"...to make it sound like a live band starting off a song."
I'm afraid many bands start in & on time, particularly if someone counts them in.
There're lots of suggestions of how to make an interesting beginning/intro but few address you question.
The quickest way to get a "live" sense is to allow the drum count in bar to play before the band chimes in or record yourself calling along with those clicks ONE TWO one two three four.
That's what most bands do live.
If you work in a DAW it's no big thing to slice and slide a couple of things around so that one may start a tiny bit early and another a little late for the 1st bar or so if that's what you want to hear but, honestly, most decent bands, amateur or otherwise, either have a count in or they have someone play an intro part for them to cling to.


Last edited by rayc; 03/12/23 12:18 AM.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe