Is BB for me? I note a lot of very savy sophisiticated users. Will BB be frustrating or a joy? My needs are not sophisticated. I play for fun. Can I use BB just as a drummer (ie a less tedious metronone) or would a drum machine be a better option? Are there sufficient rhythms in the basic package or would I be better off with the ultra pack on a HD? Can I use BB with my laptop sitting on top of my piano (acoustic) or will I find quickly that I must invest in a sound system or a keyboard? Will I have to upgrade or replace my laptop (about a year old). Will I be spending more time programming than playing?

Brian

Firstly you dont say what your system is so the question 'will I need to update' is unanswerable. A year old laptop would probably do as long as its not a netbook. Laptops gernally have on board sound, which is basic but nowadays adequate. You could get an external sound card later if you need one. Most gear these days passes the 'passable' test for sound.
Biab is great for a novice its really easy to use. JUst select a song and away you go - two clicks. If you want you can turn of the other instruments and just leave drums with every track. Yes you can use it on a lap top but if you want to have the sound equalling an acoustic Piano you will need to plug the laptop sound into a hifi or other sound box - unless it has real volume.
You could start with the basic set up but make sure you get 'realtracks' they are much better than MIDI stuff and have more feel. The Everything package is on special until 31st I believe. I have just taken the leap myself and dont regret it.

You can go deeper, its easy to put in your own chords, and you can even create your own backing tracks to a degree -I find little need though.

I think that if you use it, you will want as many real tracks as you can get.

BIAB is going to be the best drum machine you will ever find.

Well, it's like this... You have to have at least an idea of dealing with music and midi on a computer... do you have that kind of experience?? If you don't, then this will be a learning experience, like anything else in life that you've never done... If you've done music and midi on a computer before, and you've used soft synths and sequencers in which you edited wav files, then its a lot easier...

But when you're saying that your laptop is on top of your acoustic piano, and that you don't want to buy another keyboard, I think you're the learning experience type.. You haven't had experience with this type of stuff before and you're going to have to learn to use it to get the maximum benefits... But it's not that horrible and benefits will far outweigh the inconveniences of getting out of your comfort zone... And the benefits of being able to practice with actual harmonic instruments is a lot better than just having a drum machine metronome...

Hi

Welcome and hope that we can help and ZeroZero has given you a sound overview

BIAB will be with you years after you have got fed up of a drum machine

With BIAB you can "create" and since 1994 (my first BIAB) I have become a far better musician because of it

Today BIAB Ultrapak (or even the basic) is like playing in a studio with top musicians - you will need good speakers to get the benefit
jazzman

I agrre with Jazzman BIAB will make you a far better musician. I have been typing in cycles and going around chords of my choice ion a style of my choice - in two minutes a track is ready. You dont really need to know any MID to get going, but it is an advantage. I think of MIDI as an electronic score - its silent in itself but its a set of instructions for (electronic) instruments to start notes, stop them, determine how loud and a lot more.
Traditional paer scores give some directions, but MIDI defines a lot more some things which you might never have though of before. Its a couple of evenings with a web page and notes to get the hand of it.

Hey Novice,

Welcome to the forums. 3 reasons to check it out>

1. BIAB has enabled thousands of musicians to do things they never could have dreamed of with just a laptop and sequencing software. It truly is in a league of its own.

2. With a 30 day money back guarantee, what have you got to lose. Once you try it, and learn how to use it, I'll bet its a keeper for you.

3. If you ever need help or run into a problem, this forum is filled with some of the nicest folks on the net, ready to help whenever you need it, including the owner of the Company,Dr. Peter Gannon. You won't find that anywhere else!

Hope that convinces you to give it a try,
Ed

Thanks for your input. I am now decided. I have ordered the Ultra pak. Ill be back Im sure with questions once I have it running.

Brian

Hi Brian,

To get started, I suggest you look at the videos that will come with it. If you are interested in getting a bit of a head start, there are some good tutorial videos here. The one that I found most useful is found about halfway down the webpage and is called Band In A Box QuickStart Tutorial.

All the best,
Noel

Hey Brian,

Good choice. I'm using BIAB mostly for practicing with an upright bass. There are so many styles that a drum machine can never match. I've inputed some blues and jazz lessons from one of my books to work along with. The really cool thing is being able to switch keys in a matter of mere seconds. Great for learning a toon in C, F, Bb or whatever. Practicing with a "real band" is a lot more fun as well.

As Jazzman mentioned, get a good sound system. I use a Behringer mini PA system that works perfectly with my laptop that I picked up at my local music store.

Check out the tutorials, and read through the threads here. They both help immensely.

Scotty

Hi Brian

Just remember that the learning curve to master all the features in BIAB is quite long so be happy to take a number of small steps - an hour a day is better than 6 hours now and again - BIAB is a monster program and for my needs I use about 30% on a daily basis and some of the rest occasionally

The advice above to see the videos is very sound because it is everyones natural urge to get the program up and running - but a good examination of the videos can assist greatly - we are always here to help

The Behringer mini system is excellent and the Bose desktop system is tops also

If you are performing then use your gig sound system to get the near perfect sound and balance - howeverif you are just using it for home enjoyment and learning then the above will do just fine

Enjoy the ride
jazzman