Click Tracks

Animalien · Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 6:39 pm Post subject: Click Tracks

In the last couple months, I have been really exploring click tracks. I have used them before in the studio and in practice, but a lot of bands have been using them with their in-ear monitors at live shows.

I didn't think about it much at first, but then I saw 2 bands - one with and one without a click. I hated the fact that the band w/out the click couldn't keep decent time. Yet the other band I didn't think about it.

I have always practiced with a click. From the cheap metranome with the earpiece to the current drum machines.

Clicks on live shows have been around for a long time. Some would be a light that flashed out the tempo. Other bands would have a click in the monitors on low.

So I pose the question - would you use a click? DO you use a click?
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d0ublestr0ker0ll · Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 9:02 pm Post subject:

I use a click in my headphones often while practicing, but I like to feel the music on stage. Live performances ask for entertainment first, polishing second (at least for the music I play). If you want to be seen as a very tight band then I wouldn't hesitate experimenting with a click. But as far as playing for a crowd that wants to groove to your music, it should all come from the soul. Feel that pulse, drive it yourself. Your first concern should be feeling and groove, nailing that down will even out the pulse on its own. Just my opinion...

Don't let something guide you unless you are new to it. Once you've got it, make it your own.

Premier Artist · Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 10:21 pm Post subject:

I've only used click-tracks in studio, and I solely rely on my own time-keeping on stage. To be able to hear the click I must use in-ear monitoring and that totally kills the dynamics of my playing, unless I can plug the output from my drums to the in-ear monitor, and if I do that the click won't cut through. A moment 22 situation...

However, practicing to a click is one of the best methods to practice time-keeping but time should be a little vivid. Take guys like Jeff Porcaro, he must've had a click-track module in his head somewhere, but he could speed a fill and still have it landing on the exact correct time in a song. Pure magic, and professional vividness.
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