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#338061 02/25/16 09:06 AM
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I have noticed several users who say they perfer using mp3's live instead of using BIAB live. One big question how do you find you songs on a mp3 player quickly? I have folks come up and make a request and really don't want to take 2-3 minutes looking for the song.

Last edited by earl kirby; 02/25/16 09:07 AM.

Dell 610 dual Monitor, win 7-10, Sonar Plat, ProTools 10 & 11, Reaper 4, BIAB/real Band 2022, Easy Drummer, Superior Drummer, Kontact Essentials, Personnel Orchestra, Korg Legacy Analog & Digital
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You have to use the right player like a cheap tablet or phone. Both IOS and Android have lots of very nice inexpensive apps that manage your setlists, cue up music files, display sheet music with lyrics, all kinds of neat stuff. If you're going as cheap as possible, you can get a 7" Android tablet for $79 that handles this. iPads are very cool but much more money.

If you're ONLY concerned with cuing up songs and playing Mp3's then your Apple or Android smartphone can do that. New smartphones are just smaller tablets with calling abilities. Once folks start to research this and find out just what a tablet can do they may decide to go for a bigger one like a 10-12". At that size the Androids and iPads are closer in price.

Bob


Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Alphabetical order.

Put, and keep them in order.

Or use a player with a good and easy to use search function.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 02/25/16 11:30 AM.

You can find my music at:
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Add 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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I see a new app niche.

Bar bands leave a device for song requests on a table (that sells said band's T-shirts and CDs just by chance) .. this device allows people to just say 'Play (song name)'.
If there is a match (in the bands repertoire) it shows results and it gets sent to the band onstage. They decide whether/when to play it.

Of course the real reason for this app would be to sell more CDs and T-Shirts (grin)
The crowd thinks its to get their favorite songs played ..

/I also venture to suggest the first title to beta test with is .. Freebird!


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
rharv #338103 02/25/16 03:58 PM
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Great idea. Perhaps they just download an Android or IOS app to their phones and do it. They could send in requests from home before the show and pre-order their merchandise in time for the show!

Last edited by lambada; 02/25/16 04:02 PM.

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If they do it from home they are much less likely to buy ..
But yes, they could download the app if so desired.. just an idea


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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I’ve struggled with Earl’s question, as well. Tried the mp3 route via mp3 players and set lists. Heck, I even go back to the cassette days----playing tracks on that medium. Talk about a trick staying in tune! I’ve decided that despite the hassle of taking a laptop to a gig, having a stand for it, the wires, and all the rest----BIAB still sounds best being played live. Plus, you’ve got your folders with tunes that might be requested. Also, you get the advantage of seeing the chords go by for soloing and the bar lyrics (altho’ way too small) for vocals. For me, it just works better that way. And, with the laptop, I can make quick adjustments for the bass, drums, etc. if any instrument is out of balance. That happens often, despite my best efforts to mix everything at a constant level. Across all the midi and Real Track styles, I’ve found a lot of variance in volume levels. You just can’t set the bass, say, at 90 and expect it to be right for each song.

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First of all, I use a computer. No iPod device is quick enough for me. Too many button pushes between songs.

I use a USB-Audio interface, because the fidelity (audio bandwidth) is better than the headphone jack.

I also keep two up and running. I use ultra-reliable ThinkPads, and since 2002 I've had to switch the USB-Audio adapter to the stand-by computer three times. Each time the audience never knew I had a problem and the show went on. I still have a 2002 ThinkPad up and running as my backup. Cheap insurance - the price of the spare is less than one ruined gig, and a ruined gig is a ruined reputation which means fewer future gigs.

My stage computers have a minimal amount of software on them. No Office software, no Internet software (therefore no need for anti-virus, anti-spyware or firewall applications), no WiFi, no Graphics software, no Photo software, no games, etc., and ONLY the applications necessary to run the computer, the music applications and any other programs I might be required to use on stage. No stutters, no crashes, no conflicts, no problems.

I use Windows Media player for audio, it comes with Windows, it's easy to use and it works.

I set the "View" in Windows File Explorer to "list" and "Arrange By Name"

I open the File Explorer type a few letters of the song I want to play, hit Enter and the song starts playing.

While the song is playing Alt+Tab puts the focus back on File Explorer.

If I have a free hand for a second, I type the first few letters of the next song so it is highlighted.

When the present song finishes I can hit "Enter" and start the next song immediately.

Repeat as needed.

More complete information here:
http://www.nortonmusic.com/backing_tracks.html

Insights and incites by Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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I created a website that resides on my laptop. Each page has a song embedded in it that plays when the page loads. Hit the enter key and the next song takes off. Continue through the show. I haven't done it yet, but I'm thinking of building a master index page that would have all my songs listed in alphabetical order. Find the song in the list, click it and that's it.


Rich

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Interesting ideas. I've been going between a Surface Pro 3 because it is a full PC or just getting a cheap Android tablet. There are Android emulators to run these apps on a PC too. Here are a few I'm looking at:

Set List Maker. This page describes how to link audio files to your charts.

http://www.arlomedia.com/apps/setlistmaker/tutorials/attaching_recordings.html

Fake Book Pro:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skrivarna.fakebook.android&hl=en

IReal Pro:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.massimobiolcati.irealb&hl=en

I have this one on my Moto X phone now and used it on a couple of gigs already. It's great. I haven't gotten into set list management yet but it does that. Not sure about linking the charts to audio tracks but, since it allows you to record your own tracks that tells me it should be possible.

I'm not saying these apps are the best way to do this and these are not all the apps out there either. It's just something to look into.

One more app that's slightly off topic. I use Clear tune to help me tune my piano.

http://appcrawlr.com/android/cleartune-chromatic-tuner

I was on a gig, the bass player saw it on my phone and asked me about it. I opened it up, he tried it out and said it was much better than whatever tuning app he had on his phone.

There is just a ton of cool stuff available for smartphones/tablets.

Bob


Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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I use a 10" tablet android and Mobilesheets pro. It keeps all my cheat sheets and MP3s together. I can call up anything I have in 10 seconds or less. It is really easy to use program. It really helps having the sheet with chord charts and lyrics especially on songs I haven't done in a while. You play the MP3 directly from the chord chart.

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