If you perform with background tracks what amp do you use?

Dom Franco · Post by **Dom Franco** » 17 Aug 2010 10:04 pm

My background tracks are in stereo, and they sound great in my studio, but when performing live the amp and speaker combinations lose some of the sound quality.
What do you use for a playback system?

Small or large room? Amp recommendations?
Outdoors?

I have used a PA system that sounded good, but that's a lot to set up for a solo gig...
Dom

Andrew Roblin · Post by **Andrew Roblin** » 18 Aug 2010 2:44 am

Hi, Dom--

I run my tracks in mono--along with my vocals, banjo, guitar, hammered dulcimer etc--through a Yamaha MS400 powered speaker. It has a 15-inch bass speaker and a small tweeter powered by a 300-watt amp and a 100-watt amp respectively. It really sounds fine. This has been my working rig for about 5 years. For outdoor gigs, I usually use two MS400s though I can get by with one if the audience is small.

I haven't performed on PSG, but I practice playing it through the MS400 and love the sound.

Andrew

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 18 Aug 2010 7:16 am

I play my backup tracks through a rack setup very similiar to a guitar rack including two speaker cabinets with 15" speakers. Sounds very professional.

Rich Hlaves · Post by **Rich Hlaves** » 18 Aug 2010 12:02 pm

I bring a small keyboard amp for the backiing tracks if I'm not hauling PA gear.

Ford Cole · Post by **Ford Cole** » 18 Aug 2010 12:11 pm

The GD Walker has RCA type line inputs in the back of the combo amp. I assume the Walker pre has the same. There is separate gain control on the front panel. Haven't tried this setup, but have heard it works very well.

Ken Metcalf · Post by **Ken Metcalf** » 19 Aug 2010 6:32 am

Small P.A.

Ellis Miller · Post by **Ellis Miller** » 22 Aug 2010 5:53 am

Ken Metcalf wrote:Small P.A.

I agree with Ken. You need a full range amp/speaker system. You can buy small portable PA systems that will do the job and would not be any harder to carry around than a mid sized amp.

Ken Metcalf · Post by **Ken Metcalf** » 22 Aug 2010 6:09 am

I HAVE A MACKIE BOARD WITH JBL 15 INCH SPEAKERS.
LAST YEAR I UPGRADED MY MONITORS TO SOME JBL W/ 12 INCH SPEAKERS.
I SWEAR THOSE MONITORS SOUND BETTER THAN THE MAINS.
I CAN USE IT AND IT IS VERY COMPACT
I USE BAND IN A BOX.

Bill Connet · Post by **Bill Connet** » 22 Aug 2010 6:46 am

I'm starting to work with my Ultrasound amp, which has vocal, instrument, and RCA inputs for a CD player. I have made WAV. files from Band in a Box. I should be able to balance them out. I am also concerned about lugging gear around, so I'll see how this works for gigs in September.