|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 20
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 20 |
I found a place that has an open mic every Sunday. It is in Denver, where my wife and I are going this weekend. I would like to perform one of my BIAB songs, but I don't know how to do it.
Will they have a 'house' band, and I should bring sheet music for each individual instrument, or should I bring an mp3 of the accompaniement, or some sort of karaoke cd?
I could probably call and ask, but I feel more comfortable asking you friendly guys.
Skyoma
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
You should first go VISIT and WATCH, find out what's going on, etc.
Then come back prepared.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
House bands for open mics are nearly non-existent. You should be prepared to bring whatever you need and know if it plugs in to whatever they have available.
Sometimes there's a house 'guitar or piano' that you get to play, but don't expect any human accompaniment.
I agree with Mac - best to be an audience member first. See if the audience respects the performers with attention and so forth. See if they have a PA system that works with the gear you would be bringing.
-Scott
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900 |
Mac's right (as always)  The great thing with BIAB is that you can present it all in whatever way works best for you. You can give the band a karaoke track to stick on the player (CD/DVD/mp3). You can give each musician a copy of this in advance, along with a copy of their individual instrument soloed out, so that they can hear what you want. You can even give them the sheet music for it. IN ADVANCE. You can't just walk in and wave a magic wand and expect them to know how to play your music without at least having had one or two rehearsals before, unless it is dead straight (like a 12 bar blues with a twist). The only way you can do that is to karaoke it with playback (you still need to know what format they need it in first) Remember to allow them artistic freedom - it won't be exactly as you created it. But that can be a good thing. Otherwise, nobody would need musicians anymore!
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
When I did it, I made dumps of my songs without the vocal track as MP3s, put them in my iPhone, plug it into the house system, (make sure you turn on airplane mode) and do your live piece over the tracks. 75% of the acts in my town do this now. Duos with canned music, solos with canned music....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815 |
I would not take canned backing music into an open mic until I knew what kind of folks were there and what they expected (OK, I would never take canned backing tracks to an open mic, period! But that's just me). If the crowd expects 100% live performance, having backing tracks will just allow you to make a very bad first impression.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 20
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 20 |
Well canned backing tracks is my only option this weekend, unless I meet a willing band in Denver.
How do I make a karaoke cd in BIAB? I can't seem to find the menu item.
Skyoma
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900 |
RealBand is better for that than BIAB, Skyoma
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Kevin, the particular event I took my stuff is a no holds barred situation. My songs do not translate to solo very well so I took my "band" in on a phone. The stage at this place is big enough for MAYBE a duo, and it is billed as a songwriter showcase. You can do 3 songs in your alloted 20 minutes, and 10 people perform, so the call it "10x3" and it is quite popular. A lot of folkies and some country. Most just want to get first impression live feedback.
For me personally I have no issue with someone playing over tracks they created in a home studio.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 234
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 234 |
Hi, Sorry to disagree, but out here in Nova Scotia, we have "open mics" all over the place, and they all have house bands. I'm playing dobro and lap steel with all of the ones I attend. The band can usually play along with anything you throw at it. You have a choice whether you use the band or not. Just give them the key, and approximate tempo. Unless the song has complicated chords or rhythms, we can usually pick up what to play pretty quickly. You could of course bring prerecorded tracks if you want to, but there's definitely something appealing about just taking a chance on it, and seeing what comes out. I find the audiences are very forgiving of mistakes, and even performers of limited talent. They appreciate the effort you put into it. My 2 cents worth. Andrew
Andrew Lloyd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
You need to differentiate "open mic" from "jam night". There are jam nights all over Cleveland with a house band and people are welcome to join in after the first set. (I do not attend.) I would be hard pressed to find a house band who could play songs I wrote that they never heard. If you get up and do covers it's a different story but I can only take "Keep Your Hands To Yourself" so many times.....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,086
Posts799,986
Members40,031
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean