Playing LIVE With Backing Tracks?

[Greywolf]

One of the reasons I forbid outboard gear at Open Mic is the logistics . As a lifelong engineer, I always try to have the least points of failure. Murphy's law is ever present , and with only 10 minutes to get Artists up, sound checked, and off that's a tight fit even with a plug and play , as most folk play 4-5 minute songs . Everyone wants more stage time .. this is the best solution for our venue.

As our Open Mic serves as a running audition, and the booking agent and the owner absolutely will not book an artist that uses a backing track ,..I could say go ahead but you just ensured your failure to get booked .. or just say .. not here.

Loopers are cool if folks have them wired and if I know the artist I'll allow it. Any other toys are saved for the end of night jam
You can't always get what you want..but sometimes..

 

[Moondog Wily]

One of the reasons I forbid outboard gear at Open Mic is the logistics . As a lifelong engineer, I always try to have the least points of failure. Murphy's law is ever present , and with only 10 minutes to get Artists up, sound checked, and off that's a tight fit even with a plug and play , as most folk play 4-5 minute songs . Everyone wants more stage time .. this is the best solution for our venue.

As our Open Mic serves as a running audition, and the booking agent and the owner absolutely will not book an artist that uses a backing track ,..I could say go ahead but you just ensured your failure to get booked .. or just say .. not here.

Loopers are cool if folks have them wired and if I know the artist I'll allow it. Any other toys are saved for the end of night jam
You can't always get what you want..but sometimes..

I totally get it on the logistics. One of the reasons I don't go to my local open mic more often is, I want "my sound". That includes my Axe FX unit, my Avalon mic preamp, my ribbon mic (though I am fine with a SM58 especially live where the ribbon ain't gonna work) and my cajon with kick pedal. I do not, and have no intention of, using a looper or backing tracks, ever (though I may one day incorporate a pedal to insert quotes I have used in various songs from sources I can not duplicate). Setting all of that stuff up at an open mic is not workable for me or that venue. I have gone down and played with other musicians with just a guitar, and just plugged my guitar directly into the board (via DI box), and I did well by my standards. But I have spent a lot of time building my songs to sound their best using my equipment, and I very much prefer that when I perform my songs, so I don't go more than once or twice a year. They did let me open the "open mic" night once where I took all my equipment and set everything up as the first performer, then quickly tore it all down and got off the stage within a couple of minutes, but I felt it was too much work for a 3 song performance!

I would never doubt your (Greywolf) process here and understand why you are doing what you are doing! I will be preaching in the liner notes of my soon to be released album on the concept of minimalist music production ;~)) Interesting how this thread popped up after I had already baked that cake!!

 

[DreamTheaterRules]

While I can certainly empathize with the sonic crutch, it comes down to what works for that venue.

While I agree with your ending, I don't agree with calling it a "sonic crutch." I get that it COULD BE a crutch, but I also get that it could be the only way to pull off something that works for you. My daughter and I have played a few times when she sang and I played acoustic. It was far better when we played along with the tracks where I laid some basic drum tracks and bass down. And in one case, played a rhythm track through the solo section so I could take an actual solo. When we played the same exact songs without the track, I was forced to anchor the song by playing rhythm parts and whatever little fills I could throw in. But it sounded sparce compared to when we did them with the track.

I didn't consider it a "sonic crutch" but a way to perform with two people and sound like a legit full band. I would MUCH rather have had a good drummer and bass player and done it that way, but that wasn't going to happen. This is why I said "do whatever works for you."

 

[Greywolf]

Open Mic's are a place to hear others talents and see who makes the cut not only for bookings but for other engagements.
We have had more than a few duets form as a result of bumping into each other .

I'll admit I'd rather have a backing band /track for some work than to go solo . While I run the show, I don't define the objective.
Every venue has a different goal and aesthetic. Ours is a rolling audition for Friday night Acoustic Singer Songwriters, for us the unfettered talent is what we are after .

Currently there are 14 open mic's in town , they vary widely on what they accept and how long you play as well as how much you pay
One has a $20 fee, they do have a full backing band. Some are pure acoustic , one song only . You have to hunt a bit to find the right place .. good luck in that adventure and your experiences.

 

[Greywolf]

For the record .. I certainly don't mean to offend anyone.. just my 2 cents from the other side.

If I had to do a solo gig all night I'd be begging for a backing track ... unless I was playing acoustic .

While sonic crutch may seem harsh, as someone who has broken 32 bones I always view crutches as a good thing.. it was that or be immobile. IF playing without it limits your music freedom .. then find an accepting venue and ROCK on .

There are a LOT of beach performers in the South coastal areas that are solo's with a backing track and they gig all summer to packed houses .. so it isn't a bad thing .. it just depends on the venue and demographics.



What a lot of performers fail to realize rule #1 ... As much as we all love it .. when you are onstage ( or in the studio being paid)

It's a Business . Even after 6 decades in various parts of the process , I was never involved in the Owners side.

I found out one night that I wasn't allowed to sit in because it violated the Artists contract .. they didn't all know , and were apologetic .. but the agent wasn't ...Oh no .. you can't do that .. it's not allowed!

The last 15 months have been quite an eye opener. No matter the Talent .. if it doesn't make the patrons happy and buying ..it ain't flying.

I've seen some incredible talent lose gigs because they don't read the crowd , understand the venue or staff.
IF all are in harmony the Magic is there for all to groove.

 

[bodia]

We've seen Doug Doppler do so, and it was great.

Refresh my memory. I can't remember who we saw him with