music to jam with

[beleg]

I have noticed that a number of people have posted songs that they recording using backing tracks that they downloaded from websites like:

http://www.guitarbackingtrack.com/

I thought it might be nice to start a thread to collect website links  where you can get free mp3s to jam along with. This does not have to be limited to full arrangements like the site above, but also places where you can download cool drum beats or bass lines.



example:

[64Guitars]

There are lots of sites with free midi files. Here's one example:

http://www.midi-tab.com/

Midi files can be played on your computer but they sound way better if you play them through a proper sound module such as a synth/keyboard instrument. Midi files contain up to 16 channels and each instrument voice in the song is usually on its own channel. Using a midi sequencer on your computer, you can mute any channels you don't want such as the vocal melody or guitar solos, leaving just the backing instruments that you want (drums, bass, keys, etc).

Here's Yahoo!'s directory page for midi file archives:

http://dir.yahoo.com/Entertainment/Music/Computer_Generated/MIDI/File_Archives

[beleg]

Here is another one, all 12-bar blues related.

http://www.lawrencefritts.com/backingtracks.html

[robsmith]

Hello,

I was wondering if any of you have had any problems playing back the MP3's from guitarbackingtrack.com ...

I have downloaded a few and *some* of them would not play back (error on the BR, invalid format or something like that). the tracks that do play back are great practice tools.

An example of a track that does not play back for me is Comfortably Numb (Pink Floyd). I noticed that some of the files are transcoded at a lower bit rate, this may be the issue. Any way to remedy this?

Thanks,

Bob

[beleg]

I did not run into that problem yet, but you should try downloading a free program like Audacity

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

you can import the mp3, and then export it back out at a different bit rate. (it does a ton more, I find the program very valuable.)

[robsmith]

Beleg,

Thanks for the reply.  I have Audacity, but did not see the option to change the bit rate.

I'll explore a bit more ...

Bob

[beleg]

here are some hip hop backing tracks for $1 each


http://www.probeatscentral.com/store.html

[robsmith]

Hello,

After downloading some of the blues backing tracks from LawrenceFritts.com, I found that they need to be converted using a bit rate of 192K in order to work with the MBR.  I'll have to try this on some of the tracks form guitarbackingtrack.com as well (some play without neediing conversion).

It turns out taht Audacity can do this, the audio prference for exporting to MP3 needs to be chnaged to 192K in order fro the converted file to play in the MBR.

Thanks for the links, these are all great sites for backing tracks!

Bob

[robsmith]

Hello again,

I have also discovered the lame command line encoder, which can be used to convert files en masse ...

Bob

[jmccull1]

What a GREAT bunch of backing track sample sites supplied here!!

I came on to catch up on what's going on and posts and such..... I found this thread and disappeared into the sites filled with backing tracks, grabbed my guitar, and have been lost there for two hours!

VERY COOL STUFF!

I downloaded a few to play with on my MBR.....

Jimmy Mac