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Post your own Tips and Tricks here
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
I've had BIAB for years, starting with version 7 for DOS. I've had two or three major realizations. The first was when I began to input my own stuff. BIAB did something really nice with a turnaround that I never would have thought of and could not have done myself (which is part of the point). Since then I have used it exclusively for original music. The next one is completely antiintuitive and only works because I do only originals. Trying to coerce BIAB into doing my preconceived ideas of both originals and covers was often an exercise in frustration. In some ways BIAB seems to have a mind of its own, and unless you want to write your own MIDI Styles it always will. At some point I began to 'listen' to what the program was trying to tell me. Now I regard it as a virtual co-composer, and I'm much happier for it. I have a definite voice which shows through, but enriched by BIAB's suggestions. You've said elsewhere that you have little use for MIDI, but I mention this last point to reinforce the attitude of flexibility when working with BIAB (or computer music in general). Several years ago I experienced multiple PC breakdowns, until I was working with a Pentium 3 with an inexpensive wavetable soundcard. I don't recall whether the then-current version of BIAB supported audio or Real Tracks, but it didn't matter; the machine wouldn't. Rather than get frustrated, I concentrated on finding out what I could do within this rather severe limitation. In the end I came up with some stuff with which I was (and am) quite pleased, some of which I am still developing today. The common thread here is that I kind of let BIAB push me around. I admire other users for their ability to produce some magnificent covers, but I don't have the patience for getting them to sound right. I much prefer going in with a general idea and adapting to what I am presented with. Kinda like a box of chocolates, knowutimean? We now return you to a normal way of thinking. 
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Post your own Tips and Tricks here
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 55
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 55 |
Actually, my best advice would be to jump in with both feet and try to get it to do what you have in your mind. You won't always get it first go, but I'm at the stage now where there are few things that I want it to do that I haven't figured out yet (eighth note triplets is one) ;-). Just work with it.
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Post your own Tips and Tricks here
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610
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Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610 |
I'm surprised that no one has said to read the manual. After I read the manual years ago any problems I had were solved here on the forum. It should be a prerecquisite to read the manual first, then ask questions. Later, Ray
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
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Post your own Tips and Tricks here
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193 |
Dear "Ryszard"...
I wandered into your post from elsewhere in the BIAB forums. I can relate to your explanation of how you allowed BIAB to reveal its strengths and weaknesses to you.
I noticed that you use Masterwriter software. Would mind sharing with me your thoughts about using that software?
Thank you,
bluage
"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
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Post your own Tips and Tricks here
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,858
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,858 |
Well.... most have said jump in and I agree. Play with it and more importantly, read the manual several times through. You will see things in the manual that you will never guess is in the program.
Make notes and use those little page tag things to help you find things again. Then set down and see how those cool function work.
As time goes on, you will naturally gravitate towards a certain way of working in BB & RB that will become your SOP.
While I know that there are things in BB that are useful, I don't normally use them in my day to day writing and working with BB. I have boiled my workflow down to what I need to get the job done as I think it needs to be done. My goal is to use BB to write, RB to create the tracks and then I export them to my DAW to finish the work.
But to each his own, as the saying goes. What works for me might not be how you eventually settle on as a method. That's why, you need to dig in to the manual and see all the things BB can do for you.
This program is so amazing, and it does so many different things.... it's not possible to learn it all in a few days time. So don't be in a rush. Learn one thing then go to the next.
Between the online HELP and the manual which is always on my desk.... I can refer to either or both when I need that "forgotten" function.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 10/10/13 07:03 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
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