• Zurf
  • Zurf
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  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
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Topic: Backing Tracks

I would like to make backing tracks to learn lead picking and harmonica hooting over.

I can keep time or use a metronome. I can do a strum pattern and do a simple bass line.

What I don't know is how to give a lead in, put in a click track, or how to do multiple tracks that synch.

I use free software.  I am not going to buy any software for this, regardless of whether it's better.  I'll skip it rather than buy recording software.

Is there a way to do this easily?  The Youtube tutorials, especially those that start out with "OK, this is very easy. What you do is....," sound to me like dadadadadadadadadada.

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • From: Western Oregon,US
  • Registered: 2008-07-22
  • Posts: 2,498

Re: Backing Tracks

Brother Zurf,  Are you set on making your own?  Or are you mostly interested in building a "library" of genres to practice with?  There are loads of sources out there where you can get backings for playing along with such as this Chordie-like source: http://www.guitartonemaster.com/

Like Chordie it is a search engine and will hunt them down for you by key, signature, genre etc.  There may be others but I specifically looked for the ones that fit the "free" budget criteria.

You can "roll-your-own" with Audacity fairly easily also if that is what you had in mind.

"what is this quintessence of dust?"  - Shakespeare
  • Zurf
  • Zurf
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Re: Backing Tracks

I want to make them for specific songs I play so that I can try learning some lead licks to throw in on the breaks to make my playing more interesting.

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • TIGLJK
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Re: Backing Tracks

I'll get in on this.    I wanted to use them to just practice strumming along to sings.  I bought a trio which you can record your chords and then it plays back.  That is a great idea if you play like Russell or one of you guys, but for me it was (At least for now ) a wasted investment .   I tried to use audacity but again it was way above my pay grade and patience.   So I just use the record button on my computer and watch stuff on youtube   

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  • From: Nottingham England
  • Registered: 2014-01-13
  • Posts: 621

Re: Backing Tracks

I just had a look at guitartonemaster.com as mentioned by Doug. Haven't had chance to play around with it much yet, but it looks a great site with loads of potential.

Thick as two short planks
  • From: The Land Of Song
  • Registered: 2007-12-10
  • Posts: 5,702

Re: Backing Tracks

Hi Zurf,

I found this thread very interesting as i always do my own backing tracks that allows me to have the exact arrangements i want.

There are a lot of free studios on line, some are easy some not so. Most will give you a click track that won't be on the final mix. Russ is a master of Audacity and I'm sure you only need ask. Your best friend will be a set of earphones as you may experience latency or delay between tracks. Give me a call if i can help

Ask not what Chordie can do for you, but what you can do for Chordie.

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  • Zurf
  • Zurf
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  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
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Re: Backing Tracks

I'll have to check out the Youtube vids again and just try to muscle through.

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • beamer
  • beamer
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  • From: WASHINGTON ST
  • Registered: 2006-07-29
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Re: Backing Tracks

https://www.guitarbackingtrack.com/  or on YT like you said but look for karaoke tracks  and here http://www.guitarvoice.com/backingtracks/

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  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: Backing Tracks

Are you looking to record?  Garageband is fine for simple things like this.   Reaper is free as long as you want to not pay for it. It's fully functional and the only thing that happens is you get a nag screen when it starts.  That will give you a click track,  a fully functional multi-track recording environment, and there is a whole lot of tutorial videos out there.   Best part is they're done by professionals.  The best set is by Kenny Gioia, who did a bunch of engineering work for Marcy Playground.  The dude is a Godsend.

Here's one of the video tutorials he put together on how to record audio.  It goes into great detail on the ways you can punch in and punch out of your recording.  I'd reccomend watching the first four of these, just to get an idea of what the capabilities are, but this one will get you pretty much everything you want.

http://www.reaper.fm/videos.php#iLC1HjLXLd0

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