How Bands Use Backing Tracks Without ANYONE Noticing

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The bands that use backing tracks the best are the ones that do it without anyone noticing. But how do they do it?

Context is everything. EDM, cover bands, acoustic bands — all different types of bands use tracks. But they don’t all put the same stuff in the tracks because, well, it would be ludicrous for an 808 drop to happen in an acoustic set (or would it be awesome, actually?).

Watch for some tips to think through your context and examples of potential types of sounds to put in your tracks.

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00:00- Bands that use tracks effectively master it in a way that it’s not noticeable
00:20- Introduction
00:31- Six examples of types of sounds that can be used in tracks
01:01- Context is everything when it comes to using tracks
02:28- The artists on stage are likely singing and not faking it
03:00- Six potential ideas of things to put into tracks that are not tracks
03:16- Good production is not seen, it’s felt
04:20- Click and Guide
05:50- Enhance Thematic Moments
08:11- Sound Effects
09:49- Voice Overs
13:22- Enhance instruments on stage
15:33- AUX Sounds (Pads, BGVs)
18:31- Using tracks to enhance a live performance without sounding manufactured
18:56- How to stay up to date with new content
19:13- Wrap Up!

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22 thoughts on “How Bands Use Backing Tracks Without ANYONE Noticing”

  1. Thank you very much for making this content vídeos!

    I have a few questions if you don't mind.

    01 – I heard on more than one occasion that you recommend that for redundant systems one should have 2 exactly same computers, so my question would be… what kind of problem can occur if I have, for example, a macbook pro as the main computer and a mac mini as slave having both of them slightly different specs?

    02 – Usually, what I saw during your redundant equipment interviews is that the people in charge of them usually use Macbook Pro and not Mac Mini, is there a particular reason for that?

    Thank you very much and i hope you keep growing!

    Reply

  5. I’ve used backing tracks in 4-piece bands, ie L-Vox, Gtr, Bass & Drums starting around 1987. The only individuals that I’ve encountered that noticed the tracks were other musicians and we covered a wide variety of music.

    Reply

  8. We've been using clicks with tracks for the past 4 years. At first, it can be weird, but most of the time, it disappears into the mix, and you're just vibing with your other band mates. We went this direction because I personally, as the guitar player, wanted more of our production elements from the recordings in our live show, but our Drummer wanted it for lights. I would say that both have heightened the experience and feeling we are trying to emote in our live set. We have keys and synths, but we also do some enhancing, like big over the top drum hits. Basically most of what you've hit on this video we've utilized and we always get compliments on how professional we sound.

    Your videos have helped a lot with a technical aspect here recently

    Reply

  9. The question about tracks is even broader than that. I play with a home built synth furniture setup. Sometimes the computer is playing samples, sometimes a whole track.

    And that’s the thing. A “sample” can be a sound bite, fart sound effect, or “the entire band playing the second verse”. 🤣

    Some of my Scenes in Session View are several instruments and clips, some are just a single sample that is the entire backing track!!

    Reply

  10. Performing music with a full backing track in front of 5 people makes you more authentic of a musician than watching 500 videos about how to “not be fake” and fantasizing about how pure you are for not using backing tracks during your imaginary concerts. 😛

    Reply

  11. When I was touring several years ago, we used some backing tracks. A little bit of shaker and tambourine or some percussive elements that weren't "loud", just enough to create openness and movement. There were some tiny bits of key pads, pedal steel, and minimal loops. It was all done in really good taste. It all came together to create dynamics and emotion. The rest was played live, drums, bass, lead and rhythm guitar and vocals. Bgv's were live. It all sounded massive, especially when you have a great FOH guy like we had which was also our TM.

    Reply

  14. Thanks so much for that. Its something I've been thinking about doing so will check your website. Im working with piano and vocals but would like to use the backing track of the songs produced on stage. Not sure how to do it yet 😊

    Reply

  18. my question is how do you know its all seamlessly mixed properly, especially when adding and taking out instruments? In terms of letting a set run through, how do you know each track is leveled with the components it has in it to seamlessly run
    great vid tho

    Reply

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