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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 165
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 165 |
I have been using Bbox since day 1 in the traditional way. It is a fabulous tool for generating backing tracks and as starting point for producing CDs. The tools have evolved and improved each year.
The weak point is that as it has grown and improved it has become a huge program and very complex. One of the weak spots is searching for appropriate styles and instrument tracks. As a former database creator there are better ways to easily find the abundant tools and content available.
The vst tool and multiple track recordings tool are truly breakthroughs. I was really excited about the additional tracks available. I doubt that PG recognizes that Bbox can be used as a giant looper tied to drum machine with or without bass. As a guitarist and bassist I find the rhythm guitar tracks limiting and proprietary bass lines essential for pop tunes.
Initially with 2021 recording audio did not sync the time properly. Since this didn't work I used the plug in. I was able to interact with live guitar and see the chords on a second monitor. I could also play a drum track or select drums within Cakewalk. Since this worked I decided to try the same with Bbox. For unknown reasons everything works now. I suspect the updates fixed the problem.
My point is that as a musician I can now interact more creatively to lay down rhythm tracks. After laying out chord structure I will lay down exactly what I want in a bass line by recording it. I will do the same with guitar etc. I can record exactly what I want rather than spend an hour or more auditioning tracks.
The cost of a looper capable of syncing midi would be far more expensive than Bbox and have very limited capability. Bbox also has numerous advantages for practice.
Another neglected feature is the standalone plug in option. For practice with looping or beginners this might be the way to start.
Although there is room for improvement I am very pleased with continued plugin improvement and additional track capabilties within Bbox. I can now recommend Bbox as a basic tool for practice with or without all of the content.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 46
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 46 |
Great post, thank you for sharing!
I have been using BIAB in a similar fashion for many years - as you say, a "giant looper". What I like most is that I can create backing track for songs starting with 2 or 4 bars, then slowly expand. I generally only use the drums and bass tracks, occasionally organ, and then record guitar comping and soloing tracks.
The main benefit I get out of BIAB for this that I can follow the chords along - which for a beginner jazz guitarist is a great help, I find so many of the 'standard' backing tracks (like Aebersold) difficult to follow - but that's just me, I know many of my fellow musicians have no big problems with them.
There is probably 70% of BIAB which I have never touched, regretfully sometimes, so I keep upgrading in the hope that one day I'll sit down and use the help file to systematically learn "all" of it.
I also had a number of looper pedals over the year which I all sold. Having BIAB on the laptop connected to my Quilter amp, guitar as well, allows me almost unlimited variety of backing tracks, speeds, instruments....
For me, it's about fun, joy and learning - just playing simple melodies against a 4 bar backing track sometimes gives me immense pleasure....
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 5,790
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 5,790 |
Dpresley, Solid post. I hope a standalone will find the right audience too. About this: "One of the weak spots is searching for appropriate styles and instrument tracks." I fully agree. I have started a post here on picker: https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=623604#Post623604Personally I think it would make life easier for everyone (users & developers) to eventually have a single picker for creative content. Kindly take a look at the thread and share your ideas if you find time. Thanks.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 165
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 165 |
Yes I totally agree. I love the program but the work flow is slowed down by searching and Auditioning. A more consistent interface with favorite buttons would help.
Visit our web site:
su4u.net
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 165
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 165 |
Seeing the chart is a great feature for all.
Visit our web site:
su4u.net
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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User Video: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box®
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 German for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!
Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 und mehr!
Paket | Was ist Neu
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
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