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A while back, MAC posted a link to a youtube vid in which the same lick was used in a bunch of different songs http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/showflat.p...true#Post336650I thought of that link recently when I was at a friend's gig, and noticed that the sax player had a very small repertoire of licks, which he repeated through the chord progressions of all their songs. If you compare him to BIAB, he brings the same thing to the table that you'd have using the chord chart to create songs with only one style. I know not all musicians are like this, so no need to go down the rabbit trail of refuting a statement I'm not making here.. BUT... <soap box> Anybody who has ever played in a band with other musicians has been disappointed at least once by the limitations of the other musicians. But with BIAB/RB there are virtually no limitations! WE are the weak links in an otherwise near-perfect song environment! Unless you just fall in love with a certain RT and use it for all your songs, there's no reason that the backing tracks you perform with would EVER repeat the same lick! And with BIAB you're also not locked into the same 5 instruments for every song, because they're what your band mates play And you're not locked into a particular genre because of the band's demographic. This has got to be the MOST LIBERATING and FLEXIBLE music software for just about any musical use. </soap box>
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All of this has been said on the forum before; but as we approach the release of a new version, new people will be reading the forum trying to decide if this is a product that meets their musical needs. Therefore, It's a good time for the forum regulars to repost some of the outstanding reasons why no musician should be without this product SHOULD-I-BUY-BIAB-OR-NOT-O-METER LOSERRRR_____________/_BOUGHT IT! Those are really the only two states of being in the music world. If you aren't one, you're automatically the other  standard disclaimer: the opinion stated above is not the opinion of PGMusic or its employees. It's only the opinion of an old guy who says what he thinks and isn't embarrassed to do so.
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In a recent survey of Pat Marrs, 100% said they would recommend BiaB to a friend.
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STOP!!!
People who haven't got any experience with BiaB and therefor do not understand the power of BiaB should NOT buy BiaB!
They should be kept ignorant and must not know BiaB really acts like a real band. Furthermore they should be kept in the highest state of admiration for the songs we produce using BiaB.
Fellow BiaB users, I urge you: Keep BisB a secret! Don't let just any musician have a real, modular, non drinking, non arguing, patient and above all very capable band at their service! Keep them under the impression that we wrote each and every instrumental line in our productions.
Don't let the genie out of the bottle!
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OK, let's go about this from the opposite direction.
Here are the TOP 5 reasons why you should NOT buy BIAB:
5) ADDICTION
First warning sign is when time away from BIAB leads to withdrawal symptoms. If friends try to engage you in conversation , but you snap back saying "GET OFF MY BACK! I DON'T HAVE TIME TO TALK TO YOU! I'VE GOT SOMETHING TO DO AT HOME", then you are hooked.
4) FAMILY DISCORD
We've gotten reports of BIAB causing family discord when the musician in the family stops communicating with the spouse, stops coming to bed at night, stops showing up at the dinner table, and stops acknowledging the kids, except to say "get off the computer... it's my turn"
3) INCREASED DEBT
Everybody knows that once you have a new musical tool, you also need all the accessories
2) UNEMPLOYMENT
After you buy BIAB it's just a matter of time before you stop showing up for work, opting to stay home and write songs 24/7. Even among those who don't quit their jobs, many fall asleep on the job and get fired because they stayed up all night finishing that original song...
and the number one reason why you shouldn't buy BIAB...
1) POTENTIAL FOR DIMINISHED PERSONAL HYGIENE
Studies have indicated that in some cases BIAB has kept its owners captivated in front of the computer for days at a time, unwilling to eat, bathe, brush their teeth, or pursue normal um, "waste elimination" procedures. No, you certainly don't want a product that makes you lose a freshness test when compared to a badger that lives in a dumpster.
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Quote:
In a recent survey of Pat Marrs, 100% said they would recommend BiaB to a friend.
That's true.
My son recently sent me an email from one of his friends who was planning to start a duo with backing tracks (for all the same reasons WE think its a good idea)
BUT....
He was planning to record all the tracks himself in Sonar. I asked him how long he thought it would take him to come up with 50 songs that were good enough to use on stage. (he currently has zero songs, and an idea) Once he started to consider the logistics, he realized he would NEVER be ready for his first gig, which is already booked for early February.
Then I asked him "What if you could put together 50 songs that sound BETTER than what you could record yourself, and be finished with them WAY before February?" Now he was interested.
Here's a snippet from his last email to me:
Quote:
Pat - I really thank you for "selling" the band in a box approach as just the time saving benefit alone is enough to sway me to have a look at the product(s). I've never been someone to study or try that type of gear but the samples you provided I really can't argue with.
(the samples he's referring to are the RT demos on the PGMusic web site... I sent him the link)
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So, which RealTrack does "the lick"? Inquiring minds want to know!
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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Quote:
So, which RealTrack does "the lick"? Inquiring minds want to know!
I hijacked my own thread, didn't I?
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Biab is a great program,
But,
There are some people who even if PG music were to give them the latest and greatest version for free would not accept it and turn their nose up at it for the simple reason that they consider it computer music and they would be too proud to use it in their work.
That is why I love to see pro's like Harvey Gerst come on here (sorry If I spelt his name wrong) as being a top class studio pro like he is, seen a a few pics from his studio as well somewhere, he is not afraid to use biab in his songwriting and recording.
Best program I have even found, enables me when I write a song to record it at my leasure and sound reasonable without the hassle of real studio time or other musicians.
Musiclover
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Opinions will always vary, and I love this software for the very reasons you stated. I can work any time I want to without having to try and fit a session into 5 other people's lives. Now, in my opinion, if I was writing with the end goal of a CD release, I would use RB to write but call in the people who will play the stuff to learn it and record selected parts over the RB parts. I always try to make my RB music something that can be faithfully reproduced on stage so those who did choose to buy a CD would get on the CD what they heard at the show. That works in both directions though, so in order to do my music in a live show, my band would have to include 2 keyboard players, 2 guitar players, me swinging back and forth between the two, a pedal player, a banjo, bass, drums and 2 fiddles. That's 11 people. Ever try to coordinate 11 people for rehearsals? Thus there won't be a show coming anytime soon...  No matter what, I wouldn't have "THE LICK" in my show....
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Since The Lick has obviously been successful for so many over so much time, you can darn sure betcha I use it, was subconciously using it anyway for years, likely due to the learning process of transcriptions, but when I think its appropriate to do so, BAM!
--Mac
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I wonder how many times I played THE LICK without knowing it before it became THE LICK....
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Quote:
So, which RealTrack does "the lick"? Inquiring minds want to know!
Here's a bona-fide challenge to the first person who discovers THE LICK in the output of a real track:
If you can generate THE LICK from a real track that shipped with a previous (or current) version.. AND
if you can provide the name of the real track...AND
if you can provide the chord sequence on which THE LICK generated... AND
if more than one other forum member can duplicate your results using the same chords and real track...AND
if you can find it before midnight tomorrow, Sunday Dec 2nd, 2012....
I will pay for your copy of 2013! (upgrading from 2012 or 2012.5, $159 should do it)
If you've not updated in so long that it would take more than $159 to get current, then I will kick in the $159 only if you kick in the rest and go ahead and get current. (HAH! You think I'd send that much money and then let you not buy BIAB with it?? In fact, the money will go directly to PGMusic so you aren't tempted to do something responsible with it, like pay the electric bill or buy beer)
if you already bought it, I'll reimburse you.(up to the $159 terms above)
remember: Midnight tomorrow!
(ready--- set--- GOooooo!)
--------------------------------
update: dang,I found it on the very first realtrack I tried. Looks like I'd better kiss my money goodbye.
Last edited by Pat Marr; 12/01/12 07:17 PM.
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Gee, nobody took me up on my offer... which is a shame since it was pretty easy to find the lick. But, contest is over now. How sad too bad.
Considering I found it on the very first real track I sampled. I would guess it is to be found in a BUNCH of places (but once I found it I stopped looking.)
My approach was as follows:
1) I figured that a jazz sax soloist would be highly likely to play "the lick"
2) so I went to the real tracks folder and found a smooth jazz soloist folder (sw16 075)
3) then I started playing the WMA files one at a time.
The first one on the folder was ASX121.WMA. At about 1/3 of the way through the file, he plays "the lick" (5 matching notes ... there were as many as 7 in the video, but though not all the examples matched all 7, all of them did match at least the 1st 5)
So, John Ford.. set your enquiring mind at ease.
;-)
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Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
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Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
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Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
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Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
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