To get started - some suggestions (this is how I would approach it others might have different/better ideas)


1. Don't try an learn how to record either audio or MIDI in BIAB (for now), stay with PowerTracks or RealBand (which IS PowerTracks with a lot of BIAB integration built-in). Learning to record MIDI and ESPECIALLY audio will go faster and be more intuitive in PT, or RB, (assuming you ever used a tape deck or similar device) then in BIAB.
You can learn "how to" in BIAB LATTER.

2. I think you'll be happy with Garritan's Personal Orch. I like it, but it has a few quirks (e.g., it uses mod wheel to control volume) so do some searches here on that subject (ARIA, GPO and GPO 4, mod wheel). I can't find it right now but there is/was whole thread on "how to" work with Garrtian (ARAI player) - maybe someone else will see this and remember that topic/thread

But this tutorial should get you going using GPO in RB/PT and BIAB
http://www.pgmusic.com/tutorial_garritan.htm

another thread worth "filing away" with respect to Garritan

http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=232803&Searchpage=7&Main=33348&Words=garritan+mod+wheel+ARIA&Search=true#Post232803

3. To learn the in's and out's of using the GR55 with a PC I would use the K.I.S.S. principle and not try to use every function of the GR55 at same time I'm trying to learn RealBand, BIAB, PT, and GPO so…

a. Really take the time to LEARN the GR55 separate (sans) from PC.

b. For AUDIO, and especially AUDIO generation by the PC of incoming MIDI data , do some homework and understand MME, WDM and ASIO (when you want to hear in real-time, or near real-time the input MIDI notes (from GR55) triggering your Garritan or other VSTi and it seems to take a very noticeable amount of time to for sound to be heard, or no sound is heard, you'll be glad you know this info)

c. Learn to use RB or PT to play back existing BIAB songs that have MIDI, or simply MIDI only songs, to learn how to USE VSTi's and generate AUDIO.

Which means learn PT/RB and BIAB
http://www.pgmusic.com/videos.bbwin.htm

d. If you have simple microphone learn how to record AUDIO (like singing) along with a MIDI song playing in PT or RB. Then once you got the ins and outs of HOW to record audio, and also use VSTi/DXi plug-ins to generate sound from MIDI data, THEN try it with the AUDIO from the GR-55.

e. This probably should be step d but …. Recording MIDI data from GR55 SHOULD be fairly straight forward - once you know the GR-55, and how to set its outgoing MIDI channels and data, and how to use PT/RB to record MIDI data (on that one you need to read the HELP files and see some FAQs and tutorials.

http://www.pgmusic.com/techfaq36.htm

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