reality check needed: using vocal tracks

[Matt Plescher]

Our church doesn't normally use these, but this Sunday they really wanted to do a "vocal special" but didn't have sheet music, decided on the song last minute, etc. etc. So the vocalist is using a track.

Anyway, singing to a track always seems kind of cheesy to me, but what do you think? Am I alone?

Cheers
Matt

[tom grossheider]

I think it's fine. With all the great musicians we are blessed with, they still occasionally use tracks for the vocalists. Usually it is because of a late change, unique number, lack of rehearsal time, etc that would prevent the band from playing that would cause them to use a track. For years a 4 or 5 piece group would play live for the kid's musicals, but they decided to stick with the CD tracks because the kids were used to it. Our "artisitic freedom" was throwing them off a bit.... It's all about Him anyway, and the means to that end is not quite as important. (I used to get bummed when they used tracks, but learned not to.)

[Aaron G]

Tracks used to bug me, but they don't anymore. Our band normally can pick things up fast and do a good job, but I've heard some arrangements that I know we couldn't come close to reproducing on short notice.

It does bother me, however, when Professional groups sing to tracks. I know touring with a band is expensive and cost prohibitive, but when I go to hear music by someone who makes a living doing it, I expect more.

[reverbbb]

we did not have a Praise Band in the beginning. Our church was formed from our pastor being asked to leave a Church of Christ. The pastor strongly supported bringing instrumental music to this church (CoC is historically opposed to instruments in the church).

So, not having a band was a challenge. They began to sing all accupella at first. Then, they began to bring CD tracks in. This is where I got involved - I ran the soundboard for about 1-1/2 years. The P&W leader found out that I was a musician. He begged me for nearly a year to join the team and start a band. It wasn't until a keyboard player showed up out of the clear blue, that I decided to play guitar with them. For a long time, we had a 40/60 mix of CD/band. It never bothered me, but I always felt that we would have a lot more creative license if we would learn more of the songs. We have been a CD free zone for nearly 4 years. There is a singer that we invite up for presentational songs about once a month. He ALWAYS uses CD backing tracks instead of the band.

The desired end result is allowing the congregation to connect with God through music. As long as it is inspiring for this purpose, backing tracks should not be a problem.

For the record, we are doing more with live band now, particularly because of the "cheese" factor. But who decided it was "chessy"? Just me! :? The congregation never seemed to mind.

[Matt Plescher]

but on Sunday I felt that the backing vocals, the shimmering cymbals, sweeping orchestration and general CCM pop sound on the track got in the way of the words and the vocalist.

But I realized that wasn't anything to do with it being a track, but the fact that tracks I've heard tend to be overproduced (IMHO)

I've also noticed that singers tend to be more conscious of carefully counting time on the track because there is not any screwup room (don't want to miss coming in at the same time as the taped backup singer) -which can lead to a stiff delivery.

Thanks for the comments everyone

Cheers
Matt