The Steel Guitar Forum

Ive been a gig'in drummer for 15+ years and have decided to make the switch ot the PSG.Never had to use electronics before. SO.. What is used to create rhythm tracks. I guess this is what im wanting. Music without the steel or vocals. Could someone point me in the right direction on getting the right equipment??..Thanks

Many use the Band in a Box computer program. You can create about anything you want with BIAB.

There are posts about it in the Computer section and in the Recording Section.

Here's the link to the web site. www.pgmusic.com

I greatly appreciate your input Mr.Stoner. I will indeed check this product out.

Rather than reinvent the wheel I search fro midi's that are already posted on the internet. Makes no difference if the steel part is included. I have done this for years and have found excelent midis of many of the old greats--Buck, Merle, George Jones, etc.. that many of us want to play steel to. Most computers now have midi capability included in the sound card. Two free programs that I use, Van Basco's kareokee player, and Sweet midi player allow you to mute tracks so you can mute the lead instrument and play along with the rhythm section. A google search for "song name midi"--no quotes--will yield a truckload of results. Down load several and just keep the ones you want. You can also use performers name or style.

or you could do it the old fashion way...

record all the tracks with real Instruments as many do...

I believe the jury is out on who does what, the BIAB tracks are fast and complete, you can do an entire CD , if you know what you're doing , in a brief period of time..

vs

recording tracks with Instruments and players where we all know it could take a few hours to get a single track done. Personally I use BIAB or another electronic medium for drum tracks and then tune up the rest of the Instruments for the MUSIC. I would always prefer a REAL drummer but logistics says thats not usually practical or even possible.

BIAB is a nice tool for it's purpose.

Good Luck

tp

Thanks TP. Along w/ the other info. I believe BIAB is the way to go at this time..Thanks

David, BIAB is a good way to go as down the road you will always have more options available to you.

Easy to use and pretty good results if you are willing to put the time in...

I start all project tracks on BIAB and then edit from there, generally I edit the drum tracks ( in the editor) to suit what I want to do, then play over a complete BIAB track to test the arrangement, then bring the Stereo DRUM track only to the 16 tracker.

My process takes way longer than those who use BIAB exclusively, for those guys they produce nice tracks quickly while I spend all my time pondering about when I might get to recording the other Instruments over the BIAB drum track. And even after I do record the other Instruments, I debate with myself whether or not the TAKES are any good for days on end

I have no complaints about this fine program.

tp

IMHO - every new player need these 2 things for sure!
#1 - The Winnie Winston Book.
#2 - BIAB
JE:-)>

I just wanted to thank everyone for there input.It really does helps this newbie out. And trust me when i say, There is a LOT more questions that need to be anwsered for my. . But, in do time..... . Thanks Every1

I use a Digitech GNX3000 guitar station & a program called Pro-Tracks that came bundled with it.It has lots of drum patterns or styles & you can set the tempo to what ever speed you want.It runs through my computer via USB & you can do many tracks of whatever you want.I start with the drum track(midi)then play each instrument & record it on a track.Then proceed to the next instrument track etc.After getting the mix the best I can get it I can burn a mp3 of it to use to practice.I can also at a later date go back into the pro-tracks program & record a track Of my steel playing along with it.I like to hear brushes used on a snare drum for a lot of the melo country songs but there don't seem to be any in this machine.I dont know if BIAB has such a thing but if it does thats a big plus.IMHO...Gene