The Simplest and Cheapest Way to Run Multitracks

Today I want to show you the easiest and cheapest way to start using multitracks in your church.

The first thing you’ll have to do is, of course, get the multitracks.  Once you have them, you'll then have to put them into some sort of software or app to play them. There are several options:

IPad: If you're using an iPad I would recommend the “Loop Community Prime” app. This is a very easy to use app and you can upload your own multitrack files for free to their Cloud service.  

Android: If you have an Android tablet I would recommend the WorshipSong Band app. You just load your tracks right onto your android tablet with this app.

Computer: If you're using a computer you can use either one of those apps (both have a desktop version) or you can use any DAW such as Ableton, Logic Pro or Pro Tools. If you are a beginner to multitracks I wouldn't recommend using a DAW like Ableton since they are more complicated to use. They can do a lot more, but are much more complicated.

I would stick to a dedicated multitrack app on either a tablet or computer.

One of the biggest reasons I would recommend a dedicated multitracks app instead of a full DAW for beginners is because it's easier to change the key and the tempo of the songs in the dedicated multitrack apps. Changing the key and tempo might be very important for your church if the keys included are not great for your congregation’s voices. You can change key and tempo in a DAW as well, but it's much more complicated.

Once you have your multi-tracks in these apps, the next thing you have to do is get that sound to your mixer. With multitracks, the key is they are split right and left. The cues and clicks that only the musicians should hear are on one side of the stereo channel and the actual music that the congregation hears is the other side.  You need to split the signal. The easiest and cheapest way to do this is simply to buy a cable that does so for you. You can buy one for $10 or $20 that goes from a stereo ⅛ inch connection to two mono 1/4 inch connections.

One stereo connection to two mono connections.

Simply plug the stereo side into your tablet or computer and run the other side to two separate channels on your soundboard. You would most likely plug into two inputs on a snake, or two DI boxes running to two separate channels on the soundboard.

The channel which has the music would run to the main speakers and the channel which has the click track and cues would run to your in-ear monitors (or however you get sound to your in-ears).

If you are using multitracks you must use in in-ear monitors since there will be clicks and cues that only the musicians should hear and the only real way to do that is to use in-ear monitors.

That is the simplest and cheapest way to get started with multitracks: a free app for your tablet and a $20 cable. If you have any other questions about how to use Hymn Multitracks, please let me know.