App for solo-act backing tracks?

puppychumful

Hello Audiobusers,

I’d want to play backing tracks using standard MIDI files, MP3’s, scrolling lyrics, etc. I have an iPad Air2 128 loaded with Sound Canvas iOS, sample-payback apps, synth apps, guitar amp modeling apps, etc.

I’ve quickly looked into:
OnSong (kind’a pricey with all the IAP’s) https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/onsong/id502344938?mt=8
Backing Band Pro https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/backing-band-pro-midi-backing/id1000388055?mt=8

I could also use my PC laptop with Band In The Box, but I'm not sure how well BIAB works for live use. I could get Windows software specific for backing tracks, but I’m not sure what to get as there are so many choices.

Have a great snooze, and I look into responses in the morning,

The Pup

Telefunky

which version of Band in a Box ? with RealTracks/RealDrums or Midi only ?
is the SoundCanvas the only Midi instrument or are there dedidated ones for specific roles ?
Midi is instantaneous in playback, while those 'Real' things should be pre-generated
(in that case it's audio files after all like a regular playback, while Midi would allow to extend/shorten parts live)

cheers, Tom

puppychumful

Hi there Tom,

I have Band-in-a-Box® with RealBand 2016 for Windows http://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.htm and I am giving serious consideration to getting Band In A Box Band Everything PAK Upgrade http://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.packages.every.htm

I do have hardware MIDI instruments including a Korg Kronos X, TC Helicon VL2, Roland GR-55, Roland VG-99, Boss RC-50, Line 6 HD500, Godin Session Tripleplay, two Roland JV1010's, etc.

I've done a solo act before (but not for the last eight years) and it was all hardware at that time except for a PC laptop supplying MIDI files. I figure if I do my single act now, I can shrink things down a lot, as well as make it more spontaneous / interesting / interactive.

I am more of a guitarist / vocalist / guitar-synth guy so I would not want to bring full-sized keys, and I'll need to avoid over-complication, because I have that natural inclination in abundance!

Telefunky

I guess you currently use it with midi - then the 'real audio' way will be somewhat different
my version of 'Everthing Pak' is a bit outdated and I have no idea how those 'Real Combos' work
(it reads like preconfigured band setups, and not individually associated parts)
for studio work it's not a problem, but the audio re-generation of Realtracks is a significant amount of time
(considering a live context)
if you have them (according to your setlist) already generated, then manual selection of song position on stage should word fine... (when it's running and you select another bar to continue)
it avoids all the midi programming, which is quite a bummer with a setup like yours

if you seriously consider the extension, then you're probably ok with it's basic sound
works great with Jazz, Country, traditional Rock etc... modern styles need some tweaking (imho)
but it even allows your very own personal style/RealTracks based on your own audio
in my version it supports ASIO but not dedicated single outs per track
(makes me render the stuff to audio files, a realtime process iirc - it plays the song and writes...)

if BiaB is installed as an auto-start item on a windows box, the remote app on the iPad should be sufficient to control it in live mode - you probably tried that already

you may even consider the Audiophile edition if you plan an extended professional use
the audio on 'Everything' is about 1:10 compressed wma, perfectly ok for live use
but 'audiophile' is uncompressed studio format ...

cheers, Tom

puppychumful

Thank you Tom, I'm now thinking either the Everything Pak or perhaps the cheaper UltraPlusPak. The only difference AFAICT is that the UltraPlus Pak does not have the songs and lessons found in the Everything Pak.

Telefunky

if you don't need tutorials etc then Ultra Plus has identical content

Reuben

For midi files the Sweet Midi Player app is great. Easy to read lyrics, mixer, download midis from icloud, dropbox etc. and you can install your own soundfonts.
There is a nice GM soundfont you can get from here: https://sites.google.com/site/soundfonts4u/

puppychumful

Thanks Reuben I'll check it out!

puppychumful

@Telefunky said:
if you don't need tutorials etc then Ultra Plus has identical content

Obliged Tele!

puppychumful

Well let's see, as far as iOs apps go for live backing tracks and lyrics, it seems that OnSong and Setlist Maker are both reasonably popular and reasonably well supported, with OnSong appearing to have the edge. But there is a newcomer called Backing Band Pro and it's considerably cheaper, but it seems to have no user base or history.

($85.70 Cdn all-in) OnSong https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/onsong/id502344938?mt=8

($58.70 Cdn all-in) Setlist Maker https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/set-list-maker/id410496349?mt=8

($15.67 Cdn all-in) Backing Band Pro https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/backing-band-pro-midi-backing/id1000388055?mt=8

Anybody use any of the three in a live context?

ronaldobc

backing band pro looks interesting for live use. Has anyone here tested the paid version?

Any forecast for release of version 2.0? http://backingband.ckdoo.com/new20.html

Telstar5

@ronaldobc : Yes it does!

ronaldobc

@Telstar5 said:
@ronaldobc : Yes it does!

Backing Band is out App Store :-/

sJacco

@ronaldobc said:
backing band pro looks interesting for live use. Has anyone here tested the paid version?

Any forecast for release of version 2.0? http://backingband.ckdoo.com/new20.html

I have tested live only with a new update the music and lyrics are sepperated and dont come together