Question on Micro BR for a Live Performance

[Wilbury]

Hi guys,

I'm planning a small gig, but I don't have any gear for playing live. Unwilling to buy equipment that I'm not likely to use much or at all, I'm thinking of using my Micro BR for the purposes of the live performance.

Namely, I intend to import a number of MP3 backing tracks into the BR and, while the device is in the MP3 mode, solo over the backing tracks. The resulting signal from the BR is to be routed from the Phones/Line out mini-jack to the mixing console available at the venue.

Please let me have your thoughts on this setup. Does it all make sense at all? Is BR reliable enough not to let me down in the middle of the performance by switching off, halting, clipping, restarting, etc.?

Ultimately, if my plan is not good, what kind of alternative gear should I consider, keeping it to a minimum both in terms of budget and learning curve? Just to repeat, I'll have backing tracks and play guitar over them with some basic effects like overdrive. An expression pedal is not needed.

Thanks in advance for any helpful ideas!

[Hook]

Sounds right. The board your going into might not have a stereo 1/8 plug, I would get a cord that runs 1/8 inch to stereo (2) 1/4 inch. You also will have to deal with the time it takes you to pull up each song on the MBR.
Personally I would put your mp3s on a player, tablet or phone and run them from that.
Good luck.

[Wilbury]

Sounds right. The board your going into might not have a stereo 1/8 plug, I would get a cord that runs 1/8 inch to stereo (2) 1/4 inch. You also will have to deal with the time it takes you to pull up each song on the MBR.
Personally I would put your mp3s on a player, tablet or phone and run them from that.
Good luck.

So, maybe a better way would be to use the BR just for creating the backing tracks, and for the live performance - an iPhone to play the mp3s from and get a relatively simple and affordable floor processor like a Digitech Element for the guitar?

[Hook]

I think so. However you could, easily, use the MBR for your effects without having to buy a pedal. It would only be an issue if you need to change settings quickly.

[Wilbury]

I think so. However you could, easily, use the MBR for your effects without having to buy a pedal. It would only be an issue if you need to change settings quickly.

Thanks! I think I'll still go for a floor pedal. Maybe a basic Digitech Element or slightly advanced RP360. Or a comparable Zoom. In all honesty, BOSS guitar effects are not something I'm quite enthusiastic about. ))

[Oldrottenhead]

one of my friends, gigs quite regularly using his own backing tracks. i think he creates them in the DAW sonar on his pc. He uses a laptop for playback, but as he plays to various crowds with widely varying tastes. He sorts out his setlists to meet the needs of his audience by creating mp3 playlists. A playlist for weddings, a club night, a rock venue etc. He uses VLC media player to create and playback his playlists.
That said you can create playlists with your backing tracks on a bog standard mp3 player or iphone, android phone or whatever. He uses his laptop as it is a high end one with a pretty formidable soundcard.

[Wilbury]

one of my friends, gigs quite regularly using his own backing tracks. i think he creates them in the DAW sonar on his pc. He uses a laptop for playback, but as he plays to various crowds with widely varying tastes. He sorts out his setlists to meet the needs of his audience by creating mp3 playlists. A playlist for weddings, a club night, a rock venue etc. He uses VLC media player to create and playback his playlists.
That said you can create playlists with your backing tracks on a bog standard mp3 player or iphone, android phone or whatever. He uses his laptop as it is a high end one with a pretty formidable soundcard.

Right, thanks! I think I'll stick to the iPhone option. Need to sort out the right player app though -- simple and reliable.

[TheOtherEric]

Namely, I intend to import a number of MP3 backing tracks into the BR and, while the device is in the MP3 mode, solo over the backing tracks. The resulting signal from the BR is to be routed from the Phones/Line out mini-jack to the mixing console available at the venue.

Please let me have your thoughts on this setup. Does it all make sense at all? Is BR reliable enough not to let me down in the middle of the performance by switching off, halting, clipping, restarting, etc.?

I tried this once, using a 1/8" to two 1/4" jacks and plugging in to the PA mixer. The Micro BR was noisier than I wanted it to be at sound check. I ended up doing it with a Sony digital recorder/player (it was only $75 US at the time but it was less noisy than the mBR).

Eric