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A while back, MAC posted a link to a youtube vid in which the same lick was used in a bunch of different songs http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/showflat.p...true#Post336650I thought of that link recently when I was at a friend's gig, and noticed that the sax player had a very small repertoire of licks, which he repeated through the chord progressions of all their songs. If you compare him to BIAB, he brings the same thing to the table that you'd have using the chord chart to create songs with only one style. I know not all musicians are like this, so no need to go down the rabbit trail of refuting a statement I'm not making here.. BUT... <soap box> Anybody who has ever played in a band with other musicians has been disappointed at least once by the limitations of the other musicians. But with BIAB/RB there are virtually no limitations! WE are the weak links in an otherwise near-perfect song environment! Unless you just fall in love with a certain RT and use it for all your songs, there's no reason that the backing tracks you perform with would EVER repeat the same lick! And with BIAB you're also not locked into the same 5 instruments for every song, because they're what your band mates play And you're not locked into a particular genre because of the band's demographic. This has got to be the MOST LIBERATING and FLEXIBLE music software for just about any musical use. </soap box>
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All of this has been said on the forum before; but as we approach the release of a new version, new people will be reading the forum trying to decide if this is a product that meets their musical needs. Therefore, It's a good time for the forum regulars to repost some of the outstanding reasons why no musician should be without this product SHOULD-I-BUY-BIAB-OR-NOT-O-METER LOSERRRR_____________/_BOUGHT IT! Those are really the only two states of being in the music world. If you aren't one, you're automatically the other  standard disclaimer: the opinion stated above is not the opinion of PGMusic or its employees. It's only the opinion of an old guy who says what he thinks and isn't embarrassed to do so.
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In a recent survey of Pat Marrs, 100% said they would recommend BiaB to a friend.
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STOP!!! People who haven't got any experience with BiaB and therefor do not understand the power of BiaB should NOT buy BiaB! They should be kept ignorant and must not know BiaB really acts like a real band. Furthermore they should be kept in the highest state of admiration for the songs we produce using BiaB.
Fellow BiaB users, I urge you: Keep BisB a secret! Don't let just any musician have a real, modular, non drinking, non arguing, patient and above all very capable band at their service! Keep them under the impression that we wrote each and every instrumental line in our productions.
Don't let the genie out of the bottle!
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OK, let's go about this from the opposite direction. Here are the TOP 5 reasons why you should NOT buy BIAB:
5) ADDICTION First warning sign is when time away from BIAB leads to withdrawal symptoms. If friends try to engage you in conversation , but you snap back saying "GET OFF MY BACK! I DON'T HAVE TIME TO TALK TO YOU! I'VE GOT SOMETHING TO DO AT HOME", then you are hooked.
4) FAMILY DISCORD We've gotten reports of BIAB causing family discord when the musician in the family stops communicating with the spouse, stops coming to bed at night, stops showing up at the dinner table, and stops acknowledging the kids, except to say "get off the computer... it's my turn"
3) INCREASED DEBT Everybody knows that once you have a new musical tool, you also need all the accessories
2) UNEMPLOYMENT After you buy BIAB it's just a matter of time before you stop showing up for work, opting to stay home and write songs 24/7. Even among those who don't quit their jobs, many fall asleep on the job and get fired because they stayed up all night finishing that original song...
and the number one reason why you shouldn't buy BIAB...
1) POTENTIAL FOR DIMINISHED PERSONAL HYGIENE Studies have indicated that in some cases BIAB has kept its owners captivated in front of the computer for days at a time, unwilling to eat, bathe, brush their teeth, or pursue normal um, "waste elimination" procedures. No, you certainly don't want a product that makes you lose a freshness test when compared to a badger that lives in a dumpster.
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Quote:
In a recent survey of Pat Marrs, 100% said they would recommend BiaB to a friend.
That's true.
My son recently sent me an email from one of his friends who was planning to start a duo with backing tracks (for all the same reasons WE think its a good idea)
BUT....
He was planning to record all the tracks himself in Sonar. I asked him how long he thought it would take him to come up with 50 songs that were good enough to use on stage. (he currently has zero songs, and an idea) Once he started to consider the logistics, he realized he would NEVER be ready for his first gig, which is already booked for early February.
Then I asked him "What if you could put together 50 songs that sound BETTER than what you could record yourself, and be finished with them WAY before February?" Now he was interested.
Here's a snippet from his last email to me:
Quote:
Pat - I really thank you for "selling" the band in a box approach as just the time saving benefit alone is enough to sway me to have a look at the product(s). I've never been someone to study or try that type of gear but the samples you provided I really can't argue with.
(the samples he's referring to are the RT demos on the PGMusic web site... I sent him the link)
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So, which RealTrack does "the lick"? Inquiring minds want to know!
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA BB2025/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
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Quote:
So, which RealTrack does "the lick"? Inquiring minds want to know!
I hijacked my own thread, didn't I?

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Biab is a great program,
But,
There are some people who even if PG music were to give them the latest and greatest version for free would not accept it and turn their nose up at it for the simple reason that they consider it computer music and they would be too proud to use it in their work.
That is why I love to see pro's like Harvey Gerst come on here (sorry If I spelt his name wrong) as being a top class studio pro like he is, seen a a few pics from his studio as well somewhere, he is not afraid to use biab in his songwriting and recording.
Best program I have even found, enables me when I write a song to record it at my leasure and sound reasonable without the hassle of real studio time or other musicians.
Musiclover
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Opinions will always vary, and I love this software for the very reasons you stated. I can work any time I want to without having to try and fit a session into 5 other people's lives. Now, in my opinion, if I was writing with the end goal of a CD release, I would use RB to write but call in the people who will play the stuff to learn it and record selected parts over the RB parts. I always try to make my RB music something that can be faithfully reproduced on stage so those who did choose to buy a CD would get on the CD what they heard at the show. That works in both directions though, so in order to do my music in a live show, my band would have to include 2 keyboard players, 2 guitar players, me swinging back and forth between the two, a pedal player, a banjo, bass, drums and 2 fiddles. That's 11 people. Ever try to coordinate 11 people for rehearsals? Thus there won't be a show coming anytime soon...  No matter what, I wouldn't have "THE LICK" in my show....
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Since The Lick has obviously been successful for so many over so much time, you can darn sure betcha I use it, was subconciously using it anyway for years, likely due to the learning process of transcriptions, but when I think its appropriate to do so, BAM!
--Mac
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I wonder how many times I played THE LICK without knowing it before it became THE LICK....
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Quote:
So, which RealTrack does "the lick"? Inquiring minds want to know!
Here's a bona-fide challenge to the first person who discovers THE LICK in the output of a real track:
If you can generate THE LICK from a real track that shipped with a previous (or current) version.. AND if you can provide the name of the real track...AND if you can provide the chord sequence on which THE LICK generated... AND if more than one other forum member can duplicate your results using the same chords and real track...AND if you can find it before midnight tomorrow, Sunday Dec 2nd, 2012....
I will pay for your copy of 2013! (upgrading from 2012 or 2012.5, $159 should do it)
If you've not updated in so long that it would take more than $159 to get current, then I will kick in the $159 only if you kick in the rest and go ahead and get current. (HAH! You think I'd send that much money and then let you not buy BIAB with it?? In fact, the money will go directly to PGMusic so you aren't tempted to do something responsible with it, like pay the electric bill or buy beer)
if you already bought it, I'll reimburse you.(up to the $159 terms above)
remember: Midnight tomorrow! (ready--- set--- GOooooo!)
--------------------------------
update: dang,I found it on the very first realtrack I tried. Looks like I'd better kiss my money goodbye.
Last edited by Pat Marr; 12/01/12 07:17 PM.
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Gee, nobody took me up on my offer... which is a shame since it was pretty easy to find the lick. But, contest is over now. How sad too bad.
Considering I found it on the very first real track I sampled. I would guess it is to be found in a BUNCH of places (but once I found it I stopped looking.)
My approach was as follows:
1) I figured that a jazz sax soloist would be highly likely to play "the lick" 2) so I went to the real tracks folder and found a smooth jazz soloist folder (sw16 075) 3) then I started playing the WMA files one at a time.
The first one on the folder was ASX121.WMA. At about 1/3 of the way through the file, he plays "the lick" (5 matching notes ... there were as many as 7 in the video, but though not all the examples matched all 7, all of them did match at least the 1st 5)
So, John Ford.. set your enquiring mind at ease.
;-)
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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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In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
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Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
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Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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