Fantastic, this is exactly the video I needed right now. I’ve got one question: I’m planning on using Clicktracks for my next production with a live band of Five musicians. I wanted to use Qlab for this but then I realised, that I would need a lot of devamping cues (track going into the vamp and automatically vamping until I press the button again to continue) but that’s only included in the rather pricey renting license. I thought about using mainstage but that’s not as intuitive with vamping. Do you know a cheaper program with the same functionality?
Hi Max. Whats your production? Vamps are always a problem. If you're not using the licensed tracks you mention, then you only have two options. 1. When it comes to the vamp, only use the band to vamp then restart your track as you come out of it. 2. Qlab can be programmed to stop one track when he next starts and therefore you could record a vamp for much longer than you need and start it (and stop the main track) and then restart the continuation track (as the vamp stops). It's not ideal and slightly risky. Forget using MainStage as it won't do anything like this and the Playback function isn't that reliable. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the help! The production is La cage aux folles. There are no licensed tracks, what I meant by that is the expensive pro version of Qlab you have to get in order to use the devamping function. I just checked and it might be possible to use option 1 for most of the score and give some of the smaller orchestral parts to the 2nd Keyboard, who is mostly responsible for the harp part. Just in the big production numbers, where I want the sound of the whole orchestra, I will try your second option.
Another question: if you use a vocal count in, do you record that yourself or is there a good website with soundfiles or something similar you can recommend?
That is not what a click track is. You are talking about backing tracks or simply ‘tracks’. A click track is a shared metronome or simple rhythmic pulse that the musicians in the pit can choose to listen to or not.
You're absolutely right but it seems its become and interchangeable term. But then backing tracks are very likely to be then confused with karaoke tracks which in this instance certainly isn't the case....let's settle on a 'part backing track with click'. :)
They are two different things - backing tracks go to FOH, click goes to band only. You even drop in a metronome sound in your intro, the go on to talk backing tracks. You do throw in a section for click at the end, but it's a horribly convoluted setup going to the main desk and then back to stage - only good for performers playing in the one house and not leaving it.. Sorry man but you need to get your terminology right.
Thank you for very informative video.
Really enjoyed this - i think I have watched this video about 3 times so far !
Glad you enjoyed it!
Fantastic, this is exactly the video I needed right now. I’ve got one question: I’m planning on using Clicktracks for my next production with a live band of Five musicians. I wanted to use Qlab for this but then I realised, that I would need a lot of devamping cues (track going into the vamp and automatically vamping until I press the button again to continue) but that’s only included in the rather pricey renting license. I thought about using mainstage but that’s not as intuitive with vamping. Do you know a cheaper program with the same functionality?
Hi Max. Whats your production? Vamps are always a problem. If you're not using the licensed tracks you mention, then you only have two options. 1. When it comes to the vamp, only use the band to vamp then restart your track as you come out of it. 2. Qlab can be programmed to stop one track when he next starts and therefore you could record a vamp for much longer than you need and start it (and stop the main track) and then restart the continuation track (as the vamp stops). It's not ideal and slightly risky. Forget using MainStage as it won't do anything like this and the Playback function isn't that reliable. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the help! The production is La cage aux folles. There are no licensed tracks, what I meant by that is the expensive pro version of Qlab you have to get in order to use the devamping function. I just checked and it might be possible to use option 1 for most of the score and give some of the smaller orchestral parts to the 2nd Keyboard, who is mostly responsible for the harp part. Just in the big production numbers, where I want the sound of the whole orchestra, I will try your second option.
Another question: if you use a vocal count in, do you record that yourself or is there a good website with soundfiles or something similar you can recommend?
Ableton is very fast becoming the standard for click tracks. It handles 99% of vamps perfectly!
Oh thanks I didn’t know about that. Will inform myself about that.
That is not what a click track is. You are talking about backing tracks or simply ‘tracks’. A click track is a shared metronome or simple rhythmic pulse that the musicians in the pit can choose to listen to or not.
You're absolutely right but it seems its become and interchangeable term. But then backing tracks are very likely to be then confused with karaoke tracks which in this instance certainly isn't the case....let's settle on a 'part backing track with click'. :)
They are two different things - backing tracks go to FOH, click goes to band only. You even drop in a metronome sound in your intro, the go on to talk backing tracks. You do throw in a section for click at the end, but it's a horribly convoluted setup going to the main desk and then back to stage - only good for performers playing in the one house and not leaving it.. Sorry man but you need to get your terminology right.