|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5 |
(It was suggested that I re-post this question in the General section because there are more people here that might be interested in helping me).
I am thinking of buying BIAB for Mac and would like your advice. Recently retired, I'm now living out my passion as a singer. I don't play an instrument, but use an iPad to supply my song tracks. I'm a tenor and sing mostly Irish ballads, inspirational, old time sing alongs, patriotic, religious, and similar songs, all loved by seniors, my main audience. I need BIAB to help me create the tracks I need as quickly as possible. I want to put in the melody line (either import a MIDI melody line or enter the notes) put in the chords, select a style, key, tempo, etc., then either output to Garage Band or iTunes. What do you people think? Can BIAB do it for me? Is it overkill for what I need?
Up to now I have been downloading mp3 instrumental and karaoke tracks from the internet. Then I usually have to edit the song with an app called the Amazing Slow Downer for the key and speed I want. Often I have to try to edit the song in Garage Band as best as I can. This process is slow and oftentimes is not what I really want, but it's all I have.
I really want an easier, faster, and more efficient way of getting the nice sound that I need.
I thought you would have the experience to give me the straight talk and maybe even help me learn how to use BIAB I'd that's what I get.
Thank you all in advance,
JohnO
Mac User: Macbook Pro; BIAB for Mac. Singer (tenor) who uses BIAB to create background tracks moved to iPad for performing; use BOSE Model L1 tower sound system. Website: www.johnosings.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801 |
I think BB would be excellent for that purpose. It does everything you want,,,,,, and more.
After composing in BB, you can use Real Band to render tracks that are more realistic sounding than midi tends to be.
depending too on how involved you wish to be in the process, you can make what I call radio ready backing tracks that sound top notch professional.
Compose in BB and you can edit the key and tempo right there with a few clicks and you don't get the crappy artifacts that something converting an audio mp3 or wave will have. I love that feature.
I think it will suit your purposes nicely. My advice is to buy as far up the "food chain" as you can afford to buy since the further up you go, the more features you get and the better the tracks will be.
Mega pak is a minimum....Ultra plus or Everything on a hard drive if you can afford it. Those versions rock!!!
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,987
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,987 |
Yes, BB should be great for what you want. However, the Mac version does not have Real Band, so you would be using Garage Band for your DAW instead.
I agree with Herb. Buy the most you can afford, as it will give you more RealTracks. The RealTracks are what makes BB really sizzle, with actual recordings of instruments, not just midi sounds. In addition to the demos you can here from the BB home page, you can hear some good "real life" examples in the User Showcase forum.
Good luck!
Steve
Steve Young Music"In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of." - Robert Schumann
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,523
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,523 |
JohnO you might want to listen to some of the music in the user showcase forum. The songs there will give you an idea of what BiaB is capable of doing, both in the MIDI and RT sides of BiaB.
The bumper sticker said "I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal".
Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,041
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,041 |
Note that the Mac version does not come with RealBand; however, you can very easily import your BIAB tracks into the free Mac program, Garageband, and mix away.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Serious users with the Mac platform should really consider buying the Windows version and running it under Parallels on the Mac.
That makes every one of the many more features that are available in the Windows version available to you
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801 |
Serious users with the Mac platform should really consider buying the Windows version and running it under Parallels on the Mac.
That makes every one of the many more features that are available in the Windows version available to you
--Mac yup... or better yet, buy or build a dedicated Windows OS music computer/DAW with a nice interface. Decent computers are so inexpensive these days...
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 11/05/13 05:53 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,048
Posts799,353
Members40,017
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean