The Steel Guitar Forum

Mornin' all,

I'd like to use an MP3 for storing rhythm tracks and have a couple questions for those of you who may do that. What brand/model MP3 player do you recomend and why, and which input do you plug it into on your amp... high or low gain. Thanx!!

"Ol' Don"

bump this up

I'd also like to know about this.

I don't do that, but I would think that just about any MP3 player would do what you want. Basically any MP3 player is just a data storage device and a small computer that will process the data and convert it to an audio signal. There are MP3 players that will also do some video, etc, but if all you are after is a device to store MP3 audio files and be able to access and play them that is the basic function of any MP3 player. I would look at what is available, including but not limited to a pricey iPod player and find one that has a relatively easy way of accessing the library of songs stored on the device, and is compatible with your PC and Operating System.

The headphone output can be used to input to an amp. If you have a Peavey amp and are planning to plug your steel into one input and the MP3 into the other, it doesn't matter which one you plug into, when you use both inputs they both become "low gain". The Nashville 112 has a "CD" input and you should use that for an MP3 player, and you control the volume of the MP3 player with the player's volume control.

I use a "ZUNE" mp3 player I think they are 4 Gig. (I actually have two identical ones) I guess it's a paranoid (boy scout) thing. I try to have two of everything I use when I go out to a gig. (Two amps, two lap steels, two mikes, two of every chord etc. just in case...)

I use amps that have a CD input, or a PA Mixer and speakers.

Dom

I put everything on an IPOD

Most any Player will do. I have a Zume as well. Output shouldn't be to big of a deal. Whatever I plug into, amp, PA, Home steero, Use the headphone out. I turn the volume all the way off on my player, Set the volume on the amp, pa, etc to about 1/3, and then turn up the player. Then play around to get the best sound--Less player volume, more amp volume. The biggest problem I have is getting to a specific track. I now put them in alpahbetical order by song and scroll to the one I want.

The Zune sofware is intalled on a computer, and then the device is connected and (Synced) to the computer.

The sofware allows me to build playlists, I have many different lists, such as: Western, Hawaiian, Christmas, Memorial service (funerals) etc.

I can place songs in any order to build a set list, an unlimited number of sets.

I also use the title track, author, and album info columns to give me clues to the arrangement of the songs. For Example: ALL OF ME/Key of G/4 clicks intro/Sing @ 0:12/Tag @ 3:17/
I have well over 200 songs, most memorized, but need a clue sometimes.

Dom

Where can you get mp-3 files without vocals or lead. Rythum track only. I use Band in a Box

I have BIAB 2008.5 and it includes an option to "render" a BIAB file to wav or mp3.

Where can you get mp-3 files without vocals or lead. Rythum track only. I use Band in a Box

I record my own background tracks. These can be as simple as one guitar part, or 10-12 tracks of drums bass, keys, electric and acoustic guitar, mandolin, harmonica etc.

I make a CD mixdown of these tracks.
Then once I rip these tracks to Windows media player, they are MP3's. (WMP will automatically rip songs when you put the disk in your computer!)

I have over 200 songs completed, send me an email, I may have some you want. (free of charge)

Dom