Troisnoir,

I have the Digitech Jamman loop station. It's great for what you are talking about.

There's a SD card you can down load any tracks you want as well as loop anything on the fly or something you might have pre-recorded.

I love mine!

I have used Bose L1 for several years. I normally work solo, with an arranger keyboard and vocals, but many times I have run a second, third and even more instruments and vocals through the system, simply by adding a mixer.
I've never had a problem with the different sounds getting in the way or canceling out, and I've worked venues up to several hundred people, including outdoors.
Even when I play solo, my keyboard and I are generating bass, strumming, arpeggios, drums, solos and vocals (including harmonizer) all at the same time, and sometimes at extreme sound levels.
I suspect that the bass man's sound preferences are what he is used to hearing with conventional systems and that the L1 is over-equalized, and that this could be the cause of the problems you are having.
You should be able to cheerfully co-exist with one system until the dollars start rolling in.
It is VERY important to use e.q. with much discretion where the L1 is concerned. A little is a lot!
Try it and enjoy!
DonM

quote:

Originally posted by Troisnoir:
I would like to add some simple rhythm (percussion) to my playing....

I know I'm not your average listener -- and I may be starting a flame war here -- but when I hear a drum machine or recorded backing tracks, I generally leave the room. If I want to hear recordings, I'll stay home and turn on the CD player. Why not work with a percussionist?

quote:

but when I hear a drum machine or recorded backing tracks, I generally leave the room.

Why is it that the people who are suppose to be creative are also so closed minded.

Different strokes for different folks. That's why they make chocolate and vanilla.

Respect,

quote:

when I hear a drum machine or recorded backing tracks, I generally leave the room. If I want to hear recordings, I'll stay home and turn on the CD player. Why not work with a percussionist?

As they say, to each his/her own. Listening preferences are what they are. Many musicians listen with the instrument/player in mind, comparing it to their own capabilities.

Unfortunately, what some are missing with that statement, is that quite a few very accomplished "Vocalists" sing to tracks, rather than hack out a so so guitar or other background accompaniment.
As front men/women in various bans, "We" are why people show up at many of the venues out there. I loved playing with a 3-5 piece band, but getting the budget and co-operation of 5 musicians to practice and stay together for any period of time can be a challenge.
The are many guitarists, pianists, etc, etc that play very well, but are not very good vocalists.

I am sorry, but the singer is what most people come to hear. There are few instrumentalist that can hold a good size audience for more than a set or two. I myself can play reasonable Guitar, excellent Bass, Ok keyboards and a few wind instruments, but as a trained and seasoned Vocalist/Entertainer, that is where my attraction lies.

All ego and such aside, I have played and recorded long enough to know what sells and brings the people in. Many times I have heard people say "We love your voice", never have I heard, "Wow, what a great Bass line or Guitar lick you did". They just don't care, unless it's really bad.

I would much rather sing to decent tracks, through the clarity of a Bose system, than struggle with some of the fine musicians, who are pitch challenged when they open their mouth.

A lot of big band music, is just not going to work with a single guitar. Many keyboard players today, play a bit with the keys and shove about 4-8 tracks of midi in with it. Maybe that competes with a track, but a good singer, focuses on the vocal and puts a lot of feeling and emotion into a song.

If you can convince yourself and your audience that you really mean it when you sing and you've got the chops to pull it off, then the "Quality Tracks" are just another piece of the show.

Ooo, I could go both ways on this. I used to use sequenced parts, but I was so happy when I got a gig where they just wanted vocal & guitar. Then I started trying to make my guitar sound like a full band.

I personally prefer all live music. I don't have any politcal philosophies in that regard, it's just my preference.

In the time it's taken me to think this through, I've found a drummer and bassist. I'll still be playing solo, because many venues can't/won't afford a three-piece. But for those gigs where I need more sound, I'll now have it.

I guess it all depends on why you're playing (what you expect to get out of it personally), and the type of music/venue you're playing at.

When I go to a coffeehouse or similar place to hear some music, I want to hear live. Not because it's better, I just want to hear something different than the radio...I want to hear mistakes, different arrangements, etc. I also like to hear how a soloist meets the challenge of playing a song by themselves.

On the other hand, if I came to dance or have a party, a soloist (without tracks) won't cut it. Then I have no problem with tracks. That's also why I don't do Sixties or Rock 'N Roll shows, so much of that music depends on recognizable hooks or instrumental signature parts.

Hope I'm not offending anyone

quote:

In the time it's taken me to think this through, I've found a drummer and bassist. I'll still be playing solo, because many venues can't/won't afford a three-piece. But for those gigs where I need more sound, I'll now have it.

Looking back on this thread, I realize I already said that. What I meant was, I'm going to try and use them all through the L1 and see if it'll work. I think with the right arrangements, it might.

quote:

On the other hand, if I came to dance or have a party, a soloist (without tracks) won't cut it. Then I have no problem with tracks. That's also why I don't do Sixties or Rock 'N Roll shows, so much of that music depends on recognizable hooks or instrumental signature parts.

Hi Tres,
That's my situation, Most of my gigs are either 50/60's R&R, Big Band or both. I wind up singing quite a variety for dance groups, clubs and Gazebo events. Luckily I enjoy it and the L1 MII, 2B1's, T1 performs very well in that capacity. BTW Tres, I have noticed, that the percussion units (or drum machines, if you wish) have improved considerably over the years.

quote:

Ooo, I could go both ways on this. I used to use sequenced parts, but I was so happy when I got a gig where they just wanted vocal & guitar.

Hi Tom,
The beauty here, is that you do have the chops to pull off great playing style and a terrific voice, with the right tones, and soothing sound that people can listen to for lengthy periods of time. No sucking up here, that sound is recognizable right off when you sing and play. Many players, no offense, just do not have that sound. They are pleasant, but get boring or give off listening fatigue rather quickly. Again, no offense to anyone, that's just the way some of them come off.
I have worked this scenario (more so in the past) and enjoyed it also. Unfortunately, there is not much call for this where I currently am located.

Either way, I love being involved in the music profession, it has been a big part of most of my life. Bringing enjoyment to people is a wonderful sharing experience.

Hello all,
What I have learned in my 45+ years of weekend gigging is that,whether your playing with a band or as a solo with or without tracks,make the songs you play your own.Keep them recognizable, but make them your own style.People have already heard John Lennon or whoever do a paticular song,but you bring new life into a song if you make it your own.Do it for the love of the music,then you enjoy it and the audience will pick up on the positive vibe.If you try to mimick someone's voice or playing licks, you'll probably fail and be uptight.They will also feel that negative vibe.Never,never be apologetic for your short comings.You'll get better with experience.IMHO,just have fun - J.D.

I use a Yamaha 9000 Pro keyboard for my MIDI tracks (I make them myself), but that's probably more than you want to do.

Here is one suggestion: Record your backing tracks to CD, and use them with a CD player at your gigs., Or:

Find something that will play MIDI tracks from a floppy disc (many inexpensive keyboards have disc drives now), or use a laptop plugged into your PA, to play MIDI backing tracks. If you don't want to do your own, there are thousands of tracks available for free online.

Good luck.