How To Run Backing Tracks - Easiest, and Cost Effective

The best and most cost effective way (In my personal opinion) to run backing tracks for ANY live music! I basically run a channel splitting cable to a small mixer, which separates my clicks from the effects i want the crowd to hear. Through the mixer i can control the volume of the click, as well as how loud the tracks are in my headphones. If you have questions drop them in the comments!
Gear:
Behringer Xenyx Mixer -
www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...
Sure SE215 In ears:
www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...
1/4 channel splitting cable with headphone insert:
www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...
Storage Box:
www.amazon.com/Hermitshell-Pi...
DI Box -
www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...
1/4 inch to headphone adapter
Featured Shirt - As Shadows Collapse (my old band haha)
asshadowscollapse
youtube/asshadowscollapse

[@ariz7171]

Run the bypass of the DI box into your mixer so you can hear the tracks too🤘🏼

[@BreeceMatarazzo]

Man this is one of those things that seems so obvious but for some reason I still needed to see it all laid out and demonstrated, which you executed perfectly. Thanks man!

[@Jediroth23]

Massive help, we've been using samples for a while now on a trigger pad and moving in to bigger arrangements in the back now which the trigger can't handle. This is super straight forward thanks dude!!

[@ShanesQueenSite]

Thanks for the advice. I never knew how to run those clicks as I am normally in a situation where I’m playing with a drummer so I would follow the percussion. I may soon be in a situation where I am accompanying without a drummer so this will be important for me. Thanks for the advice

[@brucemaier3943]

Really liked your presentation even though it's been on a couple years and I just found it today. Looking forward to your other posts!

[@renesbbwi]

Thank you Matt for this video. Very simple and cost effective. Exactly what I needed. Take care!

[@Xueqs]

Just ordered everything from your list man. My bands been growing quick but i never realized how responsible i am as the drummer to getting us all sounding perfect on stage. This setup will make things perfect

[@hamburgerzzzzz]

Man, I wish my drummer felt the same way lol We're currently trying to convince him to play to a click for our recordings... 😪

[@Xueqs]

@@hamburgerzzzzz super essential. If he isn't using this he is a weakness to the team and holding your progress back. Not using a click track isn't acceptable for any band seeking to achieve mainstream success today

[@hamburgerzzzzz]

@@Xueqs I completely agree... It's a tough situation

[@AdamSandal83]

@@Xueqs Slipknot records and plays half of their songs without clicks even on Unsainted and they're still massive. A click is good in most cases but it isn't always necessary.

[@FreeAmBand]

@@AdamSandal83 if you have/had a super tight drummer like Joey it helps a lot!

[@tommyfalconey]

Finally, someone knows wtf they are talkin about

[@mykl746]

Thanks a TON for this. My band State V has been trying to figure out the best way to run Backing Tracks

[@jeffyoko]

Really appreciate you sharing your "secrets" with us, man! lol Helped out a lot.

[@darthsyddious5984]

omg thank you. finally someone explains it for the average guy! returning to gigging after 10 years and I had no idea how this stuff was done. thanks

[@Texturas75]

Can you gig in your country? Where do you live?

[@bobbysbackingtracks]

Great vid Matt awesome info.

[@ckyro121]

Right to the point; good stuff.

[@frafra4486]

Great advice! Thanks man. I have a little problem with creating backing track this way in FL studio (left side = metronome, right side = samples). Metronome is creating "holes" in my samples... like sidechaining effect. Did anyone had the same issue and know how to fix this please?

[@dancers10]

Mixer to iPad, got it thanks!

[@TheLardzard]

Awesome video!!

[@ibrajimenez2098]

perfect . Love the set up. as a Bassist I only have to Follow the drummer.

[@tjmpiano]

just getting started so I appreciate the Tutorial..Quick newbie question - If you don't have a {Front of the house} can you play the tracks on the small mixer..Great advise as well at the end..Thanks much

[@lizaltman1200]

Do another vid of how yall sound with this setup of yours. Very interested

[@nickyjames8417]

really helpful thanks

[@riccoruby]

great job! thx

[@A.Moortal]

This is so smart!

[@nobuo22]

is not the backing track in mono then if you pan it to the right?

[@thankyoumisterspell]

Doesn't this mess up the stereo imaging of the tracks if your tracks are going to the PA in mono?

[@riconaka]

This is a great idea! I am being totally dumb....🙃 where is the click coming from? from the songs on your phone?

[@michaelballdrums]

I use Mixet on an older iPad running the 3.5mm output through a 1/4 splitter into my DI box which has dual passthroughs that both go into my mixer. I get both the click (L) and tracks (R) in my in-ears. I also take an XLR line, which is intended for the stage monitor, into my mic input on my mixer when I'm on stage. This gives me EVERYTHING in my ears; click , tracks, and stage mix. I can then control the volume and panning of each input individually and don't go deaf.

[@flexxbeatz4330]

How much memory should I have in my I pad

[@michaelballdrums]

@@flexxbeatz4330 I have 128 GB on mine but it all comes down to how much storage you need for your tracks. I could get by with much less, probably only 500 MB to 1 GB.

[@alexisdonn]

Is this how you run your backing tracks set up for a solo gig? I’m trying to learn how to do that!!

[@michaelballdrums]

@@alexisdonn I don't do solo as I'm part of a band, but this should absolutely work for that. It's pretty generic. I did this last night while you wrote this. 🙂

[@joseguerra4287]

for this to work would the track have to be recorded in stereo? I'm wondering how the click is separated from the effects

[@dougharry72]

Totally inexperienced with this as a drummer...what Android app and where do you get the actual tracks from ie keyboards from bonjovi LOAP etc....

[@eemin3149]

How would all members connect their in ear headphones to the mixer?

[@ltran25]

Is there any timing issues with the click to the headphones and the master going to the house?

[@darealzinlord]

How do you run backing tracks on your phone?

[@markdaveq.aguilar8704]

Hi budd. How will you be able to hear the backing track if it just only goes to the FOH?

[@ltran25]

Where does the click come from?

[@sjfleishnetworkportal]

so how did u take it off your phone? was that splitter cable a 1/8" to the black and red 1/4"s? and then plug that into the mixer? what is a speaker cable - where did you use it in this set up?

[@remixformation1972]

Great advice, But, do you get the gun with the storage box?

[@davidordonez8964]

Can I run it direct through soundboard without the Di box?

[@shaunratcliffeguitar]

I've actually gone an purchased this exact set up however I'm getting crackling through my click channel coming through the mixer (the backing track is clear though) did you experience this too?

[@mikebonomo3254]

Can Multiple band members use this same setup off the same backing tracks?

[@Alex-dj4dr]

What does di box do and is it necessary ?

[@lifeisaparty]

could you use an R8 8 Track as a mixer?

[@LAZERSQUAD]

Does anyone know how I can put a talk back mic into that setup??

[@coltonfears1604]

Why exactly do you need the DI box?

[@Dredd_on_2s]

You can also use a focusrite interface, and a laptop or phone with your choice of programs to run tracks. ie; ableton live, studio one, showbuddy etc. Relatively inexpensive as well.

[@terrytarpening9456]

Laptop won't work in humid outdoor conditions. Found that out tonight.

[@izzy4el]

@@terrytarpening9456 Did you get it solved?

[@terrytarpening9456]

Working on putting my laptop into a large cooler. Drilled 2" hole for 6" piece of PVC. Another 2' of PVC with elbow. Concontong a box over air conditioner blower. Testing today, fingers crossed

[@izzy4el]

@@terrytarpening9456 Good luck!

[@terrytarpening9456]

Working awesome so far! 91 degrees with 60% humidity

[@justuswilson9137]

Are you using any specific app to play your backing tracks from? I’m looking to run tracks off of my iPhone

[@mattshermandrums6245]

Ive only every done an android phone, im sure you could use the default music player for an iphone, but you would first have to load the songs you want to use as a track on itunes, then sync the device. All music in your itunes should then be on your iphone. One thing i would suggest when you do this is to adjust your settings to stop after each track that way they don't blur the counts from the end of one song to the start of another

[@PaulBaughman2142]

How can you play backing tracks and guitar through the same amplifier with out getting the backing tracks all distorted? Do you really need to take 2 amplifiers on a busking gig like that?

[@callumfriend2523]

Great video but i have a question. How do you run your click at the same time as the backing track but not have the click come through the House monitors. Do you have a click track panned to the left or right and the opposite for the backing track? I think i've answered my own question, but yeah.

[@dimasgunawan8704]

Yeah thinking I got the same question in my head..

[@eyesofanguish2264]

How would you be able to also hear the other instruments that are going to the front of house?

[@mexstrat96]

Take an xlr monitor send from FOH and plug it into the other channel of your board instead of a wedge

[@cmdrefstathiusplacidus9003]

so are you using mixer on the Xbox

[@robh3702]

Are you panning your click tracks to the left and backing tracks to the right for this setup?

[@mattshermandrums6245]

Rob H yessir

[@rickyleeallenboxing2032]

​@@mattshermandrums6245I know this is an old post but I'm having trouble with the panning I believe. Where would I pan the click and the backing tracks in my DAW for this to work for me? I have the exact same set up as you but different gear.

[@JacksonWhyte]

That case looks different to the link

[@ericrostirolla5371]

Someone help me out please. When I plug the splitter cable in, the clicks go into the mixer board, and the tracks go into the DI box, so the TRS male part of this splitter cable goes nowhere? Is that it? And also I don’t understand how this splitter cable would split the channels… I don’t have a studio engineer and I would have to do that myself. And another thing… if I am using a phone to play the tracks, would it need a special app? Or just like the mp3 file of the tracks? And how would I make the file in my phone play in the PA system? I am so sorry… watching the video and reading the comments it seems like everything is so obvious already… but I just don’t get these things I just said. If someone with patience could elabore to me… thanks so much.

[@contentstarved991]

The tracks on your phone, are those wave and MP3’s with the click panned in one side and the live tracks in the other? Otherwise, how do you split the tracks before they enter your mixer?

[@mharbaugh]

Yes!

[@contentstarved991]

@@mharbaugh Thanks for getting back. Though I've already played three gigs doing just that, but better late than never. 🙂

[@lukaswati9662]

I've got a little problem. We have some instruments and effects on our backing tracks, which should pan from left to right. The problem is, that i panned the whole stereo track to one side, as you said, so we only hear the left signal, which means if an instrument is automated to pan from left to right, we just hear it mono getting more quiet or louder. Is there any possible way to run a stereo backing track or does this method only work mono to hear every signal?

[@TheBissco]

This setup he described is literally mono, so if you want to use this approach you can't really do any fancy stereo panning with the backing tracks. The only other option is to use a device that provides a minimum of 3 outputs, 1 click, and then a LEFT and RIGHT mono track that could handle stereo backing tracks thru panning on the main house board. Keep in mind, many venues simply cannot provide a good listening experience for the audience in stereo, so mono really is a good compromise if you can. Any audience member on either side of the stage will struggle to even appreciate any stereo panning.

[@punkaffair5899]

Right, I run all my backing tracks mixed down to a stereo wav. They are output from main L R outs on the unit. Any (mono or stereo) track on the unit can be the click track and output separately from the main L R via stereo headphone out. So I import my click into stereo track 13/14. But first I purchase (cover) songs in the form of mp3's. I download each STEREO MP3 track individually. Then convert them to WAV in AUDACITY a free sound editor programme. I then import ALL the instruments ( bass, keys, vox, backing vox, guitar, fx drums percussion and preprogrammed click) via usb stick into the unit. I then make a stereo master mix using whatever tracks I deem relevant. So usually no drums but certainly percussion. No guitar as I play that, and no lead vox. I then assign track 13/14 the click and import the click into that. I take a stereo out from the headphones and send L to the drummers minimixer and R to my desk which then means the click is now in my monitors but NOT my FOH outs. I then take stereo outs from the headphones on the desk and send that to the drummers minimixer. Now he has the click AND the FOH STEREO mix in his ears INCLUDING his own electronic drums and he can create the balance himself. The unit I use is a ZOOM R24 and I also use a ZOOM R8 which also has the same facilities as the R24. But the ZOOM R16 does NOT HAVE the same click facility.

[@tbt_jerry9238]

How can i do this for a drummer, bassist and guitarist? All I want is for the strings to hear exactly the same backtrack/click our drummer hears! Just so we can get a little tighter Any advice on how I could possibly do this?

[@johnscherer5686]

replace the mixer in this setup with a headphone amp!

[@michaelballdrums]

I run a wireless transmitter out of my mixer via XLR cable which runs in front of my kick drum and everyone else connects to that channel. Proximity reduces latency for the wireless guys. Moving the line up front cuts the distance by several yards/meters. Works flawlessly.

[@LilKings530]

Do you need the DI box even with a mixer and PA?

[@michaelballdrums]

Yes, if your mixer doesn't have XLR outs for the house and a way to isolate the click from the tracks in your output. For me, the sound engineer hooks into the right channel (tracks) of my DI box for his feed of the backing tracks. I run the passthroughs from my DI box into my mixer so I can control my experience from there.

[@adeebmostapha5364]

Hi. Just out of curiosity, why would u use di box, while u can just plug a cable into house mixer direct from your mixer? Is it necessary to use di box?

[@mario23sb]

DI boxes have some benefits you might not think about like eliminating ground issues, polarity, and thru/bypassing to say the least. Personally, I think a DI box is necessary for reducing the chances of unwanted error.

[@lizaltman1200]

Our drummer used a click to his monitor or right headphone and the track to left headphone, and we had the track in our monitors.

[@silaswintersguitar]

I didnt realize it was this simple tbh

[@kayakbandits9894]

Do you give yourself 4clicks at the start or how does that work? Your bandmates cant hear the click correct? thx

[@mario23sb]

It all depends how you want to start your songs. I suggest getting in your band rehearsals and talk about how you want your set to start each song(s). Then edit and bounce your tracks accordingly. Correct. Band mates won’t hear the click. Only the drummer will have in-ears with this setup.

[@samuraiofthesea2949]

How would you manage it with this setup, if you want to have the live singer's voice or any other live instrument (bass, gtr) into your in ear monitors during the gig?

[@mharbaugh]

You can use the monitor send your sound guy gives you and plug it into your little onstage mixing board.

[@epochatlantic4591]

someone help. What are clicks lol. ??

[@bencampbell5468]

He's referring to click tracks, I.E a digital metronome.

[@DGTV_YT]

But where is your click coming from?

[@maxbolton2555]

I program the click in my DAW when setting up the backing tracks, then pan accordingly for each channel.

[@toddmerriott6901]

Guess I need to watch a video on click tracks 😊

[@cmdrefstathiusplacidus9003]

I want to be able to stand in front of my Xbox with no specialized equipment just my amp my guitar my webcam plugged into my Xbox

[@GoneAfterMidnight]

Plug your phone into where? Obviously the mixer, but where into the mixer? I feel like there's so many steps that are missed! And the rest of the band can't hear? My whole band has in ears and need this! The drummer doesn't always start the songs!

[@frontcentermusician]

Monitor in or FX in on pa.

[@aaronlybrand]

Don't forget to turn your phone on airplane mode before using it to run tracks. Phone calls and texts don't help during gigs.

[@adamsalada1954]

Using tracks because you are not talented enough to do it for real.

[@TupDigital]

Or because its tough to play, say, saxophone or synths or an entire orchestra while youre playing drums. Simpleton.

[@frontcentermusician]

Your in for a rude awakening when you find out popular pro bands that use some type of backing track.

[@brendanoneil3489]

@@TupDigital why is it these smartarses never have any content on their own channels?

[@TupDigital]

@@brendanoneil3489 😄lol i feel ya; OP mighta jumped the gun a bit

[@micmica1827]

The background music is very annoying and unprofessional, it distracts you from listening. The proof is that they don’t use it in classrooms etc. and you are Not getting too many Thumb Ups.

[@mikegeeguitarman8991]

these systems looks horrible..such poor quality cables and adaptors etc..Im amazed no one has thought to get this problem nailed in a more robust professional purpose built set up. All those mini connectors, splitters, cheap cables etc. c mon Roland yamaha whoever..help us musicians out a bit more with this issue. running from a laptop mini stereo output sounds like big trouble in the waiting for me. We could do with a proper separate player unit with pro quality outputs and a usuable screen interface just for starters

[@brendanoneil3489]

Roland did this in the 90's with the VS 1680 etc range DAW, basically a 486 built into a mixing desk - I still use them but the market seems all computer based now. A stand alone device rather than a flight case of widgets seems appealing.

[@Gemini666]

Thanks for that!!! 😉🫵🏾👍🏾😎