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Advice/suggestions for the best MP3 player for BIAB playback on gigs...
Currently using a CD/DVD player that works fine, but it's a PITA to create a new CD each time...
Thanks!
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Elocity 7" Android 2.2 device.
Uses a small memory card, I take it out, put my tracks on it. Copy over lead sheets. I admit it's just a crutch, for the wife claims it's too small to read well. But I know the piece I just like to see the chords and melody.
Pop the memory card out, copy a folder, pop it in, the device finds the songs and the player plays them. It's really dead simple.
For me a gig is to make it on the lower level, take it upstairs to the acoustic piano, put it on the music stand, plug it into a desktop bose radio and play along. Works fine.
I think going to gigs is trumped by going to bed by 9 or 10 most nights. Eh bien.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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And I bet an app is coming for android. Like the Ipad app.
And you can put pictures of you kids kids on them and bore the heck out of your friends.
Their eyes glaze over and you can talk about the first time little dough head said tea towel and grin as they suffer. Very useful.
I'm also surprised at how fast it is if you can find an open wireless network. A tad small but ok.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Most of the time, I use my iPad as both a virtual amp rig (AmpKit+) and simultaneous backing track playback.
However, I also have an old 2nd gen 16GB iPod Touch that runs the exact same AmpKit app and can do the playback as well. You can get one of these 16GB models refurbished for about $130 or so, and not only do you have your MP3 playback with lots of storage, but a host of other options for music/games/other apps as well, all for a lot cheaper than the latest iPhone/iPod or droid phone.
Just a suggestion.
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No player for me, I love it raw just as it comes from the laptop.
Later,
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For a brand of 'mp3 player', I have enjoyed my Creative Zen. I got a lot of life out of mine, the screen is crystal clear for videos, the file organization worked like a charm, it connected to every system I tried it on, and it played a lot of different formats.
Just another option. They even have a 'pad' out now, just noticed..
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Quote:
No player for me, I love it raw just as it comes from the laptop.
Later,
Ditto
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Let me ask a 'dumb' question here... do the songs (.sgu/mp3/wav) sound 'better' coming from the laptop into the PA, as opposed to the files being played thru a CD/mp3 player?
Also, on the computer, why do the songs sound so much better via Windows Media Player than thru BIAB or Winamp?
Just trying to get the 'best' sound out of all the hard work I put into my BIAB arrangements...
THANKS!
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I play wav-files from my laptop with VLC media player
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Quote:
Let me ask a 'dumb' question here... do the songs (.sgu/mp3/wav) sound 'better' coming from the laptop into the PA, as opposed to the files being played thru a CD/mp3 player?
Also, on the computer, why do the songs sound so much better via Windows Media Player than thru BIAB or Winamp?
Just trying to get the 'best' sound out of all the hard work I put into my BIAB arrangements...
THANKS!
The quality is dependent on your soundcard. That said each of the softwares may do some alteration of the sound via effects etc. however these should be able to be defeated. MP3 files are not as good as direct from BIAB/RB in wav format.
I use the computer for 8 separate outs to my mixer but that's another story.
All this said if you are comfortable with just an MP3 player then by all means that should be enough and the sound quality will be fine through a PA.I want the words and chords available in case.
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I use laptop computers with a USB to Audio interface. Sounds better to my ears than the sound coming out of the headphone jack. Plus using the computer gets me from song to song much quicker (many few button pushes) than using any mp3 player I've tried. Of course, one way isn't best for everybody, but here is how I make backing tracks and how I use them on stage: http://www.nortonmusic.com/backing_tracks.htmlNotes
Bob "Notes" Norton  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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Quote:
Also, on the computer, why do the songs sound so much better via Windows Media Player than thru BIAB or Winamp?
WMP has a kickass multiband compressor and bass enhancer (aka SRS WOW--View/Enhancements/SRS WOW) that make for some pretty good ear candy.
That's assuming they're on. If not, give them a try. I cannot otherwise explain a difference in sound quality between the two players.
Richard
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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I've used a 40gig iPod touch, about 30 gigs used to include BIAB's real tracks, online fakebooks with original jazz hit mp-3's recorded by the original artists...plus I've stored over 20 great apple apps,including Ireal-books with many Matheny-type touch synths!! With trio accompaniments... For more great sounds and songs! All this played by stereo amps. My iPOD TOUCH is an original 3rd GEN that fits in the shirt pocket! Great APPLE fidelity and so cool.to have all that jazz in the palm of your hand! 
Yamaha...Motif ES-8, Motif Rack, CS6X
Korg...Karma,Triton Classic, PA-80, M-1+
AkaiSampler-S5000, Roland.. X5080 Rack/G-1000 Arranger
Various Guitars/Basses Amps Pedals Rec.Equip.
Plus, BIAB 2015 and Sonar Platinum 2015 Upgrade from Cakewalk's Sonar X-3
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Hi you all
Same problem as dmrodes. Lots of CD's. Boy, it took me a while to figure out what PITA meant... Pita bread ? Hum, guess not... So yeah lots of CD's is getting to be a real PITA.
So the laptop solution sounds good to me. But from what I read, for somebody like me who knows very, very little about audio stuff, it seems to be enormous the amount of material you need.
Bare with me and let's stay basic. For gigs when I'm alone, I have a plain stereo system that can arbor 12 cd's, a stereo amp and 2 speakers that can hold lots of decibels. And I just play my tenor on top of what comes out. That's it.
So, if I have all the music I need on a laptop, can I simply hook an amp to the laptop plus the same 2 speakers to the amp and voilà ! Or am I missing something in between ? Silverstones was talking about "8 separate outs to a mixer" Do I need a mixer ?
Best of all and hope your day is a nice one
Pierre
IMac OSX 10.6.5 / latest BIAB
vista BIAB 2008
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Try connecting your laptop to the system being used, and see how it sounds.
You should be able to run it like that, being careful with the volumes during setup, of course.
Start with the laptop volume down, and slowly turn it up as a song is playing to see where the best volume is.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Quote:
Try connecting your laptop to the system being used, and see how it sounds.
You should be able to run it like that, being careful with the volumes during setup, of course.
Start with the laptop volume down, and slowly turn it up as a song is playing to see where the best volume is.
Thanks rharv
Audio wires plugged in line (in / out) of the laptop. Audio wires (red & white) to the in / out of the system. Guess that's it.
Will try it tomorrow.
Best of all and hope your day is a nice one
Pierre
IMac OSX 10.6.5 / latest BIAB
vista BIAB 2008
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Pierre,
I plug my laptop right into PA system (which is built into a homemade rack on wheels) plus my guitar amp, PA speakers and stands all wheeled in and out on a little wagon. All in one trip, as I push the rack with PA and monitor built in, I also pull the wagon with the rest of the toys. Oh yes, I also have my wardrobe change hanging from the built in mic stand on the PA rack. Setup time and sound check is right at 30 - 45 minutes no rush while "always" chatting with some early arrivals. You see I never play in the same places consecutively, so getting the travel setup and teardown thing to a minimum is a must for me. I am playing 85 or so gigs a year, I am 69 years old and quite honestly I never have liked setting up and tearing down after gigs. So through trial and error I feel I have this part of the job, for me anyway, down to a science. As a reference I have listed below my equipment and how it is transported to and from gigs.
My gig equipment that is built in on rack:
Old Lenovo Laptop (mic in computer bag) - Yamaha 600W PA - Roland Cube Monitor - Digitec Vocalist IV - Mic Stand
My equipment on wagon:
2 12" PA Speakers - Speaker Stands - Vox Tube Guitar Amp - Gibby ES 335 riding on top - Plus bungee chords as needed
I keep all of this equipment in a small 4'x6' covered utility trailer which I tow back and forth to gigs. The only equipment that does not sleep in trailer in between gigs is the guitar and the computer.
I hope this info is helpful as if it is you might want to build you a similar rack to house and carry in your amp or stereo and two speakers. If you like PM me with an email address and I'll send photos.
Later,
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Hey Danny
Thanks ! Don't think I'd need a rack. Not yet at least. But will take the time to read your post in detail (material wise) since I gotta run now. Sixty-nine eh ? Well I've got 18 years to go 'til I get there. Hope I'll still be as able as you. Cheers Danny !
Best of all and hope your day is a nice one
Pierre
IMac OSX 10.6.5 / latest BIAB
vista BIAB 2008
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I have a good friend that does a jazz guitar gig at one of the better restaurants out in Hawaii Kai, and he uses his ipod, through a volume pedal and into a Bose L1. Very nice sound. Plugs his 335 into a Korg Pandora and then into the L1 also. Ipod's a very convenient way to go. He carrys all of his tracks in his breast pocket.
MOre than a few guys here are using iPads. Tracks, charts, whatever. At one gig downtown, the leader bluetooths the charts to the other musicians on their iPads. Can't say if this is the wave of the future, but it seems to be for the young cats.
Last edited by lkmuller; 02/25/11 11:53 AM.
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I really do not have the $ for a laptop for gigs...and I have a binder with my chord charts, so I don't need BIAB for the chords... my SONY DVD player has worked flawlessly, but again, it's a pain to burn a new CD everytime I change/add a song.... thus my MP3 player questions....
For all you IPOD users... do you use mp3s or WAVs for the BIAB tunes?
Does it display the set list, and you simply scroll up/down to select a tune?
What size is needed - 4/8 GB? This would be exclusively for gigs - so roughly 75-100 BIAB songs, and also maybe 50 MP3s to play during our breaks...
Anyone using a SONY?
Thanks...
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