Are the members of Trans Siberian Orchestra actually playing live on stage or is their music pre-recorded?

Answer 1

I am a studio musician - I saw TSO this past Dec. at Nassau Colliseum in LI NY> I was furtunate to have seating directly under the stage. I could have easily jumped on stage, that's how close I was. I was so close that when one of the guitar players cam to my side I could hear the picking of his guitar strings. I found this unusual since I have played live many, many times and I know from the way he was picking and the sound that was coming out of the PA could not possibly be what he was playing. Then I began to observe closer - I checked out the oriental violinist - I also play the violin....once I tiook a closer look and watched him bow against the strings while he just took a leaping jump from one part of the stage to my side (I was only maybe 4 ft away from him) his bow bounced up and down the strings - yet the audio from the violin was a contstant straight smooth no flutter . How can this be? I then started to serioulsy check out all of them on stage - The drummer was definitely playing, the bass player - not sure - the audio of his bass was very rounded and compressed yet he plays with a pick which (I also play bass) would resonate some high end clickingon the strings - his bass sound from the pa sounded more like a Taurus pedal than a bass - no way the bass played on stage was what I was earing out of the PA. The only guitar that may have been live was the lead - I know this because he made a mistakeon one ofthe songs and it was clear - ANother thing that baffled me - was - there were no guitar or bass amps anywhere in sight. I an see uner the stage as well - Nothing !?? It may well be that they are going DI (direct input tothe board) but even so - the feedback and audio would never translate as what I heard in PA if they were playing direct. I have to say that TSO does NOT entirely play all their instruments live - They are all playing to a click as well as an audio track. The vocalists (some) do sing live - some of the girls that do the magic Flute Mozart leads - do NOT - Running up and down the aisles and not hearing any pop in the mics or any breath - tell me that they are lip syncing - The keyboards - I could not tell - did not have a view of their hands -

Even with what I am revealing here - I still give them credit - because their compositions are still very original and unique - Bottom line - I will go to see them again - just because I like their mix of classical and metal - and I will not lookso close next time -

Answer 2

Trans-Siberian Orchestra members do play live on stage during their performances. The band is known for their elaborate stage shows and skilled musicianship. While some elements of their music may be pre-recorded for certain effects or backing tracks, the core instrumental and vocal performances are live.

Answer 3

I went last night and think it must be fake. It sounds like listening to a cd, no imperfections what so ever. Furthermore, is it really possible to play the violin while head banging? I can't be certain... does anyone else with more musical knowledge know?

Answer 4

Yes, they are actually playing live. There are many members of TSO which lets them split into two main groups. They play the same songs but travel in different places. This allows them to be at more places for concerts around the world.