|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17 |
I'm not a professional musician and have zero knowledge about hardware. I just want to have fun doing some home recording and jam with Biab. I do appreciate good sound and I know that my Radio Shack speakers plugged into the Macbook speaker jack isn't going to cut it. If I had $500-1000 to spend what would you recommend to get the best sound quality from Biab?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812 |
Hey Fiddle, OK, I'm going to assume that since you are using a Macbook, you have the Mac version of BIAB? Many people are using the PC version with Parellels, since the PC version has more features at the moment. There are many ways to go, and I've spent years buying and then selling Interfaces. Also software. You need two things to get a really great sounding result>A good interface and a good Sample sounds. As far as interfaces go, everyone I know that uses Mac uses Apogee. The converters and Mic Pre's are top of the line. Since you are using a Macbook, I would recommend the Apogee "One" USB interface. Very small (like a pack of cigarettes) Awesome sound, has Line in, Mic in and a internal mic that is fantastic. Zero Latency. Cheap ....$250. You can spend up to $1000 for a Steinberg interface with 8 Mic pre's, but you won't get better sound! Here is the link, make sure you read the customer reviews, http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/One/As far as Sample sets go, it pays to use the good stuff! Although RT's are great, when you do need midi instruments, you need convincing sounds. Here are a couple of tips> 1. Native Instrument Kontakt 4>This is the premier sampler/sample library. The only issue with this is that it is NOT GM compatible, in other words, you have to manually load each patch. Not a big deal, unless you are pressed for time. Sounds are great, it is a HUGE library (40 GB) so you might want to keep in on a portable Hard Drive. Here is the link, Listen to the sound Demos> http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/producer/kontakt-4/2. Vir2 has a Product called "VI One". It is GM compatible, which means your sound patches will load automatically. Here is the link, you can listen to the Demos> http://www.vir2.com/4DCGI/vir2/products/vione/index.html?1198hope this helps you, Ed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 483
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 483 |
Fiddle,
You don't mention your Mac setup. If you have the latest BIAB with real tracks and Garageband on
your MacBook you can do some pretty nice home recordings and jamming. I use a M-Audio interface to record sax or vocals into Garageband and then mix.
That's my setup and I play it through either a PA or high powered Onkyo stereo system
with floor speakers with 12" woofers.
You mention that you are not a professional musician so this type of set up should do you well.
I am a professional and I find few things to quibble about with this setup both at home and playing gigs.
Ernie
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17 |
Thanks for the info. I recently have switched to the Mac. My PC was getting dated and in need of an upgrade so I decided it was a good time to make the switch. What attracted me to Biab was the realtracks and realdrums. I'm mostly interested in country and old standard songs and using realtracks and realdrums for a backup band sounds pretty good. That's why I'm asking for suggestions on putting together a system to get the best sound for jamming. I might be able to get a lambda computer interface for next to nothing. Would it do the same thing as the Apogee interface you described?
I have never done anything with midi an am just picking up bits and pieces on how it is used by looking through the forums. But am I right in thinking I need some sort of midi keyboard to use Native Instrument Kontakt 4?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812 |
The Lexicon Lambda is ok, but it's nothing like an Apogee. You would hear a big difference even just playing mp3's in iTunes!
As far as midi and keyboards go, just remember that the keyboard you use will just send a command to the computer to play the "Patch" that you selected. Your choice is to either use a Keyboard with built in sounds and plug that into a mixer, or use a keyboard controller to play softsynth sounds in your computer.
One other option I recommend and should have mentioned earlier is a Program called "Reason" by Propellerhead in Sweden. It has taken the music world by storm. Wonderful sounds, you start with an empty virtual "Rack", and then you fill it with synths, samplers, drum machines, effects, mixers, etc. Go to Youtube and type in Reason 4". That should at least give you a chance to understand what it does. And, you can use it in your DAW program using a protocal called "Rewire". I know it seems I'm writing Greek Math, but by watching the videos you will learn quickly.
Ed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217 |
.
>>>...and I know that my Radio Shack speakers plugged into the Macbook speaker jack isn't going to cut it...>>>
I do my monitoring on Radio Shack speakers and they work great. They are Optimus 7 model, no longer made. They are flat as a pancake.
My criterion for a good mix in not based on how it sounds on my speakers, but rather on other people's speakers. I am making the recording for them, and I have no control over what they are going to use. So I mix on my rather modest monitors and then test on every configuration I can find - ipod, car stereo, boombox, distributed system, youtube. Each gives a different result. If my mix survives all of those tests I can be confident that whoever my listener may be will get a something reasonably close to what I intended.
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17 |
Thanks for all the comments. I have much to learn.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,383
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,383 |
If you are just looking for things to 'sound better' than the radio shack speakers, a set of powered nearfield monitors would help. Rockit, and M-Audio are a couple good ones for reasonable cost. http://www.samedaymusic.com/prodsearch?form=search/ppc&cat=2864&cat2=3170http://www.sweetwater.com/store/search.p...CFQsMDQod8XKUZQThat is for the 'output' improvement. There was a day when Radio Shack had some 'surprisingly' good monitors if you knew what to get, but that was a while ago. They had an underground following for a small set of speakers that were very heavy for their size sold as minimus brand (and also under the RCA brand name for a short period of time). Not powered though, required a separate amp. For input you can choose from many interfaces, and you already have good suggestions there- apogee, M-audio etc. Not sure which side of the equation you were looking for. For a 'semi-pro' quick setup I find M-Audio is usually a pretty good start. I personally like their monitors a lot, and use their input devices too. Both input and output can be had for less than the $1000 mark you mentioned. Shop around, they are common products.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17 |
Do these types of monitors require an amplifier?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,383
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,383 |
No
The amplifier is built into each speaker. Two of them actually, one for woofer and one for tweeter.
Get an 1/8" stereo to two RCA adapter to plug into computer, then run cables to each speaker. Quick and easy.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,992
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,992 |
fiddle
i'm no great pro AE mixing bloke..
more a songwriter/singer/lyrics bloke..
but i'll pass on a likkle idea a pro AE once gave me.
viz..
"notice how even on junky tv speakers a good song still sounds good , and the
mix "etc.
so mebe yes..get a decent pr of monitors, but dont let it consume you.
get a speaker switch that lets you switch tween a nice pr of monitors n a crummy tv speaker.
cos sometimes mixes that wre mixed on expensive monitors can fall apart
on crummy stuff like tv speakers n boomboxes etc etc.
a boombox or stereo clock radio is also a good added check.
such often have a line input you can feed from stereo line out of sound device.
retired puter engr....powertracks on amd......NICE !
"what is the black art of audio engineering ?"
my silly songs...motagator.com/bmanning
see my tips in the tips section.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,293
Posts790,646
Members39,854
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean