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BLOGGER POST: How I Write and Produce Songs With BAND-IN-A-BOX Part of the fun of being on the BIAB forums is helping other forum members with their song projects. From time to time I've posted various articles on topics from "Learning to Play Bluegrass Banjo" to "Basic Mixing." Recently I added a new article on my blog on Blogger regarding how I write and produce with Band-in-a-Box. I thought it might also be helpful to post it here. Hope it helps. Send me question and comments. Thanks, Bob Buford
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Great article (or blog) Bob,
a well thought out piece, you turned someone on to BIAB,
that's great. I don't understand why there's still a lot of resistance
by musicians to check out this program. Most everyone nowadays
uses drum loops or midi drums, we've got so much more with BIAB,
as for writing, I always have a story in my head, how can I tell the story
if I don't know it myself, I've been surprised at co-writing attempts when
the other person didn't know what their song was about or where it was going.
Sometimes there are nice surprises but still...
now I'm just going on...
having said that, I do believe there's a million ways to write a song
whoever has good tools in their writing tool box, they're gonna come up
with something
enjoyed this a lot
Kenny
Last edited by 44kfl; 08/05/17 09:01 AM.
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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 274
Apprentice
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Thanks Bob
Very informative.
Ive only started with BB this year and found it really helpful. OK,so most of my stuff is covers but so far I've been able to find or make a style that works for MY arrangement. Where its brilliant is with my own stuff. I work up the chords, set up my Band lol and away I go.
Love it!
WendyM
BiaB2022PLUS,927. every extras pack I can find ;-),Sonar7XL,Win 10
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Songwriting
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Thanks Bob
Very informative.
Ive only started with BB this year and found it really helpful. OK,so most of my stuff is covers but so far I've been able to find or make a style that works for MY arrangement. Where its brilliant is with my own stuff. I work up the chords, set up my Band lol and away I go.
Love it!
WendyM Covers are a GREAT way to learn to use BIAB and also to develop your production and performance chops. This is especially true if you do your utmost to recreate your cover as close to the original as possible.(a process called AB'ing)If you can do that, you'll learn a lot about how the original was produced. Then you can apply that to your own work when the need arises. Just keep at it and you'll be even more amazed at what you can create. The BIAB forums are a great source of info and tips on using the program if you get stumped. Folks here are always willing to help. Best of luck with your writing and production. Thanks for your input, Bob 
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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Great article (or blog) Bob,
a well thought out piece, you turned someone on to BIAB,
that's great. I don't understand why there's still a lot of resistance by musicians to check out this program. Most everyone nowadays uses drum loops or midi drums, we've got so much more with BIAB,as for writing, I always have a story in my head, how can I tell the story if I don't know it myself, I've been surprised at co-writing attempts when the other person didn't know what their song was about or where it was going. Sometimes there are nice surprises but still...now I'm just going on...having said that, I do believe there's a million ways to write a song whoever has good tools in their writing tool box, they're gonna come up with something
enjoyed this a lot
Kenny Hi Kenny, You make some good points. Nearly everyone has their own methodology for writing a song that is more or less a variation of some of the more common approaches. For folks just getting started I say do some reading and get educated about the basic process. Kind of like we do with singing or learning to play an instrument: Imitate and then innovate. Whatever works for you is what works. And everyone has something unique to offer. Appreciate your input. Thanks Bob
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Songwriting
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Bob,
You've put together a really great article. The clarity of your presentation is excellent and the ideas and advice are first class.
I enjoyed my read!
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2024
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Songwriting
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Bob,
You've put together a really great article. The clarity of your presentation is excellent and the ideas an advice are first class.
I enjoyed my read!
Regards,
Noel Hey Noel! How ya doin' way down there? Thanks so much for the nice comments. Just hope I can help some folks. Bob
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Songwriting
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Hi Bob,
This is a really good post, and I thought I would add in some of my own feedback. Since I have dialed in your basic studio settings to my working template in Sonar, which I call the "Bob Buford Board", you know I study you man!
I would go one step further to say I prefer BIAB and my home studio to "real" studios in many cases, and I have recorded in some of the largest studios in Nashville and New York.
1.) I too am always mystified when people make disparaging remarks and say "it is not any good (or real music) unless you record it all yourself."
Then I listen to THEIR stuff and think (but don't say) "Ugh...but your guitar is out of tune, you can't play, it sounds horrible, and the bass player sounds intoxicated. How much did you spend on that??" (I never say it though.)
2.) And yes, so much much done today is loops and samples. But those loops and samples are pretty much obnoxious noise. BIAB does not produce noise it produces MUSIC. So the reason for NOT using it is.....????
3.) Related to the comments of the esteemed producer you mention, I spend some time each day studying the demos, which offer an endless fount of production ideas and chord progression ideas.
4.) It will take any producer about five seconds to realize you are not constrained to one style, but if you have a DAW (or know all the ropes in BIAB well) you can start a song in one style and switch numerous times during the course of a song. That's Abbey Road.
5.) If I were to have gone into any studio to produce some of the stuff I have done with Real Tracks, if you add in the orchestral and string parts, it would have been more like $20,000 a song.
6.) I could go to Berklee and pay $30,000 for a production and editing course or I could just go on this forum and give a shout out to guys like...hmmmmmm...Bob Buford!!! (or 40 other guys and gals just like him)----and ask him what EQ settings to use on the drums and I have my answer back in 20 minutes. I say go for the zero dollar self study course on the forum with 24/7 access to pros and veterans. Easier on my wallet.
7.) I can't count the number of times someone has asked me (of a RT based song) "What studio did you record that in?"
8.) The Xtra styles come almost premixed. If you realize less is really more, the Xtra Styles sort of tell you where stuff should be set and if you are careful with tasty additions only, and you have a good knowledge of Eqing and mastering (which you can learn from veterans on this forum) there really is no reason to go into a studio for many songs. It just is not necessary.
9.) In complaining of the glut of music today you hear this all the time: "Everybody and his sister has ProTools." True, but everybody and his sister does not have ProTools and RealTracks. That may be one reason why so much of everything you hear sounds exactly the same. Very boring chord progressions and beginning acoustic or electric guitar 101 keeps getting replicated. RTs take your music to another stratosphere.
10.) Some people have said on this forum that if you use RTs and your home studio you will never be able to get the quality of a "real studio" or a "real engineer." I cannot tell you how much I disagree.
In many cases, I honestly think the RT studio sounds better.
Thanks for a great article Bob and all the great teaching on this forum.
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Songwriting
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Hey David...how the heck are ya?  I love what you wrote. Such great insights and experiences to impart. I've learned things on the forums that one might never learn elsewhere. There are so many talented and experienced folks here that are willing to share their knowledge...you in particular. Appreciate ya, dude! The Buford 
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"Everybody and his sister has ProTools."
Quote for the day: "ProTools doesn't care who owns it."
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Hi Bob
Thanks for the post and article,very helpful to know how high a quality you think Biab is for music production.As Ive produced songs with biab the question is always in the back of my mind is it going to be as good as a studio made song.(quality wise).
I got a couple of songs produced in a studio and they came out great but they could have been easily a million miles away from what i intended as you have so little involvement.Not to mention the cost or the lack of enjoyment,urs Hugh
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Hi David
Equally great reply as original post.Great to know your perspective on Biab and encourages me no end .All your points are exactly right.Biab is such a good product,thanks Hugh
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Songwriting
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Hi Bob
Thanks for the post and article,very helpful to know how high a quality you think Biab is for music production.As Ive produced songs with biab the question is always in the back of my mind is it going to be as good as a studio made song.(quality wise).
I got a couple of songs produced in a studio and they came out great but they could have been easily a million miles away from what i intended as you have so little involvement.Not to mention the cost or the lack of enjoyment,urs Hugh Hi Hugh... One of the reasons I put my article out on Blogger was to take my BAND-IN-A-BOX pitch to folks outside of these forums who already know what a great songwriting tool and product it is. One of the reasons a BIAB production sounds so good is the quality of the musicians on REAL TRACKS. It would be difficult if not impossible to get any of those folks to play on a studio made song. Guys like Brent Mason (Jim Mason, who's no relation,claims they're "cousins"..haha!) but are pretty booked up, not to mention the cost you'd incur. My studio produced songs were great because I had a pro producer, but at least a couple of them didn't come out the way I'd envisioned. BIAB gives you a level of control you'd lose in a studio environment. But of course you're responsible for EVERYTHING that goes into the mix. In my opinion it's never been easier or less expensive for an aspiring (or pro) songwriter to experiment with song ideas and come out with something great. Still the level of competency one brings to the table even with BIAB will be the limiting factor at to what finally gets produced. Fun stuff, eh?
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Snip ... 2.) And yes, so much much done today is loops and samples. But those loops and samples are pretty much obnoxious noise. BIAB does not produce noise it produces MUSIC. So the reason for NOT using it is.....???? snip ... I'm enjoying this conversation and learning from it. However David, I was disappointed to read point # 2 quoted above. Loops and samples can be sources of inspiration when someone is searching for song ideas. Use a guitar, keyboard or horn riff that sets your imagination on fire. Update your music with sounds and tones typically found outside the genre of your song project. Loops and samples can be easily imported into BiaB and RealBand if that's what one desires. One of the unrecognized strengths of Band-in-a-Box and RealBand is they are so very versatile. You want to be inspired by midi? Like other music program the programs can import midi, including midi loops but, unlike other music programs the midi patterns built into the styles also let you easily create your own midi masterpieces. Every other audio music program can record audio and use samples or loops but they can't use RealTracks or RealDrums. RealTracks and RealDrums are exclusive to Band-in-a-Box and RealBand. So you can use Band-in-a-Box and RealBand to perform the same functions as any other music program and so much more. Loop and samples are tools you can use just like RealTracks.
Jim Fogle - 2024 BiaB (1111) RB (5) Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
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Jim,
I was speaking of loops and samples that are used exclusively with no other musical skill or knowledge in such as way that they become repetitive nonsense and noise.
Sorry, I did not clarify this.
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Bob, you have broken out in Blog!
What a well done presentation. You succeeded
in the number one goal of the best teachers;
that is, to get the reader (or student) to thinking.
As different as we all are, I think each of us
finds a zone. Artists and writers find specialties,
for lack of a better term.
Your personal comments are interesting and
informative.
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Songwriting
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Bob, you have broken out in Blog!
What a well done presentation. You succeeded
in the number one goal of the best teachers;
that is, to get the reader (or student) to thinking.
As different as we all are, I think each of us
finds a zone. Artists and writers find specialties,
for lack of a better term.
Your personal comments are interesting and
informative. Haha...yes, Ed I've broken out and there appears to be no treatment for it. "Think, people! THINK!" Bob 
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Songwriting
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Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
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What an awesome article, Bob. You can tell it was written sincerely, and it offers a lot of insight into what the program is about!
Cheers,
Deryk
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Great blog and conversation here in the forum. I am new to BIAB but can already see the potential. You make many valid points about the cost and quality of recording in a studio. About 5 years ago i was going to record a couple demo songs in Nashville. The price fo 2 songs unmastered was going to be over $5,000. Due to unforseen circumstances I was unable to afford to return to Nashville and record. Thinking back it may have been for the best. Although I'm sure the quality would have been good there is no way to know if songs would have turned out how I heard them in my head. The producer may have had a totaly different interpretation than i had.
Since that time i have started recording and producing my own music. One of the largest problems i have had though is finding quality midi sounds for instruments i would like in my songs.(Fiddle, Mandolin, Steel Guitar) Now that I've found BIAB I believe i can finally make some authentc sounding country music using Real Tracks of actual instruments, and best of all I have all the control and all the time in the world to perfect my tracks to my liking.
The one thing I had hoped to read in your blog was more of a technical insite as to how you use BIAB to creat your music. Do you plan on going into that more in other blog posts?
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Hi Samuel, Congratulations. You've found the holy grail of country song creation with BIAB and REALTRACKS. Did you notice all the Nashville session guys who are playing on those Country REALTRACKS. Pretty amazing. And they'll all work for you tirelessly to create the vision you have for your song. I plan many other blog posts on this subject. In the meantime here's a MIXING article I wrote here on the forums to help get you started. Check it out. Maybe it will help. http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=380166&page=1Bob
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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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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
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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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The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
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If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
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Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
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