Hello there,

I have a question. I'm a choir conductor and I use BIAB to create backtracks for my choirs.

I also use Musescore to create midi files to practise with or create a piano accompaniment.

My question; What would be the easiest playback gear for me?

What I found is de Merish 5.
Is there any one using this and tell the pros and cons?

Any other ideas?

At this moment I use my phone connected via bluetooth to the mixer during concerts and practise sessions. It works good enough but I would like to know the next step. I don't play keyboard or piano. I'm a singer and guitar player.

Kind regards,
AJ

What you're presently using should work fine but ... you may find that cellphone headphone jacks can quickly and suddenly become troublesome.

Rather than wearing out a cellphone headphone jack I would visit flea markets, thrift shops, pawn shops, yard and garage sales and the like to pick up a battery operated media player. Like you, everyone has replaced media players with a cellphone so media players are plentiful and cheap. You may be able to use one you already have hiding in a drawer someplace.

While headphone jacks can also be problematic in media players there are numerous benefits too. Once you have one you likely can constantly leave the audio cable plugged in reducing wear. You don't run down the your cellphone battery. You can use the USB port to transfer files between your computer and the media player. A media player has dedicated transport controls. Most media players likely have enough storage memory to store a the audio files required for a complete performance as Wave files reducing the need to convert each song file from wave to MP3.

Thank you for your reply.

I actually use an old phone as a stand alone player with a powerbank.
The blue-tooth gives me the opportunity to start songs from where I'm standing so I don't use the headphone jack that often.

But I have a look at your suggestion to see if there is something that can help me further.

If you have a CD player connected to you PA in the church, there's always the old standby.... burn a CD with the wave file. Pretty reliable.

The Merish device looks very capable.
But its over $1000 Euro in price


I believe the future of mp3/midi/wav track playback will be apps running on phones and tablets.
The i/o paths (Midi/digital/analog) for these devices is usually more than adequate for most people
I currently use a hardwire from the tablet to the PA rather than bluetooth.
I expect I will use a bluetooth connection for this in the near future. Maybe.

Apps for IOS and Android devices that perform a lot of features cost anywhere from 0 to 25 Euros.
So, you can do some experimenting for not a lot of money.

I currently use Anytune Pro for live gigs. I use the IOS version on both a tablet and a phone.
Besides set creation and playback it also sports bluetooth for control (pedal) via midi.
I use a IK blueboard with midi settings for start/stop playback, next track, previous track, eq on/off.
I connect a cheap expression pedal to the blueboard and have master track volume control also via midi.
It works pretty well.
You can do some configurable arranging with it also. I have not done that
Its spot on worth 20 euro.


I just started with a program called MultiTracker that allows playback and control of individual tracks in an arrangement.
I have some desired functionality I am trying to work out with the developers. This may be a great app for the future.

There are a number of apps specialized for worship also. I have not pursued any of these.

Hope this helps

I think I already made up my mind in buying the Merish 5.

The only thing holding be back (probably not for long) is, it is a very niche product. Also the company is Italian based and doesn't have dealers in the Netherlands (Where I'm from) or hardly any other countries outside of Italy.

However seeing I have a library with 10.000+ karaoke midi files and also have a lot of midi biab styles I think this will be a very fine edition.

I would like to read reviews of other Merish users. Even if it is for an older product and was hoping to find some users on this forum.

Btw As long as I haven't bought it. I still like to find other possibilities and I don't mind thinking outside of the box.

Internet information about Karaoke and MIDI file playback machines is really difficult to discover in my part of the world (southeastern US).

An online store in Australia, +++ Hi-Tech +++ sells two players, the Merish 4 and Okyweb 4. Both units appear to be derivatives of Italian units no longer manufactured. Other than that link, all I've been able to find are manual links.

This is an example of hardware being replaced with software. I was able to find MANY cellphone and computer applications.

ajdvn,

Please think long and hard before you purchase the Merish

The unit you wish to purchase now may address your needs of today.
Over time your needs will change. You will gain skill in your craft and want new capabilities.
You will look to your manufacture to add these new features that others will have.
You may be disappointed. Merish is only 1 company, with limited resources.
Your 1000 euro beauty could well may become a boat anchor.
Trust me, I have many such boat anchors I have collected over the years.

Information on the Merish is not superabundant,via internet search.
This may be an indication of the future of the device.
To me that is a real alarm going off.

I would be hesitant to purchase such a proprietary device without extensively testing the capabilities of software solutions in the IOS/Android/MacOS/Windows OS environments.

These environments are rich with software solutions from hundreds, perhaps thousands of individuals and companies working on delivering this kind of functionality on general purpose computing devices (phones,tablets,Personal computers, watches?) at a fraction of the price.
Computing devices you already own.

I am just a guy on the internet.

But I do want you to be happy.

With a library of 10.000+ karaoke midi files and BIAB styles, you may want to look at an SD/Flash drive player like professional/amateur DJ's use. They are capable of holding your entire collection, most have dual players for both redundancy and cueing. They are very durable and most have sufficient search features and other features you might find to be useful.

Thank you all for your good advice.
I have ordered the Merish 5. Now the long wait starts.

Thanks you for your advice @mrgeeze. I think I made the right decisions.

I hope by thinking outside of the box and seeing different possibilities.

I will keep you all up-to-date.

ajdvn,

So did you finally get it. After some customs issues with the delivery, I should receiving my Merish 5. Just a note after looking through the myriad ways to complete my one man band to many band members, it depended on the venue and the clients requirements, This seems to be the best answer to my needs. I thought of purchasing the Merish 3 system back when that version came out but didn't, held out through the 4 version, it was too loud, I'm talking color (yellow?) anyway now that is out in a non-offensive color Can't wait to set it up. If your interested we can continue this conversation offline.
Let me know.

RicoNJazz

How did you go with the Merish. I have the Merish Plus and was wanting to use it with BIAB. Managed midi getting from Mac to Merish but I think the mapping is very wrong as it sounds terrible. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Tony

Probably late to the game here. But I've owned a Merish 3 since it came out and have used the heck out of it for live gigs.yep it's was expensive! but worth it. No, software will not slowly replace this for what it is intended for. This program handles everything you need for a live performance minus the 2 powered speakers you will need. Nice 7" touch screen along with the ability to plug in an external tv monitor. Built in 2 channel mixer for 2 mics, Midi,Mp3 playback,plug in extra instruments and control they're volume. It has a fade button that softens the sound so you can talk over the currently playing backing track. It holds a bazillion files that i defy you to fill up (64 gig ss drive).

http://soloduogigtalk.libsyn.com/

For those interested the Merish 5 is due to be released November, 2019. A copy of the pdf manual at the websit belowe.

+++ Merish 5 Website +++

+++ Merish 5 Video Overview +++

Hello Everyone

Just joined this forum. I own a Merish 5 and wish to connect with other owners to discuss technical details. Is there anyone within this forum who owns this unit.

Hi, I am new here as well and checking into the Merish 5. I read a review today online that it won't play the midi's I presently have on my floppy discs, when transferred into the Merish. Somebody said they sound terrible. Alot of sequencing went into my files and played them from my Yamaha PSR keyboard to my PA. Was looking for something compact to lug around instead of my keyboard that also could play straight drum beats for non midi songs.
Also, would the Merish have the quarter pin jack to direct line to the same input on my powered mixer. The diagrams appears to be the same quarter pin output. I'm not computer savvy enough to get into software programs, just having some fun with what I am comfortable with at my age and want a compact midi player now. I have to order this overseas from Canada and need some help on the above info before I do. Any suggestions on other similar devices that would work are welcome.
Thank-you

An iPad. Much software and many apps that let you do what you need. Notion for iPadOS is very good and accepts MusicXML 3.0 from MuseScore. Now that Fender has purchased Presonus, Notion for iPadOS has gotten better and the in-app purchases are less expensive.

I load my singer's guide tracks as mp3s into Dropbox.

I find the idea of buying yet another piece of playback gear silly.

+1
I use Anytune Pro on an Ipad or Iphone. I think I paid $5 for it. Bluetooth to my pedalboard and/PA if i like. Incredible feature set.


I just realized that you mentioned midi files. The AnytunePro software I use does not play midi files. That could make it a non-starter for you.

My apologies.