Lishy I might implement this. How do you create and where do you import your one long file of break songs from?
Do you set up audio regions so you can switch to next song via footswitch on the fly?
Hi Lishy, here is how i run my gigs.
I only use stereo files as i am a solo act, i don't require a click track as i have always got a visual click , like my lyrics are time coded line synced so this in itself is enough to keep me in line plus you have the backing track , wherever i need a long silent break i put in a visual count on screen, this is great as it means i run very simply my audio files are all instant start and very short endings allowing for natural decay time , i create loops to all my songs from beginning to end so there is never a section that is not in a loop , this gives me plenty of options to get around songs using foot pedal , most of my songs have 8 to 12 loops in them.
I create new gigs from my master playlist which contains all my 360 songs all in alphabetical name order initially, then what i do is create a new gig playlist and place the 50 songs i intend to perform in order i will play them and leave the 51 to 360 songs in alphabetical order, what this does is a number of things, it provides me with reasonably organised order of the evening but it still allows me to easily find any other songs i might want all in the same playlist, so my foot control can work to select all my songs without changing playlists or going to song mode to search, at worst if i am desperate i can easily finger scroll to alphabetically find my next unexpected song.
The only time i needed to leave my playlist was when taking a break, i would choose another playlist for that which all the songs were in autoplay , but now i am changing this as well so i don't have to leave my playlist at all, i intend to create a 1 hour songs which will contain numerous songs of particular styles to and name them BREAK TIME! 1, BREAK TIME ! 2 etc. or perhaps BREAK TIME! slow, BREAK TIME, Fast etc
Then use these songs just like my backing tracks whenever i need a break just place the BREAK TIME! File in to my playlist order, set the volume of these songs @-10db which will be a safe starting point or whatever your needs are.
You now never need to leave your playlist and everything is foot controllable without ever touching the device , you can mix in and out of your BREAK TIME! Whenever you choose.
You also have 12 loop points in your break music you can jump around or perhaps just have 1 BREAK TIME! Song for everything and create 12 one hour segments of music , place them in to 12 loops name them colour them and place them as permanent loops now you only ever need to select that one song for a break which could give you 12 styles of background music to choose from , it means the file will be 12 hours long but who cares once it is loaded just choose the loop you need hit play and walk away when you come back your next first song is selected hit mix and you are off without a hustle.
To create the long song you just keep loading the DAW with songs in a stereo track in one hour or perhaps half hour chunks till you have all 12 segments full, then name and export file BREAK TIME! File and load it in to ST3 and recreate the 12 loops and its done for ever more, you can always change and update this song as time goes by but its only background music so its not critical, you don't want great songs to be on that list as it might make your song performance list look bad 🤪
Hope this helps cheers to all Damir
