backing tracks

stevevw · 01-08-2013, 09:56 AM

i am a singer song writer and at the moment i am recording my songs on cubase. i have recorded a number of tracks with vocals, playing the acoustic guitar and adding in drum loops. i have pretty well got this right so far but have hit a dead end. i want to add other instruments in like a bass, keyboard or harp ect but dont know how i can do this. apart from learning the instruments or getting other musos to play is there a way where you can add them in through some sort of software. i know there is a vts option in cubase but i havnt got my head around this yet. is there a software that can add the instrument and track my original song and play to the beat and rythm. probably asking for to much but you never know. the drum loops are ok but they are constant so you have to keep time and theres no variation. i have learnt the bass and harp enough to play simple melodies and am trying to learn the keyboard. just want to add more instruments to my songs to give them more fullness. does anyone have a similar problem or better still has found a way to do this.

**Janszoon** · 01-08-2013, 09:59 AM

You could get a sequencer program like Reason and run it as a slave to Cubase (meaning the outputs from Reason run directly into Cubase and Reason starts and stops when you start or stop Cubase).

stevevw · 01-08-2013, 10:14 AM

OK thanks that's something new i will have to look into it. i have looked into sequencers before but never fully investigated what they can do. sorry i am learning. will they allow me to get a virtual instrument or effect and play it into my cubase project and automatically follow my song in timing and rhythm and the chords i play. i read there is some software that you can write in the chords/notes and timing ect on a stave and it will play the song you have written with a particular instrument.

**Janszoon** · 01-08-2013, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevevw

OK thanks that's something new i will have to look into it. i have looked into sequencers before but never fully investigated what they can do. sorry i am learning. will they allow me to get a virtual instrument or effect and play it into my cubase project and automatically follow my song in timing and rhythm and the chords i play. i read there is some software that you can write in the chords/notes and timing ect on a stave and it will play the song you have written with a particular instrument.

Yes, it will allow you access to virtual instruments that you can write music for either via an external MIDI keyboard or by simply placing the notes directly where you want them in the sequencer. No, it won't automatically follow the chords you're playing. The timers of Cubase and Reason will be locked together but you still have to write the backup music, it doesn't do it for you. Also, since Reason is the sequencer, it's advisable to start by building your rhythms there, even if you just use a click track. That way you can ensure that your vocals and guitar are rhythmically in sync with the other instrumentation you're going to add later in Reason.

**Janszoon** · 01-08-2013, 10:34 AM

Something else just occurred to me: Doesn't Cubase have it's own sequencers as well? I know the older version I have does, though I haven't used them in ages. You might be able to get some useful sounds out of those. Garageband too, if you have it.

stevevw · 01-09-2013, 08:12 AM

thank you i think cubase might have something along those lines as when i did a quick overview i noticed a section to do with adding instruments but never went into it. i suspect it does but because i didn't fully understand the process i overlooked it. so i will now go back and study how to do it in cubase. i also think i can attach my keyboard via a midi cable to my computer and with software sequencer i can use the keys for different sounds. i will check if cubase has one first. i had hoped there was a software that traced your song and adjusted to your notes and timing ect like voice recognition would have saved a lot of time. someone should invent one maybe just with basic notes and timings/rhythms. thanks for the advice im sure i will work it out eventually.

Plankton · 01-09-2013, 08:56 AM

Have a look here:

How to make Backing tracks from Midi files - Guitar Chaos

Freebase Dali · 01-13-2013, 02:38 AM

Personally, I would caution against simply adding more instruments to make the track sound "full". If the instrumentation needs to be there and adds musical value to the song, add it. Otherwise, don't. It will just take the attention away from what you're trying to showcase.

Instead, experiment with making the important stuff fill out more of the spectrum. You can achieve this with EQ, panning and compression. If you do find yourself needing to add more elements to the mix to compliment the main stuff, consider using a simple instrument that can match the right notes and generally the same timbre and sound, and use it to add what the main stuff lacks.
Be smart about what you put into the mix. Be strategic. Add what is going to have either a positive musical effect, or a positive "sonic" effect. The musical effect is first and foremost, and anything you add after the fact for sonic quality should not step on the musical aspect of the mix.

Basically, don't make a song "full sounding" with instruments if the song can stand on its own melodically or content-wise. If the song is saying what it needs to say, and you just want to make it say it nicer, don't start adding unneeded instrumentation to get there. You'll destroy what the song was doing to begin with. Simply re-think how you present the main things to begin with, and work on making those aspects present themselves better.

stevesonthebay · 02-20-2013, 10:44 AM

thanks for the advise. i am still getting the basics right with just guitar and vocals at the moment. all a learning curve for me as i have only just started to record in the last few months. its true that i have to be careful with overdoing it with instruments and add ons. i find i can over use effects as well which takes it away to much from the raw sound so i am trying not to over do it but get the playing and singing right first. also am in the process of getting some good mics as i find that the cheaper ones i have bring in a bit of interference. so still getting the basics right. sometimes i add the bass in and that seems to be enough with beat and guitar gives it that basic 4 piece band effect. probably what i was looking for was more like a synth sound in the back ground just weaving its way through the song with maybe keyboard sounds. ive noticed a lot of songs have this and it does compliment like a backing singers voice harmonizing. i am still yet to get my head into the sequencer side of things probably jumped ahead of myself but will dedicate some time to read up about it, was even thinking of doing a short course on studio recording to help. i think i understand the basics of adding vts and sounds through a sequencer but will cross that bridge when i get these other issues sorted. sorry if i sound all over the place i just get a sound in my head and its harder to reproduce that when recording, but hey i enjoy it and i appreciate the advise.

01-08-2013, 09:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
stevevw Groupie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 5	backing tracks i am a singer song writer and at the moment i am recording my songs on cubase. i have recorded a number of tracks with vocals, playing the acoustic guitar and adding in drum loops. i have pretty well got this right so far but have hit a dead end. i want to add other instruments in like a bass, keyboard or harp ect but dont know how i can do this. apart from learning the instruments or getting other musos to play is there a way where you can add them in through some sort of software. i know there is a vts option in cubase but i havnt got my head around this yet. is there a software that can add the instrument and track my original song and play to the beat and rythm. probably asking for to much but you never know. the drum loops are ok but they are constant so you have to keep time and theres no variation. i have learnt the bass and harp enough to play simple melodies and am trying to learn the keyboard. just want to add more instruments to my songs to give them more fullness. does anyone have a similar problem or better still has found a way to do this.

01-08-2013, 09:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	You could get a sequencer program like Reason and run it as a slave to Cubase (meaning the outputs from Reason run directly into Cubase and Reason starts and stops when you start or stop Cubase). __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

01-08-2013, 10:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	Something else just occurred to me: Doesn't Cubase have it's own sequencers as well? I know the older version I have does, though I haven't used them in ages. You might be able to get some useful sounds out of those. Garageband too, if you have it. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

01-09-2013, 08:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
Plankton Just Keep Swimming... Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: See signature... Posts: 7,765	Have a look here: How to make Backing tracks from Midi files - Guitar Chaos __________________ See location...

02-20-2013, 10:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
stevesonthebay Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 66	thanks for the advise. i am still getting the basics right with just guitar and vocals at the moment. all a learning curve for me as i have only just started to record in the last few months. its true that i have to be careful with overdoing it with instruments and add ons. i find i can over use effects as well which takes it away to much from the raw sound so i am trying not to over do it but get the playing and singing right first. also am in the process of getting some good mics as i find that the cheaper ones i have bring in a bit of interference. so still getting the basics right. sometimes i add the bass in and that seems to be enough with beat and guitar gives it that basic 4 piece band effect. probably what i was looking for was more like a synth sound in the back ground just weaving its way through the song with maybe keyboard sounds. ive noticed a lot of songs have this and it does compliment like a backing singers voice harmonizing. i am still yet to get my head into the sequencer side of things probably jumped ahead of myself but will dedicate some time to read up about it, was even thinking of doing a short course on studio recording to help. i think i understand the basics of adding vts and sounds through a sequencer but will cross that bridge when i get these other issues sorted. sorry if i sound all over the place i just get a sound in my head and its harder to reproduce that when recording, but hey i enjoy it and i appreciate the advise. __________________ Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us. Last edited by stevesonthebay; 02-20-2013 at 10:55 AM. Reason: add more

01-08-2013, 10:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
stevevw Groupie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 5	OK thanks that's something new i will have to look into it. i have looked into sequencers before but never fully investigated what they can do. sorry i am learning. will they allow me to get a virtual instrument or effect and play it into my cubase project and automatically follow my song in timing and rhythm and the chords i play. i read there is some software that you can write in the chords/notes and timing ect on a stave and it will play the song you have written with a particular instrument.

01-09-2013, 08:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
stevevw Groupie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 5	thank you i think cubase might have something along those lines as when i did a quick overview i noticed a section to do with adding instruments but never went into it. i suspect it does but because i didn't fully understand the process i overlooked it. so i will now go back and study how to do it in cubase. i also think i can attach my keyboard via a midi cable to my computer and with software sequencer i can use the keys for different sounds. i will check if cubase has one first. i had hoped there was a software that traced your song and adjusted to your notes and timing ect like voice recognition would have saved a lot of time. someone should invent one maybe just with basic notes and timings/rhythms. thanks for the advice im sure i will work it out eventually.

01-13-2013, 02:38 AM	#8 (permalink)
Freebase Dali Partying on the inside Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5,584	Personally, I would caution against simply adding more instruments to make the track sound "full". If the instrumentation needs to be there and adds musical value to the song, add it. Otherwise, don't. It will just take the attention away from what you're trying to showcase. Instead, experiment with making the important stuff fill out more of the spectrum. You can achieve this with EQ, panning and compression. If you do find yourself needing to add more elements to the mix to compliment the main stuff, consider using a simple instrument that can match the right notes and generally the same timbre and sound, and use it to add what the main stuff lacks. Be smart about what you put into the mix. Be strategic. Add what is going to have either a positive musical effect, or a positive "sonic" effect. The musical effect is first and foremost, and anything you add after the fact for sonic quality should not step on the musical aspect of the mix. Basically, don't make a song "full sounding" with instruments if the song can stand on its own melodically or content-wise. If the song is saying what it needs to say, and you just want to make it say it nicer, don't start adding unneeded instrumentation to get there. You'll destroy what the song was doing to begin with. Simply re-think how you present the main things to begin with, and work on making those aspects present themselves better.