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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271 |
OK... after two weeks of messing around and pulling my hair out with my out-dated MIDI gear that I haven't used in so long, but have the urge to start up again, I'm ready to throw in the towel and start looking at more up to date equipment. Keep in mind that I'm not looking to spend a fortune... I'm a guy who just likes to mess around with Country music for my own pleasure - and of course, my family think it's great. I have been looking , pricing stuff from our local music store here in Montreal (Steve's Music Store) after doing a lot of research on different things on the Web and have come up with these products. I am also a new user of BIAB and RealBand UltraPack and so far I have been making great strides with them.
Any comments on my search findings would be appreciated - would it be suitable for what I want to do with it?
Software:
Native Instruments Absynth 4
MIDI Controller (I've been looking at 2 of them:
E-MU Xboard 2
OR
E-MU Xboard 49 (for $30.00 more than the above)
I'm running Win XP Pro, Intel 3gig dual core prossessor, loads of memory and a Audigy Platinum sound card.
Thanks...
Bobby
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Joined: Jan 2003
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Check out the Ketron SD2 module. I believe Mac (member here) is a distributor of that product. He also owns one and has had some experience using it with the PG Products.
Trax
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Ok, in order:
1. Nothing wrong with your JV1010, it just works and is easier in many respects to the SD2, I have both colline.
2. A good small mixer if you don't have one. Mackie is top end, Behringher is what I have. I also have a powered mixer from Behringher, but don't know your setup.
3. The Dxi synth or the Forte synth are both pretty good, not Ketron quality, but on par at times with the JV1010.
4. The sky's the limit, you need to describe your objective, and go from there.
5. Tell us what instruments you play, and who's music you want to do? Yours, or covers..?? Tex Lecor? Frigidaire? Johnny Paycheck? Tommy Hunter? iyou ca se peut ...attendez....um um Johnny Cash....Brad Paisley? Is la poubelle still open? I was there, Montreal, worked at expo 67, terre des hommes 68, lived in Verdun, puis, Mont Laurier, puis Rouyen, la baie James...non all that is made up I never was there. Leduc, ou Dugay, eh bien, lache pas la patate....
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Posts: 271 |
Wow John... your French is way better than mine... and I've lived here for all of my 53 years. Back then French wasn't such a big deal like it is today. I spent a lot of time at Expo 67... I was 11 years old during that time.
I play rhythm acustic guitar and I sing. I worked in clubs around here for over 35 years, doing Country and some old rock and roll... I started very young, much to my mother's dismay... heh... The last band I worked with had quite a following. We worked in one club for almost 10 years - almost unheard of for local bands.
I do covers of old Country music from the 60's 70's and 80's - all the classic, pure Country stuff - George Jones (the best damn Country singer of all time), Buck Owens, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard - along those lines. I have also written a few songs. One of them was used as background music in an episode of an old Canadian produced TV show called "The Rez". It played for 1:32 minutes in a bar scene. It also gets air time on a local radio station here. On average, it gets played once every other week. I was the only musician around here collecting royalty checks. By far not enough to retire on... but at least I had bragging rights... heh Thus, this is the kind of stuff I do - old Country classics.
As for the JV1010... whether it still works or not... I'm not interested in using it anymore (hello eBay???). I want to get "modern" stuff now. But like I said... I don't want to spend a fortune - I'm not a pro... it is only for my own pleasure now.
The Native Instruments Absynth 4 is going for $240 at Steve's. The usb controllers are going for $170 - $200. I kind of like the idea of the smallness of the E-MU Xboard 25 - Not because it's $30 cheaper than theE-MU Xboard 49 - I just don't think I need a 49 key as I'm just a "hunt and peck" keyboard player. And so all this stuff would be around $500 - and so I'll be completely set up for about $1,000 when you factor in BIAB/RB. I wouldn't want to go above this, considering what I'm doing with it.
As for finalizing my decision about all of this... It won't be a done deal for 2 weeks... I'm off to somewhere sunny and warm where I'll be basking on the beach this afternoon... can't wait!!!
Thanks for your much valued and appreciated input... and I'm hoping that I'll get plenty more before I take the leap.
Bobby
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In my opinion since you're just getting back into things you don't need the Absynth. Biab with Real Band will do it all for you and the Country Real Tracks with the Nashville Drums are simply the best. Instead of the Absynth, look into picking up a midi guitar. With one of those you may not need the keyboard controller either but I'm a keyboard player, the guitar guys can advise you on that one.
You're background is almost identical to mine in Calgary in the 70's and 80's. I was with Faye Stevens for 5 years when she was doing her country albums. Jazz was not happening in those days so I became a pretty good 'kicker and I still like it now, like they say, them boys can sure party!
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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Joined: Jan 2002
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Bobby,
My opinion, okay? Absynth is wonderful if you are doing abstract sounds, pads, synth leads etc. If you want a fiddle, or a mandolin, skip it. Secondly, if you aren't a keyboard player, why get a keyboard? You said you're a 'hunt and peck' type player, so, instead of that, why not just use the piano roll feature to 'play' the notes you want, instead of trying to play them on a keyboard? Especially if you're not a good keys player. Now, if you're being self deprecating, and you can play, then a keyboard is the way to go.
Since both Band In A Box and Real Band are still built around the idea of General MIDI, if you decided to get the Absynth, you would need to make sure that it was set up for General MIDI. If you get the Ketron, as suggested earlier, it already is, plus there are patch maps for it already, just drop and go.
The small mixer, the Behringer is a great little mixer, is a good idea, but I would get rid of the Creative card, and get an M-Audio 2496. Won't do 7.1 surround sound when you're fighting the Horde in WOW, but dollar for dollar, nothing does audio as well bang for the buck wise.
All of this, and a good set of powered monitors to listen to the mix, and you're there.
Regards,
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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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.
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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!
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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!
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-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
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- 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!
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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!
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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
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