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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 358
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 358 |
I have a PC but I don't own a laptop. My PC is plugged into an amp & any music I play sounds great. I have "ITunes" installed in my PC with all my MP3 backing tracks. It is a simple procedure to select a particular tune and start it, stop it, start over, select a different tune, etc. etc. I also have a Nano Ipod with the same MP3's loaded. However, my fingers are not so nimble these days, the Ipod is small. I don't gig a lot anymore but I do some. Starting the wrong tune is a pain. Posted a similar question here recently & as a result purchased a DVD player. A good idea. Backing tracks sound super but selecting a track is not easy. My Question is...Could I not pick up an old laptop, install ITunes, load my MP3's, line out to the PA & use that on my gig? My gig is this Friday, so the clock is ticking.
Thanks for your patient reading....Hank
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 163
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 163 |
Yep. That should work. While most are fine, the quality of sound from some laptop's audio-out (headphone)jack is poor, so check it out before hand.
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,513
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,513 |
On the laptop, turn up the volume on that earphone jack as far as you can without it distorting. Then turn up the volume on the PA. This will help you get the best sound from the PA.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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Joined: Sep 2007
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Matt's suggestion is good advice for each gain stage in an audio chain. It gives you maximum punch and less noise from each input.
Note that you may get 60 Hz hum when coming straight out of the headphone jack on your laptop. You can buy a ground loop isolator for $20 to $30 which will safely eliminate this noise entirely. (There is another, cheaper way which carries some risk, so I won't detail it here.)
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Joined: May 2000
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There are mp3 players available that feature LARGE BUTTONS, you would save money and hassles over getting a laptop just for that reason. http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Alarge%20button%20mp3%20player I know one guy who uses an mp3 player designed for Toddlers, simply because the readout screen and the buttons are huge. Looks kinda funny, but it sits on his music stand and the audience can't see the big colorful PlaySchool like "toy" he's using. --Mac
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 99
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 99 |
Look also for good deals on iPads. Some older versions are available for cheap. Bought one for my Mom for $299.00 at Best Buy. In addition to iTunes, there are tons of apps that may give you more flexibility.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
Hank, Laptops are very cheap now, and the onboard sound is quite good on some of them. We use a $400 Toshiba with Win7, using WAV files for our tracks, into the PA, and they sound great. An added advantage is that the laptop can be used for recording as well as performance. Forget ITunes, forget the Ipod. - try this little FREE program. http://mike-warren.net/digitalfakebook/ Simple to use, editable, and did I mention...free?  Regards, Bob
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 358 |
WOW!
Thanks for all the replies
The DVD player, I bought at Walmart, Made by RCA. Cost me $90.00. The biggest problem is I use the BIAB count in for each tune & it doesn't play the first beat, though all the counts are there when I play it in my computer. It would take a while to get used to that. My vocalist would go nuts. It will be going back to Walmart today. Still have 3 days & I will be using one of your suggestions.
That fake book program looks interesting 90 db. Nice to have. Will be down loading that, for sure.
Love this forum & it's helpful members. Thanks....Hank
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 897
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 897 |
Maybe I could hook up the following to my Gateway Laptop with Windows 8.1!?????
Yesterday, I bought Walmart's brand "Hisense 50" SmartTV", this morning I will connect it to a $250 Vizio Sound Strip (Model S3821)for a surround system for the RV "home" studio I have. The Sound Strip comes with a standalone wireless subwoofer. Gonna hook this all up today with the supplied digital audio cable.
I have both a Fender and a /Berringer, both large Keyboard Amps, which I'll hook up too! Something to do during this cold winter "snap"! Today's High, only 46 degrees!
I know...I know...you all are shedding a tear for those poor Seminoles down here...
Whatta game last night between Florida State and Auburn
Last edited by GDaddy; 01/07/14 07:57 AM.
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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Joined: Sep 2007
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Posts: 3,926 |
Go Noles (but only since the Gators were out of it)!
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Joined: Apr 2010
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
"The DVD player, I bought at Walmart, Made by RCA. Cost me $90.00." That DVD player will give you fits on a hollow wooden stage when it starts skipping. Just a head's up (we have a very expensive Tascam CD player in our rack gathering dust).  Regards, Bob
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