a trio, but with bass, drums, keyboards, etc. provided by
means of MIDI tracks. This would make the whole project easier to get
off the ground in terms of (i) fewer personnel leading to fewer
disagreements over musical direction, (ii) total control over the
arrangements and instrumentation on each songs, and (iii) easier
co-ordination of rehearsals, gigs, etc. Another major advantage is
that we can now make full use of instrumentation such as brass and strings.
MIDI and synthesiser technology is now mature enough, and
accessible in terms of cost, to enable bands to play live with backing
tracks that are as credible as they are accurate and musical. The days
of cheesy backing tracks are gone, provided you invest in quality equipment
to make the sounds.
We play all guitar parts live and use a Roland synthesiser to
play pre-recorded MIDI tracks providing the parts for bass, drums,
keyboards, strings and brass.
We prepare all the backing tracks ourselves using my home
studio, sometimes buying and modifying commercially prepared tracks, and
sometimes making our own from scratch with the help of software such as
Band In A Box and
Jammer Pro. This process is important - and lengthy - not least
because we want to be playing all our 'own' music at gigs, not someone
else's. It's also important because (i) arrangements need changing to
suit live playing situations, e.g. by lengthening songs, and enabling space
for live guitar solos, and (ii) the process brings the band members' ideas
together increasing our feeling of fulfillment as well as ownership of the
final products.
The backing tracks all go through the PA system along with
our vocals, except for the drum parts which are diverted instead to a drum
machine using a dedicated amplifier. This amplifier is at the back of
the lineup in the place traditionally reserved for a live (or even
semi-conscious...) drummer, giving us
a sound source that sounds 'right'. Live guitars are amplified in the
usual way with two amps, L and R, in the 'backline'. A very important
component is a powered subwoofer which enables a completely realistic,
powerful bass guitar sound. Without this all the sounds (except
guitars and drums) would be coming through two PA speaker cabinets and would
just sound like amplified pre-recorded music instead of a live performance
with sounds from slightly different sources. Balancing of the various
components was a bit tricky at first but we've now got it down to a fine art
and the whole setup sounds pretty good now.
What are the disadvantages? Well, the main one of
course is that songs, and indeed sets, have to be completely pre-arranged,
with no room for quick signals among band members of "take it round again,
lads!". As for audiences detecting how it's done, well, most are
pretty savvy now when it comes to musical technology and many will have seen
live bands using MIDI tracks, although they might not have been fully aware
of it. However, any drawbacks are far outweighed by the considerable
advantages.
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