Backing tracks for dummies

[Bruce W. Roberts]

Didn't know exactly where to post this. Fairly new on this site.

I am looking for a backing track program. BIAB seems a bit complicated for someone like me. Is this the go-to program that everyone here uses?

I need to be able to download a backing track to a CD or stick so I can take it to church and play songs with it. That is my main goal as well as use these for practice.

So it is two-fold. Need to be able to download to plug into a sound system at church PLUS use at home to practice.

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

[Erv Niehaus]

I think Band In A Box is the way to go, that's what I use.
Erv

[Bruce W. Roberts]

I am looking for backing tracks already made where I can follow along for practice. BIAB does not have that, or at least that is what the associate is saying.

I do not want to make tracks. I am looking for an online system that already has them. I know www.karaoke-version.com has them, but they are limited on gospel songs.

[Bill McCloskey]

Most tunes I've searched for have BIAB tracks. This is a good source for jazz tunes http://bob.bmcadvies.com/biab/Bob/

If you google the name of your tune and add BIAB to the search, I've yet to not find the tune I'm looking for.

[Harry Dove]

Making a track with BIAB is as simple as selecting the number of measures, typing in the chords, choosing the style you want, adding an intro, and deciding how you want it to end. You can make the process as simple or as hard as you want. If you use real tracks, these are real instruments playing the song. Never in history have we had what is available to us now, in our own home. I sure wish I could have had this when I was a kid. Spend some time with BIAB. You'll like it.

[Bill Sinclair]

If I played pedal steel I would definitely give one of Erv's gospel tune packages a try. Each one has twelve songs that he's tabbed out AND included backing tracks.

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=96943

[Erv Niehaus]

Bill,
Bless your heart!
Erv

[Roger Crawford]

Is there a more realistic sounding program than BIAB? Is the latest release of BIAB better sounding than the 2008 version I’m currently using? I love the simplicity of creating tracks in BIAB, but would like to have them sound a little better.

[Erv Niehaus]

Roger,
There's BIAB's "Real Band".
Erv

[Harry Dove]

Since the 2008 version they now have real tracks which are real instruments playing not midi. I think that started with the 2012 version but has grown a lot since then. If there was a way to attach a sound file here I would give you some examples. I'm running the 2017 version. If you play other instruments you can also create your own templates which BIAB will use to create tracks. Since they use guys like Brent Mason on guitar, etc. it's pretty hard to beat what is already available. Whenever I upgrade I get all the real tracks they offer. In addition Real Band (which is included)will allow you to put your own instrument, steel, etc., on tracks and have much more control over the existing tracks, to create a finished file with all the parts, but it also becomes more complex.

[Luke Sullivan]

Have you considered these excellent tracks with real musicians from Mike Headrick? https://www.mikeheadrick.com/tracks Also, Zane King has some real good ones.

[Jim Fogle]

One of the reasons so many people like Band-in-a-Box is you can easily shift tempos, keys and even time signatures should you want the flexibility.

Some sites that sell backing tracks offer almost as much customization. The difficulty comes in searching and finding specific songs. Some of the links below go to songs, some of the links to the site storefront. I link to a song so you can get a feel how a song can be customized. You will need to click on a site header to go to the site storefront.

https://www.karaoke-version.com/customb ... estra.html

https://backingtrackmp3x.com/minusovka/ ... _away.html

http://www.mansionmusiconline.com/product_p/cc7001.htm

https://www.successfulsinging.com/backi ... ng-tracks/ Great Briton site. Prices are in pounds. I'm thinking the checkout cart will have a way to provide price in US dollars. I'd put a song in the cart and go through the checkout process until credit card information is needed to test it.

https://www.asiacornerstone.com/alphaa.html

Also it may be worth your time to speak to your local Librarian. My library card includes a subscription to an online music file download service, Freegal. https://freegalmusic.com/home Freegal has the Sony music catalog which includes more than one backing track supplier.