|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,733
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,733 |
Do you have suggestions to add to Henry’s list
Lenovo YOGA 900 Window s 10 Home 64bit M4 pro Mac mini 1tb HD 24GB mem casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface
casio wk-7500
biab & realband 2025 everything pk both with Current builds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,485
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,485 |
This has been my retirement life these days.. Myself, on keys, and a retired guitarist play 3-4 gigs a month on a rotating 12 nursing home circuit. These seniors love live music. Don't really seem to matter if it's soft rock, country, Beatles, 60's, or 70's. We do a show specifically for each of those types of music plus a Christmas show. Been thinking about cooking up a Great American Songbook show, but that's a work in progress as I know very little about that kind of music.
For our gigs I make midi backing tracks that I convert to MP3 and use a Focusrite interface, mics and 2 EV Evolve 30M speakers. Sounds great and have plenty of power for the venues we do.
While we have almost exclusively concentrated on nursing homes, Henry's idea of senior communities as well as senior out reach programs offers a new direction that I think we might try.
Jeff
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 448
Journeyman
|
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 448 |
Thanks for posting this!
I'm sub'd to his other YT channel, but not this one. I'm 74, so this one's for me! Things are a bit different here in France, but one thing's the same. Lots of seniors! I live in Arcachon, a little resort town on the southwest coast that is the oldest town in France, based on the average age of permanent (year-round) residents. Hitting up the senior living résidences (like NYC co-ops) is a great idea. One idea that's not in Henry's video is checking with the hometown mayor's office. Arcachon is fantastic for town-scheduled entertainment. In the heart of the center where I live. On the promenades along the 7 miles of beaches (the main beach entertainment area is 3 blocks from my apartment). In the Place des Marquises, our town square (2 blocks from my apartment). There is always something going on.
Last edited by TheMaartian; 09/06/25 05:08 AM.
ThinkPad i9 32GB RAM 7TB SSD; Win11 Pro; RME Fireface UCX II; BiaB 2026 Ultra
Bitwig Studio 6; Studio Pro 8; Melodyne Studio 5; Tonalic Studio 1; Acoustica Premium 7
Gig Performer 5; NI S61 MK3; Focal Shape 65; Beyerdynamic DT 880 & 770
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,469
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,469 |
I live in Florida, and have been gigging for seniors since the 1990s. When DJs started invading the live music scene, and the clubs around here didn't want to pay bands anymore, me, and one of the members of a 5-piece band decided to form a duo and play music for seniors. The retirement market is very big here in South Florida. I play sax, flute, wind synth, bass, guitar, drums, keyboards and vocals in various levels of competence/incompetence, so I made and still make my own backing tracks, originally on a 4 track reel-to-reel, and when it arrived, MIDI. She plays synth, guitar, and is an excellent vocalist. (BTW, I eventually married her.) When we started playing for the seniors, it was music by Sinatra, Miller, Ellington, and all that wonderful swing era music. But as time went on, they went to the great gig in the sky and Elvis and Buddy Holly entered. Then Beatles, Disco, and we're still learning new wonderful songs that wouldn't go over a few years ago. We play condominiums, yacht clubs, country clubs, private clubs, retirement developments, and a few restaurants/lounges that cater to the retirement audience. This year we added Assisted Living Facilities, and the Veteran's Administration nursing home. Nice gigs, with appreciative audiences. The ALFs and VA are one-hour shows, and they don't pay as much, but it's mostly weekday work. We chose this because we lost a lot of gigs because our government IMO botched things and got the Canadian winter visitors angry with us, and many of them aren't coming down to Florida this year. I'll miss them (sorry Canadians, I don't agree with what they are doing). In fact, tourism is down 30% according to our newspaper. We started this duo in 1985, gigged on cruise ships for a few years to build up our repertoire, and in 1990 got off the ships and targeted the senior market. Since then, the only time we've been out of work was during the COVID lock-down. Times change, and like any business, to survive, we adapt to the changes. So we don't play Glenn Miller anymore, rarely play Elvis Presley, play a lot of 60s-80s, and just added some Ramones and Adele. Some 2000s songs that the Seniors adopted, some Country, some Caribbean, and whatever works for the audience we find in front of us today. We learn requests, watch how things go over, and make our decisions accordingly. We don't do set lists, but watch the reactions of the audience and choose what we think will be best for them next, out of our 600+ song-list I'm old enough to retire now, but have no plans to do so. Why? A musician is what I am, gigging is what I do, and gigging is the must fun I can have with my clothes on.
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,285
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,285 |
Notes, you and I have a lot in common when it comes to gigging. The bottom line is know your audience and play to them. It may not be what you really want to play but it will keep you gigging. I ran a wedding band for years and we had more work than we could handle. We also did not have play lists as each audience is different. In the winter when the wedding business was slow we played at various American Legions, Vet's clubs, private clubs, etc.
Principal: Your child always causes trouble in school.
Me: My child causes trouble at home, do I ever call you?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,469
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,469 |
Yep, Mario, we are on the same page.
We do Elk's clubs in the slow season, sometimes Moose, we call them the Animal Clubs. We did Veteran's clubs in the past, but haven't done any for a few years. We do play almost once a month at the VA nursing home. I like that gig.
I've never played in a wedding band, but I have done a number of weddings in my career, and I know it pays well, and you have to be on top of your MC and music craft. I've done a few divorce parties, too.
A lot of musicians don't realize this:
We are hired entertainers, the audience is our customer. Although we should have a good time, we are not there to simply please ourselves.
Read the audience, and play the audience. Playing the audience means pacing the audience. What do they need right now? Another fast one? A slow song? Some talk on the mic? A special request? What else?
They want Brown Eyed Girl or Mustang Sally, give it your best performance. Songs that get requested often should be learned if you can cover them.
Watch and react. It's break time and they are having a blast. What do we do? Play through the break. Food is being served? Back off the volume and play gentle music.
Regular customer comes in, wait until he/she's comfortable, and play that song they always request and send it out to him/her.
Your job is to make the audience have a great time. Be nice and be cheerful to everyone, play what they need, keep that smile on your face, and you will get repeat work.
One more thing, be flexible. Everything changes, be adaptable. Survival doesn't go to the fittest, it goes to those who can adapt to the changes.
IMO, it's so much better than working a wage-slave day job and gigging once every great while as an artist for short money.
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,285
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,285 |
Yep, Mario, we are on the same page.
We do Elk's clubs in the slow season, sometimes Moose, we call them the Animal Clubs LOL. I have played many gigs in both the Elk's Clubs and Moose halls but never them called Animal Clubs! . ..............................
We are hired entertainers, the audience is our customer. Although we should have a good time, we are not there to simply please ourselves.
Read the audience, and play the audience........................................... That is the golden rule for any gigging musician.
Principal: Your child always causes trouble in school.
Me: My child causes trouble at home, do I ever call you?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,732
Posts795,422
Members39,940
| |
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