Loop Community Blog

Pro’s / Con’s of the Worship Leader Triggering the Loop?

Lets start with some pros to the worship leader triggering the loop.  Many people have asked me, “Why do you want to trigger the loops? Don’t you have enough going through your head?”. Well yeah, you’re right – but on the same hand I think God has gifted worship leaders in this way to process all this stuff at the same time.  Think about this: When I am leading the weekend services, I have spent my whole week thinking about the flow of the set, each arrangement and how everything is going to come together.  I’ve specifically built or purchased a loop for the arrangement I am using.  Having the worship leader trigger the loop gives him the ability to kill the loop and click if you get off and he is usually the first person that knows the band is off.  But on the other hand, it could it be distracting to the CHURCH when the worship leader is trying to stomp his foot at just the right time to trigger the next part of the loop and then he accidentally triggered it early and then has to kill it.  Or take this for instance: Lets say you just ended a song and you read a scripture verse and then you pour out your heart before the people about what God is teaching you and you can just feel the presence of the Lord. Then you shut your bible and go to hit the button for the loop and it didn’t work! So you press it again and still no loop… finally the third time it goes.  Yeah that happened to me a couple weeks ago.  So yes there are down sides to the worship leader triggering the loop because it can be very distracting to both the leader and congregation.

Pro’s / Con’s of Having Someone Else in the Band Trigger the Loop?

Having someone else in the band trigger the loop can have great advantages.  This is a very non-distracting way to run a click and a loop. You can have everything all set up for the drummer or keys player to just hit the button at the right time. Another “pro” of having the worship leader run the loops is that no one knows the flow of a song / set better than the worship leader. It forces the worship leader to be prepared ahead of time as well – arrangements are clearly thought out, as well as transition points. There are some disadvantages to having someone other than the worship leader trigger the loops. If the band get’s of the click, the drummer or keys player may not kill it because they don’t have a free hand or don’t notice it. Then your band may keep playing and fighting against a loop that is a measure ahead. This can cause great confusion and distract from the worship experience.  The learning curve is a big disadvantage to having someone else trigger the loop.  It takes time to get use to triggering each part of the song and when you don’t have that much time during your rehearsal, you need to spend your time wisely.  I suggest if you want to have someone else in the band trigger the loops start out by having them trigger the click during a service when your not using loops so they can get a feel for doing multiple things during the worship set. You may also want to meet with them ahead of time during the week to practice.

These are just some ideas. If you have any questions or comments, let’s continue the conversation on the blog. Comment below!

Let’s be honest.  Who hasn’t wanted to have complete studio in your house?  I know that I have.  Since I bought my first USB recording interface (which was a Tascam US-122) I have had a dream to own a complete Pro-Tools HD rig with keyboards that slide out the wall and everything.  With the recent leaps in software and hardware, companies like Avid, Ableton, and Propellerhead are quickly helping people make that dream come true.  On top of that it’s becoming more affordable as well!

The Players

With the recording industry and music production business shifting toward smaller studios and home production, the innovative qualities of the available software has become outstanding.  Programs like Reason, Ableton, Logic, and Pro-Tools, are now accessible to the masses at a very affordable prices (some even in the LoopCommunity store).  These programs can help any musician or producer, beginner or expert, produce a great mix or final product. Let’s take a look at a few different programs and what they offer:

Propellerhead Reason

Probably the most popular program (thanks to bands like David Crowder Band) is Reason. With the newest release of Reason 6, this almost seems like a one stop shop now (and if anyone would like to donate to my Reason 6 fund feel free to purchase a loop or two ).  My first copy of Reason was version 3 and it has come a long way. In version 6, with the integration of the Record product, the user really has a full studio at his fingertips.  The new ability to record audio and a new masterfully done mixer, anyone can now create until their hearts are content and never leave the Reason rack. A great addition to Reason the multitude of available refills.  You can realistically create almost any sound with one refill or another.

Reason isn’t without shortcomings however. One down-side of Reason is that if you create different short loops for verse and chorus it is very diffucult to switch between them live. Reason is really more of a full track based program when using it live.  Although, if you are a beginner to programming or just want to try something new Reason is the program for you!

Ableton Live

Enter Ableton.  Ableton is a more complex program that requires more knowledge of MIDI to tap its real potential.  While I have not really sunk my teeth into all that Ableton can offer, I do know it can do almost anything. Ableton is the perfect tool for layering different sounds or using several short loops in a song in a live setting.  You can start and stop loops or even record a live loop while you are playing. I typically use Ableton to run my loops that have been created in Reason.  If we are using several songs that have tracks I will only need one screen with Ableton.  If you are like me and use Ableton only in live settings then the lite version is all you’ll need.  It’s called Ableton Live Intro (side note:  Be sure to enter the Loop Community contest to win a FREE copy of Ableton Intro.  Seriously, who doesn’t love FREE software!).

Pro-Tools

Between Reason 6 and Ableton you can cover just about every need you will have.  But if you are like me, you want to learn it all.  Hello Pro-Tools!  Pro-Tools has probably made the biggest leap of any software.  Going from almost exclusively in professional studios to being accessible to every home producer.  This program can incorporate anything and has endless possibilities with editing, mixing, MIDI, recording, integration with other programs, mastering, and third party effects.  Pro-Tools can be a daunting program, but to someone who does a lot of chopping and cutting while editing this program can be a great tool.  It offers one of the best editing windows I’ve seen thus far.  I have found it easier to play with some effects, like a reverse, in Pro-Tools.  It can be done in Reason but I find it easier to work to in Pro-Tools.  An example of a track I created using pro tools is the song “Let it Shine” by All Sons and Daughters.

Try Them Out

Software is a great help for any programmer or music producer.  I try to vary what I use to give my creations the sound I hear in my head.  The program you use is really going to fall on what your personal preferences are and your style of creating.  All of these tools are fantastic resources.  Every one has it’s own set of strengths and weaknesses.  My only advice is to give them all a try, you might be surprised how much you enjoy a different program.

About the author: Anthony Kidd is a band leader at People of Mars Hill in Mobile, AL. Describing himself and his work he says: “I love creating music. Hearing something in my head and being able to create makes me happy. I am simple but I love complex. I try to create a simple complexity in all of my tracks……does that make me weird? I am weird I also am greatly humbled that people would be willing to invest something into music that bounces in my head all day.” Be sure to check out some of his tracks on his contributor page here.

The generally accepted definition of a “Worship Band” has seen a drastic change over the last 50 years.  What began as piano and organ has transitioned to a full band complete with moving lights and pre-programmed loops, tracks, and even videos to create the ‘worship experience’. We have indeed made huge leaps forward in the area of musical worship. The addition of pre-programmed tracks in both large and small churches was, for the most part, only an afterthought for most church music directors several years ago.

A Foundation

First, it is important for every band-leader to understand the musicality of their players whether they be volunteers or paid, amateurs or professionals. Many churches that exclusively rely on volunteers will sometimes find that the talent pool can be all too shallow. Introducing a moderate or beginner musician to a click track can be a daunting task and then the addition of a loop or track along with it can exacerbate the problem. Encouragement and patience will become your best friends in this process. Be sure that the musician doesn’t feel inadequate, but rather that this is an expansion of their skills, not a deficiency. Through my years of working with many different church musicians, I have always found that playing to a click (even if you are not using a track) is a great way to build musicianship.  Using a standard click is an easy first step if you are looking to move into loops and tracks. Having a solid foundation will be pivotal to growing you and your teams musicality, while also providing a platform to help musicians grow and develop their skills.

Tracks Types: Full Loop Tracks vs Loops Elements

I’m finding that the incorporation of some type of track or loop element is an every week occurrence. What isn’t consistent though is the degree to which they are integrated. There are several different types of tracks and loops. The loop discussion seems to be focused on two distinct types of tracks: the shorter loops that can be cut on and off throughout a song to provide small pieces of musical flair or the full blown tracks that provide anything from drum kits to symphonic orchestras.

Loop Elements (Shorter Loops)

Individual loops or short, programmed, segments are great ways to add a little ear candy to any song. This could be just a simple drum beat or a shaker sample that loops over and over continuously until stopped.  Utilizing some of the new technologies that have sprung up in the most recent years has been a great way for smaller churches or worship leaders to add sounds without having to pack 20 people on stage. With the development of synth, and electronic sounds the possibilities have become almost infinite in what can be reproduced from a simple laptop computer.  Even taking a simple song like “Hosanna” by Paul Baloche and inserting a simple drum loop can take the song to a different level or sound.  Being able to build on that dynamic can really help a musician “feel” the song better and your band will start playing together rather that just next to each other.

Full Loop Tracks

Tracks, on the other hand, are a great way to provide band members with a consistent way to play a song. They are created to fit full arrangements of the song.  You can also use multi-effects in tracks that may not be possible with shortened loops. This is because you can have more than one loop element playing at the same time. Using tracks can also help a programmer build a verse or chorus differently.  One example of a track I am building is the song “Manifesto” by The City Harmonic.  After the bridge interlude the last chorus just explodes with sound creating a huge final chorus of singing at the top of your lungs.  Having a full track for this song has allowed us to do more musically than we could have without it.  Almost every part of the song had some sort of special effect or dynamic change that would have required a lot of special attention while playing the song.  One missed cue could produce a train wreck since we are committed to a specific arrangement.

You might also want to add another backing melody just for the second chorus or just the last chorus after a bridge for an extra dynamic for the end of the song. This can be done with short loops but it can be quite difficult to manage, unless using a program such as Ableton Live. Most full loop tracks from Loop Community come with vocal cues, which act as a band director and guide the band through the song (verse, 1, 2, 3, 4).

The downside of full loops comes in when there are times as worship leaders you want to add an additional chorus because the congregation seems to be engaging in a different way on one specific Sunday morning.  This can be frustrating if you’re only using a full track arrangement because you are locked into a specific pattern for a song. Software like Ableton Live can alleviate this problem and give you the flexibility of short loops in a full length format.

So Who Wins?

In the end, I don’t believe that one option is better than the other.  I think a lot of factors can influence the ultimate decision.  We must consider the flow of the song, the community response, and several other factors. Your team may play better with short and simple loop elements, while the worship team down the street thrives alongside the full tracks. The number of available players and instrumentation will always be a factor. Always remember that as leaders, we need to encourage our band members to continue to practice and improve individually.  That personal time will flow into the band and the overall improvement of the team.  This will help create an enjoyable environment for musicians to enjoy creating music and using the talent God has given them to glorify His name, which is the ultimate goal for every worship team.

About the author: Anthony Kidd is a band leader at People of Mars Hill in Mobile, AL. Describing himself and his work he says: “I love creating music. Hearing something in my head and being able to create makes me happy. I am simple but I love complex. I try to create a simple complexity in all of my tracks……does that make me weird? I am weird. I also am greatly humbled that people would be willing to invest something into music that bounces in my head all day.” Be sure to check out some of his tracks on his contributor page here.

What is a Vocal Cue?

A vocal cue is a recorded vocal track that gives clear direction to your band when using loops or playing to a click track.  For example “Verse, in 1,2,3,4,” then you are into the verse.  Vocal cues allow each band member to know what part of the song is coming next and when it starts. Some of you reading this post haven’t thought much about vocal cues, but I challenge each person who is using loops live to enter into this conversation.  Though this post is geared towards worship leaders using loops, vocal cues are beneficial for all bands and musicians.

 What are some benefits of using vocal cues? 

1. Vocal Cues cause you to be prepared to lead.
When taking the time to create a vocal cue you have to study the song you are going to lead. You will have to layout the arrangement and compile all your parts into a cue. This has helped me to be prepared for my rehearsal times and ultimately a successful worship time.  We need to take the time when we are building loops and arranging songs to ask the Holy Spirit to speak through us in our preparation. I believe God is honored and can use our preparation greatly in a worship experience.  So many orchestras and other music groups have scored out music that is telling each musician exactly what they are supposed to play and when to play it.  This is a similar concept of what a vocal cue is accomplishing.  A set arrangement of where the band is going each time we play each particular song.  On the other hand I see that sometimes the worship set can go in a different direction than we expected.  So I create my loops and cues with the ability to go into a tag or repeat a chorus at the end of the song.  I run a swelling pad through ableton live in the key of the song and control it with a volume pedal.  This allows me the freedom to bring a pad in at the end of a song if I don’t have a keyboard player or even if I do. Think about it… Leave a comment or question.

2. Vocal Cues help direct the band.
I have experienced this first hand when introducing the song “Go” by Hillsong United.  This was the first time playing through a brand new song (with a loop) and feeling good about it because we had the direction of the vocal cues.  I stress to the musicians not be dependent upon the vocal cue, but to use the vocal cue as a tool to help them focus on the part they are playing and not be worried about what part comes next.  I hate the feeling of playing through a song and guessing where the worship leader is taking us next.  Using a vocal cue in the introduction of a new song will help the band in their preparation for rehearsal and help the rehearsal run smoothly.

3. Vocal Cues are another step we take towards EXCELLENCE.
Striving for excellence should be on the forefront of each worship team or Band.  Using vocal cues forces your band to play to a click, if you are not playing to a click you should.  This will push your band to the next level and also make you sound a lot tighter.  Countless times I have gone back and reviewed worship sets where we didn’t use a click and you can here the drastic difference from when we did play with a click.  Using a click and vocal cues leave less opportunity for error or distraction in your worship experience. If you are just venturing into using loops, start out by implementing vocal cues and you will save yourself tons of trouble introducing a new loop to your band.  People are more willing to play new music if it is clearly laid out and they know exactly where to go. If you do not clearly communicate to the band they may get lost in a loop, which can cause an easy train wreck.

Where do you find great vocal cues?

 I have spent ample amount of time setting up my gear going through my songs and recording my vocal cues with a nice condenser mic and…they were alright.  Honestly the best vocal cues that are out there are right here on loop community. If you are a contributor to the site, you can get them for free in the resource center. They are very easy to work with.  I just got done putting vocal cues on my “How He Loves” loop and the time I saved using the vocal cues from loop community was very beneficial.  You can get these cues in a reason file or Ableton files.  They are easy to drop into your Ableton session and use automation (this link helped me understand Automation and AIC drivers http://vimeo.com/8303676 ) to set the song to trigger its self when recording to a split file.  So now open up Ableton live and spend all night putting vocal cues on your loops and share them with the world through Loop Community!  If you have questions or comments about anything in this post, please continue the conversation.

About the author: Jake Sterno is a worship leader and songwriter from Rockford, IL. Check out his music here: http://www.inallthingslove.com

Loop Community is privileged to have many talented musicians and music programmers contributing to the community. One of those people is Ben Worcester.
I asked Ben a few questions and wanted to share our discussion.

MM: What do you use to create your loops?

BW: I use Reason 5.0. We use it in the live setting as well.

MM: What advice can you give those who are interested in making Loops?

BW: As advice for loop writers, invest time in studying how others create unique sounds. Consume others’ creations to develop your own. In addition, save your favorite sounds/patches so that you can implement them in any other file quickly.

MM: What instruments do you play?

BW: I play keys, generally, but I am also semi-pro trumpet player.

MM: Are you serving somewhere in your church? If so, where / whats your role?

BW: I’m on staff at University Christian Church in Manhattan, KS as the Contemporary Service Coordinator. My role is to oversee musical and technical aspects of those services.

MM: What made you want to start using loops in worship?

BW: One of biggest reasons is to implement synthesized sounds at the heart of our music. This makes it easy to have these extra instruments that fill out the sound. I also think that by using loops live, a band solves a lot of problems quickly. Two examples would be starting/ending songs and tempo issues. Loops can help with those transitions and make things more seamless.

MM: How do you run loops live during worship?

BW: We use Reason to fire all of the loops. We have an M-Audio 1814 FireWire interface that sends the stereo loop to the house (and monitors) and sends the click to the monitors. I usually fire them from my spot on stage behind the piano. Before the service, we load all of the loops in reverse order. Then, at the completion of the song, I (quickly) close the window and fire the next one.

Everyone has their own way of making music and playing it live. It’s always interesting for me to hear how people implement loops and programming into their worship sets. It can spark a new idea or teach me something new. Thanks for sharing Ben!

Check out Ben Worcester’s Loop page at Loop Community!