|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,199
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,199 |
Welcome to the forums. And you're right, re-invigorating old threads is not frowned on at all! You'll enjoy BIAB. There's a bit of a learning curve. If you're patient, though, the end result makes it well worth while taking the time to get to know the program. All the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,918
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,918 |
Dixiesatellite72,
Welcome to the PG Music forum. When you get a chance, visit the User Showcase section of the forum. There are a few forum members from Japan that post links to their compositions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3
Newbie
|
|
Newbie
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3 |
Hi, thanks very much for the welcome  . Look forward to learning everything about BIAB. Ian B.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 89
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 89 |
Backing tracks force you to be a little more disciplined in your rendering. It is unforgiving on timing and really hard on you if you slide on pitch. It is as much an art form as any other in my opinion. In the end it is your performance that counts in a live gig. The music is there to enhance the audience experience, not dominate it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 2
Newbie
|
|
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 2 |
What is live? What is cheating? Well , my questions are this; Is your voice live and can you mess up , lose your timing or pitch? Ever stand up in front of people and have that happen? The embarrassment will certainly be live. Are you playing an instrument? Did you miss a chord or a few notes in a lead guitar part, maybe a whole bar and there you stand with the music playing and your mouth hanging open, pretty live situation if you ask me. But then again I am just a beginner but been listening for almost 60yrs. So last but not least, whos opinion is most important the players or the listeners? Who are we doing this for again?
Just some thoughts......
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 147
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 147 |
Playing in bands is overrated. They show up late or not at all, and when they do they always argue about something or other. ☹️
Having BIAB as your backup band is wonderful. No arguments, no complaints, no dilution of earnings. You are in complete control.
Cheers! -Alastair
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173 |
Playing in bands is overrated. They show up late or not at all, and when they do they always argue about something or other. ☹️
Having BIAB as your backup band is wonderful. No arguments, no complaints, no dilution of earnings. You are in complete control. I read this and thought over many years of playing with a lot of talented people in a number of bands, boy haven’t I forged a lot of great lifelong bonds with some real characters. These days I create my backing tracks and often go out by myself. Very lonely compared to a bunch of guys joking, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. When it comes to is it cheating. Maybe I use BIAB incorrectly but rarely do I just enter a bunch of chords, pick a style and call it done. Usually I (and I’m sure a lot of others) enter chords, pick a style, then think maybe this part could be made better by substituting a RealTrack or putting the track in RealBand and regenerating a part. Sometimes it is still not right so you write a bit using midi. We may put the song into a DAW and further edit the tracks, cut and paste, adjust timing, etc. Now the song sounds the way we like it, then we mix and master it, put it the way we like it. Then with a number of songs in mind we get them to the same level so there is no sudden rush to a volume knob. At last with all that done it is time to perform. In my case that means singing, playing guitar (lead breaks etc) and generally entertaining a room full of people. I really don’t see all this as cheating. It is in fact easier to stand there with a few of your mates sharing the load and having a good time playing music. The good thing is BIAB does not get moody, drunk or wish it was somewhere else. I can wake up at some ungodly hour put on headphones and design another song without disrupting other folk. BIAB has given me a new lease but I really don’t see it as cheating. My thoughts Tony
Last edited by Teunis; 08/20/18 11:41 PM.
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,844
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,844 |
I guess it always depends on what the listener expects (and has paid for!) If I am having a few drinks with friends and we are enjoying each other's company then, as a listener I don't care if it is one guy with backing tracks or the radio playing over the bar's speakers. On the other hand, if I purchased a ticket and will be there to watch & listen to a performance, I'm not really very keen on seeing & hearing someone sing along to prerecorded tracks. Not saying it is bad or wrong...just that I would not pay to see/hear it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,824
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,824 |
Irrespective of the intrigue, arguments, hassles, etc of the band world part of a live music experience for me is seeing folks work off of one another musically. Everything from the perfect little fill to the inspired solo to that something extra in a vocal I do realize that a burnt out live group (been in them) is not gonna provide that but when everybody is hittin' the note for us it doesn't get much better. But, hey, good music manifests itself in a zillion genres and configurations...I'm one old phart with an opinion and that is all.
Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,590
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,590 |
I'm an even worse cheat now - even my guitar and vocal effects/harmonies are pre-programmed into my backing tracks on the Voicelive 3 Extreme. I'm no longere trying to press buttons etc but can focus on the audience. I have one unit that plugs into the PA between me and my guitar. If it breaks down it's me, my mic and old trusty
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487
BIAB 2021 (Build 818)
Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor
Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi)
VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 147
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 147 |
“I read this and thought over many years of playing with a lot of talented people in a number of bands, boy haven’t I forged a lot of great lifelong bonds with some real characters.“ -Tony
I enjoy playing with other musicians as well Tony, but the opportunities are few and far between. I was being a bit facetious in my earlier post.
Playing in church or a CCC cocktail lounge, with BIAB backup, I have never once been accused of cheating. If anyone asks I say it was, “Pre-recorded”, which some of the guitar parts were actually pre-recorded by me.
Last edited by AlastairLC; 09/14/18 09:23 AM.
Cheers! -Alastair
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753 |
Since my last post in this thread over a year ago I have progressed (sarcasm) to not using backing tracks for almost a year now. It's just my voice, acoustic guitar, tambourine under my right foot and a microphone stuffed in a brief case with lots of padding inside under my left foot for a kick/bass drum sound. I do play both feet at the same time now and have even worked out a few various patterns for different songs. I mostly sing at restaurants and often enough there are people dancing for at least a few songs even though it's dinner hours. My acoustic guitar sound is very janglie when strumming with sufficient bass on the two low strings. For most songs I've worked on my right hand technique to simulate what a bass player would do while still strumming the rhythm. I guess I'll call it Travis Strumming. At times I miss having tracks because I have to avoid "void soloing" but I am getting better at chord soloing to make up the difference. Some have said I don't need the backing tracks. Others have said I'm better without them. No one has ever suggested I should go back to using tracks or that I should have tracks or try using them or anything like that.
But, I'm always considering putting basic drum patterns on a Beat Buddy just for drums alone. I don't think I would even use the Beat Buddy to it's full purpose. Just way to use my feet to start and stop simple patterns that I play along with using my foot percussion.
Anyway, that's me at this point.
As far as cheating goes. Getting Karaoke tracks for free from a download or a Karaoke Jockey buddy, setting yourself up with a small screen monitor and a PA system and performing like that. That's cheating. It's cheesy too. I've seen and heard it done. No matter how good the singer it's still cheating and I'll tell on you if I catch you doing it. We should have Entertainment Police we can call to have these people imprisoned. It's really bad.
Last edited by Tobias; 09/17/18 06:51 PM.
Does the noise in your head bother me ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 147
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 147 |
The value of backing tracks depends a lot on the type of performance. Someone singing and comping himself on guitar doesn’t need them. The melody and harmony are there (and some percussion if he gets his feet working). However, if someone is playing guitar instrumentally, as I do, either he’s a guitar virtuoso (which I’m not) or he needs some backup. Personally I’m not keen on guitar solos. I like to hear the piano, drums and bass in the background. As I play mostly jazz standards, that’s what works best, and the folks I play for prefer instrumentals to a singer as background music. When I play spiritual songs in church, a backing track of guitar and subtle bass works best. I either pre-record the guitar track myself, or if it’s just simple comping I let BIAB do it. I never use a BIAB guitar track that I’m not capable of doing myself. My audiences in both settings like it very much. No complaints yet!
Cheers! -Alastair
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 330
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 330 |
I agree with Alastair on this. I think the style of music has a lot to do with whether of not I would use backing tracks. I've been successfully gigging for years playing instrumental guitar along with my BIAB backing tracks. Especially in situations where "background music" is required, I can create a nice small band sound without being too loud. However, if i was to gig with my acoustic guitar and voice (finger picking folk, blues, country, etc.). I probably would not use tracks. My own style of singing is pretty laid back, and I don't want to be tied to a specific beat throughout a whole song.
But, I've also heard singers sound great using backing tracks.
"Different strokes for different folks".
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,301
Posts790,749
Members39,855
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean