I mix down to stereo, and also use both an MP3 player (on iPad now) and an RC50 looper, some of the RC tracks are created on the looper, others are created in Sonar as regular tracks and carved into loops.  One thing I have found for backing tracks is to *mix* the tracks but not master them in terms of compression - keep it light.  I use a mixer for the track, loop and live sources, and apply compression at the masters (I have a StudioLive 16:4:2 with compression everywhere, but you can certainly get any number of small mixers and use an outboard compressor).  This way you get consistent dynamics, and get to glue the sources together, and lose that "playing over a cd approach.  For the same reason I keep the tracks dry too, except for a little deliberate snare verb, and apply verb to the live mix.

btw ForScore is a great app for iPad - as well as handling all your sheet music (lyrics in my case), you can associate any song with a track - very handy.

bunches of videos / music  here http://grifbamaisin.com
Cheers

Grif

Sonar X1D expanded
Sonica-X Quad Core  Zeon
Presonus StudioLive 16:4:2
Other Stuff

This is not what you are asking about, but would just mention that some people use a hybrid solution: a keyboard running MIDI samples with harmonies or other audio synchronized on an internal hard drive. Cool thing about this is that you just show up with a keyboard. I have this capability and explored but don't do live shows anymore, although that could change.

MIX THROUGH YOUR PA SPEAKERS!  (And not through your studio monitors.)

vintagevibe


MIX THROUGH YOUR PA SPEAKERS!  (And not through your studio monitors.)

I use IEMs live.  Because I use my StudioLive for recording and for live work, I can "rehearse" the track and live inputs through the IEMs.


Cheers


Grif
  

Grif, You nailed what I was asking. Makes sense not to master the tracks. I am just going simple. These are small gigs and I wont do more than a handful of backing tracks because im not overly thrilled about the idea but, a few songs I need to. This seems lie a good option for quickly accusing the backing tracks: A tad pricey at $19.99 http://www.ambrosiasw.com..lities/soundboard-ipad/ great response all.. good thread.

SteveGriffiths

vintagevibe


MIX THROUGH YOUR PA SPEAKERS!  (And not through your studio monitors.)

I use IEMs live.  Because I use my StudioLive for recording and for live work, I can "rehearse" the track and live inputs through the IEMs.


Cheers


Grif
 

mixing through PA speakers or home stereo speakers might be OK as long as that is the only place you plan to use the mix. Those things are not designed to be flat and will add acoustic coloring and you will mix with that bias built in to the mix.


If you mix on studio monitors, reference monitors, that mix should easily translate well to most other sources. Maybe a small tweek to the EQ but aside from that, it should sound good just about everywhere.