|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 166
Apprentice
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 166 |
I have been using Bbox since day 1 in the traditional way. It is a fabulous tool for generating backing tracks and as starting point for producing CDs. The tools have evolved and improved each year.
The weak point is that as it has grown and improved it has become a huge program and very complex. One of the weak spots is searching for appropriate styles and instrument tracks. As a former database creator there are better ways to easily find the abundant tools and content available.
The vst tool and multiple track recordings tool are truly breakthroughs. I was really excited about the additional tracks available. I doubt that PG recognizes that Bbox can be used as a giant looper tied to drum machine with or without bass. As a guitarist and bassist I find the rhythm guitar tracks limiting and proprietary bass lines essential for pop tunes.
Initially with 2021 recording audio did not sync the time properly. Since this didn't work I used the plug in. I was able to interact with live guitar and see the chords on a second monitor. I could also play a drum track or select drums within Cakewalk. Since this worked I decided to try the same with Bbox. For unknown reasons everything works now. I suspect the updates fixed the problem.
My point is that as a musician I can now interact more creatively to lay down rhythm tracks. After laying out chord structure I will lay down exactly what I want in a bass line by recording it. I will do the same with guitar etc. I can record exactly what I want rather than spend an hour or more auditioning tracks.
The cost of a looper capable of syncing midi would be far more expensive than Bbox and have very limited capability. Bbox also has numerous advantages for practice.
Another neglected feature is the standalone plug in option. For practice with looping or beginners this might be the way to start.
Although there is room for improvement I am very pleased with continued plugin improvement and additional track capabilties within Bbox. I can now recommend Bbox as a basic tool for practice with or without all of the content.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 46
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 46 |
Great post, thank you for sharing!
I have been using BIAB in a similar fashion for many years - as you say, a "giant looper". What I like most is that I can create backing track for songs starting with 2 or 4 bars, then slowly expand. I generally only use the drums and bass tracks, occasionally organ, and then record guitar comping and soloing tracks.
The main benefit I get out of BIAB for this that I can follow the chords along - which for a beginner jazz guitarist is a great help, I find so many of the 'standard' backing tracks (like Aebersold) difficult to follow - but that's just me, I know many of my fellow musicians have no big problems with them.
There is probably 70% of BIAB which I have never touched, regretfully sometimes, so I keep upgrading in the hope that one day I'll sit down and use the help file to systematically learn "all" of it.
I also had a number of looper pedals over the year which I all sold. Having BIAB on the laptop connected to my Quilter amp, guitar as well, allows me almost unlimited variety of backing tracks, speeds, instruments....
For me, it's about fun, joy and learning - just playing simple melodies against a 4 bar backing track sometimes gives me immense pleasure....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 5,829
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 5,829 |
Dpresley, Solid post. I hope a standalone will find the right audience too. About this: "One of the weak spots is searching for appropriate styles and instrument tracks." I fully agree. I have started a post here on picker: https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=623604#Post623604Personally I think it would make life easier for everyone (users & developers) to eventually have a single picker for creative content. Kindly take a look at the thread and share your ideas if you find time. Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 166
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 166 |
Yes I totally agree. I love the program but the work flow is slowed down by searching and Auditioning. A more consistent interface with favorite buttons would help.
Visit our web site:
su4u.net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 166
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 166 |
Seeing the chart is a great feature for all.
Visit our web site:
su4u.net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Video: Band-in-a-Box® + ChatGPT = Impressed the BOSS!
Band-in-a-Box User Video Tutorials!
If you've reviewed our Support page, you've probably noticed the Videos page, which separates our Band-in-a-Box® tutorial videos by category: Overview, VST DAW Plugin, Setup, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and there's even an Archive category to go down memory lane... (You'll also find these videos on our YouTube Channel.)
It's always great to hear how other Band-in-a-Box® users create their songs, especially when they explain in detail what they're doing. Like Henry Clarke's YouTube Channel, Henry Clarke - Senior Musicians Unite! There you'll find his ALL Band-in-a-Box Tutorials playlist with over 50 videos! His top-three most watched videos include "How to Get Started with Band-in-a-Box," "How I use the Audio Chord Wizard in Band-in-a-Box," and "How to Create An Effective Solo Using Band-in-a-Box" - however he touches on many other topics and also demonstrates his own Band-in-a-Box® songs in the Band-in-a-Box Created Songs playlist!
You're guaranteed to find some helpful videos when you visit Henry Clarke's channel!
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Italian for Windows is Here!
Ci siamo dati da fare e abbiamo aggiunto oltre 50 nuove funzionalità e una straordinaria raccolta di nuovi contenuti, tra cui 222 RealTracks, nuovi RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 3, Playable RealDrums Set 2, due nuovi set di "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 e altro ancora!
Tutti Pacchetti | Nuove Caratteristiche
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 French for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 apporte plus de 50 fonctions nouvelles ainsi qu'une importante de contenus nouveaux à savoir : 222 RealTracks, des RealStyles nouveaux, des SuperTracks MIDI, des Etudes d'Instruments, des Prestations d'Artistes, des "Morceaux avec Choeurs", un Set 3 de Tracks Jouables, un Set 2 de RealDrums Jouables, deux nouveaux Sets de "RealDrums Stems", des Styles XPro PAK 6, des Xtra Styles PAK 17 et bien plus encore!
Tous Packages | Nouvelles Fonctionnalités
Video: Making a Song with Band-in-a-Box®, ChatGPT, and Synth V
Take your Band-in-a-Box® project to a whole new level when you incorporate ChatGPT and Synth V to add lyrics and vocals to your song!
We wanted to demonstrate how this is done with our video, where we show you how to go from nothing to a finished "radio ready" modern pop song by combining the features of Band-in-a-Box®, ChatGPT, and Synth V!
Listen to the finished song, so you get a listen to the finished product: https://demos.pgmusic.com/misc/behindthefame.m4a
If you like it, watch the video. Either way, let's hear your comments!
Henry Clarke: Revolutionize Your Band-in-Box® Tracks with Regenerating Function
User Video: Convert MIDI Chords into AI Vocal Harmonies with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box®
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums65
Topics81,981
Posts740,063
Members38,652
| |
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean