i am totally new to BIAB and i am going to buy either BIAB 2018 Pro or MegaPAK. I haven't yet decided which one. Maybe you can help me to take this decision.
I want to arrange and write new songs for Big Band (not on pro level).
Of high priority for me is that there are many "styles" available like rock, soul, Blues, Funk. Of less priority for example is that sound is very good.
Question: If i do an AB between Pro ($129) and MegaPAK($269), which information reflects the number of "styles" avaliable, is it "MIDI styles". Which of those "styles" are avalilable in MegaPAK and missing in Pro?
From your point of view, for Big Band arranging, would you recommend to buy MegaPAK and why spend this extra money?
BTW, i am from Germany (Black Forest), engineer, sax player, big band leader (both not on pro level) and in the age between 50 and 60. And this is the first time writing into this Forum :-)
I think you would be best to buy the bigger package. One thing that BIAB does not allow is buying styles by genre apart from individual style discs - so you will get a bigger selection of styles - including big band suitable styles - with the bigger package.
If you mean by "not on the pro level" that you'll be using your BIAB for just personal enjoyment, sharing with friends and family and that you'll be writing, arranging and producing original pieces, I think either package would work fine because the core program of BIAB is the same for all packages. The difference between all of the various BIAB packages is the added styles, RealTracks, midi and supermidi instruments and styles.
With your emphasis for Big Band genre, I suggest you will be more satisfied with the Pro Version and focus your productions using midi rather than the RealTracks and Styles. Use midi styles and VST's with either hardware or soft synths. So I recommend you make your choice by whichever program offers the most midi styles.
Midi generates much faster than the RealTrack audio files, midi is completely editable, and there are some high quality soft synths and libraries that will provide much more versatility and access to higher quality sounds than any package from BIAB will provide.
TV, Commercials and movie soundtracks are mostly made in the box these days and there are tons of YouTube videos with tutorials and BIAB is a wonderful tool to begin your projects and it's my guess if you concentrate on the midi possibilities, you will have greater success and pleasure.
Schwarzer Wald - What a wonderful place. I have been there both in summer and winter. Marvelous!
Do take the good advice you have received. Purchase the best package that you can afford.
All of the products have very good quality audio. The Audiophile version has better audio, but you need really good equipment and good ears to detect the difference.
The quality of audio from MIDI tracks (if you choose) obviously depend on your playback MIDI device. These days I mostly use RealTracks, but I also mix and match between the two.
Whichever package you choose, the audio will be very high quality. You don't need Audiophile to get excellent results. It is the lesser number of available styles in the entry level packages that you will find is your limitation.
Go MegaPak (620 RealTracks and RealDrums) at least, and maybe I dare recommend UltraPak (2500+ RealTracks and RealDrums). You won't be disappointed.
Welcome again,
Trev
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
I write original big band charts using a combination of BIAB, a music notation program, and a DAW. While I do the horn section parts in MIDI, I love having the RealTracks to give me a rhythm track that inspires me. I test horn lines in BIAB and sometimes use BIAB to generate harmony, including four or five-part harmony. Then I export the MIDI of that part or section to my notation program to assemble all the horn sections. I usually record that into audio and bring that along with the BIAB rhythm section into my DAW for mixing. It’s not always these exact steps but that’s a common way.
I’ve been writing charts for fifty years. BIAB makes it SO much easier and a whole lot more fun.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
@Trev, picture from this hotel is from Freiburg, i know this town very well, a beautiful small town in Schwarzwald only 1 hour from my small village where i am living.
I will now go for MegaPAK because of more Big Band Rhythms.
Great that we have been able to assist you. You won't be disappointed.
(Indcidentally: Yes Hotel Zum Roten Baren, I believe the foundations were laid in 1120 AD. Have stayed there several times. A very nice part of the world )
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
@Matt Finley Thats exactly the way i want do arranging (except DAW), BIAB and MuseScore. 2 years ago i bought notation software FORTE8, but i never used it. My daughter was using Forte and complained that she lost data when finale suddenly stopped working. And for both Musescore and BIAB i looks that the is a community to get help.
Musescore is unique among notation programs in that it reads native BIAB files. It's a great choice for notation.
I use the DAW only to make audio demos since I use some RealTracks for the rhythm section, but if you're doing all MIDI, you can just record the parts played in Musescore. You can also save money on buying BIAB, since as Charlie said above, the base program is the same for all versions and the main difference is the extra RealTracks, RealDrums and styles etc.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
Add updated printing options, enhanced tracks settings, smoother use of MGU and SGU (BB files) within PowerTracks, and more with the latest PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 update!
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.
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!
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!
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.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
)
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean