Dave, you mentioned MP3 in your suggested thread. Aside from break music, can you give me any justification for buying the player for the PA800, or in general ?

Hi Bernie,
I use the MP3 player to provide sequenceLIKE backings that I have created at home, and added backing cocals to. I made a Beach Boys Medley, for example that would be impossible to do live because the harmonies and the lead sing two distinct lines.
I also have a few comercial Karaoke tracks that I play over, that would be very difficult for me to reproduce with the arranger patterns. These are mostly horn section or guitar heavy songs.
I welcome any tool that allows me the freedom to express myself in song while I entertain an audience!

I love backing "cocals"..

I see. I gather that you pre-record your backing onto existing MP3's, which wouldn't leave much to do live. Or do you sing melody over the sequence ?

I do a lot of singing, and I too believe in any tools that enhance the final product. I use midi, but I didn't think MP3's could be manipulated enough to use. If so, it being audio, it has advantages like vocal backing.

Just trying to get into the 21st century.

Ooops ..... in my excitement, my mittens made the typing more difficult !

My backing files are minus the lead vocals as well as the piano parts. Some have guitar parts left out that I play live as well! My simple method is to use the arranger with the piano part muted and I sing harmonies with the lead voice turned way down or off ...depending on the effect I want. Listen to "Nightingale" here: www.boydsongs.com
That was recorded with RH piano, LH bass, drums (9k pro) and 3 part harmony. If I was to do that one live - I'd simply mute the piano, and fade down my lead vocals.

Hi UD
Thank you for your answers. What software is used to adjust tracks per above ? Also, you mentioned Karaoke tracks. Since the PA800 doesn't read CD&G files, what do you do with them ? Just ignore the lyric track ?

I'll quit pestering you. I just need a little advice on the feasability of using MP3's.

UD-Do you have something recorded on the PA800 that showcases your harmony?

zuki

I don't record with any software. I use a hard disk system and play the parts live into a mixer. In a sense, I am doing a live version of what i would play if I was backing up ME in a show. Does that make sense? What I mean is this:
I play the bass, drums and various acc parts while I sing the background voices....just as if I had a partner with me that would play the piano/lead and and sing the melody.
Zuki:
I haven't recorded the PA800 yet, but I plan too very soon. I understand that I can do it internally with the MP3 board...I'll see if I can read up on it.
Bernie:
You're not pestering me. I started this thread to provide solid information. Glad to help.

Thanks UD - interested in hearing arranger style playing while singing harmonies at the same time. Of course, I'll be trying the same with my PA800 next week.

Are you still enamored with the 800????

zuki

Zuki... I LOVE this thing !
I'll try to record my Mills Brothers Medley for you soon !

Cab Driver
You Always Hurt The One You Love
Across The Alley
Paper Doll
Opus One

All done with tasteful, four part harmony !