I made a backing track today for one of my favorite songs, Peaches & Cream by Alan Munde.I use MixCraft Pro to make my backing tracks. What I do is first select the original song that I want to recreate. I then import that song into MixCraft by right mouse-clicking on any blank audio track and selecting “add sound file.” This gives me a template to build my new backing track. I do the same thing with Dave Hum's songs to make a backing track. Once I've imported the song into MixCraft, the first thing I need to do is set my MIDI beats, to give me a pattern to play my bass notes along with. This is the trickiest part of making a backing track, because timing is everything and you need to get the beats right. I always use a kick drum on the main beat, and a tambourine between each beat. And I've learned recently that Dave Hum almost always uses 8 count in beats, the song starts on the 8th beat. I then hold down the “control” button while dragging the percussion track's right edge, to adjust the beats to match that of the original song that I'm imitating. You can actually see the beats visually, which makes it easy to match the MIDI beats to the song's beats.
Once set I turn down the volume of the original song by about 80%, but let it play at a low volume. This allows me to record my new bass notes to match my MIDI beats, but also lets me hear the faint sound of the original song, as a guide so I can record the new bass notes. I play along with the original song for 20 to 30 minutes to learn the bass lines, playing them over and over until I feel comfortable so that I won't make a bunch of mistakes while recording. If I do mess up, I can step record, but I don't want to step record too much. Then I can add piano padding, a mandolin, guitar or whatever I want. This is the main way that I make backing tracks. It works for me. What is nice is that once you make a few songs the process starts going quicker to make new songs. I am having fun as I learn how to make backing tracks. It is exciting to work with music.
I am using a 4-string G2220 Electromatic Junior Jet Bass II Short-Scale that I bought locally from Guitar center for $300 in 2021. I like how it feels and sounds. I am playing through a Fender Rumble 40 amp, going from the line out into the microphone input on my Scarlett USB interface, and then into the USB port on my computer. I use pro MixCraft software to record, which I love using, and it's very affordable.
The acoustic guitar is a student sized Yamaha that I bought on Guam years ago. It plays and sounds nice to me. I didn't pay too much for it, under $200 if I remember well. I plugged the acoustic guitar (with electronics) directly into the Scarlett USB interface, into the 1/4" guitar jack input. There's a knob to adjust the input level.
The percussion is MIDI provided by MixCraft. I just ordered a used Wooden Cajon from Amazon. It normally sells for $195 new, but I got a used one like new for $88. I've been studying Dave Hum's backing tracks and I think he uses a Cajon box, because there's no way he could get the beautiful percussive sounds he does with MIDI. I know that Dave was skilled at playing the bongos. Anyway, when the Cajon arrives I'm going to see what I can do to improve the new track I made today, Peaches & Cream. I might not be able to improve it, but if I think it sounds better, then I will definitely share it with everyone.
Lord willing, over time I plan to make a bunch of backing tracks to share freely. I want to tackle Earl's Breakdown next. Dave Hum's backing tracks to me are superior. In fact, I am dang right impressed. Great fluffy biscuits in the morning!
I'm not a great anything player, but I do my best. After all, it's all about having fun, right. I didn't like how my guitar strumming sounded in the backing track today, so as you can hear I just gave a single strum for each chord change. It think it sounds more professional, rather than me making some discombobulated sounds in the background. My peripheral neuropathy makes it difficult sometimes to play in time. Humbly said, I think the backing track came out purdy good. I hope you enjoy it. I played my banjo along with it and the song works...lol.
I like to share detailed information on how I do stuff, to encourage other musicians to join me in making backing tracks, writing tabs and contributing to the banjo community. I cherish Dave Hum. I've never been a busker, but I have played my steel guitar, guitar and ukulele publicly oftentimes. Here are eight ukulele songs that I made up and recorded years ago, just having musical fun. I use a Roland AC-33 amp when playing in public, which allows me to record a 40 second loop, and then I play lead ukulele or guitar back over those chords. I love doing that.
In nearly all of Dave Hum's backing tracks it sounds like he used some type of acoustic piano for padding. I'm not a piano player, so this has been more challenging for me to recreate. I know where basic chords are on a keyboard, and understand simple music theory. I recently purchased a MIDI controller from Amazon, so I can add piano padding like Dave Hum does. I just have to learn how to do it better.
It's hard to hear what Dave is doing for his backing track, because the banjo dominates the song. But I've been listening to the backing tracks that I purchased recently, from his family, which gives me a basic idea of what Dave does to make his tracks. I wish Dave was still with us. I'd offer to fly to England and gladly pay him to spend a couple days watching over his shoulder, from start to finish, seeing how he makes a backing track. The guy is amazing! It has been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness. Well said. I am thankful that God made Dave Hum. Here's a cool photo of him.
