Simmo is looking for a bit of advice

[simmo123]

Hi folks, Ole Simmo is back on the scene again after having a well earned break from the music, (gigs etc ) Patricia & myself have just had a nice relaxing break in Bali where we managed to spend time lounging around the pool, of the "Lokha Hotel" 3-4 star but only around 50 rooms with a very friendly staff, good food etc, we have been to this hotel a few times so they treat us like family. One of the benefits of Bali for us West Aussies is it's only a three & a half hour flight from Perth so as you can imagine it is a very popular choice. Ok the reason I am posting is for any advice from the members on how is the easiest & best way to control your song lists when gigging, at the moment I am playing my backing tracks in mp3 format using quite an outdated bit of gear, it is called an ESS MBlaster2 MIDI & MP3 PLAYER, I am at the moment using all mp3 tracks that I have edited from the midi format to wav & then convert to mp3.I am interested in something like a tablet which I believe some of the members are using & also putting the chords/lyrics etc on the tablet. Any advice would be most welcome. My other question was' is Wav format for backing tracks superior quality to having the tracks in mp3 format, I realize that wav is a larger file but with the modern tablets etc I understand that space is not a problem. My current ESS MBLASTER will only take up to around a hundred mp3 tracks owing to not accepting a larger than one gig memory card which is ok for mp3 format but if I wanted to use Wav format files the number of songs would be drastically reduced, so I have decided to start making changes.I am completely in the dark with all of the jargon that probably comes with tablets ( even though Patricia has got herself an Ipad ).
I will have to scroll back to see any past posts / news etc on the forum.

Best wishes to all...Simmo

Ps can forward my email address if needed.

[weeo]

Hi Simmo, I've been using my Ipad for the last year or so and I wish I had done it sooner. No more minidiscs, books of lyrics etc.
I use a programme called ONSONG it's an "app" that you download on to your tablet, costs about £5-6 UK. It takes a bit of setting up and getting used to, but I'm very happy with it. You have to be signed up to ITunes for it to work properly.
It works basically like: Pick the track you want,
"sync" the track on to the Ipad.
Put the lyrics ( you can download most from the internet)on to ONSONG
When you finish putting the lyrics on it will ask you to choose sound track
Choose the track that you have already imported and they play together.
You can make the lyrics scroll, make them bigger, add chords.etc.
Some of the other members use other tablets and I don't know if they're any better or worse. There is a thread about this in the Tablets section.
Hope this is of some help ,but if you have any questions ask away and i'll try and sort you out.

Regards
Eddie

[simmo123]

Hi Eddie, many thanks for all of the info on the tablet it sounds pretty interesting, obviously it has no connection to the sound quality but for reliability it certainly sounds like the way to go plus the amount of tracks it can store sounds amazing, I will have a look at the various models etc & pick up as much info as I can.

Regards Simmo

[freeway]

Terry

As regards the sound quality wave is uncompressed and will normally sound  better as opposed to mp3 which has been compressed to make it much more popular because of its size but obviously loses some of its quality in the proccess. But to be honest I like most musos I'd say use mp3's (midis converted also ) for gigging and the difference is barely noticeable if at all.

Here's some more info ............answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081028231248AAb3VRC
Regards

Barry

[simmo123]

Hi Barry, many thanks for your advice on the difference between mp3 & wav format you have convinced me that mp3 is the way to go, next question to the forum is , because I am looking for a new player to replace my very old MBlaster2 player I am interested on what the other members are using to play mp3 formatted tracks, also any recommendations for a quality small to medium size PA system as I am currently using a Yamaha Stagepas 500 system which has seen better days, something not to heavy as well as most of my gigs are only about an hour long which if the rig was to bulky it is a lot of extra work for the time I am there. Anyone familiar with the Bose pa's ??..expensive but they must give out a good sound for there price.

all suggestions welcome...Simmo

PS had a good busking session this morning at our local Rotary run Market...3 hours playing & trying to repeat only the good ones..got home knackered, the other problem is you have to get there really early to claim your spot as up to 5 buskers can be there at the same time however today I was the only one which was most unusual, managed to shift a few more cds as well.