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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2010
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With no option for a "wait for keypress" to start a song, nor the ability (it seems) to create a playlist in any order, I am wondering just how useful (or useless!!) is the Jukebox for using as a tool to set up for live gigs?
I have not used it yet, but I have opened it and tried to find how to do these rather simple setup tasks..
Of course anyone using it live now, would be most welcome to post tips and work-arounds.
Thanks
PS: Sorry if it HAS been asked before, I did a search and nothing really specific to the question came up.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Joden,
Keep in mind I work live gigs direct from BIAB through my laptop . . . With this said I use the Jukebox for small sets, and yes I do set up a playlist. My only issue is not really with the jukebox, it is with me as I like to vary my playlist too much to stick to the ones I have set. So what I do is just save each gig's playlist in a favorites folder and work within that format . . . works quite well for undisciplined me.
Later,
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2010
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Journeyman
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Thanks - how do you get around not being able to control stop and start (ie next song laods, but "waits" for a keypress to start?
And what about the order of songs in a "play" folder? Don't tell me you have to use the antiquated method of inserting a number in front of each song file?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 794
Journeyman
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OP
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Well, post has been up for while, with 23 views, so either not many folks use it, or it is pretty useless for the task.
No probs I will look at something else.
Cheers
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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To be able to Start Jukebox songs when you want them to start, hit the PREFS toolbar button, and on the main Prefs page, RH side, locate the, "Pause Play until MIDI or Key received" command and set it to true.
The jukebox will load a song, but it will not start to Play until you either hit a key on a connected MIDI controller instrument or hit a qwerty key on the computer keyboard.
Guess its not so useless after all...
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Thanks. Mind you, with 60 views and 24 hours of posting..ONE reply to this does show some evidence that not many use it live.
But at least you answered the question. I opened the PDF of the manual and did a more intense search and found the small section there It is only a small par, but it is there I guess. Strange it did not come up using the Index of the in app help...
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
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Thanks. Mind you, with 60 views and 24 hours of posting..ONE reply to this does show some evidence that not many use it live. Actually, you got TWO replies here. But there is really no way to make any sort of statistically valid conclusion regarding how many users may be using the Jukebox in live performance by counting replies on forum posts. There are far more BiaB users out in the world than the amount that use this forum, plus many will read the forums because they are trying to learn how to use the program as well, which can account for all the views without replies. But at least you answered the question. I do not work for pgmusic. I could decide to NOT answer questions as well. It is the least I can do for you. You're welcome. Oh wait, you didn't thank me. --Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2010
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I do not work for pgmusic.
I could decide to NOT answer questions as well.
It is the least I can do for you.
You're welcome.
Oh wait, you didn't thank me.
--Mac
Re-read the post (the one above your sarcastic reply)....it is the FIRST word so pretty hard to miss...Ha...you even copied it in the quote and you STILL missed it.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
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"Thanks" followed immediately with a "mind you"...
I don't think I missed anything.
Last edited by Mac; 06/05/13 03:31 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Well there was a full stop. I guess it could have been a new par instead.
But you WERE thanked for your advice, so apology accepted.....oh wait, you didn't apologise
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Yoden, I'm thinking the lack of responses may be because most people use Biab as a song generator to create an audio file to load into your device of choice like an iPad, tablet, laptop, netbook, whatever. All those have many apps that are specifically designed for live playing.
There's really only two reasons I know of for you wanting to use Biab itself on a gig instead of one of those players. One is the "live band" illusion based on how Biab will slightly vary the parts every time you regenerate a song and second, you don't want to be locked in to a fixed arrangement. For that you need to be familiar with the Conductor and looping functions. If you don't care about either of those then I think you're asking the wrong question. The real question is what mp3 or wav file player is best for a live gig.
If you really prefer to use Biab live then check out the Real Band forum and look up Silvertones. He's been using RB live instead of Biab for years now, he thinks the RB jukebox is better than Biab's and overall RB is the better program for live use. He's posted about that many times, you can do a forum search in the RB forum or just PM him and then decide which one works best for you.
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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Cool Bob, thanks much. I will do that. You hit the nail on the head. I want to us conductor and jukebox to run backing tracks live. I will play the keys and vocals. I really like the Real Tracks drums and bass lines, together with the guitar parts. These would be the only parts I will be using in BIAB. All others are muted/deleted. If I wanted to use MP3's I am well served by simply loading MP3's on to the iPad, linking them to charts in Unrealbook and that's it. But I do like the way BIAB realtracks varies a tune. Sometimes subtle, sometimes quite overt. I love it that I really have no idea, apart from the basic groove, what BIAB will throw up with each generation  Sorta like the way I play. I don't think I have ever played the same solo twice on a song from gig to gig...very similar yes, but never note-for note. For me, it keeps it fresh and interesting even if I have played the tune countless times. These things are simply not available within the strictures of either MIDI files or even arranger keyboards. Thanks again for the tip, and I will head to the RB forum and search out Silvertones posts. Cheers Dennis
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15 |
The best program I know to play MIDI or MP3 and other formats in jukebox style is ShowPlay. Words you enter or lyrics from karaoke files display as large as you want. http://www.showplay.com/
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2010
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Journeyman
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The best program I know to play MIDI or MP3 and other formats in jukebox style is ShowPlay. Words you enter or lyrics from karaoke files display as large as you want. http://www.showplay.com/ Yep I already own a licence - but is does not allow the use of PDF files  and it is the most OVER-priced bit of software I have ever bought, AND needs a dongle!! I ditched it ages ago...there are better alternatives these days you know
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Journeyman
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Well, I'm one who plays live with BIAB on a laptop. My approach is similar to the post by Danny C.. The big advantage of the laptop to me is the ability to change keys on the spot (I have horn players and vocalists who sit-in often). I take requests, which means large files of tunes across standards, pop, country, etc... Being able to change the number of choruses to accommodate soloists is great. Also, on unfamiliar tunes, seeing the chord changes (and lyrics) scrolling is a big help. Even my horn players like to peek occasionally to assist in their improvisation.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
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I open the PDF, copy the text and Paste it in ShowPlay.... not a big deal.
Maybe you should download the latest version 6.16 and see how much better the program got!
What better alternatives do you refer to?
Last edited by Serge Dugas; 06/11/13 02:11 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I use Unrealbook on the iPad
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
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On page 114 of the PDf file for BIAB 2013 is instructions for setting up a favorites list in the order you want them played and save it. When you load it again you can click on "Juke" and play them in that order.
Maybe this helps.
Bob Coy
HP Desktop
Windows 10 Home, AMD A6-7310, 6GB Ram 1TB Hard drive. Radeon Graphics & Sound
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Cheers Bob, yes it does
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