I haven’t been using BIAB nearly as long as some of the so-called “Old Timers” (this term is used in the politest sense), but here’s my introduction to BIAB.
In 1987, after twenty-odd years of playing in a band, I gave up music completely. In 2001 I dusted of my old Roland EP to have a play, only to find out that I had lost the ability to play at a reasonable standard. The brain knew what notes to play, but the fingers had rusted up, and it was one of the scariest & most frustrating times in my life. I was previously a reasonable keyboard player, and to have lost what I believe was a God given talent made me very angry/sad/frustrated/bitter….you name it.

I decided to take try to learn to play again, and in order to stimulate my interest I went to the music shop with the view to buying a new keyboard. Having been off the music scene for almost fifteen years, I knew nothing about new technology – the only brands in the shop that I recognised were Roland & Yamaha – but the salesman showed me a Casio (yes I know what you’re thinking) and it seemed to fit my needs. I told him I wanted to try to make recordings of backing tracks, in order to accompany me while learning, and he said “This is what you need…” and handed me a set of computer disks…..it was called Box in A Band or something. I was in techno shock and walked out of the store without buying anything, thinking “No…this is too difficult.”

After a few days of pondering I bit the bullet and went back to the music shop, bought the keyboard, bought the Box Band (“No….it’s called BAND IN A BOX!! – silly old fart”)
So for the last eight years I have had endless hours of pleasure using my new found musical friend. I recently worked out that the cost of my keyboard, plus BIAB, plus regular upgrades, divided by the number of hours pleasure I have received equates to less than fifty cents per hour.

Where else can you get value like that?

Cheers,
Keith