Playing Multiple Parts Along with Backing Tracks LIVE On Your MODX and Montage

The MODX and Montage have the ability to play back WAV files, which you can link into live performances along with a variety of selectable sounds. This means you can have backing tracks loaded into your keyboard, accessible with a single click, and have a variety of different sounds that you can have available to play live over top of the tracks. No external hardware required! This allows you to track things like bass, drums or other parts, while you play lead sounds on top of the track.
In this tutorial, I show you how to set this up. I demonstrate how you can configure a variety of different sounds, then quickly and easily switch between them as you reach different parts of the song, all while the backing track continues to play. I also show how you can map different sounds to different places on the keyboard, to have multiple sounds at the ready to play with your track - or at the same time!
Next, I show you how to set these up in a quick "Live Set" grid so you can switch arbitrarily between songs in your set with a single touch on the screen. The MODX and Montage are made for this, and they make it easy to play live!
#Montage #MODX #Live

[@adamlangford2849]

Thank you for this, I'm a brand new modx owner and haven't played regularly for 30 years, this is really useful information!

[@vindsoft]

Great video, Scott! I was tipped years back by another user to leverage Keyboard control on & off for different scenes so that the sound will transition smoothly. Mute may cut the sound abruptly.

[@jamesdefrancesco7765]

In the 90s, I gigged with my SY99, SY77, and RY30 in live settings. The 99 was the master sequencer. I could load about 5 songs at a time into the memory. Worked like a charm. At that time it was certainly weird using a drum machine. It was certainly not interesting visually. Thank goodness the other member of the band was a guitarist. This allowed me to create lots of cool orchestrations/arrangements live that I would otherwise not be able to do without midi sequencing. Had to watch the polyphony limitatations. We thought we were so high tech back in the early 90s!

[@jimsuber6784]

Thanks Scott. I was about to trade my new MODX7+ for a kazoo. All of a sudden, I love it.

[@ArunKumarElamana]

Some people are born to explain, Scott is one gem of a tutor. So crystal clear explanation demystifying the intimidating MONTAGE menus.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@AlexKidd4Fun]

Agreed. This is the clearest explanation I've ever been able to find on montage scenes, sets and performances. 👍👍

[@iamtonyade]

Thanks so much for this breakdown! I just need one major clarification before I decide on whether to invest in this MODX 6. If I have a 1-man band gig and I have a consistent drum loop playing in the background at a steady tempo, would I be able to switch in between different backing tracks in real-time while that same one drum loop is playing in the background? Thanks so much Scott!

[@atrothe]

Thanks Scott I will use that tip with my MODX

[@Jtcrawford3]

Thank you Scott. Exceptional video and tutorial.

[@bio-metric-1016]

Fantastic Sir probably one of the best breakdowns I’ve seen very easy and clear to understand what you were talking about I’ve had a montage about two years now and I didn’t know some of the the things you’ve just spoke about thanks 🙏

[@masaizamuya4477]

Excellent tutorial 👏🏼 Thank you brother 👍🏼

[@robskis4boys]

Two thumbs way up Scott!!! Very well done, you're a natural. Peace

[@adrianjapp]

Great tips. Thanks. Relatively new to a MODX8+.

[@rexrathtar3893]

Useful information. Thanks!

[@BlueJavaTN]

Thanks Scott - I had an issue where trying to have a looping wave file linked to a performance, where I had to reload the pattern every time as was not saving with the performance. The key is saving as a Live Set as you demonstrated - helpful timing as I'm using this in a gig Friday!

[@sisternigel]

Thank you. Clear and concise.

[@Seven-ce1rq]

Thank you so much! Very helpful

[@thesoundzweddingpartyband9276]

Great video & info. Thanks

[@sliezsky]

Super video, thank you :)

[@SuneSchack]

Great tutorial, bro! Dig it!

[@victoriousdd3123]

Good job Scott never disappoint

[@rocketmanstudio]

Excellent!!! So detailed and great walk through, so many instructional videos go way to fast like we know where everything’s at, they forget that’s what these videos are for it’s not called a “ walk through “ for no reason…Thx

[@jordansinger8543]

SO USEFUL! THESE KEYBOARD IS A MONSTER!

[@ChordFreak]

Oh, learnt new feature. Thank you!

[@RusiruRupasinghe]

You are a lifesaver! Thank you

[@Info-Ark]

this is amazing

[@michaelgambs3447]

Awesome video, thank you so much. You deserve way more subs!!!

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Then you should subscribe! :)

[@johnloffredo]

Dude your a great help thank you so much

[@dealsbetweenfriends]

most difficult syth. station ever had...........Thanks! MODX

[@kelpspiano]

Thank You from brazil !!

[@tijomtitus]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@gerryfarrell4476]

Great job … thank you

[@neverendingfire]

Scott, thanks for this video, was really interesting and have now subscribed.. I've only recently got my Montage 8, but I love it.. but so much to learn and at the moment I'm just enjoying a lot of the live sounds.. But I will learn to do more with it as I explore more and more and I'll be referencing your videos!! Many thanks ! Keep up the great work ! Nicely explained!

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

It's a credit to Yamaha that the MODX and Montage can be used as a simple preset machine...or you can dive in to one of the most complex and capable synth engines made. But you don't HAVE to! :)

[@neverendingfire]

@@ScottsSynthStuff Absolutely! I've owned a few keyboards over the years and my philosophy has always been to upgrade it once I had felt I had reached the maximum potential of my existing instrument. I've always loved the sound of the Yamaha's, and have written most of my songs on them. Thanks again.

[@kevanbarrett7411]

Thanks Scott. This was useful as I'm just in the process of adding some WAV backing files that will either play along live with through my MODX or Nautilus or perhaps both. Just to say though 24 bit files are working fine on both synths.

[@BTLOMS]

Great Lesson

[@erniepavone1093]

Very helpful

[@jimward2324]

This is awesome - exactly what I need. Question: How do I adjust the volume of the backing track Im assuming that I can adjust my keyboard sounds via the sliders. My goal is to balance the mix. For me this is a WOW video. Please keep making them.

[@jesusr160]

Amazing i just bought modx plus i see how things operate

[@garfieldoliveira1458]

Wowwwww thanks Scott, great detailed video, was wondering if theres any limit on as to how many backing tracks i can record on the montage 8, thanks

[@valinhosvideos]

Great video ! Can you teach how can I use the actual backing track and another metronomo/ guide track in the output 3-4 ? Thanks

[@JunkSoap]

Interesting.... But there are a few things to consider when playing backing tracks live. * You gotta route a clicktrack and cues to your drummer * You gotta be able to stop / mute the backing track at any time in case something goes wrong. * The FOH guy will be mad if you can't send him two separate signals... * Loading time must be as short as possible ( In my case, I'm asked to leave as little silence as possible between two songs... ) * You gotta be able to jump from a song to any other than the folllowing one on the setlist... ( our leader works like a DJ and reorders the setlist on the fly depending on the audience enthusiasm ) * Stability.... ( You can't fuck up at a live TV show... Computers banned... ) Looks there is still room for innovation in that area... I can't believe this backing track thing hasn't been covered by manufacturers in 2022 !!!! I'm currently using a Cymatics Utrack24 to play backing tracks, but still no midi sync... in 2022... Such a shame.... Recently, a kickstarter campaign has been initiated for a product called "Idoru P1". Looks promising, but I'm not sure the pedal form factor is suitable for every one, and jumping to another song in the setlist looks difficult in a live situation... For the old school guys like me who refuse computers on stage, the best solution is maybe to use an Akai Force, now that tempo change and stream from disk are supported... And maybe hope Akai release a Force Keys, just like they did with MPC Keys 61... Let's keep fingers crossed...

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Some very good points. - Clicktrack: You have only one real option: embed the click in one channel of the WAV audio, and send the other channel (mono) to FOH. Montage and Fantom/Fantom-0 have multiple outputs where you can route click separately, but that's synced to the keyboard's tempo, NOT to the WAV file, so you really need that click as part of the audio. - Stopping: You can stop/pause the backing track instantly on the MODX/Montage with the transport controls. - Separate signals: Yes, but I see more and more synth guys (who for whatever reason are in charge of the backing track as well) with their own submixer, and they send a complete mix (at least backing track/synths) to FOH. - Loading time: On the MODX/Montage, it's instant. Hit the song on the screen, hit play. No load time, it's instant. - Jumping tracks: again, on the MODX/Montage, with your live set list, you have 16 tracks to pick from on each page, and you have 16 pages to pick from - per bank (and there are 8 banks). Just touch the song you want, hit play, you're ready to go - And yes, stability is always an issue. I would not want to have a laptop on stage running the show for a huge live production. At least not with multiple hot backups and people other than me ready to switch between them. The uTrack 24 is a good solution to that, and is something I actually considered for use as a multichannel audio interface at one point.

[@emersonpit]

For keyboardist, Korg Kronos is actually the answer for backing tracks and stability on stage. Multiple audio tracks, large SSD storage inside, instantly change in Live Mode, high quality hardware, separate output and volume control for sounds, backtrack and click.

[@TommyRobinsoncat]

thanks pal

[@kennypr]

Good video. I play on church alone (Montage) so I was wondering how can I integrated drums with my performance

[@nationalmilkbar6864]

Is it possible to change the volume of each individual backing track once it's in the Montage? Not got a Montage yet so don't know my way around it. Thanks, really insightful video

[@RickLewis]

As a complete beginner to learning how to play and program the Montage I found this very helpful. Is it also possible to have the backing track and/or individual parts from a song which are pre-recorded be trigger on demand from pressing a key? Do you have a tutorial on that? I will be checking through your other videos. Thank you.

[@joe-mens8678]

Good job this is very useful but I still have a question for you thanks

[@slavetothesquarewave]

Thanks for this Scott. Is there a way of assigning the backing track to separate outputs so the house mixer has separate mix control for the track and the live keyboard performance?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I don't think you can change the output destination of the WAV file, but you can for each of the parts - so you could set each of the parts to output on the assignable L/R outputs, and then have the WAV file play out its default main L/R outputs. Of course, this is on the Montage only, as the MODX does not have assignable outputs.

[@edrumsense]

Thanks! but please help me to solve a doubt. I have to trigger about 3 or 4 audio files that correspond to Audio FXs, like recordings of a sea ship, long wind, background noises, etc. In roland I can assign different audio FX tracks to different pads. Question, can I somehow trigger multiple audio files here too? or I can only trigger only one file per live set?

[@classicarcadeamusementpark4242]

It is possible to have a saved patch that streams the wav files from a USB memory stick to save space on the MODX? This way, you would select the patch from the Live Set, make sure the USB stick with the wave file is connected, and press play on the MODX?

[@mydanbff5483]

Love this can you do more like showing how to take off the foot pedal from different parts when layering please you thee best

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I just recorded a video on this for you - look for it on Monday!

[@mydanbff5483]

@@ScottsSynthStuff God bless you can’t wait thank you so much

[@garaiss]

Thank you for your video! I have question! Scott, as long time synth master. I would like to ask from you advice. I was with my Juno DS88 for quite long time, but now I see need more professional-no I need professional stage piano-serious main stage keyboard for live playing! I have look for CK series, Roland 0fantom series, MODX, of course i love Nord piano sounds, and RD 2000 and Roland Fantom but they to expensive! What would you suggest. Maybe you could help me to figure out witch one would be the best from your view.

[@petersparfuchs5700]

Great Video! Do you know a way to save that pre selected volume of the backing track into the live set? Everytime I recall the live set the volume of the backing tracks turns to maximum.

[@thesoundchecker]

same problem here on my MODX6 - any solution yet?

[@MauriceJayMusic]

Hey Scott, another awesome tutorial ! Thank you! One question.... how does one activate the MoDX click track to play along at the same time with the backing track (presuming one knows the tempo of the backing track). Maybe worth a wee follow up video?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

That would be tough - there's nothing in the backing track that would sync the MODX click to it.

[@MauriceJayMusic]

@@ScottsSynthStuff thanks for getting back, yeah, I feared that :( Love you're videos and thanks again.

[@MG-Nordster]

Scott, which button activates the PLAY for the backing track? Thank you soooo much, i just bought the Modx8+ so forgive my dumb question!

[@LarryHoneycutt]

What is the USB item that allows you to project your keyboard to video? You mentioned it at the beginning of the video and said you couldn't use it because your USB slot was taken. Great info by the way!!

[@markkatz3563]

Awesome....quick question. So aside from a B3 and ARP2600 back in the day (I'm old), I just got modx8, and am learning this bad boy. That said, if I wanted to only have parts of the imported wav file performance play, say just bass and drums, would I have to edit it in ProTools or something to delete the other sounds from the wav file that I don't want? There is no way to do this on the MODX, is there? Or did I get the whole thing wrong?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

That's correct, you'd have to have that done in an editor and written that way to the WAV file first.

[@markl8282]

Very well explained. Thanks. Probably a dumb question but the backing wav file is a single separate sound source which does not take away from your remaining polyphony for live play (FM or sample based). Would that be correct?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

That's correct, the backing track has no effect on polyphony.

[@MarcusTrotta]

Hey Scott, excellent video, can't wait to try this on a couple songs here. Question about something I'm struggling with: How about using a short wav file that I'm want to loop throughout the song? I was able to load that into the performance, but can't seem to find a way to loop it (it's 2 bars long). Any suggestions?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Nope, it doesn't have that capability, unfortunately. You'll have to loop in it your DAW or Audacity, then export that WAV with the loop repeated in it.

[@Blancramon]

If I understand you correctly it's doable, check this out (around min 5 he tlks about looping): kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXqoZaGMp7ubiMU. However I have not figured out how to do another basic thing: switch to another loop within the same performance (which should be standard, since that's what songs consist of usually - a hand ful of drum loops over which you play your accompaniment). So if anyone knows how to do that let me know!

[@pt3Pix]

Great video! Question I have: Let's say I have two (or more) wav files that I want to play. First wav is the intro that's 5 seconds long. The second wav gets played just before the chorus and it's only two seconds. And I also want to play whatever keys/synth sound live. Is this doable?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

You would have to edit them together into a single WAV file first. Either that or have them as separate live set performances - but you would have to trigger them manually.

[@alan93]

you explain and show things very well , better than most, however, I'm not sure what type of backing tracks people would play along with. Band recordings or something else?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Usually it's going to be the parts of a track that can't be played by hand. Maybe there's a pattern being played over and over again that you can't play when you're already playing something else. Maybe there's a guitar in the song, and you don't have a guitarist. Basically, anything that you want to hear as part of the song, but can't perform manually.

[@casey__pope]

Hey Scott- is it possible to adjust the volume of a backing track while playing live over it?

[@keemez]

bout time for a haircut, champ

[@Admirableprince]

Thanks Scott for this informative video. I'm currently thinking to switch to Montage 8 and now checking through Montage features to be sure it mactches my style of stage performance. I have two questions: 1. Is it possible to create custom styles or rhythms that can be used in the accompaniment? 2. Is it possible to create an acoustic guitar strumming pattern in one of the tracks of a style/rhythm? Thank once again, looking forward to your answers

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Yes, both of these can be accomplished with the arpeggiator in the MODX and Montage. User arpeggiators can be created from the pattern sequencer, containing rhythms or styles or whatever. The arpeggiator will play those in whatever key/chord you press (or can be configured to play in a specific key). The arpeggiator can also be configured to play chords "strummed", or you could just play a strum pattern into the pattern sequencer, and make an arpeggio from that. It's complex...but very powerful.

[@Admirableprince]

Thank you very much Scott.

[@davidordonez8964]

What if I want to also send click on one side and tracks on the other?

[@jesseimpersonal]

Nice! What steps to take to load the backing tracks in from USB stick? MODX user.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

You don't load them in - you just point to them as part of the performance live set. It plays them directly from the USB stick.

[@jesseimpersonal]

​@@ScottsSynthStuff Thank you!

[@pianoman1015]

Scott I have my USB stick formatted with 2-3 samples I can't get them to play on my modx8 what am I missing here

[@Altsouza64]

Hi Scott, if I want to add midi files songs instead of wav songs to play along with, Is it possible? Sometimes I want to change the midi file, add some parts etc, so would be easier than to modify wav files. Great Vídeo. Thanks

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Yes, you can load MID files into the sequencer, or you can play them directly - with the added bonus that the MID file can play parts 8-16, which you can't play from the keybed.

[@Altsouza64]

@@ScottsSynthStuff Thanks

[@MusicGoodies-]

How do I assign keys? Thanks!

[@suelikesspurs]

Is it possible to store multitrack wavs in a drum part or in elements of an AWM2 part and trigger them from that?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

The WAVs must be 44.1 stereo only, so no multitrack unfortunately.

[@suelikesspurs]

@@ScottsSynthStuff There is no problem in making multitrack wavs 44.1 stereo. I don’t understand why that is a stumbling block.

[@suelikesspurs]

@@ScottsSynthStuff Ah, sorry, I think I should have said the idea was to put stereo stems of a multitrack song into either AWM elements or as samples for a drum part.

[@eldkir]

Where is the "Play?" Also... Is the sound saved internally, or does the flash drive have to be plugged in?

[@alancummings5651]

But what about smooth sound switching when you mute.? Doesn’t it suddenly cut off when switching scenes? It seems to on my modx8

[@billgrabbe9992]

I believe you can turn off keyboard control instead of muting to avoid that problem.

[@Venatt1]

Excellent tutorial, but I think there's a very important part missing. If you are using backing tracks to play live and let's say theres's a drummer in your band, how do you send the drummer a click or metronome so he's in tempo with the backing tracks ??? I know the Montage has a dedicated output for that but the Modx doesn't. Maybe you could add more info on this type of scenario.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

That's one of the issues with the MODX. You can do it with the Montage or the Fantom (both Fantom and Fantom-0 have secondary outputs). For the MODX, you'd have to send MIDI clock to a second device to produce the click track.

[@Venatt1]

@@ScottsSynthStuff I think that in that case the best think would to be to have the backing tracks on a DAW instead of the MODX. Or hopefully someday somebody can do a video on how to exactly achieve this using midi. The reason on why I didn’t buy the MODX+ is because they didn’t add that extra output.

[@billsolomon1]

This same procedure can be done with the MODX plus?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Yes! It works exactly the same way.

[@NanaOkyere]

Can mofx do this?

[@NoMoreRatRace4Me]

I use 48k files.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

You would have to convert them to 44.1/24 or 44.1/16 in order to use them, then.

[@NoMoreRatRace4Me]

@@ScottsSynthStuff Nope, I render out 48k 16 bit PCM audio wave files and drop them right in to the MODX. Excellent Sound.

[@2musicbaz885]

Thanks 🙏