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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I don't know if this can be done or not so I need some guidance.
I am trying to get my BIAB to play when I hit the footswitch start on my keyboard. I have a MidiSport Uno USB to Midi interface. I have connected it to my laptop and set the midi input and output in BIAB to the Uno. When I hit play on my laptop it will play through the speakers of my Casio WK1630. My problem is I want to start BIAB playing with the footswitch of the keyboard. Is this even possible?
If it is possible I need very simple instructions on how to do this. I have tried everything I can think of to do this but I can't make it work. I would also like to maybe start it by hitting a key on the keyboard, like synchro/start but I still need to stop it with the footswitch.
I have the footswitch programed as a stop and start but I'm at a loss as to how I can get anything else to start. Sure hope someone can help this dummy!
Debby
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2007
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It's been a while since I played around with this but I think you need to map your footswitch to computer keyboard keystrokes. There are some options in the Preferences but the Space bar is the default Start/Stop in BIAB. If your footswitch allows mapping to the computer keyboard, this is the way to do it.
R
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Okay...... how would I go about doing that? I'm pretty ignorant about things like this. Sorry....
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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here's a google search for "keyboard mouse usb switch" http://goo.gl/xnE5Sthis switch, once plugged into the computer, will allow you to use the foot switch in place of pressing the spacebar
Lenovo YOGA 900 Window s 10 Home 64bit M4 pro Mac mini 1tb HD 24GB mem casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface
casio wk-7500
biab & realband 2025 everything pk both with Current builds
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 45
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OP
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I looked at this but it seems to be for a computer keyboard, not a musical keyboard. If I plugged this into my Casio Keyboard the footswitch would act like the space bar? I guess I can try it but it doesn't seem to me it would work. But, I guess you would know. Do I have to make any adjustments on the keyboard? Right now I have the footswitch programed to stop/start. Is this okay?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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The footswitch found HERE is what some folks on the forum use to do what you want. The switch plugs into a USB port and comes with simple software to allow programming. If you are trying to control BIAB with a switch plugged into your musical instrument, I don't think it can be done. R
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
The footswitch found HERE is what some folks on the forum use to do what you want. The switch plugs into a USB port and comes with simple software to allow programming. If you are trying to control BIAB with a switch plugged into your musical instrument, I don't think it can be done.
R
Good catch rachael i couldn't find the specific switch
debby
yes this means a foot switch for your computer if using BiAB you use the computer connected footswitch instead of pressing the spacebar to start and stop BiAB
maybe free up your keyboard foot switch for other uses?
BiAB's lack of sync issues are discussed here
http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=345631&an=0&page=0#Post345631
realband may be better suited to your needs if you want control from your keyboard
from the faq
43. How do I synchronize RealBand with another MIDI device?
http://www.pgmusic.com/techfaq27.htm#43
you can open or import your BiAB songs to realband
Lenovo YOGA 900 Window s 10 Home 64bit M4 pro Mac mini 1tb HD 24GB mem casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface
casio wk-7500
biab & realband 2025 everything pk both with Current builds
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi Debby, BiaB has built in feature called, "Pause Play until MIDI Received" -- one checkbox, no need to pour through kayboard menus or use aftermarket softwares at all. From the Band in a Box FAQ page: Quote:
49. Can I sync Band-in-a-Box to an external MIDI source?
Band-in-a-Box can only act as a 'master' by sending a simple 'song start' and 'song stop' message, and it also sends MIDI Timing Clock. It will send the sync info as long as 'Output sync/start info' is checked in Opt. | Preferences | MIDI Options. One other thing you can do is get Band-in-a-Box to wait until it receives a MIDI note or pedal, or you press a key on your computer (qwerty) keyboard. This feature is found in Opt. | Preferences - 'Pause play until MIDI or key received'.
And that one checkbox should do the trick, you can load a BB song and hit Play, - But the program will wait until it receives some sort of MIDI message from your keyboard before it starts. Works with the Sustain Pedal here, as well as just hitting any MIDI key once.
Have Fun,
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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If your keyboard is hooked up there is a Band in a Box command to start playback.
If you have unfrozen realtracks you will get lag, the software wants to render the audio file.
Look under Opts _ Prefs at the top.
There is a box to check on the Prefs box about 1/2 way down on the right to pause playback UNTIL you hit a key on the midi keyboard. Using this with the Juke feature allows you to play each song when you want.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I guess I went for lunch after starting the post and Mac pointed out the right option on the menu to pause playback until you hit ANY midi note on the keyboard. Used with the conductor and or Juke box feature you can easily run your own set.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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AWESOME!!!!! This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Thank you Mac, I sure didn't know this was possible. Guess I better start reading up more on BIAB. I have been using it for years but I am aware it does so much more than I use it for!
Thank all of you for your input and help.
Debby
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Well, I guess I was premature. I can't get it to work! I have the prefrences set, both of them, but when I try to make it start with my keyboard pedal nothing happens. I have tried setting them both, then setting just one at a time. Nothing works. I have even tried programing my footswitch to all the different options and that doesn't work.
I am using a MidiSport Uno USB to midi interface, connecting both the midi in and midi out to the Casio Keyboard and the USB to the computer with BIAB. No matter what I do I can't make the footswitch play the BIAB. What am I missing? Is there something else I should be doing? Some other setting?
When I hit the footswith the MidiSport is just lighting the midi in. Should it be lighting the midi out?
Debby
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Is BIAB set up properly to use Midi In/Out. This is found in Opt|Midi Audio Drivers Setup. Make sure both Midi Input and Output drivers are set to the UNO. I never thought that the pedal is considered a key...try hitting a piano key and see if that does it.
R
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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If the footswitch is connect via midi you should be able to make it work just fine.
In fact forget that, first try it so any key on the keyboard triggers it.
The box you checked says midi input. I've used it lots and any key on the keyboard starts playback.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I have done both, set the Uno as both midi in and output. Hitting the footswitch or a key on the Casio does not start the BIAB. I can see the keys played on my keyboard on the BIAB keyboard. I also have set the "Pause Play Until MIDI or Key received." Still no luck. What in the world am I doing wrong???
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Now that's a headscratcher.
I'm going to set mine up and see if it plays.
Different gear, same idea right?
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Okay, for some reason hitting a key on my keyboard went to working. It starts the BIAB, while starting this way will be kind of okay (there is a definate delay which isn't good) I can't stop it without hitting the spacebar.
I know, I know, picky, picky, picky, right? I need to be able to stop and start using the keyboard foot pedal as I'll be playing and will need to start and stop the drums without taking my hands off the keyboard. Am I asking too much? Maybe this program won't work this way.
We trying to put together a three piece using BIAB with me on the keyboard and I need the drums to start when the steel guitar player does the kick off, not after. Maybe I just need to use a drum machine but the drums in BIAB are so much better!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Try Opts, Preferences, Midi Options, Midi Thru has to be checked.
I just tried it twice and then figured that out but it works just fine once I changed that.
On my system after that box is checked, there is a message in the top right corner about playback start waiting...it's large yellow.
Then when I touch a key playback starts. That's any key.
You can get fancier than that...but I'll look that up later.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Unless you can map your pedal to the Spacebar (Start/Stop), the Delcom switch that I mentioned earlier will do exactly what you want. If you want to Start/Stop songs, using the keyboard is not a good solution unless you can designate a couple of keys to do that. With the current mapping, it's not a good idea. There are ways you can turn on/off the keyboard as a controller for BIAB on the fly but I think it would lead to confusion, especially during a performance. And you would have to remember what keys do what. With a designated footswitch for this purpose, much easier.
Again, I can vouch for the Delcom and happen to own one.
R
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Yeah John, I had that box checked and it still wasn't working. I then unchecked everything and then re-checked it and it went to working. The problem is the delay. Trust me, if I start the drums too late after the steel guitar player counts it off and starts playing I'm in deep do-do!
Sure wish I could get the keyboard pedal to do the stopping and starting, I don't like the idea of having to stop playing to hit the spacebar. I can work around that I guess, the biggest problem will be the delay. I have looked at the latency and I have it set as low as it will go. I tried it and I hit two beats before it comes in. There any fix for that?
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