I am 100% convinced that midi sequencers are used in the live recordings of many of todays gospel albums. I know that practice is essential, however, I believe there is more involved ... I was watching a video of a gospel artist and I noticed several things that led me to come to this conclusion:
1) Seeing that MPC Drum Machines are common in gospel music to provide additional percussion and to keep timing, it only makes since that midi sequencers(not those cheap computer based GM sequencers, I'm talking about motifs, fantoms, etc.) would be used to help timing for all those musicians especially during songs with change ups ---Good examples of songs that use drum machines: The best is yet to come by Donald Lawrence, Balm in Gilead by Karen Clark-Sheard
2)Sequencers are very common in live secular music performances. about 85% of the live performances of artists such as Britney, Madonna, have sequenced parts playing in sync with the live musicians. If you don't believe me go to
www.rolandus.com or
www.korg.com and read some of the articles and interviews with secular musicians and find out how roland, korg, and other keyboard workstations are being used.
3)If you watch the musicians perform on TV or on video, you will see that they are not reading music- Try playing Tye Tribbett's songs like Everything will be alright, Still Have Joy, and pretty much every single song exactly the same way consecutively one after another without messing up one time-- without the help of written music.. I've been to his live performances and when I say EVERYTHING sounds EXACTLY the same as on the CD i mean EVERYTHING from the piano to the drums--every break, every fill, everything. That, to me, is simply too much to remember even after much practice. So it only makes since that there is a sequencer keeping timing and playing additional parts and backing phrases.
4)Its no secret that "overdubs" are often added to the live recording. These overdubs are usually recorded in the studio days after the live recording was made. They can be anything from a guitar to cymbals and hi hats being hit later to improve the sound. Overdubs have been used for years so it would make sense that as sequencer capabilities improve the "overdubs" would be played by sequencers set up on stage. These sequences would act as backing phrases or auto-accompaniment to the live musicians.
5) I have noticed in several gospel videos that artists can be seen looking at computers and keyboard players having sound modules (like the Triton Rack, for example) and drum machines by their sides. The computer can act as a sequencer to control the timing of the performance and keep the music intact.
6) I was listening to Tye Tribbett's CD and noticed that most of the songs are nearly impossible to play without a band, the bass player has his own part, the organist his, the horns have their own part, the keyboard player has his... although it is possible for each player to have learned and practiced his or her part over several months, there would still need to be some sort of "gel" to hold these artists together in perfect timing and harmony without reading music. To do that many songs live with every single change up, fill, break, (and there were plenty!!!) without sheet music had to require either ULTRA-EXTREME practice or a good sequencer to keep them in sync. The same holds true for Israel houghton, Martha Munizzi, and all these other new age gospel artists!!!
I had a few other points to bring up, but I forgot them.... sorry!!!
But thats just me and my opinion.... feel free to give me yours!!! If I forgot any key points, or if I sound down-right ridiculous, If you agree or disagree-- Give me your thoughts!!!
God Bless You!!!
