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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7 |
Hello fellow BIAB users, I'm new in town so here's a short introduction. I'm a amateur singer-songwriter from Holland but desperate in need of backing music. I can only play the ukulele and the autoharp but singing and playing at the same time is not that easy . Sofar I used the app Chordbot and the program Ludwig , http://www.write-music.com/ , both good programs but I wanted more. Used my end-of-year bonus to buy the Everything Pak (it was my entire bonus, I'm not a banker  )and downloaded it on christmas day. It took the 80 GB about 7 hours to download but it's worth the time and the money. My way of learning is usually 'trial and error' , so I imported one of my midi-files into BIAB and selected a backing, amazing. There are hundreds of questions to be asked and I will not hesitate to ask them here but I'd like to try my way through the program myself . At first my generated file sounded 'weird' but that was because my initial midi-file is imported as 'melody' and starts to play together with the generated file. Pressing the mute-button helped with this. The quality of the generated music is exceptional and already gave me hours of fun and a lot of inspiration. Greetings and hope to meet fellow BIAB newby's here. Moos
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,988
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,988 |
Welcome Moos
Certainly, BiaB & RB are a bit intimidating at first since there is really so much that they will do.
Do as you said you do..... experiment and play around for the first few weeks just to get an idea as to what BB/RB WILL do and get your "feet on the ground" with it.
As you encounter things that you can't figure out, simply post in the appropriate forum and folks here will come back with the solution.
Be sure to check out the tutorials and refer to the manual as well.... there's a lot of music in this program so learn it and enjoy.
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217 |
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Hello and Welcome!
You have certainly made the right decision in buying BiaB. But it is not meant to be a MIDI player. It is quite specialized as a creator of music, not so much a player.
To play MIDI files, go to Realband. I believe it comes free with the Everything Pak. It might seem like more work to learn another program, but many BiaB users use both programs together. In my case, I usually start creating a song in BiaB. When I have the melody, chords and structure the way I want it, I save the song in Real Band. There I work out the details of individual parts, like which VSTs and effects I will use. I edit the notation sometimes and create new parts that BiaB does not do, like, say, another percussion track.
BiaB comes with lots of songs to experiment with. FInd the "50SONGS" folder in your C:BB folder. In the stylepicker, try all the demo songs that come with each of the styles.
I am sure you will have lots more questions. You will find that people on this board are most friendly and helpful.
Last edited by flatfoot; 12/29/13 07:14 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,941
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,941 |
Hi and welcome to one of the most friendly and knowledgeable sites on the web.
I would suggest that instead of importing MIDI files I would put the chords in BiaB and experiment with the various styles, both MIDI and RealTrack/Realdrums. Once you are comfortable with that then play around with some of the other features like melodist, soloist etc.
After you have this down you can import your song into your DAW, in your case probably RealBand. There you can separately record your Uke on one track then your vocal on another, mix and master your song.
I know this sounds like a lot but just take it slow, have fun and feel free watch the tutorials and ask questions.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,645
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,645 |
Hi Moos, Welcome! You mightn't be aware of it, but PG Music have a Youtube channel. You might find this useful as you experiment with the software. The channel is at .... https://www.youtube.com/user/pgmusicinc/videosIt's great software  All the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,624
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,624 |
Welcome Moos.
I like your approach, to try to get familiar with the program on your own for awhile, then ask questions. The answers will make more sense when you do that.
Soon you'll be helping others here.
Have fun with BIAB.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,725
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,725 |
Good advice already, I'll just add my welcome aboard!
Happy New Year!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,078
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,078 |
Welcome! Ukulele RealTracks are available so you can play your autoharp and let BIAB play the uke! The forum is a great resource with many members ready to assist.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7 |
Thank you all BIAB users for giving such a quick response, the first within an hour !
It' s good to know there are other users out there, world wide.
Hope you all have a good,healthy 2014.
Moos
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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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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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