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Hi guys.
I'm here from the current thread on the main Forum - Are real drums just not that good?
This thread has thrown up another example of a wonderful feature that Biab has, which presumably someone, sometime, puts lots of effort into developing and getting 'out there', but which is hardly noted in the support literature or the naming system at all, and, so far as I can gather, is therefore for practical purposes quite impossible for the user to access systematically.
In this case, it's the 'Live Drums' Midi potential. I can see from the thread that any user can use that to create their own styles. But the thread also seems to be saying that some of the supplied styles are made that way, but no-one can say which, or how you might find them. Even Mac is saying he 'can't remember'.

The last time I posted here, re back-up information about the demo song materials, it was much the same story.

We're caught in a bind here. Biab is the wonderful thing it is because it is not really a 'corporate' production. It's 'just growed' like Topsy. If it were Microsoft, it would have been recoded three or four times by now. I don't think any of us really expect that Dr Gannon and the team are going to sit down and say to each other "If we were starting today, how would we do it ?"
But what I think is more practically feasible is that PG commissions a couple of the really experienced guys to go through everything with a tooth comb, and catalogue what is there properly, possibly make some new recommendations re naming conventions, and in the end produce a spec and a user guide that will enable everyone to be aware of, and use if they wish, any and every given feature, including those that for the moment are half-forgotten and virtually undocumented.


Ian G.

Last edited by idgraham; 10/10/09 01:09 AM.

Late-developing enthusiast for jazz / blues. Principally pianist
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Marvelous idea. It's an extension of something I've been saying for ages--that the documentation should be outsourced and (re)written from the ground up.

This is an opportunity for someone outside PG to write a "BIAB For Dummies" or "BIAB Power"-type manual. Everyone would benefit. PG would not be sidetracked from what they do best--manufacturing an awesome product--everyday users would be let into the inner circle, and some author would stand to make a neat profit from a book that users on all levels--students, hobbyists, and pros--would want to own. It would need to be updated on a regular basis, too, so it could be an ongoing source of income.

By the same token, I'll bet that a librarian is more likely to come out of a dedicated, knowledgeable user than out of PG, who have plenty on their plate.

(Mac--hint, hint.)

R.

Last edited by Ryszard; 10/13/09 04:15 AM.

"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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I agree - Mac's the man for the job


Follow That Dream

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Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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Not my thang, man.

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As a new user, I could only agree that a "Band in a Box for Dummies" type manual would be a good idea.
The title is slightly demeaning, but the content of any Dummies book is generally very good.
It provides succinct information in an easy-to-read format.
The current User Manual is a technical orientated document that could be improved with a little humour, conversational style dialogue and explanations and short cuts.

Harry

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