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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 147
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 147 |
Like most small churches, mine hasn’t the funds for an ensemble, so when I play it’s my guitar and BIAB.
Over the years I’ve created quite a repertoire of contemporary Christian music backing tracks, usually featuring acoustic guitars, bass, and drums. I play melody (I don’t sing) and improvise on a PRS electric guitar through a Fender amp. The BIAB backing track is on a Surface Pro tablet, fed through an audio interface, to a QSC PA speaker. My “sheet music” is on an iPad Pro. Both tablets sit on a music stand. The congregation is most appreciative and I’ve received no complaints about using a digital “backup band”.
I’d be interested in others’ experiences along these lines, their equipment and what songs they play.
Cheers! -Alastair
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 595
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 595 |
I was in a praise band and then once I retired I became a volunteer for the Salvation Army. I pick up their food donations and provide the praise music for the church. I play guitar and sing on an acoustic guitar through a Boss Acoustic Singer VE8. This is then sent into the Mixing board of the house PA. I use a Ipad with Onsong app for my charts and lyrics. Each song can be loaded with a mp3 file of a backing track if I choose to make one for that particular selection. There are some other backup singers with me but I am the only musician.
BIAB 2026 Ultrapack- Studio One Pro 7 Windows 11, Mac Mini M4 with Logic Pro 11, Melodyne Studio, Luna Pro
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,652
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,652 |
Yes indeed. Using backing tracks transferred out as WAV tracks on whatever device you want to use for playback is the way to go.
I was, for a time, involved in a prison ministry. I actually used my small MP3/wave player to play the tracks. I'd take a few minutes and create a play list for that particular event. When I got there, I'd set up the small PA, plug in and I was ready to go. I also had my acoustic guitar and lyric sheets as needed. The main speaker would also use the PA, which was owned by the church sponsoring the ministry. We'd generally have 8 to 10 people from the church at each of the events.
In your case. you're doing it right. I would however, see if you can find someone who can sing to assist with leading the singing. You don't want to take just anybody.... get someone who fits. I understand that in a small church that may not always be possible.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,315
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,315 |
I direct a 15-piece orchestra for church concerts so that's not relevant, nor is the string players group plus me for regular services. But I'll comment on the equipment for you. When I perform alone in a small venue, I use BIAB for backing. Like Herb mentioned, I use a WAV/MP3 player and my PA. I have used a computer but that's taking too much of a chance. Note Norton has two identical laptops on his gigs in case one fails.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 147
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 147 |
Thanks Guitarhacker.
I actually prefer to play these songs as instrumentals. Our church has a small choir and I occasionally ask one of them to sing a verse or two, but I prefer to fly solo - no rehearsals, no conflicts, complete control. The only downside is that the congregation doesn’t fully understand what the songs are about. So, in the program, when naming the song, I’ll often add a few words of explanation, e.g., “Be Still (For the Presence of the Lord)”.
Cheers! -Alastair
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 147
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 147 |
Thanks Matt.
I drive my BIAB backing tracks from my tablet to keep things simple. (I’m constantly changing them.)
The tablet has crashed only a few times over the years (not in church but at another regular gig) but I enjoy friendly audiences who patiently waited for me to reboot.
Cheers! -Alastair
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
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Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
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Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
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2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49. Browse the full contents of each package and listen to demos here.
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
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Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
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