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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 137
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 137 |
Dear all, could you pls help explain the differences between BIAB and VArranger?
I have been using BIAB, so I know what it is.
However, recently I was told about this VArranger. Apparently it was made by a French gentleman, so there isn't much info on the software, although users in that VArranger forum seem to like it a lot.
My sincere thanks,
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840 |
Don't know anything about it, but if you Google it, you'll get to their home page. Looks to be designed for the Ketron SD-2.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,531
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,531 |
I don't recall it ever being discussed here.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Never heard of it. If there's a free demo give it a shot and tell us about it.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840 |
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,323
Expert
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Expert
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,323 |
VArranger is a Virtual Arranger for making 'live' arrangements, that means it follows your chord changes you can build with your left hand on a MIDI keyboard.
Yes, VArranger is very adapted for the Ketron SD-2 and looks very powerful because you can access all the inner resources of the SD-2, for example all the effects as Delay, Rotary, Wha-Wha, distorsions. You can choose the types of reverb/chorus, aftertouch control, velocity controls, etc. that means you get an incredible sound. All settings you can't use with BIAB because BIAB don't allow to send SysEx, as far as actual version 2012. Request for control of SysEx in BIAB is in the BIAB wishlist. So wait and see...
Reach for excellence
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
I just checked it out. It's a software version of a hardware arranger keyboard. It appears to work the same way. I have a Korg Pa1xPro and it sounds great. Completely different from Biab though, no comparison at all really, they're so different. An arranger operates in real time unless you're playing midi files. That means you select a style and tempo and start playing the song with your left hand. The keyboard senses the chord and applies it to the style. You have complete control over the song and that's either a good thing or a bad thing depending on how good a player you are. If you're playing a 12 bar blues then you have to play the chord changes at the appropriate time in the song or the arranger just keeps on playing the last chord you played forever until you shut it off.
Biab is completely different. You enter all the chords ahead of time. You don't have to know how to play anything as long as you either know the chords or can read a fake book chart. Once the chords are entered, Biab will play that arrangement any time you hit play. After you enter the chords there's no further input needed from you. Also, an arranger is very limited because it's not telepathic, it has no idea what you're going to do next. Biab however does know what's happening next because you've loaded in the entire song ahead of time so it can apply much more intelligence to the arrangement. But no live chord detection like an arranger. Like I said above, they're completely different.
VArranger could be pretty cool but like my Korg it completely depends on the quality of the styles, the variations, the drum fills and how you can select those in real time while you're playing. I have no clue about those things. All the demo's on the website are pretty much European cabaret type songs with accordians, Spanish guitar, violins and such. I have no idea if it has any jazz, pop, blues or rock and roll stuff. I heard one style that was sort of a rock/pop but nothing I would want. Based on what I heard Biab styles are much, much better but that could only be the demos they used based on what they feel their European customers want. For all I know it could have the capability to produce some great styles.
It's not just for the Ketron because there's a whole bunch of pic's of different players setups and while most were using the Ketron, one was using a Roland sound module and another was using a softsynth like Kontakt.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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