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#59417 02/07/10 10:46 AM
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Just got the new Digitech Vocalist Live 3 and used it last night on a gig. Wow, what an added treat to the overall sound. Heads were turning. Easy to figure out and use. Must be used judiciously----a little here and there for the best effect. I had the Live 2 and didn't like it. Sold it. But the Live 3 is a definite improvement. If you sing along with BIAB, check it out.

J. Larry #59418 02/07/10 11:14 AM
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what did they change in the live3? Yes, I could go read the specs, But I'm looking for human point of view, not advertising hype.

What do YOU like better?
what actually WORKS more to your liking?

J. Larry #59419 02/07/10 11:15 AM
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Yeah, I do these regular "eclectic" shows where I cover everything from SInatra to Sabbath, and I recently added a TC-Helicon Harmony-G to my live setup. Obviously not the same box, but the same idea.

The "authenticity" factor jumped pretty dramatically, and the audience REALLY noticed. I get comments all the time about how much the harmonies add to the show.

You're right about using it judiciously. I find the most satisfying uses are tasteful and kind of unexpected. Like when I cover "People Get Ready", I'll kick on the harmonizer for just a line or two here and there, and it adds a sweet little taste without overshadowing the more emotional "solo" vocal performance during the rest of the song.

Of course, songs like "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Wheel in the Sky" NEED the harmonies or they just don't sound right.

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The Live 3 is more user friendly for one. It has 10 knobs on the front and 3 switches (for foot operation) that are understandable. The harmony presets are easy to edit and resave. It sounds better than the Live 2 (to me) and doesn't glitch as much. They've added adjustable warmth and compression knobs, pitch correction, EQ, harmony mix, and a humanize feature. It may not be for everyone. But when you're working solo, you continually look for additions or improvements to your sound---at least I do. I'm investigating now the new Roland BA-330 stereo amplifier, since BIAB sounds much better on stereo playback rather than mono, such as through the BOSE setup that I've been using. Wonder if anyone has seen or heard this new Roland?

J. Larry #59421 05/12/10 03:21 AM
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Are you using BIAB in your program (show)? I am a Pop / Jazz Singer I want to use Band In A Box Real Band sounds in my show. I figured I need at least twenty songs to do a one hour show (for banquets and seniors). I will be performing standards/country and moderate pop songs nothing heavy or hard. I don't want to play an instrument I just want to sing. Can you give me any tips. P.S: I have years of experience singing I just can't rely on musicians to work with me and I can't afford them. Thanks.

Gorilla #59422 05/12/10 04:07 AM
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@Gorilla: I think you'd be better off if you would use backing tracks instead of using BiaB on stage. It is much easier to work with, since you don't have to worry about BiaB: you can use MiniDiscs, iPods, a laptop, a flashdrive or whatever. Just press play and go.

Here is a nice site for backingtracks. I get a lot of my tracks from this site. Most of the tracks are good and they are very cheap . They even have backingtracks where you can make the mix yourself! So if you would want to play a guitar-part and sing? Just mute those tracks and off you go!

OK, back on topic: I'm glad you like your new vocal processor, J. Larry. You are indeed spot on with your remarks on using it judiciously! Have fun!

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Mike what kind of player is needed for the backing tracks in that link?


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Mike i had fun last night, i bought a half dozen of the full tracked songs from the site you mentioned, and popped them into RB along side the same song in KAR format, i set the tempo the same imported the audio and muted the midi tracks and let the words and lyrics track play. The results were great. Thanks.


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@Robh: Good to hear you're having fun with them. As you have noticed, all files can be downloaded as high quality MP3's. So any player capable of handling MP3 will do.

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The other thing i like is you can edit the file and redownload, so you could if you wanted download each track separately and mix it yourself and add a track or two.


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Eight String.. ok don't think you can slip that one by without notice. Sinatra to Sabbath? I want to be in that audience. It's like picturing Ozzy singing "Strangers in the Night". Or, better yet, Frank singing "Iron Man". I would love to hear his orchestra wrap around those dive notes as much as I would like to hear the explanation given to Iommi on how to play anything beyond a two finger power chord!! Sorry, it's the result of an overactive imagination!

Back to the topic. I am hearing from the vocalists here that whichever harmonizer you use; to use it judiciously. Why so? I have never worked with one. And I am hoping to wait until the technology rises up a little more before purchasing. Those songs posted here that used harmonizers I discovered, to my ears, that I had two issues. One, the words did not sound clear on the harmonies. The other, it had a little tinny sound that set the vocal blend off. From being groomed into the music business by a successful "Oldies" vocal band, I learned a lot about vocal blending beyond just making sure the pitch was correct. Is it these things that are still not quite there yet? Or, is it another reason why you would not go out and gig as a four part harmony group would for an entire evening?

Thanks,
RickeG

RickeG #59428 05/13/10 01:01 PM
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It's the same as using guitar licks or drum breaks. You could play them constantly throughout a song but that would just make a song sound busy, messy and not interesting. On the other hand, a well placed lick or break on certain point s in a song can make the song more interesting by building up tension and releasing that tension.

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Quote:

It's the same as using guitar licks or drum breaks. You could play them constantly throughout a song but that would just make a song sound busy, messy and not interesting. On the other hand, a well placed lick or break on certain point s in a song can make the song more interesting by building up tension and releasing that tension.




Great analogy Mike, I was going to say just that. I use the Digitec Vocalist 4 (sparingly) for the exact same reasons.

Later,

Danny C. #59430 05/13/10 09:39 PM
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Mike, you suggested utilizing tracks other than BIAB in a live performance situation. Thanks for your advice,but I am wondering what you have against BIAB in performance case scenario. I will be performing standard Jazz tunes of which I believe BIAB handles fairly well. Is your reason due to the functionality of BIAB being played from a computer, disc, iPod etc., or what? Your comments are greatly appreciated. can you elaborate? I will check out the site you mentioned in your message as I am sure you probably have a reason for referencing another site and form. Thanks man. :0)

Gorilla #59431 05/13/10 09:54 PM
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Mike, I listened to a couple of the tracks on the site you suggested. Very nice. This no doubt would be great for throwing a song in here and there. BIAB presents a somewhat live performance if you'd ask me and not so much of a Kareoke style performance. As I stated above, these are great to sprinkle in every now and then. In your original message to me you stated and I quote:

(Gorilla: I think you'd be better off if you would use backing tracks instead of using BIAB on stage. It is much easier to work with, since you don't have to worry about BIAB). Mike, have you attempted to use BIAB tracks on stage? What was your experience?

Last edited by Gorilla; 05/14/10 05:22 AM.
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Quote:



Here is a nice site for backingtracks. I get a lot of my tracks from this site. Most of the tracks are good and they are very cheap . They even have backingtracks where you can make the mix yourself! So if you would want to play a guitar-part and sing? Just mute those tracks and off you go!






Mikesings,

I agree this is a great site. And yes I just have seen that they added multitrack mp3 versions of many tunes. Way cool, if you just have to have that certain cover backing track.

"Karaoke Version invents the custom accompaniment MP3! Get your own audio accompaniment tacks that you can sing and play along with! "


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DrDan #59433 05/15/10 06:05 PM
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Hey, since these songs are Karaoke I guess the copy write infringement scenario does not apply when performing in hotels etc. What is your response?

Gorilla #59434 05/15/10 06:25 PM
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O.k., I am gonna seem real stupid here. Is Real Band the Same as Real Tracks?

Gorilla #59435 05/16/10 05:12 AM
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@Gorilla: I prefer to use ready-made backing tracks (be it self made with BiaB or store bought) on gigs. Though it is true that BiaB gives small changes every time a song is generated, the audience will never notice since you usually don't perform a song more than once on a gig. With the pre-recorded tracks you are much more flexible to make playlists on the fly when you're using a laptop, you don't have to take hardware synths you might want to use. You don't have to wait until a song is generated. Also it is much easier to take an iPod, mididisk or even a cd with all the backing tracks as a back up than having to haul another laptop with you.

So, just for singers who use " fixed songs" I think it is best to take ready-made tracks. If you are playing an instrument (with or without other musicians) then BiaB can be the preferred way to go. With BiaB you are more flexible regarding the key a song is in, the tempo etc. You can even jam with it. Different concept.

Regarding the copyright of the backingtracks on the site I mentioned: You have permission to use the tracks on gigs (rights for the trays are with the site's owners). That's the tracks. For the performance of the songs (rights are with the owner of the actual song) in a public area rights (most often) should be paid. Here in the Netherlands most, if not all, public places (bars, clubs, dancehalls or whatever) have a deal where they pay a certain amount of money to cover all rights regarding playing and performing of music.

RealBand is a DAW: a program capable of recording and editing sound. RealTracks are bits of music played by actual musicians on actual instruments. These bits are processed by BiaB or RB to generate music tracks that follow the chord progressions the user made.

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Mike you stated in a previous message: (@Gorilla: I think you'd be better off if you would use backing tracks instead of using BiaB on stage. It is much easier to work with, since you don't have to worry about BiaB: you can use MiniDiscs, iPods, a laptop, a flashdrive or whatever. Just press play and go.)

Mike, thanks for clarifying this issue. I was under the impression you were against using BIAB in a public situation and chose Karaoke over BIAB. Now I understand you were stating as long as the tracks were pre-recorded and the arrangement fit the vocal singer it is all good. I totally agree. I would not want to sit on a stage and generate a show via BIAB this could be disastrous.

As you stated in your last message: " So, just for singers who use " fixed songs" I think it is best to take ready-made tracks. If you are playing an instrument (with or without other musicians) then BiaB can be the preferred way to go. With BiaB you are more flexible regarding the key a song is in, the tempo etc. You can even jam with it. Different concept.

Thanks again my Netherlands Singing Brother. :0)

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