What is the best & easiest playback equipment to use as solo singer using backing tracks?

Question

I have a minidisc player unit that you plug into the mains, but I simply cannot get it to work and transfer the tracks over from my PC to the minidisc! I am worried that if it's this complex to use at home, it will be impossible when I'm actually out gigging when I need to focus on the singing! I have an ipod nano but am concerned about the battery life and the fact it is so small and fiddly when it comes to changing tracks. Any advice on the most easy to use equipment please.

Answer 1

Not sure what your budget is but you really should check out this:

http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR200088

I use it and i can honestly say its the best bit of kit i have EVER bought for the exact purpose you need.

Just hook it up to an external HDD and it finds your tracks and catalogues them for you. playpack is instant too.

I also have access to over 500,000 backing tracks if you need then dirt cheap too!!

Email me.

Carl.

Answer 2

It depends on your budget, when I gig, I use a Yamaha Tyros 2, and a custom tweaked Packard Bell W1801, the drawback, combined they cost well in excess of £5,000, but it does the job.

For a budget gig, a media player such as MiniDisc and a guitar-amp would do the job, (though keep in midn that devices such as MiniDisc, for the most part, are just not designed to do what you're trying to do).

A cost effective way would be to find a pre-owned laptop and amp set, this shouldn't cost you much more than £500 for a really good set, (you could probably buy new for a little more if you could stretch to it).