IMPORTANT
In order to sync the track, you must send a file of just your saxophone (not mixed with the backing track) that starts at beat one of the count in, so there will be two bars of silence (or a bit less if you play a pick up).
No reverb or other effects please, this is added at the final mix.
Ideally send a 24 bit 44.1 kHz WAV file. If you cannot do this, 16 bit is OK, but please make sure there is a reasonably healthy level of audio signal (but do not normalise it).
Sending instructions will be on the thread.
The ending audiofile should start at the first beat of the C7 chord, but do not play over the C7 and Bb7, just start on the final F/Bb/|F bars.
How to do that using a Zoom H2/H4?
I am unable to answer that, hopefully someone on the forum will know so ask it there, thanks.
But You can do it with Audacity:
Audacity should be fine for recording (or editing a recording done in Zoom, although if you have Audacity – which is free – it would be simpler to do it all in Audacity)
- Open the backing track in Audacity
- Record along with it on track 2
- When you are happy with your recording select that track (I think you must click on the track header at the left, not the audiofile image itself)
- From File menu “export selection as WAV”.
This should have a couple of bars of silence (during the count in) then just the saxophone (with no effects please).
If you started your solo with a pick up (or anacrusis if you are posh), then the silence will obviously be a little bit shorter, but whatever the beginning of the silence will correspond to the first beat of the count in.
This backing track is copyright so please don’t distribute it or use it for anything else.
Backing Soundfiles:
Download (click on the arrow)
NB The tempo is 75 BPM at 4/4 or 112.5 BPM in 12/8.
This is a very basic 12 bar in F concert with 3 only chords. There is a two bar count in. One chorus only. You can start the chorus with a short pick up (one or two beats), but please don’t overlap the end onto the next chorus so there is room for the next solo to start. You need to send back the audiofile either 16 bit, or ideally 24 bit, wav file at 44.1kHz sample rate. If it is 16 bit please try to make sure the level is reasonably high if possible. I need the audiofile of the saxophone only, no reverb or other effects. You must start or edit the recording at beat 1 of the first count in bar so I can sync it up to the track. If your recorder records a count in you should edit that off so it start at bar 1. Any queries ask on the thread or email me via the contact link below, use that also to attach your wav files to me.
12 bar sequence for looping
If you would like just the 12 bar sequence without intro or fade out so you can loop it in your recording software (this way you can play lots of choruses and choose the best one, then download
But you must make sure the audiofile you send has been edited so it starts exactly 2 bars before the 1st bar of the 12 bar chorus.
Ending (optional)
Download:
Cafe Blues ending
The ending starts at bar 9 of the 12 bar (down from C7 to Bb7), but you just need to play an ending starting at bar 11 (F Bb F), end on any chord note of F9 (I will be mixing all the endings together so it will probably be quite random anyway). Again you must send the file starting on beat 1 of bar 1 of the file (i.e. bar 9 of the 12 bar sequence). Hope that makes sense, have fun!
No need to try to fit in with anything specific on the track, as your solo will probably be moved to a different part of the whole track. Yes, I know the track is not the best in the world, it’s what I have available at the moment that I own the copyright on.
NB don’t worry your ability, this is not a cutting contest. As I said fast or technical shredding will not sound good on this track. If in doubt, keep it simple!
