KEH070: Using Backing Tracks in Children's Shows

Among the tried and tested ways to make any show outstanding is to add backing tracks. Music and sound effects do make performances livelier, funnier, and more professional, and they even allow you to insert a voice character in your program and prompt your audience to react.

Listen to this interview and get a heap of tips from Mark Beckwith and Obediah Thomas on how to use—and create—your own backing tracks.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why use backing tracks
• How to create or get backing tracks for your show
• What are MIDI tracks and how do they work
• How to work sound into your show
• Using backing tracks to make extra characters in solo shows
• A simple but very effective way of controlling your sound tracks with PowerPoint, a laptop, and a clicker
• Pre-show music and the value it adds to your show
• How music can prompt your audience to applaud and react
• Why it's best to use your own sound equipment
• How to simplify your sound check and listen for any problems
• Dealing with natural or room reverb in large halls and gymnasiums
• Back-up systems and dealing with equipment problems
• Some things to be careful of when using backing tracks
• Tips on buying equipment
• How to start when first using backing tracks in your show