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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996 |
Quote:
Just interested to know what styles of music, whether covers or originals, whether for fun or commercially, what.... hang on I'll write a list of q's... answer any you feel like, add more if you like!
LIke most of us, Mel, I just can't resist replying to questionnaires so thanks and here goes
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What styles?
Pop in all its glorious forms
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Covers or Originals?
I do covers for learning/training purposes but my aim is to complete my CD (I have 7 self-written songs already completed)
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Fun or commercial (or somewhere in between!)
That's a hard one - I'd sell my output if I could but that is not the main reason I do it
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What human instruments do you add to your Biab/RB arrangements?
well vocals of course, but I'm not sure what you mean by a human instrument.
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Do you port your tunes from BIAB into another DAW (eg. Sonar etc) to finish them?
Yes, and very very early in the process. I only use BIAB to get the roughest of rough outlines to import into PTPA 11. By the time the piece is finished, all that is left is the drums. Everything else has been completely re-played and recorded, the original MIDi from BIAB serving as a guide.
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Do you play live with Biab?
No
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What are you currently working on?
My lack of activity here over the past few weeks may have been noted by some (or perhaps not!). But the reason is I have just been recruited to fill the keyboard player's stool of a local revivalist covers band (mainly 60s). This, in addition to my other band has left me with no time to devote to my home studio. But I don't want to hi-jack your thread, Mel. I'll write something on my blog about all these developments as soon as I get a moment.
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Off-Topic
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,427
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,427 |
What styles?
Originals. I use BIAB mainly to help with my composing and arrangement ideas, e.g. browsing styles against my own chord sequences (even styles that may initially seem inappropriate) and letting BIAB trigger ideas and, now and then, what I call 'painter's accidents' ! I also use BIAB to give me initial keyboard, brass and string parts, which I then amend as necessary. I'm a guitarist primarily.
Fun or commercial (or somewhere in between!)
Fun, although I'm very serious about getting things just right and 'credible' against commercial songs and recordings. That aim in itself is a perpetual journey which is what I get most fulfilment from.
What human instruments do you add to your Biab/RB arrangements?
I do all guitar and vocal parts. I also program drum parts in EZDrummer, usually from scratch so that counts as well doesn't it! Actually I often write songs together with the percussionist in our band and he helps polish things up, spotting parts where the drummer would need three or four arms to carry out what I'd programmed!
Do you port your tunes from BIAB into another DAW (eg. Sonar etc) to finish them?
Yes, into Sonar 8. It's far easier there to cut, paste, replace, and edit things into shape. Also essential if you want to make serious high quality audio recordings with all the (many, many) professional tools Sonar has.
Do you play live with Biab?
No. Our band does however use midi backing tracks but these are 'pro' ones that we buy and tweak to our needs.
What are you currently working on?
Unfortunately the last few months have seen a lot of music downtime due some health problems I've been having, my father passing away and other stuff. I'm banking on the Spring to mark a turnaround.
John
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Off-Topic
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996 |
Quote:
Current project: Believe it or not: I am working on my first album and we're trying to get the first single out in May 
THis is great news, Mike
wishing you all the very best with it,
Marc (who does believe it!!)
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Off-Topic
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,034
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,034 |
What styles?
Whatever fits my current mood but I generally avoid Rap, Heavy Metal, Death Metal etc etc.
Fun or commercial (or somewhere in between!)
A bit of both although I sometimes have a problem with selling God's giftings. The bible does say however that 'a workman is due his pay' .... so maybe I need to start marketing.
What human instruments do you add to your Biab/RB arrangements?
Guitar, vocals, drums, percussion, synthesizers etc. In other words whatever is at hand at the time and takes my fancy.
Do you port your tunes from BIAB into another DAW (eg. Sonar etc) to finish them?
Yep, Nuendo or Cubase for adding to a track and mixing down. Lately been messing around more with REAPER. Final mastering usually done in Wavelab.
Do you play live with Biab?
No. I have tried a couple of times but setting the whole lot up is a mite cumbersome and in our last little church building there just wasn't enough room. Therefore if I want backings they are usually MP3's or played live on a Roland E60 Arranger workstation. The E60 is my preferred option as I can flow as I feel led.
What are you currently working on?
Working on two albums at the moment. One is the successor to 'One Night With The King' and the other is a instrumental worship CD. If you can think Francis Goya and Vangelis you will get an idea of my direction. Don't have a lot of time for these at the moment though as I'm still busy programming and finishing off a roads design 'private job'.
Kevin
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Off-Topic
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 193
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 193 |
What styles?
Country, Christian
Covers or Originals?
Original
Fun or commercial (or somewhere in between!)
Fun but thinking about commercial
What human instruments do you add to your Biab/RB arrangements?
Piano & Guitar
Do you port your tunes from BIAB into another DAW (eg. Sonar etc) to finish them?
Yes - Cubase
Do you play live with Biab?
No
What are you currently working on?
Toying with the idea of trying movie & tv musical scores
Steve
Steve
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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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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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