I used BIAB many years ago and liked it. I have recently updated to 2019 and feel very disappointed...so much so that I'm considering returning.


- Manual doesn't appear to correlate with the 2019 version, including icons and menu choice names. I have the MegaPak.
- Thought Sampletank comes with it, but it doesn't?
- Cant find any explanation of Aria or Spforzando
= Every time I open BIAB (and see the blank song with one C chord), only the drums work. Manually selecting sounds for other instruments sometimes works, sometimes not
- I can't change the drum sound. Literally, I select a Midi sound or other sound and nothing changes
- Menu and icons and options feel very cluttered...4K monitor may be an issue, but scaling doesn't help much. My eyes hurt.
- I don't absolutely need the software but thought it could be a useful sketch tool.

Is it expected that learning to use BIAB is an exceptionally steep learning curve? I've spent 4 hours on it today and have accomplished close to nothing. I can't even get a simple default song with one chord to play using all the instruments. I feel like this software may not be worth my time spent. :-(

I used BIAB many years ago and liked it. I've had it ever since and recently updated to 2019 and feel elated...so much so that I'd never give it up.

- I hit Ctrl-T and the classic page goes to the updated new view without all the clutter.

- I don't need the software either but it is an invaluable sketch tool and just a wonderful program to practice to and just generally have a blast playing with it.

Is it expected that learning to use BIAB is an exceptionally steep learning curve? According to what you plan to do with BIAB, the learning curve varies. Like every thing, especially software, a software program may not suit everyone's needs or wants and may not be worth your time. That happens on occasion.

But, on the other hand, there is no other program that can do what BIAB does which is generate accompaniment music in the unique way that BIAB does. One can make very professional grade and complex music with BIAB. If that's something you have need or desire to do, then it's worth your time and effort to learn it. Otherwise, there's no need to delve into the complexities of the program and another software may suit your needs entirely.

If you decide to try BIAB, then here on the forum is a great place to ask questions, read posts and listen to songs created using BIAB software. Others have surely had similar issues as they started out with the program so a little research and reading may give you a jump start to making music with BIAB. There's also tons of video tutorials on YouTube, here on PGMusic's webpage and several vendors sell tutorials. Joanne Cooper and Groove 3 come to mind.

Welcome to the forum and to BIAB. There are no silly questions and the forum is one of the more accommodating forums on line. Hopefully, BIAB is the right software for you and if so, I look forward to hearing more from you as well as listening to music you learn to create and produce with this great software.

Hi Valmiki,

If time permits, before you ask for a refund (one has 30 days after the purchase of the software), have a look at some of the video clips found at the below webpage.

https://www.pgmusic.com/videos.bbwin.htm

These should help.

Regards,
Noel

Welcome back. Great answers above.

We should be able to help you if you can provide more information. Let’s start with Options, Preferences, MIDI Driver. We need to examine most things there. We also need to know what you chose when installing - which of the four choices, and where the files are.

If we can’t get you going, which I think is unlikely as long as we work together, then you can always call PG Music Support. Or just do that now. They are terrific.

Yes... ask questions here and call tech support at PG before you pull the plug and return it.

First... if you have no instruments playing except the drums... have you installed a default synth for BB to call on to use to play those instruments? It's been a while, but I do seem to recall having the same issue and it was after I installed a synth.... in my case TTS, but some folks use Coyote as well.... that I finally was able to get sound from the program.

Having the same drums sound.... in midi, there's essentially one kit. You will need to have your synth installed and also be sure you've chosen the path to the directory for the instruments and also for the drums. They are in two different directories. Your program doesn't automatically know where they are. You must tell it ...same thing applies to Band in a Box as it does to Real Band. Once it knows where to look, you will have all the options at your disposal.

Learning curve.... that depends on how deep you want to go. I find that using just the things I need didn't take long to figure out.

My suggestion... call PG and have them help you through the installation process. They are knowledgeable and I recall asking them for help and guidance in my original install for much of the same reasons. IN a few minutes they had me up and running.

Keep us posted and don't hesitate to ask questions here for clarification and guidance as well. Lots of people here can help.

Appreciate the thoughts and words of encouragement. I forgot that I had 30 days, somehow I had 7 in my mind. That helps. I did email support with a couple of small questions which they resolved very quickly. I didn't find a 'quick tips' type of set-up guide anywhere (a written one). Maybe people's computers and setups are too varied for that kind of thing.

I bought a paper copy of the manual to work through. Hopefully that will help some, too. I really like having a paper copy in front of me to work through. It was only $10 plus shipping. The FedEx/Kinko's store wanted hundreds of dollars to print the manual (no kidding), so $10 from PG Music is a very good value.

Some things I found out in case it's later helpful to anyone else:

The Ctrl-T tip above was brilliant. My default screen is just the menu, and what I like better is actually the old style color icons. I also scaled my 4K monitor to 200% in windows 10 which helps a lot with the eyes. The CoyoteWT / Coyote sounds only work with the 32-bit version. I'm using the 64-bit version (which I assume is preferable with a 64-bit machine). The 64-bit version should use VSTSynthFont64. Sampletank 2.5 only comes packaged with higher versions (UltraPak or higher) of BIAB and only works with the 32-bit version of the software. Also, I was having some trouble with the StylePicker. First thing to do apparently even on a new install is to rebuild the list. Also, you can't preview your current song if it's just one chord. You need a minimum number of chords in the chart for the preview function to work, probably four.

Thanks again

Valmiki, it sounds like you're not a power user. There is no benefit to use the 64 bit Biab over 32 bit. 64 bit systems run 32 bit programs perfectly.

Bob

Glad you’re coming along. I didn’t know about a minimum number of chords to preview. You learn something every day with this program.

Yes, the style picker should be rebuilt after installation, including each update. We actually suggested recently that this be done automatically even if it takes a half-minute more.

No, I would not define myself as a power user at this point. I am slowing getting back into the home studio / DAW world and am finding that things have evolved quite a bit. Lots of new features (generally speaking) especially with regard to production workflow for commercial work, mixing, tracking to video, and the increasing trend towards samples and clips. Much of that is outside my needs. So I'm finding with programs such as Cubase (for example), there's quite a lot to sort through and whittle down.

I have liked BIAB in the past not only a sketch pad, but as a very good generator of MIDI parts. I would then export to Cubase (home), or even send to the studio guys, and get it edited and apply different sample libraries, etc. That said, as a sketch pad BIAB would seem to be better than ever with all the built-in sampled instruments/styles. A better sounding rending without having to link up massive external sample libraries like I did in the past. With my very new DAW now (years later), I haven't even bought massive sample libraries yet...still exploring and deliberately making choices slowly.

I might add that I am considering leaving the Cubase world altogether. I have discovered a DAW software called Harrison Mixbus that is much more simplified, equally powerful for my needs, and much easier to use. The opinions I've heard with respect to its "sound quality" have been very good---which is interesting, as I've never considered recording software to vary much in terms of sound quality per se, all settings being equal. I just want to make that the Harrison software would play nicely with whatever external sample libraries I might buy.

Mixbus has a devoted following. Harrison makes mixing consoles. The website indicates they originally developed the software algorithms to allow their digital consoles to accurately emulate the sound of their analog consoles. Those algorithms are the heart of the Mixbus audio engine. The software closely emulates a mixing console. If you have a history with live sound or analog audio recording you should quickly feel comfortable using the software.

Two cautions however. (1) The software is available in two packages: Mixbus and Mixbus 32C. Check +++ THIS +++ webpage so you know which package you want. (2) They publish their plugins in LV2 format. The LV2 plugin format is not widely accepted on the Windows platform. Mixbus and Audacity are the only two programs that I know will accept them. It should be noted however, LV2 is the preferred plugin extension for Linux and is an open source extension

Pretty much everything you've said resonates with me. I upgraded from the 2007 version to 2018 overnight. It's a bit more daunting, but only a bit. Once you are set up to deliver sound, it's all a fairly (easy) gentle glide from there.

I've settled into a sustainable workflow even though I know there may be better/easier ways to accomplish what I want. Right now, all my true challenges are creative and not so much "technical". Whatever else I need BIAB to do I am confidant I will/can learn. In truth, there are usually multiple ways of doing the same thing. To me, that's one of the strengths of the program, even if it makes the "manual" at times wonky and incomplete.

To my mind, if you had use for/enjoyed the program years ago...then you'll likely have use for it now and enjoy it even more.

I suggest you not listen to any claims that one DAW has any better ‘sound quality’ than another. Once you choose a sample rate and bit rate, audio should sound the same. Of course, there is a lot to consider for that decision. But anyone claiming better sound is talking about the plugins. And you can run many, probably most, in the DAW of your choice.

To choose a DAW, download all the trial versions. Choose the one that has the features you need that just feels right - intuitive - for how you work.

And try RealBand enough that you see what it can do that no other DAW can. Then use all the tools in the right time as needed. In my case, I also use a stereo audio editor and a CD mastering/burning program.

Absolutely try out Real Band. It just amazes me how so many users don't even look at it, they're focused on Biab only. RB IS A DAW! But not just an ordinary DAW, it is capable of opening Biab files, it has 48 tracks, it will handle all of the usual VST's that any other DAW will handle.

FORGET about messing with other DAW's until you've gotten familiar with Real Band. Then you'll be in a position to decide if you need another DAW or not.

Bob

Although I do not use RealBand I completely agree with Bob. I have always said that if you don't already have a favorite DAW then start with RealBand.

I am a total newbie. Did accompaniment for ONE song. Have been trying for hours to start on a new song but cannot load a new style and clear the old one. HELP!

Starting a new song shouldn't be difficult.

Select File > New from the drop-down menu

Changing the Style should also be easy. 1:press the Styles button, 2:select the Style and 3:press OK

What are the issues you are having? You didn't say, you just said you cannot load a new style. What steps did you take?

Hey Genie,

Out of curiosity, are you using a Pro or MegaPAK? What version year are you using? And is this for Windows or for Mac? I'm thinking if you are using a Pro or MegaPAK you may need to do a slow rebuild of your StylePicker. The exact wording will be a little different if you are on Windows or Mac.

If you are on Windows, go to Style | StylePicker (Browse All Styles). At the bottom of the window you'll see a "rebuild" button. Click on it and go with the "slow" option. This should do a completely rebuild of your list for you and update the StylePicker to reflect what you have with the program.

If you are on Mac, go to Style | StylePicker (Browse All Styles) | Rebuild and click on the "Complete Rebuild of Style List" option.

If you are not using a Pro or MegaPAK, can you please further explain and be as detailed as possible about any buttons, menus, or steps taken? Thanks!

Learning about Ctrl-T was a small tip but very big help for me... options became clearer to see and matched the help files.

Not sure if you got a manual with your purchase. I bought one for $10 plus 5 for shipping. Got here (other side of the continent) in less than a week, and it’s been a BIG help. I know there’s a PDF inside the program, but it’s no match to having a hardcopy manual in front of you...at least for me.

$15 US for a printed copy of the manual is a good investment if you prefer having a hard copy of the manual.

One of the chief differences between upgrade and full version is the full version includes the printed manual.

I enjoy having the manual so I can highlight, add notes and study the manual when I'm away from electronic devices.

Hi Valmiki

Sorry to hear you are battling with BIAB. It does take quite a bit of time and effort to get to know but once you are up and running it is simply wonderful and has transformed my musical life. T

here are loads of free articles on my website that may get you on your way and if you are on Facebook you can consider joining our group. Links to both are in my signature.

Here is a video I did a while back that you may find useful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqGvnE1HNqo

There are also loads of videos on PG Music's channel.

https://www.youtube.com/user/pgmusicinc

Best of luck.