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BACKING TRACKS for LIVE PERFORMANCES - COMPLETE Step by Step Guide

Scott Uhl

539,036 views

In today's video, I'm going over a complete step-by-step guide for creating and running backing tracks for your live performances. This is the actual method that I use when making backing tracks for my bands that I perform in. I've done over 200 backing tracks with this method. I also go into detail about why I do things the way that I do and give you options for what might work better for your band. Enjoy my longest video I've ever made so far :)

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0:00 - Intro
1:57 - Need help?
2:23 - Getting Started
3:34 - Downloading Stems
6:09 - Guitar Stems
7:23 - Piano/Violin/Solos
7:59 - Tempo
8:18 - Importing into DAW
9:10 - Panning
10:10 - Splitter Cable
11:28 - Mono v Stereo
12:47 - Click Track Setup
15:48 - Backing Track Setup
18:43 - Editing Tracks
19:10 - Lining Up to Measures
19:35 - Intro Click
20:07 - Mixing Tracks
21:35 - Pitch Reference
22:53 - Cues for Structure
23:20 - How Many Cues?
24:17 - My Cue Philosophy
26:48 - Cue Examples
27:09 - Lead Vox for References
28:40 - Keep Cues Rhythmic
29:17 - Don’t Talk Over Vocals
30:11 - Recording Cues
31:11 - Count In Cues
32:06 - Pickup or Slow Count In
33:07 - Cleaning Up Audio
34:22 - Lyric Cues
36:27 - Exporting
38:20 - Some Options
39:05 - Failsafe Backing Tracks
40:50 - Importing to Ipad
41:48 - Gear Connections
42:50 - Saving Money on IEMs
43:15 - Final Tips
44:39 - Outro

🎵 DOWNLOAD BACKING TRACKS FOR $3 A SONG: 🎵
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◆ Karaoke Version: https://www.karaoke-version.com/?aff=...
This is where I get my backing tracks from for $3 a song. Also, using that link is a free way to support the channel at no extra cost to you, so I would appreciate it if you found the video helpful :)

⚙️ GEAR MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO ⚙️
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🎥 OTHER VIDEOS TO WATCH 🎥
●▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬●
◆ Backing Tracks/Laptop Video Series: Backing Tracks Tutorials
◆ Why I'm Pro-Backing Tracks: Why I'm PRO BACKING TRACKS/LAPTOPS Live fo...
◆ Multi Tracker App: Live BACKING TRACKS App - Multitracker Ove...
◆ 10 Tips/Tricks If You Use Backing Tracks: 10 TIPS/TRICKS If You Use BACKING TRACKS Live
◆ MIDI Programming Explained: MIDI Programming & Commands Explained - Ho...
◆ How to Program MIDI For Your Gear: How To Use MIDI to control Helix & other M...
◆ Beginners Guide to IEMs: Beginners Guide to In Ear Monitors
◆ Running Your Own IEMs: How to Run Your Own In Ear Monitors - A Co...
◆ Best Cheap IEM System: Affordable Wireless In Ear Monitor System ...
◆ Get 2 Separate Mixes from one IEM Transmitter: How to send TWO Separate IEM Mixes from ON...
◆ 10 Cheap Items for an IEM Rack: 10 CHEAP Items For Your IN EAR MONITOR Rac...
◆ Best Headphone Amplifiers For Wired IEM System: Behringer P2 & Donner EM1 - Compact Person...

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20 Comments

@nickprinsloo5648 2 years ago

Dude. I’ve been plying in bands for 30 years and you’re the first person who has ever helped me understand how to use backing tracks. This video may be long but it’s worth every second. Loads of gratitude for this.

@terryconnell 3 years ago

To the point, detail packed 45 minute video went by in what seemed like 10 minutes. Wish more people did vids like Scott Uhl. No fluff -- just the valuable detail. BAM!

@matthewhoward4284 3 years ago

I'm a music minister. I've been spoiled with an M32 stereo bus IEM mix for a while now. While a panned stereo track can be an efficient and necessary decision due to budget and technology, for anyone who can do it, I'd recommend outputting different instruments and resources to individual channels and using Logic as one would use Ableton. In my humble opinion, Logic's ability for routing and processing is just as powerful as Ableton's abilities, if not more so.

Keeping a DAW running during a set allows project parameters and settings to change in real-time, as well as communicate with your rig in real time via MIDI changes. For example, if you brought the tracks for your entire setlist into a single project, you could automate everything from Click Track Tempo Changes, to manipulating live effects via plug-in strips, to sending MIDI cues from your DAW to your MIDI capable pedalboard or hardware synth, notwithstanding being able to run a guitar or instrument through a suite of wet or dry effects (or both) all from the convenience of an Audio Interface and a handy laptop.

And believe it or not, the entry level price to a rig like that would be as simple as an Apple MacMini, Logic Pro (Or GarageBand!), and audio interface, and an instrument of one's choice (Including cables and picks I suppose). Bonus points if you drop the 100-150 for a Neural Plugin, and you've got studio quality guitar tone in a single 4U or less rack unit. You could build something like this for a $1000~, depending on how deep into it you want to go.

Maybe I'm just a nerd, but I personally appreciate the extra control over the different aspects of the mix by using a multi-output setup. I understand though if you've got 40 songs in a night and you've got to export tracks for every one of them how tempting it'd be to just stereo pan. That sounds like work you should be paid for.

I really think the gem of this video is the efficiency of those Logic Pro hot-keys. I am forever in your debt for the MIDI selection hotkeys. Great job all round.

@jr_oantonio 3 years ago

As someone who played on a lot of "yeah, we´ll figure it out on the spot" kind of bands (who rarely did figure it out and contributed imensely to my stage fright), this video is a masterclass of profesionalism. Thanks.

@petebyron1957 3 years ago

After the bass player quit while we were on the road, I got home and started programing midi files back in 98, and was never more busier playing guitar and singing at all sorts of venues up until 2010, doing a 1 man band.

@jacobsmithjr 2 years ago

Karaoke backing track site ROCKS! Been using it for years.

@chucksaeger7500 3 years ago

This is the greatest tutorial I've ever seen! If this doesn't get you going with backing tracks, nothing will. Can't wait to see some more of Scotts' videos.

@jullezs 2 days ago

Thanks Scott. This video has been a life-saver, or at least better than the analgesic me and my friend were about to rely on when preparing a backing track for our little gig tonight. We were overthinking it way too much. Very clear and great step-by-step instructions. Keep up the good work!

@RamonMariaGallart 2 years ago

I just created my first backing track... This is... GOLD!!!! Thank you so much for sharing!

@erniedouglas7757 3 years ago

Scott, I don’t know what to say that hasn’t been said in these comments already but I will say thank you! The effort put into this(and all of your videos for that matter) is amazing. You are so generous with your knowledge and we really appreciate it.

@rgp568 2 years ago

Nailed it again! So helpful, thanks so much.

@KellyWalsh-r7d 3 weeks ago

You are the man bro. Thanks for putting all these educational videos up!

@mit1346 2 years ago

Just realized I was a bad musician... So much to learn with digital. Used to just set up sing and press record . Now I'm in this Fuckin rabbit hole

@Phill_Ashley 2 years ago

I’ve been using backing tracks for years. Your advice about cues blew my mind.

@VinceAlanDave 1 year ago

Despite the fact that you obviously hate bass players 😅 this is by far the best tutorial ever. It’s the mother of all tutorials!

@jdplaysmusic 4 months ago

This is seriously the best channel on YouTube. Thank you so much for taking the time, Scott. This was outstanding. 🤘🤘🤘

@DoubleSlashCJ 3 years ago

Kareoke Version is a god send. Been using it for years and its so much easier than my old method or re-recording all the stems myself.

@Bsnair 2 weeks ago

Really helpful stuff in this video thank you! 🤘🎶

@twoshedsjackson6478 2 years ago

Thanks Scott, I'm another old timer. I used to use backing tracks 33 YEARS ago using Cubase Midi tracks on a portable Yamaha floppy disk drive (MDF2) through a Yamaha tone -generator(CBX T3). I'm thinking about going back on the road and this video (and others on your channel) was just what I needed to bring me up to date with the latest technology and methods.