RickeG:

I use BIAB similar to the way you do, listening to different Styles and progressions for inspiration. I have actually come to regard BIAB as a co-composer. Until now I have mainly worked with MIDI, but Real Drums are awfully seductive.

Like everyone else who has been here for a while, I began by using MIDI. I get a lot of mileage out of revoicing certain Styles, particularly Techno and New Age. Even with a basic GM wavetable synth I have gotten satisfactory results. What was originally programmed as a cheesy-sounding MIDI guitar may produce interesting results as a synth or pad. When I eventually port my standard MIDI files (SMFs) into Propellerhead Reason, the world's most badass DAW and soft synth, things begin to get interesting.

To progress beyond this point with BIAB one of a couple of things must happen. Either someone else must supply me with new Styles, or I've got to get busy in the Stylemaker. IMO, this is where the sorcery of BIAB lies. It's not especially difficult, just time consuming. (A third approach would be to dig in and get still more use out of existing Styles, but you feel that you have exhausted that.)

I've been begging for new Techno, New Age, and EDM Styles for years, but I've given up holding my breath. It's not that BIAB doesn't do these things well, it's just not where the interest of the creator and developers lies. Again, I can choose to do it myself. What a fascinating "problem" to have!

RG, I'm not trying to give you a solution here, just suggest some approaches that you may have not tried. You seem motivated to continue to work with BIAB, as do I. If you do decide to pursue some of these concepts, I hope that you will share your insight and results with us.

Richard

"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."