Guide track
Encyclopedia
A guide track or ghost track is a recorded selection of music
or song
used as an aid in sound recording, filmmaking
and performance
. It is closely related to the click track
, and the two are typically used in conjunction.
In sound recording, guide tracks are often used as a framework around which the additional tracks are built. Similar to demo
recordings, they may contain simplified arrangements. Used primarily to aid musicians in synchronizing their performances—which may not be recorded at the same time—these tracks may or may not be included in the final mixed product.
In filmmaking, guide tracks are commonly used as an aid in lip sync
hronization, timing actions such as dance
, and when musicians appear on camera. These tracks may be completed recordings, and are used to aid the actors in creating the illusion of live performance. See also dubbing (filmmaking)
.
Guide tracks are increasingly found in live music, which often relies on music sequencer
s to recreate recorded music on the stage. They may serve double duty as backup tracks, such as vocal harmonies created by singers who overlay multiple instances of their voices in the recording studio.
Singers may also use guide tracks to help them remain in tune with the musicians; these may not be audible to the audience. Inexperienced singers, or those with limited skills, may sing along with a foreground voice track. This last usage is essentially the same as lip synchronization, although the live singer's voice may in some cases be combined with the recorded vocals or the recorded track lowered in volume. Vocal guides are sometimes used both by professional entertainers and in amateur karaoke
performances. This technique was used occasionally by Ashlee Simpson
(especially in an infamous Saturday Night Live
performance, before which she was having voice problems).
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
or song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
used as an aid in sound recording, filmmaking
Filmmaking
Filmmaking is the process of making a film, from an initial story, idea, or commission, through scriptwriting, casting, shooting, directing, editing, and screening the finished product before an audience that may result in a theatrical release or television program...
and performance
Performance
A performance, in performing arts, generally comprises an event in which a performer or group of performers behave in a particular way for another group of people, the audience. Choral music and ballet are examples. Usually the performers participate in rehearsals beforehand. Afterwards audience...
. It is closely related to the click track
Click track
A click track is a series of audio cues used to synchronize sound recordings, sometimes for synchronization to a moving image. The click track originated in early sound movies, where marks were made on the film itself to indicate exact timings for musicians to accompany the film...
, and the two are typically used in conjunction.
In sound recording, guide tracks are often used as a framework around which the additional tracks are built. Similar to demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
recordings, they may contain simplified arrangements. Used primarily to aid musicians in synchronizing their performances—which may not be recorded at the same time—these tracks may or may not be included in the final mixed product.
In filmmaking, guide tracks are commonly used as an aid in lip sync
Lip sync
Lip sync, lip-sync, lip-synch is a technical term for matching lip movements with sung or spoken vocals...
hronization, timing actions such as dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
, and when musicians appear on camera. These tracks may be completed recordings, and are used to aid the actors in creating the illusion of live performance. See also dubbing (filmmaking)
Dubbing (filmmaking)
Dubbing is the post-production process of recording and replacing voices on a motion picture or television soundtrack subsequent to the original shooting. The term most commonly refers to the substitution of the voices of the actors shown on the screen by those of different performers, who may be...
.
Guide tracks are increasingly found in live music, which often relies on music sequencer
Music sequencer
The music sequencer is a device or computer software to record, edit, play back the music, by handling note and performance information in several forms, typically :...
s to recreate recorded music on the stage. They may serve double duty as backup tracks, such as vocal harmonies created by singers who overlay multiple instances of their voices in the recording studio.
Singers may also use guide tracks to help them remain in tune with the musicians; these may not be audible to the audience. Inexperienced singers, or those with limited skills, may sing along with a foreground voice track. This last usage is essentially the same as lip synchronization, although the live singer's voice may in some cases be combined with the recorded vocals or the recorded track lowered in volume. Vocal guides are sometimes used both by professional entertainers and in amateur karaoke
Karaoke
is a form of interactive entertainment or video game in which amateur singers sing along with recorded music using a microphone and public address system. The music is typically a well-known pop song minus the lead vocal. Lyrics are usually displayed on a video screen, along with a moving symbol,...
performances. This technique was used occasionally by Ashlee Simpson
Ashlee Simpson
Ashlee Nicole Simpson is an American singer and actress. In 2004, she rose to prominence with the success of her number-one debut album Autobiography and the reality series, The Ashlee Simpson Show. In October 2005, following a North American concert tour and a film appearance, Simpson released...
(especially in an infamous Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
performance, before which she was having voice problems).