Billy, I won't try to give you much advice because our background (except for a love of boats) is likely quite different. I was a pro player as a child and have always been a computer expert. Even so, in a studio I like to be one or the other, not both. I play most horns but BIAB gave me the rhythm section I cannot play. Someday in the nursing home, I will want a laptop, modem, headphones and BIAB. That will be fine.

The only thing that surprised me in your post was that people you would like to collaborate with are reluctant to conference with you on video! That really is a disappointment. I can't see any band going into a studio without working directly together in some way. Those musicians, if they want to adapt to the new normal, should add video skills to what they bring to the table.

Having said that, I rarely need to meet with the talent before I hit the studio. I was probably recommended by their producer or another artist who knows what I do, and the talent generally has no idea what a horn player might add. I prepare heavily, using BIAB to write and arrange parts on their song, and arrive in the studio ready to lay down tracks. Then I am usually requested to play other things they think of, but somehow what gets put on the CDD is only what I prearranged. This is ENTIRELY different from what you describe, where you get the energy and ideas from bandmates. I get that. So, encourage those players to learn to video conference with you. Maybe JamKazam, which has less latency than Zoom, would help. Otherwise, hire someone else.

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; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.