I've posted this same query on other sites, and I'm hungry for an answer.
I've got an EMX-1 with all my band's synth programmed into it. So that while my drummer, bassist, and guitarist all play, I'm free to run about the stage and sing and be entertaining, rather than stand behind my microKorg the whole time and be no fun. I've got it down ace, but the issue is this:
The EMX-1 keeps perfect time. And humans, unfortunately, were not given MIDI in and the option to set their clocks to EXT.
So, what is the best way to make sure my band and the ESX agree tempo wise? We're never too far off, but even the slightest slip means either us or the EMX gets left in the dust.
If anyone can help in any way at all, I'd appreciate it.
Mixing Live Bands and EMX
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acertainpoint
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that is kinda the same problem with my band...
even though I dont run a muck on stage... I stay behind monitoring the synth and the emx... mainly because right now were kinda instrumental..
but I know exactly what your saying, we have had a couple practice sets fall apart because of the tempo..
im grateful enough to have a awesome drummer, and I never rely on my emx to replace him, I just mainly use it for backing sounds... and sometimes, he doesnt play at all and just sits out..
I would suggest you find someone who has synth knowledge, and have them replace you if your singing all the time..
your only other option is to have your drummer train to be better at keeping tempo, or you might have to change your set all together.
even though I dont run a muck on stage... I stay behind monitoring the synth and the emx... mainly because right now were kinda instrumental..
but I know exactly what your saying, we have had a couple practice sets fall apart because of the tempo..
im grateful enough to have a awesome drummer, and I never rely on my emx to replace him, I just mainly use it for backing sounds... and sometimes, he doesnt play at all and just sits out..
I would suggest you find someone who has synth knowledge, and have them replace you if your singing all the time..
your only other option is to have your drummer train to be better at keeping tempo, or you might have to change your set all together.
radias, emx-1
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Tyler_raine
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- Joined: Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:30 am
I was in the exact same situation with my band apart from i need to come away from the synth stuff to play guitar aswell.
it'll take a bit of setting up and you'll need some extra stuff but wot i do is have one of the preset hi hats as a click track but send it to the 3/4 outputs not the L-R so its not comin thru the main mix.
Then hook that output up to a small mixer which the drummer has next to him and has headphones plugged into it for him, then he can set the level of the click for himself.
Although you wont hear the click niether will the audience so then you just play to your drummer.
The only problem ive found is that ur drummer will hate you because,
one:- he has to play to a click live
two:- he looks like a nob'ead having to wear headphones
im sure u can live with that, lol.
hope that was some help!
it'll take a bit of setting up and you'll need some extra stuff but wot i do is have one of the preset hi hats as a click track but send it to the 3/4 outputs not the L-R so its not comin thru the main mix.
Then hook that output up to a small mixer which the drummer has next to him and has headphones plugged into it for him, then he can set the level of the click for himself.
Although you wont hear the click niether will the audience so then you just play to your drummer.
The only problem ive found is that ur drummer will hate you because,
one:- he has to play to a click live
two:- he looks like a nob'ead having to wear headphones
im sure u can live with that, lol.
hope that was some help!
get a loud headphones amp for you drummer...his the clock of the band
then put metronome ON, set it to outs 3/4 and rout it to the headphone amp
also you can use some percussion track with the sound you want to make different signatures or cue marks like change the picth of the metronome to anounce a next change (starting of chorus or the like)...
then put metronome ON, set it to outs 3/4 and rout it to the headphone amp
also you can use some percussion track with the sound you want to make different signatures or cue marks like change the picth of the metronome to anounce a next change (starting of chorus or the like)...
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The Navidson Record
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- Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:42 am
Ah hah!
I didn't think about the 3/4 out into the headphone amp.
Thanks so much. I'll give it a try. That would be good, because it would keep us on perfect tempo and we'd be getting in some good practice every time. And I'll have the drummer order some kickass in-ear monitors, so that he doesn't look retarded with some noise cancelling ones or something.
Also, yeah...I prefer to run amok. Because screamo trance is more fun when the singer can jump into the crowd and let a machine bust his hyper trance. But adding another member is out of the question. We've been a band for 7 months, and we're so close it would be akward throwing in another guy. Plus, that's another mouth to feed and find a bed for and a spot in the already crowded van.
Does anyone know of a good set of monitors/amp that would do this duty?
If so, please e-mail me the link or the name of the amp/monitor. I'd greatly appreciate it.
OurhouseisGod@gmail.com
I didn't think about the 3/4 out into the headphone amp.
Thanks so much. I'll give it a try. That would be good, because it would keep us on perfect tempo and we'd be getting in some good practice every time. And I'll have the drummer order some kickass in-ear monitors, so that he doesn't look retarded with some noise cancelling ones or something.
Also, yeah...I prefer to run amok. Because screamo trance is more fun when the singer can jump into the crowd and let a machine bust his hyper trance. But adding another member is out of the question. We've been a band for 7 months, and we're so close it would be akward throwing in another guy. Plus, that's another mouth to feed and find a bed for and a spot in the already crowded van.
Does anyone know of a good set of monitors/amp that would do this duty?
If so, please e-mail me the link or the name of the amp/monitor. I'd greatly appreciate it.
OurhouseisGod@gmail.com
c´mon, it´s just a click...The Navidson Record wrote:Ah hah!
I didn't think about the 3/4 out into the headphone amp.
Thanks so much. I'll give it a try. That would be good, because it would keep us on perfect tempo and we'd be getting in some good practice every time. And I'll have the drummer order some kickass in-ear monitors, so that he doesn't look retarded with some noise cancelling ones or something.
Also, yeah...I prefer to run amok. Because screamo trance is more fun when the singer can jump into the crowd and let a machine bust his hyper trance. But adding another member is out of the question. We've been a band for 7 months, and we're so close it would be akward throwing in another guy. Plus, that's another mouth to feed and find a bed for and a spot in the already crowded van.
Does anyone know of a good set of monitors/amp that would do this duty?
If so, please e-mail me the link or the name of the amp/monitor. I'd greatly appreciate it.
OurhouseisGod@gmail.com
also: drummers are deaf...don´t spend more than 30 bucks in a behringer thing that could go LOUD and that is
and for a new member forget about it...just stay togheter and make those 7 months worth by putting into music what you´re doeing in that time
My friend and I play together and he uses a guitar.
There was definitely a period where we struggle to get him on tempo, well I sat backed and look stupid haha.
but we got it, and it worked out alright, it's very fun. ^_^
Must be harder with more people though...
There was definitely a period where we struggle to get him on tempo, well I sat backed and look stupid haha.
but we got it, and it worked out alright, it's very fun. ^_^
Must be harder with more people though...
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You need a Roland DB-90 Dr. Beat.
It's a digital metronome, but here's the essential feature you need:
it has a midi input that lets it sync to your EMX-1.
So all you need to do is set up the DB-90 on a boom right in front of the drummer's face and run a midi cable back to the EMX-1. The drummer can decide whether to use the only the visual LCD or an audible tone. Plus, you all can use it for practice sessions to keep a tight lock on the beat.
It's a digital metronome, but here's the essential feature you need:
it has a midi input that lets it sync to your EMX-1.
So all you need to do is set up the DB-90 on a boom right in front of the drummer's face and run a midi cable back to the EMX-1. The drummer can decide whether to use the only the visual LCD or an audible tone. Plus, you all can use it for practice sessions to keep a tight lock on the beat.
naw headphones and a click track is the way to go..... it will only take the drummer a small ammount of time to adjust his playing technique to play to the click track...
one other option that is far from fool proof but actually is surprisingly good on t he emx.... is the auto bpm scan feature.... it's probably the best I've seen.... take a mic and point it at your drummer and plug it into audio in and hit the auto bpm scan button.... see what happens. It might just sync up and then hit play and see how long something like a synth sound can stay i n sync, try having him vary beat types and speed and see when and how it bugs out....
I have done the auto bpm scan to a dj who varies his tempo a LOT... it wasn't constantly on and I'd stop it and give it some time to adjust but in the end it only bugged out once or twice.... and it wasn't major...
but still click track is the safest and most reliable as long as most in sync way you can go.
besides if you stick a loud metronome into the drummers face when you're not playing everyone can hear it and thinks he's either noob or has mental problems and needs to hear metronome all t he time
one other option that is far from fool proof but actually is surprisingly good on t he emx.... is the auto bpm scan feature.... it's probably the best I've seen.... take a mic and point it at your drummer and plug it into audio in and hit the auto bpm scan button.... see what happens. It might just sync up and then hit play and see how long something like a synth sound can stay i n sync, try having him vary beat types and speed and see when and how it bugs out....
I have done the auto bpm scan to a dj who varies his tempo a LOT... it wasn't constantly on and I'd stop it and give it some time to adjust but in the end it only bugged out once or twice.... and it wasn't major...
but still click track is the safest and most reliable as long as most in sync way you can go.
besides if you stick a loud metronome into the drummers face when you're not playing everyone can hear it and thinks he's either noob or has mental problems and needs to hear metronome all t he time