Fretello Stage: A free app to jam guitar riffs to backing tracks
Sometimes you’re just itching to jam some riffs with your band, or play your fingers raw on a new solo. But the band are all on holiday or hung over and, let’s face it, it’s not as much fun on your own. You now have two options: build yourself a backing track in your DAW or bring in an app like Fretello Stage. But the privacy-conscious among you should be warned: this free app is hungry for permissions on your device.
Its makers say this is a simple, quick way to conjure some “HQ” backing tracks. If you’re suffering from a particularly severe profile neurosis, you can also record videos while you’re performing and share to Facebook.
There’s certainly more than enough choice; the app offers over 7000 backing tracks across Rock, Blues, Metal and more. You can set the tempo and key, and each style comes replete with its own generic, clichéd background image. The app lets you edit your recordings and save as a jam session to your profile. But you can’t, say, transfer your performance to your computer sans backing tracks.
On the other hand, the app’s programmers have included a few nifty functions. Especially given that it’s free. It’s already out on iOS, and an Android version is in the works. I might even be tempted to give this a try. I just hope the guitar sounds are usable.
The app requires access to your device’s camera and microphone. Notifications are also have to be activated. If you want to carry on using it in any way, shape or form, you have to provide access to a Facebook account to share content (including video).
More information
- Maker’s product page
- App Store product page