Audio recording used during live performances
A
backing track
is an
audio recording
on audiotape, CD or a
digital recording
medium or a
MIDI
recording of
synthesized instruments
, sometimes of purely rhythmic accompaniment, often of a
rhythm section
or other
accompaniment
parts that live musicians play along with or sing along to. Backing tracks enable singers and bands to add parts to their music which would be impractical or impossible to perform live,
[1]
such as
string section
or
choir
parts which were recorded in the studio. A backing track can be used by a
one person band
(e.g., a singer-guitarist) to add any amount of bass, drums and keyboards to their live shows without the cost of hiring extra musicians. A small pop group or rock band (e.g., a
power trio
) can use backing tracks to add a string section,
horn section
, drumming or
backing vocals
to their live shows.
Uses
[
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]
Bands or solo musicians may use backing tracks to add extra instrumental or vocal tracks to a live performance, to enhance the sound (as in the employment of doubled
backing vocals
) or to replicate more closely the instrumentation heard on a recording (as in the use of additional recorded parts such as
string sections
which would be costly to reproduce live.) A singer or vocal group performing without a
backup band
may sing along to pre-recorded music. A music track without lead vocals may also be called a
karaoke
, minus-one track or playback. Music backing tracks are also available for instrumental practice and jamming by
jazz
musicians, to help beginning to intermediate performers play to a song's rhythm part or learn to improvise over
chord progressions
. Backing tracks are also known as jam tracks,
[2]
accompaniment tracks, karaoke tracks or performance tracks. If bought commercially, backing tracks often use
session musicians
to play the
instruments
and
backing vocals
, rather than using the original recording of a song, because the rights to use the original performance of the backing parts of a song by a well-known band would be very costly to purchase.
In
electronic music
, some parts which have been
programmed
are too fast or complex to be played by a live musician. Backing tracks are also used when some or all members of a group are
miming the playing of their instruments
,
lip-synching
or using guide tracks.
Also, certain situations may dictate that a backing track must be used; some television programs require that
reality TV
singing contestants perform only the vocals live to simplify the process of mixing the performance, because it means that the
sound engineers
do not have to set up microphones for different
backing bands
.
Backing tracks can also be bought online through a backing track supplier and used for home practice or use in live shows.
Equipment
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Prior to the advent of computers, backing tracks were generally employed through the use of
audio tape
synced with the live performance. In the 1980s, Timbuk 3 was an early band which openly used backing tracks in live performances. The band openly displayed their "
boom-box
" as the third (3) member in the band. Singer-songwriter Pat MacDonald wrote, performed and pre-recorded all the tracks. T3 started out as a cheaper way to
busk
on the streets of Austin, Texas.
Digital sequencers
afforded a new option for bands based on
electronic music
: a sequencer could be programmed with the
MIDI
control data to play back an entire song live, by generating the instrument sounds from
synthesizers
.
[3]
Sparks
were one of the earliest bands to use computer backing trackings, touring with a desktop in 1994.
[4]
However, it was not until the advent of the inexpensive portable computer (and more specifically, the
digital audio workstation
) that musicians were given any real choice beyond the use of tape. In the 2000s, the methods used for backing tracks vary; smaller bands frequently use CDs,
DAT
playback,
MiniDisc
or even an
MP3 player
; larger acts more commonly use computers or standalone MIDI-and-audio
[5]
playback devices with onboard
sound modules
.
Issues
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The use of backing tracks has drawn criticism from some music critics. Many fans dislike the use of tracks live, feeling that they detract from the integrity and honesty of a live performance. The amount of criticism tends to vary with the number of backing tracks used.
[
citation needed
]
The playback of additional audio such as rapid, complex synthesizer parts or
string section
parts while a band plays live tends to draw the least criticism; the heaviest is usually reserved for backup tracks that include all or most of the
backup band
's performance.
[
citation needed
]
Some musicians have spoken out against the use of backing tracks; notably,
Elton John
said in 2004 that "anyone who lip-syncs in public onstage when you pay 75 pounds to see them should be shot." (Specifically, he levied this criticism at
Madonna
, who does use backing tracks on tour, although accusations of lip synching were denied by her management, who argued it is not the same as
miming
. John later rescinded his claims of lip synching, although he continued to criticize her use of backing tracks.)
However, some musicians defend the use of tracks. For instance,
Pet Shop Boys
state that "There's no sneaky secrecy about it" and that their electronically based music would sound "sloppy" if played live, a view that has been echoed by other electronic groups.
[6]
Roger Waters
has admitted to using a pre-recorded vocal track to augment his live vocals on certain songs; his band member
Norbert Stachel
has agreed that it would be better for Waters to use the track than to lose his voice.
[7]
Famous examples
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]
- Playback of pre-recorded
backing vocals
to augment the live performance sound and reduce the number of touring backup vocalists that have to be used ?
Rihanna
,
Mariah Carey
,
Danity Kane
,
The Pussycat Dolls
,
Kiss
and others.
- Playback of additional or selected lead vocals ?
Journey
,
Justin Bieber
,
Madonna
(she has ceased the practice),
Roger Waters
,
Beyonce
,
Rammstein
,
Taylor Swift
,
Weezer
,
Selena Gomez
- Lip synching
to pre-recorded
lead vocal
tracks ?
The Cheeky Girls
,
Milli Vanilli
,
Britney Spears
- Playback of additional vocals along with some additional instrumentation ?
Black Veil Brides
,
Motley Crue
,
[8]
Skillet
- Playback of additional musical parts such as keyboards ?
The Who
,
Kasabian
,
Keane
,
Madonna
,
Muse
,
U2
,
Panic! at the Disco
,
[9]
"Weird Al" Yankovic
(by way of video screen playback, mostly in
Fat
or
White and Nerdy
)
- Playback of large portions of the backing music ?
Buckethead
,
[10]
Ehron VonAllen
,
Pet Shop Boys
,
[6]
Kidsongs
,
Thomas Dolby
,
[11]
The Wiggles
,
[12]
Bad Veins
,
Twenty One Pilots
,
[13]
Coldplay
,
New Politics
,
Fall Out Boy
- Total playback of backing music ?
Girlicious
,
Morning Musume
,
The Pussycat Dolls
,
Ariana Grande
,
Selena Gomez
,
Britney Spears
,
Village People
[14]
See also
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References
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