OT: Using an iPod for backing tracks

[adouglas]

I think I've conceived of a product that does not exist, and I need one.

My band does not have a live drummer (the care and feeding costs are just too prohibitive, not to mention the vet bills). We use two Alesis SR16 drum machines, which store all our stuff.

It works okay, but it's a bit clunky, what with two drum machines, two wall warts, a pile of cables, etc. I'd really like to streamline the setup. So we're thinking of transferring everything over to mp3 and using an iPod.

The problem is that we need to be able to punch in and out using a foot switch on many of our songs. But nobody makes a foot switch that can control an iPod. (I know it's technically possible because my iPod came with a headphone cable that has remote switches on it, and you can buy wireless remote accessories.)

I'm surprised nobody's thought of this. I know a lot of bands use iPods for backing tracks.

Anybody have the same requirement? Have you found a solution?

 

[mynan]

Explain "punch in and out...on many of our songs".

I'm assuming you don't have a sound guy either...right?

 

[adouglas]

Explain "punch in and out...on many of our songs".

Some songs have an acoustic guitar lead-in that is not of fixed length. The guitarist plays his intro and when it's time for the rest of the band to join in he punches the button.

Other songs have variable breaks in the middle of them. He punches the button to stop the drum machine, then punches it again when we all start playing again.

Some songs have variable endings and he punches the button when we decide to wrap it up.

Right...no sound guy. Lean and mean, baby.

 

[mynan]

That's a good one. I have to say that I don't have an answer, but thanks for giving me something to gnaw on my brain all day. I'll let you know if I think of anything useful.

I will say that one problem you may run into is that, unlike a drum machine, the iPod won't start on the 1 everytime you stop/restart it unless you actually tell it to go back to the beginning of the track...or if the guy with the footswitch times his pause/restart perfectly.

 

[adouglas]

Thanks.

I've also emailed Butch Ammons at Bayoucables.com about this. If anyone can make me what I need, he can.

 

[mynan]

One possible solution would be to use a laptop with one of those USB footswitches that medical transcriptionists use. It's bigger than an iPod, but IHO the iTunes interface is much more user-friendly. I can't tell you how many times I've fumbled trying to play a specific track or playlist using my iPod with my fat fingers and that damn dial.

 

[1Echo]

I will say that one problem you may run into is that, unlike a drum machine, the iPod won't start on the 1 everytime you stop/restart it unless you actually tell it to go back to the beginning of the track...or if the guy with the footswitch times his pause/restart perfectly.

That's precisely why this type of thing is usually done with drum machines or by triggering a sampler with a keyboard in the first place.

 

[adouglas]

One possible solution would be to use a laptop with one of those USB footswitches that medical transcriptionists use. It's bigger than an iPod, but IHO the iTunes interface is much more user-friendly. I can't tell you how many times I've fumbled trying to play a specific track or playlist using my iPod with my fat fingers and that damn dial.

Yeah, we thought of that, but that would not be any more compact or cleaner than what we've got now. Not to mention the expense of the laptop. Right now we're using an SKB mixer box with a custom shelf in it so most of the wiring mess is out of sight, but we've still got this big bloody black box in front of us, sitting on an amp stand.

 

[mynan]

Not an iPod, but it might work for you...

DigiTech® JamMan®

 

[adouglas]

Funny...I posted the same question on the Bose user's forum and got the same thing recommended to me. The guy over there says that lots of people are storing entire backing tracks on it with good success. And there's an optional footswitch.

Looks interesting. Any idea what file format it uses?

 

[mynan]

Here's a review that I found...it looks like it uses .wav files, which makes sense considering that with the 2GB memory card you get about 6.5 hours.

Digitech Jam Man

 

[WillPlay4Food]

The JamMan uses .wav files, but there's also an XML file it uses to track the tempo of the .wav file (tempo can be altered by tapping twice on the left foot pedal to set quarter note length).

Probably the easiest thing would be to connect your Alesis to the JamMan, then record onto the JamMan. You can store up to 99 tracks per card so you shouldn't have any problem covering an entire show. You can then backup to / restore from any computer with a USB port.

I'm actually planning on using mine to hold backing keyboard stuff for a couple of tunes since we don't have a keyboardist at the moment.

 

[1Echo]

Not an iPod, but it might work for you...

DigiTech® JamMan®

This is a great suggestion. I can't believe it slipped my mind.

 

[peltierzoo]

Bose makes an equivalent model that is about $60 cheaper.

The JamMan from Digitech is much more user friendly and of course, more expensive. Don't hesitate, buy the Jam Man. You might not even need to read the manual!

 

[adouglas]

I'm actually planning on using mine .....

Hey, Dave, could I possibly borrow yours for a few days? One evening of practice would tell us if it would work for us.

I'll let you use my LE while I've got it.....

 

[adouglas]

Bose makes an equivalent model that is about $60 cheaper.

Huh? Do tell.....

or do you mean Boss?

 

[mynan]

I was wondering about that. I thought it would be funny if "Mr Bose advocate" didn't know that Bose made a product that he was hunting for elsewhere.

 

[Spectre]

This is a good thread. I did not know about the JamMan and see a use for it, already. Thanks!

 

[adouglas]

I was wondering about that. I thought it would be funny if "Mr Bose advocate" didn't know that Bose made a product that he was hunting for elsewhere.

Hey, I've been very, very careful to avoid advocating too much around here. It's just not appropriate.

I make no secret that I'm a Bose user and respond to questions when asked, but that's about as far as it goes. You want to see real chest-thumping advocacy, check out all the Markbass threads.

In the interest of full disclosure you should know that I'm an independent Bose rep (not an employee...a customer who's been authorized to demo the gear in exchange for commission on sales).

I like the gear. A lot.

And that's all I can say about that without crossing the line.

 

[mynan]

Don't get your knobs all bent out of shape. That wasn't a dig...it was an observation intended to illustrate why I thought it would be funny.

...and the word "rep" didn't come to mind at the time.