|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 92 |
Best choice for BIAB tracks playback at a gig..
as far as ease of use and quality of sound....
laptop or tablet?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
Best choice for BIAB tracks playback at a gig..
as far as ease of use and quality of sound....
laptop or tablet?
Wait. I need to get some popcorn. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,274
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,274 |
Question is not really clear, what do you want to do?
If your talking about rendered tracks then any mp3 player - heck your phone can do it.
If you talking about using BIAB live, a laptop (but my MS Surface 3 is both a laptop and a tablet and runs BIAB fine).
And in terms of quality of sound - that is dependent more on the PA than the audio device you use to play the tracks. Unless you are using midi in which case the sound quality comes from the midi synth.
I knew I should not have tried to answer this question...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 483
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 483 |
I use 13" MacBook laptop. Song list folder is set up ahead of time and played in jukebox mode so songs load automatically. I shrink BIAB to the right 3/4 of the screen and have lyrics, which are in a separate folder, stacked in order on the left 1/4 of the screen.
Jazzmandan is correct as to sound.
I have a choice of 3 PA options to select from depending upon the size room/audience.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 92 |
Thought I was clear on my needs...
I play piano live, and use the BIAB tracks for bass, drums, & Guitar.
I'm using a BOSE L1 1S with B1 bass and Tone Match..
I've been using CDs/DVD player, but need to update the technology.
Have an old iPod, but the screen is too small and the scroll wheel is too touchy...
A MacBook is way out of my budget - thinking more like $200 or so...
Would using BIAB via a laptop at a gig provide a better quality track than a rendered WAV file?
Thanks... and what's with the 'popcorn' response??
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732 |
Thanks... and what's with the 'popcorn' response?? He thought it might turn into a lively debate.
 Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,274
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,274 |
Would using BIAB via a laptop at a gig provide a better quality track than a rendered WAV file? Can't imagine how in the world that could be true. The sound would not be any different. However, if a singer stepped up and wanted a different key your rendered wav would be of no value. Or if a real drummer wanted to sit in, only having BIAB playing live would you be able to mute the drums for him. Or if a guitar player wanted to step up, with BIAB live you could mute the guitar track and he could read the chart.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
“Would using BIAB via a laptop at a gig provide a better quality track than a rendered WAV file?” As the Jazzman said, there would be no difference. Laptops are very cheap these days, although you would have to stretch your $200 limit to get one. With what you have invested in the Bose system, I wouldn't skimp on the playback device. We use a laptop with a little free program – “Digital Fake Book”, which allows you to create set lists and start/stop/advance songs with one keystroke. It also lets you enter the lyrics/cues for each song. http://mike-warren.net/dfbhelp/ I would avoid using the 1/8” output from the laptop, and instead, get one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Peavey-USBP-USB-Audio-Interface/dp/B004A4PSEU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424697083&sr=8-1&keywords=peavey+usb-p It makes a big difference. Hope this helps a bit. Regards, Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,378
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,378 |
If I was intending to play live gigs, I would export all the songs (backing tracks) for my set list into folders as wave files. I would then use one or another music player in the laptop or tablet to play the songs.
I would not use BB or RB as the player and attempt to play the tracks from within either. I've seen it done and it works OK.... but when gigging live, I always keep in mind "Murphy's Law" and proceed accordingly. Nothing like a crash in the middle of a song or a set to make your night.
It would be a convenience thing and for simplicity. Just create a set list (or lists) in your player and let it handle the playback.
Whether it's a lappy or a tablet, if it's playing waves, there's no difference in the quality. You do not want to use MP3's no matter what player you choose. There is a possibility that with a nice sound system, there will be a noticeable degrading of the quality to one degree or another. Some time back I played guitar once a month at a prison ministry with my church and I used my mp3 player with some BB/RB backing tracks....and the sound quality was not nearly as good as I would have liked. So stick with waves if at all possible.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 02/23/15 03:54 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
Mmmmmmmmm............. popcorn.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,075
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,075 |
you mention that the screen is a bit small on the MP3 player... do you mention that because it makes it hard to pick the next song? Picking the song isn't a problem if you use play lists. You can set up most MP3 players to play a list of songs in whatever order you want, so you never have to physically "pick" the song
If you just want the backing tracks, and you can live with a static set list, then an MP3 player is a very low cost replacement for your CD player. You could easily have a backup MP3 player in your pocket.
If you are accustomed to hearing your backing trax played from CD, then you are used to hearing WAVs. I'm not sure if all MP3 players can also play WAVs, but if you compare a WAV and an MP3, and find that you prefer the WAV, then you'd obviously want to get a device that can play WAVs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,075
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,075 |
Obviously if you want your playback device to do more than just play backing tracks (for example, provide sheet music or lyrics) then your best bet is a PC or tablet.
The advantage of a PC is that they are often less expensive than tablets, and there's an abundance of music software and playback apps available for notebooks. (like the one Bob named. )
Tablets are more compact, and you can buy brackets that attach to a mic stand to put all that functionality at your fingertips. Its a more compact system because you don't need a keyboard or mouse. There are now interfaces for tablets so you can get high quality sound and not have to rely on headphone jack output. Apps may be limited compared to PC, but I'm sure there are still enough to provide quite a bit of choice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 92 |
Thanks for the replies...
I converted all MP3s to WAVs a while ago - I did notice a slight improvement in quality, but even coming thru the BOSE, they just don't sound clear and sharp - rather muddy actually... so is this due to using the 1/8" headphone jack out of the iPOD?
I know nothing about audio interfaces, other than everyone saying they radically improve the quality.. but they are strictly a USB connection (laptop), right? So I couldn't use one with a tablet?
And from what I'm reading above, the quality of the playback device WILL make a difference in the quality of the sound of the WAV files... so a $300 laptop would give me a 'better' sounding WAV file than a $99 tablet?
Appreciate all your input...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,674
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,674 |
Converting MP3's to WAV's isn't going to improve the quality of the audio, since the quality was already reduced when converting to MP3 in the first place. You would have to render each of your files directly to WAV from your to get the best quality sound.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA BB2025/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 92 |
What I meant was I went back into BIAB and rendered all my songs as WAV files - tedious task, but everything I read indicated it was worth the effort. Again, can't say that I hear a BIG difference when I play the MP3 and then the WAV - but that may be due to my using the headphone output? The tracks do sound a LOT better thru the BOSE than my previous JBL Eons..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
Join the conversation on our forum.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,391
Posts778,623
Members39,644
| |
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