The bands that use backing tracks the best are the ones that do it without anyone noticing. But how do they do it?

Context is everything. EDM, cover bands, acoustic bands — all different types of bands use tracks. But they don’t all put the same stuff in the tracks because, well, it would be ludicrous for an 808 drop to happen in an acoustic set (or would it be awesome, actually?).

Watch for some tips to think through your context and examples of potential types of sounds to put in your tracks.

Brian (Not Brain) Funk teaches a class at Berklee Online Online, hosts the The Music Production Podcast, and creates sample packs for Ableton Live (and is also an Ableton Live Certified Trainer). How in the world does he do it all?

I got to sit down with Brian to discuss his crazy schedule and how he stays productive and creative with so many things to juggle.

This conversation was pure gold, and I learned a ton from chatting with Brian. Not just about Ableton Live, but about creativity, productivity, and life in general.

There’s a lot that goes into a redundant playback rig, and it can feel pretty complex to figure out. So, the natural question is…is it really worth all that time and money?

I break it all down for you in this video so you can know whether or not you really should invest in one or if you can get by without it.

I’ve helped thousands of people get more out of Ableton. But you shouldn’t trust me.

Apparently the best way to trigger anyone who uses Ableton is to show them another way to do things. I’ve spent years creating hundreds of videos and tutorials about using Ableton on stage, and most people have found them helpful (over 4,000 people have now downloaded my free tracks template: http://fromstudiotostage.com/template).

But a lot of people are pretty resistant to it. Some ask thoughtful questions or bring up fair points but some still refuse to try something new. Here’s my response.

If you’re stepping on stage to do anything, embarrassing mistakes are part of the job. I share some of mine and some of my favorites that you all shared with me.

If you’ve ever experienced a major on-stage fail, you know what it’s like to want to just crawl into a hole…forever. But you gotta laugh at yourself and just take it on the chin. Especially because you’re not alone! Everyone has been there.

Check out some of these stories of major on-stage fails to give yourself a little encouragement and help you have a short memory for that kinda stuff.

Jeff is the creator of one of my favorite MIDI controllers ever made: the Oakboard Mini.

In this interview, Jeff talks about how he came up with the idea for the Oakboard Mini, and how that eventually grew into a fully-fledged music software and hardware company. I love Jeff’s story because he never set out to start a company. He just started solving his own problems by learning to code. He built a small MIDI controller to do exactly what he needed it to do. Turns out he wasn’t the only one experiencing those problems, and Oaktone was born!

Jeff is an incredibly talented and endlessly curious person. In addition to owning and running Oaktone, Jeff is an Ableton Certified Trainer, a worship leader, songwriter, and producer.

Sometimes what seems like the simplest solution is actually the worst.

If you’re using your computer to run in-ears, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. I’m as much an advocate for using computers on stage as anyone, but this is one thing that you shouldn’t use your computer for.

I’ve got 8 reasons why and what you should do instead.

P.S. What do you use to run in-ears?

Here’s how to use tracks on stage, without cheating and feeling like a fraud.

We’ve all seen those videos of a pop artist’s performance going sideways with tracks and all of the sudden the whole world knows they’re lip-syncing.

And yeah, I’m not a fan of that. But that’s not what the way most artists use tracks. Some of the best musicians in the world are using tracks on stage. And they’re doing it in a way that maintains the authenticity of musicianship and skilled performance.

In this video, you’ll learn 7 tips for how to start using tracks, without feeling like you’re “faking it” or feeling like a fraud.

I’ve been an Ableton Certified Trainer for 13 years. These are the 8 most common questions I get.

I take a few minutes to answer each question, but I also share where you can get loads of free resources to dive deeper into each topic.

My suggestions on the best gear for live performance 👇

https://fromstudiotostage.com/gear

Session View vs. Arrangement View 👇

https://youtu.be/l_4lIV3Ehqc

https://youtu.be/sukloetXkJE

Should you become an Ableton Live Certified Trainer 👇

https://youtu.be/vCQY7mkgp1E

How to use a stop track and MIDI Controller at the same time 👇

https://youtu.be/CvIWHIfAYn4

Difference between Ableton Versions: 👇

https://youtu.be/CljzUUluyFY

Best Version of Ableton Live for Running Tracks 👇

https://youtu.be/ZW-_2MmMGM4

Where can I buy Ableton Live? 👇

https://youtu.be/VNdinDInRig

How to Solve Ableton Live's 1025 Measure Problem when Syncing Live Sets 👇

https://youtu.be/meDcxZwcHfg

🤬 Ableton Keeps Crashing! 7 Steps To Guarantee You Fix the Problem 👇

https://youtu.be/tJ2Udgl4nCk

What’s the best app for your worship band? [FREE QUIZ] 👇

https://multitracks.app/

Prime vs. Playback vs. Ableton Live 👇

https://youtu.be/I8rEM1w2syQ

Playback or Ableton Live? 👇

https://youtu.be/xNYxr4efE-s

Prime or Ableton Live?👇

https://youtu.be/HVpK0lTo7vw

—

Mike is a pro drum tech and playback tech — building and setting up rigs for some of the biggest metal artists to…Avril Lavigne and Smashing Pumpkins? Yep.

Plus, he’s a From Studio to Stage student.

Mike was kind enough to hop on a call with me and share his story about becoming a playback tech and what really helped him get to the point he’s at now working with these pro artists and bands.

He also shares some great stories from the road and even some nice little tid bits of advice for aspiring drum and playback techs.

Artists mentioned in the episode Mike has worked with...

• Ministry
• Avril Lavigne
• Sevendust
• Smashing Pumpkins
• Testament

Want to join the same community Mike is a part of? 

https://fs2s.link/mike-subscribe