Getting Started (Adding Songs)

Firstly you need to prepare your backing tracks. It's easiest to do this on your computer, but you can work fine with just your iPad.  If you're downloading from a site like karaoke-versions.co.uk  then start by downloading the main track mixed as you want it for front of house, and rename it to be just the name of the song. If the song has a pitch reference or count in track then download that sperately (though you should NOT tick the "count in" check box). Rename this to be the same as the main audio file, but with the words "guide", "count in", "click" or whatever is appropriate on the end (eg "Basket Case.mp3" and "Basket Case Count In.mp3").

Then you need to transfer them to your device using either the Apple Devices App (Windows) or the Finder (Mac). Find the app and just drag in the files. If the files are already on your computer then you can locate them in the Files app, and then copy them into the app (whcih will appear under "On My iPad").

Once added you can just select a song and press the big green button to play it. You can also pitch shift it up or down to better fit your vocal range.

Hardware

You can use the app without addtional hardware but to get the most out of it an audio interface is recommened.

At its most simple a headphone splitter (stereo mini-jack to dual mono). This allows you to send one track to your PA, and the other to your headphones. An IEM system doesn't need to be expensive - A Behringer P2, or Donner EM1 (aboud $30) combined with a set of KZ Iems (about $15) is all you need to get started.

To add microphones you'll need an audio interface. You can get by with the iRig Pre, and a splitter cable though its not great. For a solo artist a 2 channel USB interface will provide high qulity inputs and outputs, with a mono FOH feed, and IEM feed and inputs for a Mic and guitar (or a guest mic). While virtually all USB interfaces will work with any iPad (with a lighting to USB adapter if necessary), the iPad probably won't power the interface. You can use a powered USB hub to get around this, but a simpler option is a powered interface such as the Beheringer UMC404HD (around $80). This has its own power supply, and has 4 inputs and 4 outputs. This is ideal for a duo, providing stereo FOH, and 2xIEM feeds, along with 4 inputs.

Making Setlists

Once you’ve got the feel for working with individual songs, select "setlists" on the Mixer screen. This is where you can organise your songs into lists. We call them setlists, but you can use them for any purpose - songs you need to rehearse for next week, songs for a particular project, songs you can play on guitar...

First you need to make a setlist by pressing the top right “edit” button. Then press the green “+” button to make a setlist. You can rename an existing list by pressing on its name, or delete a list completely by pressing the red “-” button (this has no effect on the songs themselves in the master list - it just tears up the setlist). When you’re finished made the lists you want press “done”.

Tap on a setlist to select it. It’ll be empty at first, so select “edit” from the top right menu. Press the green “+” next to “add Songs...” and you’ll be presented with your “all songs” list. Just scroll through tapping any songs you want to add (don’t worry about the order), and when you’re done press the top left button to go back.

Use the right hand “bars” to reorder your list, and if you need to add gaps. When you’re happy with your list just press “done”. Now you can select a song from your list to view it, then just swipe right or left to move through your setlist.

Mixing and Effects

Selecting the mixer tab shows a page with volume controls for the main track, the guide track, and 4 inputs. At the top is a control which allows you to select which output you're mixing for - Main, monitor 1 or monitor 2. If your audio interface lacks the necessary channels then they will be disabled. Guide is always disabled for Main, as its just for the performers.

Start by using the main tab to mix the main track and your mic/instruments so that it sounds good for the audience. Then switch to the monitor tab and adjust so you can hear exactly what you need to in your IEMs.

You can also add effects. There are presets which are optimised for various uses:

• Flat - no processing

• Reverb Only - adds reverb. Suitable for keyboards or processed guitar.

• Flat Vocal - adds compression and reverb. Good for voice and acoustic instruments.

• Male/Femalel Vocal - compression, reverb and eq tweaked to suit different voice ranges.

• Guitar - compression, reverb and eq for an accoustic guitar

These uses are only a guide so experiment to see which set of effects works best for your voice or instrument.