mapping tracks to single use keyboard strokes

rusty

For use as backtracks for a vocalist-can you assign tracks to single keyboard strokes? ie that would give at least 36 possibilities of quick access to tracks, within a playlist- plus other keys available to populate different playlists to the keyboard. This would enable instant medleys or eliminate embarrassing silences between songs!

peter

You can only use program changes or song select commands to directly load songs. But you could work around that by selecting the next and previous song with 2 keys and then another key to start it. Take a look at the remote actions settings.

rusty

thanks Peter - almost there! about 15yrs ago I used some software as MD for a junior operatic group. For rehearsing the various singing groups my techie son designed me a simple prog that I could use on a laptop to allocate .mp3 files of the
backing tracks, either complete or sectioned, all onto the kbd keys so that I actually trigger them off at will from a remote keypad with one stroke. As I moved within the various group sections on stage it saved me no end of time not having to return to the laptop to operate a mouse to hunt for song or specific section. That software has disappeared into the ether now with the old hardware and I no longer am an MD, but it would be very useful now for a vocalist colleague working with tracks - there must must some pro software that would do the same job; any ideas?

Damir

rusty thanks Peter - almost there! about 15yrs ago I used some software as MD for a junior operatic group. For rehearsing the various singing groups my techie son designed me a simple prog that I could use on a laptop to allocate .mp3 files of the
backing tracks, either complete or sectioned, all onto the kbd keys so that I actually trigger them off at will from a remote keypad with one stroke. As I moved within the various group sections on stage it saved me no end of time not having to return to the laptop to operate a mouse to hunt for song or specific section. That software has disappeared into the ether now with the old hardware and I no longer am an MD, but it would be very useful now for a vocalist colleague working with tracks - there must must some pro software that would do the same job; any ideas?

Hi Rusty, i think i understand your exact need ,you just want to hit a key on your devices keyboard and it instantly plays the sound file you assigned to it, or if you had a midi keyboard controller keyboard you could load a song to trigger instantly on any key stroke of that, so you basically have a trigger pad arrangement.
Assuming i am correct with your need.
I use to do TV sound and very often for game shows or programs we needed instant sound stings, and the same requirement was needed, you will find there are plenty of those type apps that can do that one is called Sound Byte and there are many more similar to that where you can instantly play a track, the problem with them they dont do anything like ST3 does if you need Lyrics , loops, iclod sync very shortly, ST3 has great potential to be able to do this type of thing but it has been streamlined for on stage performers, perhaps Peter will consider a settings switch where you choose your need and flips the software to cater for the users need, this would revolutionise this software to another level not seen to date, its at that level already, you would find if peter did give you the ability to program your keyboard you would find it difficult to remember which key went with which audio file this would not work reliably as it would create lots of oops bugger moment, the best solution for your simple needs is get a player that lets you load audio files in to touch boxes that then allow you to instantly hit replay and the buttons are nicely labeled so no mistakes, ST 3 could easily do this type of thing using the song list as it is but an instant play function where it just plays a file you touch, and perhaps Peter would create a seperate remote software you can place on a different device that just instantly triggers play, this to be an additional software to ST3 designed for theatre, Television production, etc.
This would open up a whole new market for ST3.
Hope you find your solution.
Cheers Damir

rusty

many thanks Damir -looks like you're bang on message. It's for stage performer, gigging solo pro old-school lady vocalist who is about to transition from minidiscs (20+ discs with about 100 tracks). She's not techie yet but wants easier track selection. It would involve a few songlists that she could print out for reference, with relevant key strokes. not sure if Peter's software would do it but it looks as though VirtualDJ might be more appropriate and user friendly. We may go that route, it's early days! Thanks for your input, Rusty

Damir

rusty not sure if Peter's software would do it but it looks as though VirtualDJ might be more appropriate and user friendly

ST3 is actually perfect for doing exactly that all she needs is to load the audio files in to ST3 create a playlist once thats done she has full control what to play in any order she wants the software could give her synced or non synced lyrics or whatever text dialog she needs but its not essential, by a bit of learning you will find ST3 very easy to use, it can be as simple or complicated to use as you require, all in the palm of your hand using iphone or on a small stand using an iPad, if only backing tracks are needed an iphone mounted on the mic stand is perfect to just trigger the songs she needs , it is hardly noticeable and easy to touch right there where you are performing and it doesn't look bad from the audience point of view.
Software is absolutely logical and easy on stage.

Here is one more thing i do with it, every so often i might crack a joke so what i do as a prompt, i have the text of the joke presented to me by using it as a song, but instead of a song i place a drum hit effect at end of joke or a funny effect to compliment the joke so you simply place the audio file name it the jokes name, you have text presented to you just in case you have a mental block, as you do your joke you hit the audio file and you get the audio to compliment the joke, this is easy to create as you can use the same audio for multiple jokes, it works perfectly specially if you use foot control where the audience cant see anything hit , it seems like you have engineers in the background doing it for you but its all done by you, this is just one simple trick ST3 can do for you, there is so much more to ST3 you just need to play with it for a bit and you will easily come up with all sorts of your own tricks.

peter

I understand the need for this type of app in theatre or tv scenarios: But as a musician, if I want to fire samples (or loops), I would use a sampler or something like a soundboard app, but if you play whole songs with synchronized lyrics, why don't you get rid of the keyboard and just tap on the song on the iPad?