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Joined: Jan 2016
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PG Music Staff
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OP
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,664 |
Hello PG Forums! Many first-time Band-in-a-Box owners ask the the question: "Where do I start?!" Don't worry we're here to help! The first place I can recommend is the user manual found under the "Help" -> "Program Manuals (pdf)" -> "Display Program Manual" -- This is the fundamental guide of learning the features that Band-in-a-Box is capable of. For more specific How-to's and basic troubleshooting. You can visit our video support page located on http://www.pgmusic.com/videos.bbwin.htmYou also have access to a wealth of knowledge from our experienced users right here in the forums. Chances are if you have a question it has already been asked and there is already an answer. And of course, if Band-in-a-Box ever starts mis-behaving you have access to our technical support department Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm pacific time! Seen on our contact page here: http://www.pgmusic.com/contact.htmHappy learning!
Cheers,
Joe
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 40
Enthusiast
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I just started. I already had something to try out and within an hour or so had a song backing track produced. However this is as the biab delivers it in default mode, with no tweaks or adjustments,and its apparent that it has a way of doing what it wants as well.
In a repeat chorus you can hear and feel the exact repetition in every way. A human band would show a change in expression throughout. But of course biab is a machine not a human.
Choosing different styles presents a load of interpretations on a song and this is creative.
For a backing track in a noisy gig or a fist time demo its very good. In the clinical atmosphere of a studio, there would be much that you could find tempting to re-engineer.
So I think that to get the best I might find myself at times composing to the wants and needs of the software, in order to achieve a work around.
In working life mode I don't like sedentary jobs and prefer to be active. So I don't want to be hunched over a PC for too long. Biab will be fine for what I need.
Using: Dell 3268 i3, 8 GB ram, windows 10. Biab version 2017 standard package, no extras.
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Joined: Jun 2012
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You didn't mention which Tracks or styles you chose.
Remember that RealTracks are just that: Audio recordings, undertaken by professional musicians. They generally include all the nuances of a live production.
Did you chose RealTracks for your experiment?
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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Joined: Nov 2017
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I used the biab package. Tried some of the standard rock and pop styles and they all worked very well. However it was a backing track without a melody line. So that may well be required.
I put in the chorus section first, and it laid down a neat backing. Then the verses by inserting the bars. It sensed that and there followed an equally good backing. The build on the chorus was notable when it arrived at that point in the song.
There is a human intuitiveness with it, and the recorded tracks are obviously played. But when repeating there is no change and that is where the machine aspect is apparent. There seemed to be some shiftiness with major and min seventh.
I have also used the DigiTech trio, which is based on biab. Again this is a limited version looper pedal and works best when stripping the song down to simpler chords.
I wasn't aware of the significance of the real tracks, which somehow seems to have an identity of its own. Obviously they work together.
For a package punt its got a lot to offer. I didn't want to get all the way into a full blown audio workstation process, as that seems like a big operation. A lot more kit and time in a chair.
Last edited by duncanwhyte; 11/22/17 05:06 AM.
Using: Dell 3268 i3, 8 GB ram, windows 10. Biab version 2017 standard package, no extras.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Thanks for the response. BTW, you still didn't mention which Tracks or Styles you chose.
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 40
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I just used the main screen to lay out the chords. It was already in a jazz mode, so I found the style changer and tried out some rock and pop styles. But cant remember exactly which one as there are hundreds in there. That's all.
Last edited by duncanwhyte; 11/22/17 07:57 PM.
Using: Dell 3268 i3, 8 GB ram, windows 10. Biab version 2017 standard package, no extras.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Sep 2006
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PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,289 |
To find out at a glance if what you have loaded in Band-in-a-Box is a RealTrack, look to the top of the screen where it says the track names "Piano | Bass" | "Drums" etc...
If the text is GREEN, it's a RealTrack.
To expand on that, if the track name is green with a short underline it includes a RealChart.
If the track name is green and fully underlined and is a guitar track, it includes the RealChart and accurate tab and on-screen guitar fretboard display.
Callie
Marketing Representative
PG Music Inc.
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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
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."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
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!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
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.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.
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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