Music Director Online
Music Director Online
  • Видео 60
  • Просмотров 99 688
Using Tracks for Performance using MTI Player
Using tracks only during performance is becoming more and more popular with many licensors providing fully pre-recorded accompaniments for many musicals. In this video I explain how I use MTI supplied tracks in a live theatre situation, playing through QLab, the back-up system and connections.
Просмотров: 411

Видео

How to Effectively Use Tracks in RehearsalHow to Effectively Use Tracks in Rehearsal
How to Effectively Use Tracks in Rehearsal
Просмотров 3229 месяцев назад
Using tracks or any pre-recorded music in rehearsals can be frustrating, especially when trying to find the right start point in the track. In this video I offer some tips in cuing your music to any specific point in the score. Using free software, there's now no more hunting around for a specific start point ....and find exactly where you need to be.
A Guide to Creating Tracks for RehearsalA Guide to Creating Tracks for Rehearsal
A Guide to Creating Tracks for Rehearsal
Просмотров 6099 месяцев назад
Using tracks in rehearsals is something used more and more. Whether they are provided by the licence holder or created ourselves, they give less confident members of our company an increased sense of confidence. They can also be used for individual learning. In this video I take two very different styles of musicals and create the tracks for rehearsals purposes only.
Should we use Tracks in Musical TheatreShould we use Tracks in Musical Theatre
Should we use Tracks in Musical Theatre
Просмотров 410Год назад
Orchestras, bands and musicians are becoming more and more expensive. Technology is becoming more complex. Some licensors are now providing full orchestral accompaniments for many musicals. Is this something lovers of live music should be concerned about? A recent experience has possibly changed my mind on how these complete replacements for live music should be used.
MainStage Patch Change fix for Roland KeyboardsMainStage Patch Change fix for Roland Keyboards
MainStage Patch Change fix for Roland Keyboards
Просмотров 3,2 тыс.Год назад
Using MainStage with Roland Keyboards? If so you will have suffered from multiple patches advancing with one touch of your foot switch. Here's the quick, simple fix.
A Wilton Return - The story of a North Lincolnshire Theatre CompanyA Wilton Return - The story of a North Lincolnshire Theatre Company
A Wilton Return - The story of a North Lincolnshire Theatre Company
Просмотров 447Год назад
The story of a North Lincolnshire Theatre Company's return to the theatre, recovering from the Covid pandemic, their passion for performance, family unity and friendship.
The Original Cast Album - A Blessing or a Curse?The Original Cast Album - A Blessing or a Curse?
The Original Cast Album - A Blessing or a Curse?
Просмотров 453Год назад
We all seem to reach for the latest cast album or cast recording before we launch into the rehearsal period. Choreographers do it, directors do and the cast certainly do it. But why do we think we need to reproduce someone else's work in every respect? Should we not try and be a little creative ourselves?
Using Auto-Quantisation in CubaseUsing Auto-Quantisation in Cubase
Using Auto-Quantisation in Cubase
Просмотров 3 тыс.2 года назад
Using quantization is sometimes frowned upon - but when it's used appropriate, it can save a huge amount of time. In this video I look at the auto-quantizing function in a simple piano only backing song.
A Guide to Conducting a MusicalA Guide to Conducting a Musical
A Guide to Conducting a Musical
Просмотров 3,4 тыс.2 года назад
Conducting any number of musicians in a band or orchestra in a musical, can be daunting if it's your first time, but it doesn't need to be. Stop concentrating and putting all your efforts into learning technique and get to know the music you're leading. Once you've done this, how you conduct will become natural. After doing this for over 36 years I want to share how it doesn't need to be as com...
Theatre Sound System - A Guide for Music DirectorsTheatre Sound System - A Guide for Music Directors
Theatre Sound System - A Guide for Music Directors
Просмотров 3,1 тыс.2 года назад
Like it or not, the band and orchestras we use have more and more electronic equipment in the form of guitars, keyboards, electronic percussion etc. In this video we look at a simple sound system in a theatre or venue, explain the various pieces of equipment used the sound department uses and how it links together to give our audience the best possible quality audio. But if Music Directors don'...
How you should Connect with ALL your performersHow you should Connect with ALL your performers
How you should Connect with ALL your performers
Просмотров 4532 года назад
Being a Music Director and conducting isn't just about conducting your orchestra or band, it's about 'connecting' with, and encouraging ALL performers during a performance. Get your head out of your book and give energy to those performers on stage too.
What's Happening to Pit Musicians?What's Happening to Pit Musicians?
What's Happening to Pit Musicians?
Просмотров 5 тыс.2 года назад
Music Technology mainly in the form of pre-recorded additional instruments are common place in Broadway and West End productions nowadays like it or not. Music Directors need to learn about this technology and how to use it or get left behind.
My Setup for using Tracks in the TheatreMy Setup for using Tracks in the Theatre
My Setup for using Tracks in the Theatre
Просмотров 2,1 тыс.2 года назад
After 2 years of restrictions due to Covid, we're finally back in the theatre. In this video I look at how the various equipment used for my band playing along with backing tracks and the equipment involved. It really isn't that complicated and something that MDs are having to use more and more in these days of sound technology in virtually all theatre performances. It maybe sad, but with more ...
Setting up Tracks in QLabSetting up Tracks in QLab
Setting up Tracks in QLab
Просмотров 7 тыс.2 года назад
Using tracks in our theatre productions is now becoming more and more popular and Music Directors (like it or not) are having to accept this technology. In this video I look at setting up tracks in QLab for both rehearsal purposes and the master tracks for public performance.
How to use Click Tracks and Backing Tracks in MainStageHow to use Click Tracks and Backing Tracks in MainStage
How to use Click Tracks and Backing Tracks in MainStage
Просмотров 15 тыс.2 года назад
QLab is the industry standard for playing audio in theatre but musicians (especially keyboard players) are using MainStage more and more. Playing backing tracks (or click tracks with your band) can easily be handled by MainStage also. In this video I look at using MainStage for playing your backing tracks and importing the click track to keep your band sync'd.

Комментарии

  • @Charlie_snail
    @Charlie_snail 6 часов назад

    Thanks for explaining this so thoroughly. Other videos about this topic seem to be explained from the perspective of how the creator "likes" to use quantization in their specific workflow, and don't quite get down to features of the quantization tool itself. This is BADASS!

  • @Aquafox_music
    @Aquafox_music День назад

    Wow thank you so much!! This helped me a lot as a musical director. You ROCK!! 🤘🏻💕

  • @Masssshysteria
    @Masssshysteria 9 дней назад

    music's sterile because life itself is sterile

  • @eeyunopper1050
    @eeyunopper1050 20 дней назад

    Wonderfully explained. Sub'd

  • @daryerisperez8312
    @daryerisperez8312 21 день назад

    :)

  • @bryansabirch3119
    @bryansabirch3119 27 дней назад

    Rodriguez Jose Smith Paul Perez Gary

  • @josephreynolds1220
    @josephreynolds1220 Месяц назад

    Thanks Maestro Rob. Don’t need demystifying, just a solution that works the first time!

  • @douglavras
    @douglavras Месяц назад

    Thank you very much. This worked for me. It is clearly a Mainstage problem.

  • @basil1112
    @basil1112 2 месяца назад

    Very well explained. Thank you

  • @minutemeditations8315
    @minutemeditations8315 2 месяца назад

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

    • @MusicDirectorOnline
      @MusicDirectorOnline 2 месяца назад

      You are so welcome!

    • @minutemeditations8315
      @minutemeditations8315 Месяц назад

      @@MusicDirectorOnline before I spend the next 12 hours troubleshooting, I would like to ask if you have come across anyone with sustain issues as a result of this workaround. My patches change seamlessly with my footswitch now (YAY!), but if I am depressing the sustain pedal while changing patches I get held notes until I return to the patch I was previously using. The "panic" function on my Roland RD88 doesn't cancel the held notes. Anyway, I appreciate your time. Thank you!

    • @MusicDirectorOnline
      @MusicDirectorOnline Месяц назад

      @@minutemeditations8315 Hi there. I'm not a great expert in MainStage in general and just wanted to address this frustrating problem faced by Roland users. You're right though that on occasions the sustain pedal can cause issues when changing patches. My understanding is that this isn't due to the Roland workaround, but can, and does, happen with other keyboards. Unfortunately I'm not able to offer a solution to this other than not changing patches during sustain pedal use, which I appreciate isn't helpful. If I find a solution I'll post it but maybe there are other RUclips videos that address this issue. Rob P

    • @minutemeditations8315
      @minutemeditations8315 Месяц назад

      Thanks for taking the time to reply. Well, it was worth a shot! I ended up updating my OS, MainStage and other apps. Now, when I create a brand new concert (and reverse the sustain/FS cables) everything works…about 90% of the time, the patch change occasionally skips a couple of patches. No sustain issues. This is better, but not usable in a professional show. Any of my previous concerts have the sustain issue. I’ll keep searching and let you know if I find a resolution to this issue. Thanks again!

  • @MartinGallegosMusic
    @MartinGallegosMusic 2 месяца назад

    Hi Rob, thank you for sharing this excellent material! Is there any way I contact you directly? Thank you!

    • @MusicDirectorOnline
      @MusicDirectorOnline 2 месяца назад

      Musicdirectoronline@gmail.com is my email address

    • @MartinGallegosMusic
      @MartinGallegosMusic 2 месяца назад

      @@MusicDirectorOnline thank you Rob, I just sent you an email

  • @joshuanesbit
    @joshuanesbit 3 месяца назад

    Why can’t you have the web browser open

  • @sekritskworl-sekrit_studios
    @sekritskworl-sekrit_studios 3 месяца назад

    Would you be so kind as to share your template?

  • @peopleofthecant
    @peopleofthecant 3 месяца назад

    Rob, I really enjoyed watching this video. Really appreciate your candidness and wisdom. I especially loved that you emphasized how we're there to be remembered, and we should use our full souls (and the "windows" to them) to our fullest capacity. Best to you and thanks

    • @MusicDirectorOnline
      @MusicDirectorOnline 3 месяца назад

      Thanks for your nice comments - much appreciated and pleased these videos help :)

  • @LucasMarak
    @LucasMarak 3 месяца назад

    wow that was so beautiful thanks !!

  • @akashghoshkeyboardist1680
    @akashghoshkeyboardist1680 4 месяца назад

    Sir I have a roland xps 30 keyboard, and my question is can i use this keyboard as a midi while I’m using mainstage daw in live concert.. how can i setup my keyboard with mainstage daw.. I’m from India.. Please help me sir if possible…

    • @MusicDirectorOnline
      @MusicDirectorOnline 3 месяца назад

      Apologies for the late reply. I am not an expert in MainStage but the answer to your question is yes. You CAN use the sounds within your XPS30 through MainStage. I suggest to look for videos about using EXTERNAL instruments in MainStage which is the terminology MainStage uses for this.

  • @jorgegrajales7695
    @jorgegrajales7695 4 месяца назад

    What's the name of the piece in the beginning of this video?

  • @sabrinatang
    @sabrinatang 4 месяца назад

    Thank you for making this video! It was a frustrating two days until I found this.

  • @MikaelRatilainen
    @MikaelRatilainen 4 месяца назад

    I am curious to know how do you balance different publisher libraries together? :)

    • @MusicDirectorOnline
      @MusicDirectorOnline 3 месяца назад

      That is much easier said than done. There is a practise used by some to place a short midi instance at the beginning of each track that contains volume levels that standardise volumes for each instrument. The problem with that is that every time your return to the beginning of a track, all your volume refer back whether you want it to or not. The tendency is to load each instrument at a volume level around 0db but doing that you soon run out of head room. My suggestion would be to work through your libraries and identify which fall short in levels and then match every other track to those. It's a long laborious job though - I feel the real advantage of templates is have the instruments there and loaded and I just re-adjust the levels of those specific libraries as and when I use them.

  • @whatnow9159
    @whatnow9159 5 месяцев назад

    This helps. Thank you. All the best.

  • @vladtepes97
    @vladtepes97 5 месяцев назад

    My musical debut was in 2020. All pit rehearsals, stage rehearsals, 6 performances = a $10 ice cream gift card. For my next 3 shows i was paid $100. It's fun.

  • @a.j.wecker5538
    @a.j.wecker5538 5 месяцев назад

    I've worked at a theater company as a trumpet for 20 years. They've always covered each book. Until now.. we are about to start a production of Merrily We Roll Along and will only have one trumpet (out of 3) and one reed player (out of 4). Luckily they still hired the one trombone player required! Opens in two weeks. Sitzprobe this week. It's a bummer. Hopefully this isn't the new trend everywhere. :(

  • @robertailman5092
    @robertailman5092 6 месяцев назад

    I have been using sequenced material (this is a single instrument part played with other single instrument parts - pulled together in a DAW) for 40 years. I sing and play guitar. I played regularly in bars in very remote places in Canada (yes, and on freezing cold below zero nights for coal-miners who just came off shift)...,it was done quite often in the "bar circuit"....,so one musician (me) played for four hours with a happy medium between live and "canned" - I had the sound of a four piece for the price of a one piece - I did all the sequencing myself - it required knowing all the charts I played and arranging the individual parts(sequences) in an appropriate, scaled to the venue, sound system. At times I felt like Leo Da'Vinci....., and Henri Mancini...,

    • @MusicDirectorOnline
      @MusicDirectorOnline 6 месяцев назад

      It's great to hear someone as passionate about using tracks as myself. I don't know why but many so called 'purists' feel that it's the demise of musicians...you and I can agree that if one person can sound like 5 or 6 or more.....why not. Good luck bud. Rob P

  • @dordenbivings4872
    @dordenbivings4872 6 месяцев назад

    This is the perfect video for the exact time I needed it! Thank you very much.

  • @nigeldarrah4573
    @nigeldarrah4573 7 месяцев назад

    Thank you for being blunt. I honestly was trying to build a template for every articulation of every library and have been driving myself mad. I’m still tempted to get preset patches, templates, etc.. for all my libraries. It just doesn’t have to be today. From this moment, I’m building small, writing music and build as I go along. Yes it’s two years later but any videos about templates are useful. Thank you.

  • @guybunce
    @guybunce 7 месяцев назад

    I don’t think devamps work anymore in the free version. It now doesn’t allow you to select the target by dragging and dropping and throws up a message saying a license is needed.

  • @myravalentino9864
    @myravalentino9864 7 месяцев назад

    If you pay your actors, you should pay for musicians. If it’s volunteer work, than go for the tracks!

  • @GinaRosalinaSalvia
    @GinaRosalinaSalvia 8 месяцев назад

    So I found this solution worked for my Casio keyboard also.... Using the footswitch in the damper input and using the sustain in the SOSTENUTO. Mapped each accordingly. However if I hold the sustain through a patch change the polarity changes. I feel like I just can't win.

    • @MusicDirectorOnline
      @MusicDirectorOnline 8 месяцев назад

      Hi Gina....you have my sympathy, Im not an expert on MainStage hence I only record videos on very specific issues that I have used and problems Ive mange to solve. Good luck in your endeavours tho. Rob

  • @erik9817
    @erik9817 8 месяцев назад

    I just finished setting up a little template with Iconica Sketch, BBCSO Discovery and ProjectSAM The Free Orchestra. Great tip here regarding disabling tracks. Do you use the score editor in cubase while composing, and if so, how do you set up the score editor?

    • @MusicDirectorOnline
      @MusicDirectorOnline 8 месяцев назад

      Hi there. I never use the score editor no. I use Dorico for notation stuff.....I don't find the score editor in Cubase very user friendly. When composing it depends whether its creating a melody and adding chords or preparing music to be played by live musicians which determines how I go about it. If it's for live musicians I'll use Dorico but for general composing in Cubase I work as per the videos Ive recorded covering Sketch to Orchestration......those 4 videos kinda covers how I work. Hope this helps. Rob

  • @jesusserranomusic
    @jesusserranomusic 8 месяцев назад

    HI! Maybe Roland uses a CC message in the FC input pedal that causes some kind of conflict with MainStage. Few months ago I was helping to the 2nd keyboard in Book of Mormon here in Spain to solve problems like these with Roland. But in this case we were fixing the problem through the app controller in Mac OS (A88 Mk2)

  • @lesterrocks2439
    @lesterrocks2439 8 месяцев назад

    This is golden! Pretty much sums it all up!

  • @avrilcallicutt6116
    @avrilcallicutt6116 9 месяцев назад

    Rob, I love your videos and your blog! Thank you so much for creating these resources. How would you go about applying these tips as a piano-conductor? I’m MDing for a small production with three weeks to opening, and am totally guilty of keeping my eyes glued to the book. But…I have a lot of notes to play, not to mention synth patches to manage! Also, our space has a “thrust” stage, with the band off to the side, so while I can see the actors, I’m not generally in their line of sight. I’d love to find ways to maintain connection with them during performance despite all this. Is it possible? Thanks!

    • @MusicDirectorOnline
      @MusicDirectorOnline 9 месяцев назад

      Hi Avril...nice to hear from you. Connecting with your performer in the context of this video isn't really possible if you and your musicians aren't in the line of sight of the performers. It poses the question: Do they need to see you for cues? If they do then your only option would be they either turn towards where you're located or some form of video relay is installed. Having said that, if you're leading a band and playing and changing patches, you're going to be very busy anyway. The video on Conducting from the Keyboard may help you in some regard but with only a couple of weeks to go, make sure that the company knows you won't be in their line of sight and if there is to be no video relay, start to rehearse them without giving any cues so they're used to it. I hope this helps.....slightly!! Rob P

  • @carlr2259
    @carlr2259 9 месяцев назад

    So very helpful thank you.

  • @antobuckleymusic480
    @antobuckleymusic480 9 месяцев назад

    Your videos have been a huge help for me - very clear and steady. I began my musical direction journey last year and have so much to learn especially with the technology aspects of it, and these videos have been amazing. Thank you :) Anto

  • @louisrost
    @louisrost 9 месяцев назад

    Thank you so much for making this video, it's great.

  • @EBrindle
    @EBrindle 10 месяцев назад

    Hi Rob, interesting video, thank you. Can you clarify if FOH have control over the individual instruments too or if it is just you who does? I'd be really interested to know how you connect the band to FOH as you briefly mentioned towards the end of the video. Thank you in advance, Ewen.

    • @MusicDirectorOnline
      @MusicDirectorOnline 10 месяцев назад

      Hi Ewen. In this set-up (and what I normally prefer when using tracks) is I send to FOH a mix of the tracks and what I am playing, hence the mixer I showed. I always feel I know the music better and therefore the best person to do that mix. However, it is down to the sound technical team to mix me and my track to the rest of the band. In this band there was a drummer that was miked, a lead guitar using his amp with an output to the FOH desk and a bass player with the same set-up. The FOH guys therefore have 4 inputs to mix (1 for each band member). How all that is fed to the desk and how we hear the vocals varies and usually down to the sound guys - hence my emphasis on ensuring they are notified in advance exactly what is my band will and they then decide how best it connects into their desk. Hope this helps. Rob

  • @fanglinyuan2889
    @fanglinyuan2889 11 месяцев назад

    Thank you so much for making those videos. I am a college student aspiring to go into music directing roles, and this video is really helpful giving me a broad understanding of the role.

  • @AmesonJay
    @AmesonJay 11 месяцев назад

    Thank you very much ❤

  • @nuttytechy
    @nuttytechy 11 месяцев назад

    Thank you. I must say that communication is key. A venue I work at do not have a pit due to the interesting and annoying accoustics of the auditorium. It's great for vocal but for anything else then you are entering a battle but anyway I digress. We had a musical come in and the MD wanted makeshift pit in the auditorium due to who the performers were. Prior to tech week, the MD did visit the venue as it was his first time plus after an email conversation explaining the issues, he wanted to hear for himself what the accoustics was like and we found a compromise that it would be a silent pit including the drums as it would cause serious issues. Along comes bandcall + Tech and this is where the can of worms were opened. The drummer either forgot or was not informed that it had to be an electric drum kit. That Tech did not go to plan as the drummer did have a 2hr drive back to his place. This is where the MD and Sound Engineer do need to work as a team.

  • @cameronclarkhull
    @cameronclarkhull 11 месяцев назад

    really interesting video, currently training as a sound technician for theatre :)

  •  11 месяцев назад

    Thanks to this video, our rehearsals are gonna be incredibly awesome!!! THANK YOU MAN!!!

  • @johnmaclaren422
    @johnmaclaren422 Год назад

    Just came across your channel and am enjoying your content, in terms of QLab and MP3s, yes they can and do work but years ago when computers were slower and had less RAM QLab began indicating MP3 is QLab’s least favorite format. Not only can it sound less than ideal, but it also has inherent timing problems that can interfere with critical timing in unpredictable ways (from QLab 3 documentation), in particular with complex cue sequences/prewaits etc. While some will say there are no audible differences with MP3, in general there is more overhead required to process MP3s compared to other compressed formats. There are many free ways to convert MP3 to a preferred QLab for such as Audacity or similar audio processing software, so my thinking is just not worth a risk especially in live theater productions.

  • @mrmakaitv
    @mrmakaitv Год назад

    It’s such a hard line to walk, but yes I agree. For smaller companies, if it’s make or break of “We either use tracks or we don’t do a show at all”, there’s a clear option here. However, I will always advocate for creative solutions. Can’t afford the whole band? Hire half of them, three of them, whatever. As much of the live element as you can keep.

  • @manifestgtr
    @manifestgtr Год назад

    Two things have served me above all others…first is being predictable. I use the same motion for vamps/rests/whatever every single time and it’s never surprising or confusing (at least I *think* so…maybe everyone hates me and the horrible truth is being hidden). When I’ve played in ensembles under other directors, nothing is worse than confusion or lack of clarity on the bandstand. The second is the most important…that’s friendly confidence. “This is the way we’re going” but as the driver on a road trip as opposed to the captain of a slave ship. The most respected MDs in my area are the ones who work really well with others and command respect via their talent and their taste as opposed to their attitude. Musicians are *highly* sensitive/astute people and they can sense your bluff from a mile away. Friendly confidence is the thing that keeps people from making stick figure animations about you, even if you occasionally get distracted by shiny stuff and lower your cueing hand.

  • @versaceboi4762
    @versaceboi4762 Год назад

    Thank you! This is what I wanted but couldn't explain to people properly. Automatic quantization will save me so much time

  • @MrElfantasma
    @MrElfantasma Год назад

    There’s one thing I (as a non-professional) would consider very tricky when it comes to conducting a musical. Let me give a specific example first: „Not my father’s son“ from „Kinky Boots“. The scene starts with a dialogue between the two main characters. Then, while they are still talking, the intro of the song starts underscoring the spoken words. It’s exactly four bars of introduction. The thing for me would be the timing! When should I give the cue for the instruments to start, so that for the actors onstage the transition between speaking and singing is seamless. My point is that the actors don’t have a given tempo while they still speak. Sometimes they might speak a little faster, sometimes a bit slower. This might result either in a small pause before they start singing or that there is still dialogue left when they have to start singing. How is it achieved conducting-wise that the transition between speaking and singing is perfectly seamless?

    • @MusicDirectorOnline
      @MusicDirectorOnline Год назад

      Hi there. This issue isn't really a conducting issue it's a timing issue. Timing that is learnt through rehearsal. Despite what you think, during rehearsal the actors will start to become consistent in the pace they deliver dialogue. As a music director you in turn will come to know when to start the four bar phrase you use as an example......in fact in this example I remember it's only a piano anyway. Similarly, as rehearsals progress the actor will also unconsciously start to time their dialogue to fit the introduction. It's a collaboration that over time will ensure both parties are work towards being at the right pinot to start the lyric. Hope this helps.

  • @lesterrocks2439
    @lesterrocks2439 Год назад

    The headache issue is a real thing!

  • @danielepatania
    @danielepatania Год назад

    Reallly Well done video Just I was searching for!! Thanks a lot Today I will try to configure MS to play backings and VST togheter Then I’ll try to send also program changes to my keyboards Have a good music Daniele from Italy