Re: Playing live with a click?
I have opinions on both sides. In the studio I have played with clicks often. With technology being what it is, it's much easier to edit the music when everyone is on the grid.
Playing live I have not used clicks as much as I have used backtracks (same idea). But I will only have certain instruments or sounds in my backtrack mix otherwise it gets too muddy.
On the other hand, using a click or backtracks can take some of the feeling or soul or natural energy out of the music. I like listening to "raw" music and subtle tempo changes are just a part of the feeling, attitude and vibe.
For me clicks and backtracks have their purpose and place. But playing live (unless your playing to a video or pre-recorded track in the back) it doesn't really serve any necessary purpose, unless the band just can't click and mesh together which needs to be addressed and is a whole other topic.
When listening to a CD or making a CD I have just come to expect it to be as perfect as possible- the industry has pretty much set that standard. But when I listen to or see a live gig I like the raw energy and human feeling behind it. I once heard someone tell me years ago it they wanted to listen to a song played perfectly they would just listen to the CD and forget the live stuff.
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